ADHD Ambitions #6

It's a new week. A new day. How shall I define myself today?

Wax Flowers at 6amI'm feeling a bit detached today. It's one of those ADHD days for me. I have plans. I know what I should be doing. I understand the goals, yet I am feeling that itchy, got-to-break-away-and-do-something-new feeling. In the past when I experienced this I would start a new website, project, or hobby. I wouldn't do it consciously, but head off in a new direction I would, each and every time.

Since I've been training myself to not let ADHD rule my mind, I have become better aware of how I work and can recognize the symptoms before they wreak havoc in my life. These past few years have seen a tightening of my life. I'm a better Dad, hopefully a better husband, and a better worker. I seem to accomplish more, at any rate.

Last week I attended a conference on children's literature and had my latest manuscript critiqued. I am happy to say it is every bit as good as I thought, no, hoped it was. The critiques I received will help me tighten the prose and make for a stronger narrative, but the story needed no changing. It worked as it was. That was a great relief. I have this blog to thank for that. I've been honing my skills for three years here to be a better writer.

This means that one of this week's goals is to rewrite my story, Sneaker's Secret, to include the latest edits, then mail it off to an editor at Simon & Schuster I met. Another goal for the week is to reign in my insomnia and get back to some semblance of normalcy. I do so dislike being wide awake and starting my day at 11pm. I'm all turned around again. My third goal is to begin working on a new client's website. I meet with them at 1pm today and I'm looking forward to it. It is my goal to begin and end that assignment within one month's time. As a fun aside, I will work on mastering Irish whistle rolls. I might treat you to a song by the end of the week. If I'm lucky, I might have time to write more about the conference, but blogging will be a lower priority this week.

My family is often embarrassed by what I write here. I am honest about my weaknesses and failings, so I understand where they are coming from. Unfortunately for them, writing about these failings is part of the process I need to undergo in order to master myself. Some readers have empathized with me. Others simply find my journey fascinating. Still others find my journey an affront to their lives. To them I say, I will master myself without meds. I'm sorry if that offends you, but I will not yield on that point. To everyone else, thank you for your support. I hope that overall my family will feel pride not shame at what I write. We will see.

And now I begin my day and my week and wish you luck with yours. Decide today what goals you want to achieve and apply your will to the task. You have more power over your limitations than you realize. Let's all work towards our goals and share in the joy of success.

Comments

c.j.h. said…
For what it's worth (I doubt many people read my blog) I mentioned your site in a post today.

And yes, I really do plan on subscribing to your feed. Keep up the excellent work...
March 24, 2008 10:56 AM
Anonymous said…
Douglas,
Thought your readers may be interested in a mental health campaign I'm helping to start called everyminute.org that is fighting stigma in trying to organize a grassroots lobbying force to secure more research funding. We just launched our websiteat http://www.everyminute.org Please check it out if it sounds interesting to you. Thanks!
March 24, 2008 12:43 PM
Jacki said…
I say give your family something to REALLY complain about. I am sure you could come up with some great stories about the kids when they were little. LOL. Hey, since you're a no meds guy, I thought I would ask if you've heard about an ADHD diet book called ADHD Alternative Diets. It's supposed to have a lot of info about what foods to add to the diet too so that the brain has what it needs to work like it's supposed to. Curious. I've just been hearing a lot of buzz about it lately. I found it at http://www.naturalADHDcure.com. If you know of anyone who has tried it, I would love to hear what they think.
March 27, 2008 6:56 PM
Catherine said…
I just found your blog today via StoriedMind and enjoyed my visit. Reading this post really made me think about making goals for myself. I have depression as well and life can be quite an undertaking. I admire how you write about your goals. I am going to start making small goals for myself tomorrow.

Thank you once again.
March 31, 2008 7:14 PM
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