Auto-Pilot ADHD

                                                         Too Hot To Handle!


Is it the ADHD? I can't wait. No. It is too hard to wait. I just noticed my attention-span go into auto-pilot.
I was trying to watch my new video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDdlWWrplbo&feature=em-upload_owner and because there was a lull in the upload I quickly clicked on the Three Stooges video in the side-bar.... :-) Auto-pilot ADHD, that's me! :-)

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

My dog is hyperfocused

My dog is like me when I am hyper-focused....



Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Getting to know Yourself is the first thing to helping yourself with A.D.H.D or A.D.D.

You are wonderfully, and marvelously made.
You are complex with 10,000 plus attributes you probably DO NOT even acknowledge.
This being said, the question begs, "So what?"
Well, you should get to know what your preferences are and get to know your likes, skills, wisdom, abilities, talents and dreams better.
The old NATURE versus NURTURE debate is not settled, however, there is a big agreement, that external environment doesn't play into even half of what intrinsic NATURE can help you with.
Find out your NATURE and do not feel such a strong impulse to conform.
If you have A.D.H.D or attention-deficit chances are you are an incredibly interesting person with many diverse and eclectic passions.
Keeping a daily blog or diary, taking pictures, creating and performing may be some ways you can watch yourself shine.
Getting to know yourself is a cumulative PROJECT.
So, don't sell yourself short.
Thank your Ma and Pa for life, and value who you are and indeed, you will agree in time that:
You are wonderfully, and marvelously made.
Sincerely,
Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Be original or give credit to the author.

There is no way a person can give credit to everyone who has inspired him or her, and sometimes it is hard to avoid making it seem like you are copying someone, especially if you are inspired by that person.  The best thing we can all do is to strive to be as original as we can.  If something strikes a familiar chord with us, or the information has been given to us freely, it is no shame if we relate that to others, neverthless, it is best either to give credit to the author, or else keep quiet.  The best thing of course, is to listen to your inner muse and march to the beat of your own drummer, however, keep your own drummer in check if he or she works against your best interests.
Originally yours,
Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Keep smiling

It is springtime, and it officially began yesterday at around 12.21.
I decided not to post anymore #CelebrityADHDSunday because I don't want to dwell on negativity.
I hope you are having a busy, fun weekend.

I am working again today on the radio.  Had a nice visit with some of our on-air radio guests today including musicians Peter and Paul Wendinger, and Bruce Bradley.
Happy Spring,
Amy Zents

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release, including my song about ADD called the "A.D.D. Blues."
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Every little bit helps

Yesterday I did 20 things I wanted to do.
20 new things done on 3/19/10

Walk dogs
Breakfast
Make Vegetable salad
Go to store buy water, vegetables and fruits
Play guitar
Play piano
Do dishes
Go to gym (strength)
Clip toenails
Clip finger nails
Study French
Math
blog
Study Italian
walk dogs
songwriting practice
market band on website
study teaching info for Principles of Learning 7-12
work info-1040
pay chamber dues and pick up big cat (stuffed animal from window display)

Today I made another list of 20 things I want to do.
Last night I read in Vogue about a fabulously rich man, who claims to have A.D.D.
He flies his own helicopter with the aid of a co-pilot and commutes from rural New York to downtown NYC on weekdays.
A short-attention span does not an imbecile make.
I am working today at the radio station.  I am signing on at 6am.
Well, I will write more later today.  Gotta run.
Amy Zents.

Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mollysonnyboy2

Daily Tip: Do "new things" every day

So you want to learn Italian and French like me?
Or maybe there is another skill you would like to master?
Make it a practice to spend at least 15 minutes a day with your interest and you will find, that you will indeed make incremental progress, and over the span of a year you will have greatly improved your new skill.
You and I are impatient, we want instant gratification.  At least, that seems to be a trait of many suffering with ADHD, or Attention-deficit.
Slow and steady wins the race, so even though you have many, many interests, you can make time for these in baby steps, consistently done over a period of time.
Like saving $1 a day, you will eventually amass a fortune.
Take it one day at a time and enjoy success.
Have a great day!
Musically and liguistically yours,
Amy Zents
Make sure to enjoy a sample of original music from my band Molly and Sonny Boy's newest CD release

