Living Out Loud: 2007 Was a Great Year

2007 has been a phenomenal year for me as I accomplished a number of goals that I've been working towards for quite some time.

1. The ADD Management Group grew substantially this year with the addition of Associate Coach Sharon Howell, and Erin's joining us full time.

Erin and I worked very hard to get to a place where she could quit her corporate job and join the business. And while it has been a stretch financially, the personal freedom and professional rewards that come along with being in business together is worth more than those fat corporate paychecks ever were.

2. Somewhere in between business and personal success, I was thrilled to have my book Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD published this year.

Writing a book has been a goal of mine since I was very young, and I am still getting a kick out of going onto Amazon.com to see the sales ranking for the book. (It's been in the top 100 in its category for over a month now!) Plus, the feedback that I've been receiving about the book has been absolutely fantastic. Writing Odd One Out was quite possibly the most rewarding thing I've ever done.

3. And, last but not least, I took a huge leap in my personal life this year by joining a band.

As a kid, I used to dream of being a rock star. When I was little I thought I could sing. As I got older, I thought I sucked! But I took a risk about 5 years ago and started voice lessons.

Finally, this year, it was time to stop dragging my feet and take this musical passion of mine to the next step! I placed an ad looking for other musicians and got a response from a band.

I took a leap and, although I'd love to tell you that I now have my very own band, it didn't work out. But I learned from the experience and will keep moving on. Funny, this step seemed unbelievably scary--until I actually took it.

I don't know what's in store for me in 2008, but I do know this: I'll be open to the opportunities that come my way. I'll be living out loud every chance I get. And I'll be focusing on my strengths and moving forward. It's the best way I know to live happily and successfully as an adult with ADD.

My Coaching Advice for 2008

Before you start thinking about your "New Year's Resolutions,"  take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed.

• What goals did  you accomplish?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• What made you really  happy?

If you want to make real changes in this coming year, then start by building on strengths and successes.

I'd love to hear about your successes in 2007! Please post them in the comments field.

Happy New Year!

Comments

[Lori K.]

luv it jen. u r always the voice of reason. congratulations on all ur successes and many more.

[Ted]

I had trouble with my health this year. I almost lost my job. But it is still a good year. I quit smoking and this is maybe the best thing I have done in a long time. I feel good and my wife and daughter are so proud. It took a health scare to get me to quit but it does not matter because I did it.

[Gay Anne Ewing]

Hi Jennifer, ordered your book Odd One Out, it completely is ME< how did you know (tee hee), got a calendar, and doing a lot of changes to make me happy!! In the past year, I have organized my new home with furniture, old and new, and keep it neat, and actually do some things, dishes, bed making and food shopping at the same time, weekly, that is BIG for me, and now I am working on socializing more, out of the home, and an aerobics class for 20 weeks starting Jan. 3rd!!! Happy New Year to you and yours............Later, Love ya, Gay:)

[Scott Kramer]

Hi, Ms. Koretsky. I've structured my life greatly since being officially diagnosed with ADHD earlier this year.

My secret? Learning to maximize my ADHD to my advantage, and not have it used against me. I'm not going into any of the details of this secret. That's something I hope to share sometime in the future, perhaps in a book - who knows. What I have learned has not only made me increasingly confident in who I am and that I am the same person now before I was officially diagnosed with both ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome (talk about trying to find opportunities to control both conditions at the same.. however, I found my secret for that).

Maybe I should consider writing a book.. what do you think? After all, people have told me that I could be a good writer.

Scott

[Kerrie J. Joseph]

Jenn,
In 2007 I was promoted to VP. This promotion came with a raise and a shared Administrative Assistant! I am grateful for this success that I worked so very hard for. Thank you for letting me share it.

Jenn, congratulations on your book, I really loved it. Ted, congratulations on quitting smoking. Gay, congratulations on organizing your home. Scott, congratulations for getting structured.

I will raise my champagne glass for us all tonight. Happy New Year to all!
Sincerely,
Kerrie

[Jen Koretsky]

Happy New Year, everyone, and thanks for sharing your 2007 successes! Very inspiring. :)