Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder 

A little humor this week. Maybe you’ll recognize yourself or someone you know in this article. It’s OK, you’re in good company!! "I just wanted to let everyone know that I have recently been diagnosed with Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder (AAADD). Symptoms:

This is how it goes... I decide to do the laundry, start down the hall and notice the newspaper on the table. OK, I'm going to do the laundry... BUT FIRST I'm going to read the newspaper. After that, I notice the mail on the table... OK, I'll just put the newspaper in the recycle stack....

BUT FIRST I'll look through the mail and see if there are any bills to be paid. Yes. Now where is the checkbook? Oops... there's the empty glass from yesterday on the coffee table. I'm going to look for that checkbook...

BUT FIRST I need to put the glass in the sink. I head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice my poor flowers need a drink of water. I put the glass in the sink and there's the remote for the TV on the kitchen counter. What's it doing here? I'll just put it away...

BUT FIRST I need to water those plants. I head for the door and... Aaaagh! Stepped on the cat. Cat needs to be fed. Okay, I'll put the remote away and water the plants... BUT FIRST I need to feed the cat.

END OF DAY: Laundry is not done, newspapers are still on the floor, glass is still in the sink, bills are not paid, checkbook is still lost, and the cat ate the remote control. And, when I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I'm baffled! Because... I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY! I realize this condition is serious.... I'll get help... BUT FIRST...I need to check my e-mail...."

Thanks for the few minutes of time!

I am reading a great book called Change the Way You See Everything Through Asset Based Thinking. I wrote about asset based thinking (ABT) a while back but here is a quick definition of ABT: Focus on what is right in your life. Imagine what could be possible if we focused our attention on:

• Opportunities rather that problems


• Strengths more than weaknesse


• What can be done instead of what can’t

Try this out in your own life. Focus on what your opportunities are while waiting in traffic and know you’re going to be late for your next appointment. Ask yourself, “How could I prepare for this meeting I’m going into, or “Is there a CD I could listen to” or even, “Thanks God for these few minutes of quiet time with you. You must of known I needed it”.

Notice how this type of thinking is much more empowering and easy. It may take some practice but be intentional about changing your thoughts to ABT. I would love to hear your stories of how ABT is changing your life. Click here to add your personal story.