Daily Tip: Use the kinder weather to get outside more

A lovely day today.  Saturday will officially be the first day of spring.
I took the dogs out for a little walk and taught music.
I have to get my husband up and at 'em shortly for work.
I hope to get more active this spring.
I cannot stand the cold weather.  Today seemed almost like a summer day.
The sun was shining and it was mild out.
I will try and do more exercise to drop some of the fat and put on more muscle this spring.
I get so tired all the time when I am out of condition.
Spring is time to spring up and move!
Have a good day, and Think Spring!
Amy Zents

Daily Tip: Avoid Losing stuff, If Possible

Last night I checked to find my new Nexus One phone.  My phone battery had run down and I could not call it to find it...so what does that have to do with me?
I sometimes think I know all the answers for ADHD, but I was crawling in the mud again last night looking for my expensive android phone.  I was getting sick with fear, I had already lost my first smart phone, a G1, and my husband loveingly bought me a new Nexus one, the smart phone I use to create my daily comic "Cole's Kibble."  Last night when I couldn't find my new phone, my husband said he would help locate it, but I was ashamed at the messy place and I asked my husband to let me work things out my own way. 
I tried to track it down for over an hour.  I don't know how my husband knew, but he searched the truck after I did, and while I was in a mental state of frustration and anger, he found my phone under the truck seat and I was oh, so relieved!
I put it on the charger and I was still not satisfied.
I was so miserable for having misplaced my phone I felt so unworthy for having such a nice phone. 
I wondered if I was sabotaging myself everyday.  Crazy.  ADHD can make you feel frightened and crazy.
I told my husband how thankful I was, and now I will be even more conscientious than ever.
But, I have no answers for attention-deficit.  It is a daily fight to help yourself and others to stay sane.
I am certainly glad to have my emergency doctor husband to allay my fears and help me.
I wish I could be a better person, and the only way I see doing that is try and do more to make our homelife a lot more pleasant.
We have to have dinner now, so I will act a little less dopey and make some nice supper for my dear man.
He always makes me feel much better.  Now we are getting ready to perform a St. Patty's day gig on Wednesday.
I want to be organized and prepared but I don't expect it will be easy.
We'll get practicing after supper.  Having printer problems right now, but I am sure Jim will patiently fix that too.
Have a calm week.
Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Use common sense, or you can't do everything all the time.

Today the toilet backed up.  Nothing worse than waking up to a clogged toilet, with a broken handle.
Wow, they sure make crappy things these days.  No pun intended.
That is a new toilet we had installed. and now the tub isn't draining properly either.  Guess we will have to have a word with our plumber who did the work.
What a shame!
I unclogged the toilet using my mum's old method of sending boiling water down the hole.
It did the trick, after sending down water a couple of times.
I had so many good intentions of things to do today, but only focused on the 3 major ones.
That of cookng a decent hot breakfast for my husband, taking the dogs out and cleaning up the place.
It is too much to try and do everything, there is generally something that always gets in the way.
Today it was a bill from our local AnyTime Fitness's financial headquarters, a business called ABC Financial stating I had a debt.  How could this be? 
We have automatic billpay.  When I waited and waited on the automatic phone system til an operator FINALLY picked up, I found out she knew nothing about anything owed.  She thinks it could be an error either with the gym or with their automated system.  Well, whoop-dee-doo!  So, I'm robbed of my precious time trying to clear up their error.
I hate that kind of crap.
I wish I could be recompensed with a free 6-month membership or at least some kind of compensation.
But, the customer is NEVER king.  I should know that by now.
It is tempting to write a dissatisfied letter to the ABC Financial services, but I will try and get to the bottom of the problem by talkng to the owners of the gym,
Well, gotta run.  Keep life simple so you have time to handle the *** interruptions that mar your day.
Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Fear is a motivator for many

