I sat in the client meeting discussing our next steps in their construction project.
It was time for a delivery of wood, 2 by 4s, the things used to build the walls.
The word escaped me.
Across the table he said “Lumber.”
We all laughed and laughed.
Chemo brain had struck again.
While I’ve left my design days behind me, I still have missing pieces.
It’s not something I think about much. It just sits on the back burner. But as I come up on my cancer anniversary of September 11, that thought pan has moved back to the front burner. Six years cancer free. One year past the magical five year mark.
I’m grateful for chemo brain because it brought my ADHD to light.
I could NOT function.
I was spinning my wheels all of the time.
It was a blessing and a curse.
The chemo brain has faded over time even though I still laughingly use it as an excuse.
But the ADHD has not.
This spring, I finally took the plunge and got tested.
I’ve been living my life just fine without “knowing”. I kind of KNOW already right!?!
But it was weird to say to my ADHD and Productivity coaching clients “I have undiagnosed ADHD.”
Why not just find out?
So I did. And I do. And I’m not surprised.
It answers so many questions that I’ve had all of my life.
- Why was I so stinkin’ smart but struggled so much in school?
- Why couldn’t I just get things done in time like everyone else?
- Why did I feel so damn different all of the time?
That’s a whole lotta why.
Answered in one lengthy intensive test.
And it’s mostly just a relief.
After a good cry from reading the teachers’ comments – ouch.
But it’s ok. And you’re ok. They just didn’t know about us when we were growing up.
Also in the spring, I graduated from the Foundation level of my Coach Approach training.
I have three track options: organizing, productivity, or neurodiversity.
I’ve studied a lot about organizing and productivity, so I chose door # 3.
And what a fascinating door it is.
It’s the entrée into my mind and the mind of my clients.
See coaching school isn’t just about me learning how to coach you.
I get coached by my fellow students (my colleagues really).
And has it ever been a process of peeling back the onion!!!
After decades of self-discovery, I thought I was already at the center.
I've been surprised to learn that there are more layers.
Spoiler alert – we’re never at the center.
I've had an opportunity to learn as much about myself as I have about others. Being the "client" is a learning experience. We get the chance to see how others coach.
- What do we like about their style of coaching?
- What would we do or ask differently?
- What's another direction we could have gone?
My coach trainer tells us to come as the client with ALL of our ADHD (if we have it) on display.
So yes I get to BE in YOUR shoes.
If you’re wondering if I’ve walked a mile in your client shoes…maybe.
Maybe not.
It’s your journey not mine.
I’m here holding a safe space for you while we travel.
If you’re struggling to remember to put dates on your calendar or to find your client’s file or even the word lumber, I'd love to talk.
Maybe working with me is the next step in your journey.
