Success Strategies for the Crazy Busy

You may thrive in an atmosphere of high adrenaline, high energy, and high excitement. But have you found yourself going the next stage further, when you become so busy that you are not enjoying much of anything and feeling there is too much demanding your attention with new technologies, longer working days, escalating demands and higher expectations at home?

Dr Hallowell is an expert in ADD and has found that adults under pressure can develop a culturally induced state similar to ADD. This programme is to help you build a manageable game plan for turning a hectic life into a happy, productive, rewarding, and satisfying life. He gives 10 key principles to managing modern life. He also gives a six-step plan to deal with overload.

The most stressed are getting into what is called the F State: frenzied, flailing, fearful, forgetful, furious. Instead learn to be in the C State: cool, calm, clear, consistent, curious, and courteous.

CD 1 How did we get Here? Includes the Type A-isation of our society. Why are we so busy. The irresistible force of staying busy, etc.

CD 2 Dealing with the ADD-like World Dealing with overload, a three step plan to dealing with toxic worry. The myth of multitasking. Preserving your mental energy, etc.

CD 3 Dealing with Distractions Sources of distractions, C state compared with F state. 12 ways of preserving the C state. Setting limits for email, cell phone, and the computer. Finding lifes rhythm.

CD 4 Creating a System that Will Work for You Do what matters most to you. Looking at where your time does go. Creating a C state environment for yourself. Slow down. Learn to say no, etc.

CD 5 Improving Your Ability to Focus and Enjoy Life: The Power of Connection Elements of a connected life in all areas of your life. Making sure your children are connected at school. Six steps to deal with overload. Dealing with guilt. The truth about time management systems. Paying attention.

CD 6 Keeping Your Brain Sharp with the 7-Step Brain Plan The importance of finding the right fit for you. Step 1: Select an Assessment – Questions 1 to 20. Step 2: Connect (5). Step 3: Imagine (6). Step 4: Practice (7). Step 5: Mastery (8). Step 6: Recognition (9). Step 7: Take care of your brain. As shown in brackets each step has several stages.

CD-ROM Workbook: The Busy Person’s Survival Guide

Just as computer software has improved vastly in recent years so have the techniques for the human computer, our brain. But like a computer it depends how it is used and what software we run! I recommend this course to those who are really serious at becoming their own experts.

Reveiwed by Dr D Mason Brown

Dr Hollowell is the founder of the Hallowell Centre for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Sudbury, Mass. He is a psychiatrist and a member of the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School from 1983 to 2004.
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