We all need to move.  To get things done.  To be motivated.
Sadly, sometimes "crunch-time is the only time we get things done" time.
If you know what I mean!
You probably would be able to put off a lot of stuff, like me.
But, in the end, it's wiser to try to use fear to get you off your duff.
Sometimes the fear comes in the form of self-disgust.  That is inward motivation.
More often than not, the motivation we receive comes from external sources.
Circumstances, other people, warning signs, etc. can serve to remind us we need to move and to act!
Too bad, ay?
But knowledge about fear kicking our butts can be a good thing to acknowledge.
See that fear serves a purpose, use it to empower you to act, not to cower and retreat.
Fear can help.  Don't see it as an enemy, but rather as an ally, and you will go far.
In fact, the fear of failure can be turned inside out.  If you fear failing, you should try and do what you can
so you do not fail.
The same goes for any other goal you may have.
If you know you cannot buy back an ounce of time, then use your pen and paper to plan your time more wisely.  You can prioritize what is meaningful to you and try and do that.
Then you will not fear that you have not spent your time the way you desire.
If you will fear not knowing what you want, or who you are, you will live life on a journey of discovery, seeking all you so wish to achieve, to do and to enjoy and then you will be using your fear to your
advantage.
So do what you can to use fear to assist you to get your work done and things will get easier.
Be proactive and productive.
Peace,
Amy Zents.
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Talk it out and work it out.

Here it is Saturday, and it feels like it was just Tuesday.  Time seems to pass and I feel so overwhelmed at times. I know I have simplified my life, a lot.  I realize if you have a house and pets, they demand a lot of your attention.  If you aspire to being fit, there is time that must be spent at the gym and if you want to perform you need to practice.  Also, there is the matter of "It's a living."  You need to work.  So how much time is left over to mull and relax?  To slow down?

Creating my comic blog focused on my dogs helps me to reconnect a little to my surroundings, you can follow it at Cole's Kibble
I could eat, drink and sleep all the time for fun.  Good meals and yummy food breaks make slowing down a little easier to swallow.
Going to the gym, and taking a break from everything by working out on the recumbant beats the A.D.D. blues.  Especially tuning into my Old Time Radio shows is a wonderful mini-vacation.
Like a burst of sunshine, teaching my students and going out with my husband to open mics or to perform is always a channel-changer in my brain that revives me.
Today's gratitude is for food.  I love good food.  I am thankful for cheeses, olives, crackers, breads, potatoes, cereals, eggs, near-beers, diet sodas, Starbucks French Roast coffee, yogurt, nachos, fruit of all varieties and raw and cooked veggies, stir-fry and delicious foods that cross my tongue salaciously each and ev'ry day.
Have a lovely weekend and stay in charge of your time and your life.

Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Self-Discipline is easier than Self- Doubt in the long wrong

Should I go or should I stay?  Sometimes due to a self-esteem issue some folks with A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. are loathe to try and assert their own ideas and try and become successful in their chosen fields of interest.  It is just because failure is so common among those with A.D.H.D. or A.D.D. 
The time to believe in yourself is now.  Today's gratitude is for my blog.  Here, for me and you!
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Wishing and Hoping is different than working and action

Today I was busy the whole day long, and I have my husband to thank for being right by my side assisting me in all the chores.  Stove corn fuel is heavy and he brought in 600 pounds for me.  Going to the gym is great when your husband goes with you and cleaning and vacuuming the living room, making supper and walking the dogs together makes the load lighter.
I must say life means a lot of work, and there is a lot of joy to be had when one has a good partner and a plan to get things done.
Today my gratitude is for pen and paper.  I used the back of an envelope to write out my to-dos, but we got 'em done.
Now it is time for bed.
Amy Zents

© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: First things first, or don't walk away from yourself

Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold - but so does a hard-boiled egg. ~Author Unknown

It seems that a person can sabotage their life, and walk away from their dreams when they won't and don't do first things first.  It may be because they are not clear on what should come first.
I know that if I find myself with a lot of free-time, or extra money, I can easily squander it, but I need to reassess my Modus Operandi.  If I want to keep a successful mindset, I need to be wise to what I should do first each day.

I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. ~John Locke

Do we really want what we say we want? 
Or do we want what is convenient and easy?
These are some of the questions we need to ask ourselves.
Before any big dreams are attempted there has to be truth and clear-eyed view of what it is we are actually willing to do, not just what it is we want.

Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned. ~Peter Marshall

If your A.D.H.D or A.D.D. is taking a toll on your self-control,
you may realize that you may need to be more realistic with your wants and goals.
Start to enjoy your life by being true to yourself instead of feeling guilty all the time about what you should be doing, but are unwilling to do.  It is tragic you can't do it, so accept it, give in, give up or else, if you don't like that idea, take the RISK, and do what you know you need to do!
Remember the old saying,
"What you are speaks louder than what you say!"
Your environment represents what you are, your appearance, your words, your thoughts, and remember, the old similiarity:
You can judge a book by it's cover, most of the time.
Most of the time, like goes with like....be careful and make sure your friends support your dreams.
What are you made of?
Well done is better than well said. ~Benjamin Franklin
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done. ~Author Unknown
Other sayings that come to mind:
People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do. ~Lewis Case
Don't find fault. Find a remedy. ~Henry Ford
Success will never be a big step in the future, success is a small step taken just now. ~Jonatan Mårtensson

If you think about it, here in the Midwest, Spring is coming and things are looking up.
Action is the antidote to despair. ~Joan Baez
My daily gratitude is regarding my husband. I am grateful to have such a great man that I can bounce ideas off, a person who helps me to get to the gym, to eat right, to get enough sleep, to help me learn to play my instruments, and to take me lots of fun places and do lots of fun things, like going on outings and making fine music!
Have a great day!
Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Face unpleasant tasks with a cheerful sound and #CelebrityADHDSUnday

There is an old saying, "It takes a heap of living to build a home," and it is always time to clean my heap.
But the motivation is what it takes to do the work.
I used to mind the work as being tedious, odious and hateful. But, that's not important now since I have my iPod touch and Old Time Radio.
I find that I can do chores with the mp3 player.
If I want to clean up and need to get cracking, I choose a fun story to listen to from a number of downloads that are free on iTunes podcasts.
So, now I will do like I say, and sweep the kitchen, do dishes and make the bed while listening to "My Friend Irma."
I love stories, and I learn a lot too.
Some people like to listen to music as a motivator to clean, that is OK too.
Whatever it takes to make your home a gorgeous place is well worth it.
I didn't watch TV last night, and that was great.
I also spent another 60 minutes at the local gym working out.
My daily gratitude is regarding my iPod Touch. I am grateful to have such a great toy that I can use to get lost in stories and song, and it is a great backup to my smartphone.  When my phone is charging, I can go online and check my Twitter account and post things up with my iPod touch.
#CelebrityADHDSunday
Here is a celebrity I think who has A.D.H.D or A.D.D. by the way he acted, and felt the need for high-risk behavior and stimulating experiences that cost him a lot...remember, he can hyper-focus on the thing he loves, golf..however, none of us is perfect, including the formerly highly-respected sports superstar Tiger Woods.

I don't know whether he is a genius or a crackpot, or whether he has A.D.D., or A.D.H.D, or is just a thrill-seeker.  Still, we have met something more of the REAL Tiger woods. How he will try and change our impression of him now remains to be seen.
Be good,
Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Make time to exercise

Today is the third day in a row I am going to the gym.  I use only one machine, the recumbant cycle.  The Nautilus.  I sit on it and pedal for an hour.  I do intervals between level 4 and level 20 for 60 minutes, while studying a self-help book about getting real about getting rich.

The reason I pedal on the recumbant is to get cardio exercise, and tone my thighs, tummy and buttocks, areas I want to firm up.
Well, it is Saturday and I am scheduled to work at the radio station from 4pm-10pm.  I am going to the gym, walk the dogs, work on the songs for my upcoming St. Patrick's Day gig at the Loose Moose, make some food and go to work.
My daily gratitude is regarding my gym membership. I am grateful to have a place where I can go to exercise.  I don't have to exercise at home, but I can exercise in a nice place, on a machine that I like and go there and strengthen my body daily, and lift my brain.  They also say exercise and sleep assist in the learning process and in helping people with A.D.H.D to burn off excess emotional energy in a healthy way!
Have a great day and keep moving, and grooving!

