Following along with Part 1 of this series, we're looking at "the Power of Unsubscribing." Today, let's think about another approach: "unsubscribing" from the powerful siren song of your phone.

I’d never heard the term “micro-progress” but, since reading Time Herrera's article "Micro-Progress and the Magic of Just Getting Started" in the New York Times, I have used the term and recommended it to my clients. It’s a magic trick to get started a project or task that you just can’t or won’t start. When faced with an activity that looms large, try this trick:

A few mornings ago, I met a friend for a sunrise run, hoping to catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse. Halfway through mile two, she told me one of her dirty secrets: She had over 16,000 emails in her inbox.

ADDitude Magazine's article "10 Ways to Improve Your Teen's Executive Function Skills" is a great place to start, but don’t assume all teens naturally possess executive function skills. While they want mastery and control of their own lives, we also want to foster independence safely.

"Right Goal, Wrong Strategy: 11 New Treatment Ideas" offers a quick slide show with ideas to help you become more productive. My faves: find a cheerleader, spark interest, change the format, creative competition and find an accountability partner.

Most of my clients call me when they are stuck because of procrastination, lack of motivation and inability to follow through. We work on a variety of skills, like setting goals, planning, and prioritizing. After a week or two, the subject of exercise comes around. “I really should, but I just don’t have time.” “I just don’t like it.” “I haven’t been able to stick with it.”

"6 Things You Didn't Know about the ADHD Brain" at ADDitude Magazine is an interesting article on how stimulants work for or against the ADHD brain. This is a clear explanation of the latest research on why it’s hard to get motivated and stay motivated, but also how emotions cannot be regulated automatically at all times. Surprisingly, it doesn’t all take place in the prefrontal cortex. Read on... the mystery unfolds.

I love digital devices as much as the next person. Here I am with my Apple Watch, which helps me track my runs and stay on top of my busy schedule. But I also understand how addictive these helpful devices can be, and I'm dedicated to helping clients block those distractions. I just read an article in the New York Times called "It's Time For Apple to Build a Less Addictive iPhone," by Farhad Majoo, who suggests that Apple should develop and sell a less addictive smartphone.

The glass is indeed half full! The article "Benefits (Yes, Benefits!) of Having ADHD," from The Hallowell Center in New York City, presents a positive way to look at ADHD. Check out the awesomeness of these mirror traits! We are creative, persistent, energetic and passionate. What’s not to love?

“He doesn’t care.” “He’s not living up to his potential.” “He’ll never amount to anything.” What is really going on? To continue in our series (here's Part 1 and Part 2) on parenting teens with ADHD, the article and video "Why Teens Stop Trying," at ADDitude Magazine, is a short explanation of why your teen may have quit trying. 

In Part 1 of this series, we looked at motivational problems for teens with ADHD.

So as a parent, what can you do?

“My son quit trying in school because his masculinity is threatened? What?” 

I know. I didn’t quite understand it either the first time I heard it. But behind all that bluster is a lot of insecurity and an enormous fear of failure. Read on to get the full picture

Have you heard of phubbing? It's a recently coined term—a combination of "phone" and "snubbing"—that describes the act of turning your attention to your phone in the presence of others. "Phubbing" is always a bad idea, but, like slot machines in a casino, our phones are designed to attract our attention.

The holidays are hectic enough, but when it comes to the members of your family diagnosed with ADHD, the holidays can feel incredibly overwhelming. And maybe not all of your family gets it. The article "Stop Unsolicited Advice From Family In Its Tracks," by Carol Brady at ADDitude Magazine, has some great tips on how to prepare your extended family, your immediate family, your child, and yourself for holiday visits.

The holidays are almost here! Are you prepared? Jessica at How to ADHD has some funny, helpful advice on what not to get people with ADHD this holiday season.

When you've been sitting for too long studying for the exam or working on that final paper, try two minutes of mindful movement. By aligning your body and your mind with breath and movement, you can focus even more.  Watch this short video by Cara Bradley and Mindful.org for a two-minute break that will get your blood flowing and your brain working.

The article "Four Steps to Independence: How to Support (Not Enable) a Child with ADHD" by Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster at ADDitude Magazine has some excellent tips on how to support your child's independence. 

With technology changing so rapidly, it has been challenging for scientists to create studies about screen time. However, one conclusion has been unanimous…

"How We Decide: The Neuronal Reward Signal" by Wolfram Schultz is an interesting article that highlights the importance of dopamine receptors in reward systems and how they affect decision making. The innovator brain functions differently, and so you can see how this important neural activity (or lack of it) can affect so many aspects of everyday life.

ADDitude Magazine has great suggestions for parents of all teens, not just those with ADHD. Check out "Hormones, High School, and ADHD: A Parent's Guide," by Peter Jaksa, for a number of helpful techniques. But don't just read articles; Mind Coach NOLA has a whole toolbox of helpful tips and techniques to put into practice, and works with parents one-on-one to develop a deeper understanding of how your teen's brain works! Mind Coach NOLA also works with teens, to help them understand their own brains and to develop stronger executive function skills, guiding them toward becoming successful young adults.