As you enter our office, you may notice certain well-placed pieces of art which provide an environment that feels connected and natural from the very moment you step in. Many clients ask about the natural wild butterflies and the simple pencil-sketched moose. In my personal and professional life, the moose and butterflies are metaphors that have given me guidance and direction in a nonlinear, metaphysical way.
If you’re an adult or student with ADHD looking for an internship, a first-job, or considering a career change, I believe developing relationships is KEY. I encourage my clients to find a mentor or volunteer in a field that interests them. Companies are eager to take on folks who are already excited about their organization, and shadowing others helps you to see first-hand what a job entails.
As I reported in my Oxymoron blog, an important area for the ADHD executive to develop is having an executive assistant who takes care of details and helps manage the underactive nature of the pre-frontal cortex of the brain.
As I sit to write this blog about the recent death of my mother, Juanita Marie Ochoa, I celebrate her 87 years on earth. I realize the glimpses of wisdom and startling insight that are emerging in the most unexpected places are in due part to her. For the past 50 years, my dear mother bestowed unconditional love and support for me and my family like no other. All mothers are champions in their own right, based on accepting the responsibility of motherhood that stands as one of the greatest feats
Being a strong leader, staying focused, and following through on important tasks are all characteristics of successful executives. But would an adult diagnosed with ADHD fit these criteria. The perspective that ADHD and success can’t go hand in hand is absolutely off the mark. Two examples of executives who’ve succeeded with ADHD include David Neelman, founder and CEO of JetBlue, and Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinko’s, both of whom exhibited creativity and risk-taking abilities.