More Funny Videos

Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Schedule Less to do more

Does it seem to you time just evaporates when you make a giant to-do list?
I have some priorities that need to get done everyday whether or not I put them on my to-do list.
These priorities surround my pets, my home and my personal needs such as good grooming and exercise.  Nevertheless, mere existence is not the only thing I am focused on.  I have many other things I would like to do besides, eating, sleeping, dressing and exercising myself and the dogs.
But, these recurring chores have to find a place in my day because they are mandatory for a pleasant existence.
One of my biggest time-suckers is TV-watching!  I like to watch mysteries and comedies, exciting adventures and for some reason I generally wind up staying up half the night watching TV.
I find it stupid when I reflect on it, why watch so many other people having fun while I am robbing myself of special dreamtime?  It makes no sense!
So, from now on I will try and force myself to not watch TV after midnight.
I wish I hated TV!  It is such a wonderful amusement, but not very profitable or very healthy.
I wish I could confine my TV-watching to Thursdays and Fridays....I think I will try that for the next 6 months because I am on a weightloss trek.
I have dropped 6 lbs since Februrary 17th, 2010 by counting calories and cycling at the gym.
My daily gratitude is regarding sleep. I am grateful to have a chance to recharge my batteries in sweet slumber, per chance to dream.  To help me to make good on my promise to abstain from TV-viewing most nights, except Thurs. and Fridays, my husband helped me to feel good about myself, by purchasing for me a mystery novel, and a glamorous romance so I can unwind to a book instead of to the bright lights of the bedroom HD TV system. Being properly rested will help me in so many ways, I am certain.  Everyone would do well to get enough sleep, and keep off too much TV!'

Well, time to get moving!

Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Try and take a compliment

One of the hardest things I have found is to accept a compliment.
I got an email from a girl I work with, and the subject referred to a radio commercial I produced.
"Eggstravaganza ad."
Immediately, I thought, she is probably emailing me to complain.  Maybe she didn't like my work....
Well, this is what the email said:
I heard the Eggstravaganza ad and it sounds great!!
I would have never thought of putting the “Chicken Dance” behind it.
Thanks for helping me out!
So, my fears were not warranted.
It is hard for people who have A.D.H.D to believe in themselves.
Maybe it's time we do.
My daily gratitude is regarding my part-time radio job. I am grateful to have a glamorous job in show business as a radio broadcaster.  It helps me to feel good about myself while I inform and entertain others. And it makes me get out of myself, interview people on-air and it keeps me up to date with my community events, world affairs, and it is fun!

So, here's to self-confidence.  Let us find self-worth in what we do, and not by relying on others to praise us.  Once in awhile it is NICE to be complimented too!
Peace,
Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010

Daily Tip: Be careful when being generous

Today I was charged 30 dollars for a 4 dollar overdraft at the bank.  I thought those days were behind me, but apparantly the way the bank I deal with doesn't care about disenchanting me by whomping me with the overdraft fee. 
Guess who is closing that bank account as soon as she can?  Me.  My gripe lies in the fact that their computer banking system is slow, and to me it feels as if they cheated me because I knew my funds were low, but the overdraft was not evident on my online account when I checked it yesterday. 
Why did I take out too much? 
I was trying to be generous. 
I was trying to buy our fuel for the past month, to help with the household expenses. 
We heat with corn stove fuel and everytime I go to buy it at the United Farmers Cooperative they only accept checks, so I write checks from my business account. 
I don't balance my checkbook, of course, because the detailed work is too cumbersome for a person who has A.D.H.D, that is, for me at least.
Well, I drove to the bank first thing this morning and put in monies to cover the overdraft, monies from a tuition check I received from one of my music students last week, and the paycheck I got from my radio job on Feb. 15th. 
That is another thing I fail to do very often, deposit checks. 
I get checks but I wait for them to pile up before I take them to the bank. 
You may wish you had that problem, but the checks arn't that big, and my employer has been promising direct deposit, but it has failed to materialize.
Money problems have to do with the organizational habits one strives to cultivate.  For me, I try to keep myself solvent by not racking up consumer debt through credit card use.  Nevertheless, if you do not balance your checkbook you may wind up in deep doo-doo, like I did: 
Flushing 30 dollars down the toilet in addition to the 4 dollar overdraft!
So before you write that check to be generous, be careful, you should have sufficient funds to cover it.
Or if you don't, you should have sufficient funds to make good on the overdraft and the overdraft fee!
My daily gratitude is regarding self-employment.  I am grateful to have a home-based business as a music teacher, it helps keeps me to feel good about myself while I educate others.  And it makes me tidy my home and it keep it nice for company, and it continues to nourish me in the field wherein lies my interest, that of music, and it nurtures my artistic ambitions, and entertains me as well, because music is fun!
Regarding money, I know that I need to care more for my income by managing it better, and monitoring it better.
I have a lot of cleaning to do now, since I have company coming over tonight.
Til tomorrow,
Stay happy.
Amy Zents
© Amalia Zents 2010