“While we all need external structure in our lives—some degree of predictability, routine, organization—those with ADD need it much more than most people. They need external structure so much because they so lack internal structure.”
"ADHD is not a disability, it's a different ability."
- Edward M. Hallowell
Awareness
"A person with ADHD has the power of a Ferrari engine but with bicycle-strength brakes. It’s the mismatch of engine power to braking capability that causes the problems. Strengthening one’s brakes is the name of the game."
- Edward M. Hallowell
Awareness
"It helps to think of ADHD as a complex set of contradictory or paradoxical tendencies: a lack of focus combined with an ability to superfocus; a lack of direction combined with highly directed entrepreneurialism; a tendency to procrastinate combined with a knack for getting a week’s worth of work done in two hours; impulsive, wrongheaded decision making combined with inventive, out-of-the-blue problem solving; interpersonal cluelessness combined with uncanny intuition and empathy; the list goes on."
- Edward M. Hallowell
Awareness
"Make friends with structure, make friends with organization. We tend to see them as the enemy because, because we think that is going to inhibit our creativity. And so we resist structure. Oh no, that’s for boring people that have attention surplus disorder. I’m free; I have ADD. Big mistake. Structure, in fact, potentiates creativity. Structure sets you free."
- Edward M. Hallowell
Creativity
"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective ADHD Adults: 1. Do what you’re good at. Don’t spend too much time trying to get good at what you’re bad at. (You did enough of that in school.) 2. Delegate what you’re bad at to others, as often as possible. 3. Connect your energy to a creative outlet. 4. Get well enough organized to achieve your goals. The key here is “well enough.” That doesn’t mean you have to be very well organized at all—just well enough organized to achieve your goals. 5. Ask for and heed advice from people you trust—and ignore, as best you can, the dream-breakers and finger-waggers. 6. Make sure you keep up regular contact with a few close friends. 7. Go with your positive side. Even though you have a negative side, make decisions and run your life with your positive side."
- Edward M. Hallowell
Self-improvement
"Beauty is not about physical perfection, but about authenticity and confidence."
- Beauty and the Beast
Self-awareness
"Beauty is found in the unique qualities that make us who we are."
- Beauty and the Beast
Self-awareness
"I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific."
- Lily Tomlin
Self-awareness
"Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears."
- Laird Hamilton
Self-awareness
"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less."
Self-awareness