In life, so much is about your perception of things. I for one have observed myself that I seem to be like one of those undiagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) kind of people. I have always had lots of energy and short attention spans. I've also had a million interests not one. I think of myself as a multipreneur, involved in many entrepreneurial activities.
As a REALTOR I prefer to delegate the details when they get too intense. Other REALTORS are specialists at details but can completely miss the big picture (a strength of mine) or are not as good at negotating a deal or have weaker communication skills. I thrive on those last two. The more chaotic, the more I dive in to solve the problem. But it got me to thinking that what we may think of our deficits are actually our strengths. We need to learn to
TURN LEMONS INTO LEMONADE.
For example, even in focusing on something like ADD look at all the POSITIVE attributes of it:
1. Sensitive
2. Empathetic with the feelings of others
3. Feels things deeply
4. Creative in nature (including problem solving)
5. Inventive
6. Often sees things from a unique perspective
7. Great at finding things that are lost
8. Perceptually acute
9. Stand-up comic
10. Spontaneous
11. Fun
12. Energetic
13. Open and unsecretive
14. Eager for acceptance and willing to work for it
15. Responsive to positive reinforcement
16. Doesn't harbor resentment
17. Quick to do what one likes to do
18. Difficult to fool
19. Looks past surface appearance to the core of people, situations
& issues
20. Down to earth
21. Good networker
22. Sees unique relationships between people and things
23. Cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary
24. Less likely to get in a rut or go stale
25. Original, with a sense of humor
26. Observant
27. Loyal
28. Intense when interested in something
29. More likely to do things because they want to than because
they should, thus often wholehearted in efforts
I'm now starting to feel pretty pumped about my "deficiency." Maybe this is actually my "gift" to the world.
I bring this up not to talk about me. But to talk about "YOU."
Are others in your life saying you are less than you should be? Are your deficiencies of talent or looks or experience or whatever eating at you inside?
You know what? The only voice that you need to listen to is "Yours." I'm constantly telling people to quit writing the endings ahead of time. You don't know how all this plays out. You being the shortest in the group might be the one that can squeeze out the window in the burning building for everyone else to run and get help.
So my point is this. Embrace yourself with all your frailties, weaknesses, and foibles. These seemingly "flaws" in who you are with just a little tweak to your perception to see the positive in them, just may make you the strongest of the bunch. Have confidence that you are exactly who you are supposed to be and the world needs to see that very special person every day.
I am who I am supposed to be at this time, place and space. If anything I am open to changing that lemon into lemonade (some sugar may do the trick :)
You're a special person Gary...I can see you.
Gary - You know I have always enjoyed reading your blogs and I do really like this one, because it is so possitive and up-lifting. Welcome to LATE NIGHT!
Whoa Gary, you hit the nail right on the head - I sure needed this tonight! Thanks for sharing.
It's amazing the number of highly successful people who were told they had ADD or ADHD. We really can never let others determine our worth.
Great post, Gary! I've often said that I was sure I was ADD and now I don't have to worry about it so much! I love lemonade.....thanks so much for the positive words here.
Alisa
Gary, it is so important to see ourselves in a possitive light . Thanks!
Hi Gary,
Another wonderful post, so uplifting. Your last photo reminds me of a marathon when I was passed at mile 25 by a young woman with a prosthesis. She just glided right past me and the gentleman I was chatting with. Neither one of us could believe it at first.
Hi Gary, those are some great things I have never thought about with kids or adults are diagnoised with ADD or ADHD, I have a son that was and he fits all the positive things you listed. That was insightful.
Gary ~ This is a great post and like so many of your others, speaks to me. I always feel better after reading one of your posts and this is no exception. Any frailties, flaws, etc., are part of what make me, well, me, along with all the positive things.
Good morning Gary. From one ADHAD to another. I would not have it any other way.
I watched the documentary on that amazing chap from South Africa just the other day. INCREDIBLE
PS. I love your skin on your blog. It is very elegant and quite fitting.
Gary...
Oh wow, I should have read your lemonade "recipe" before I wrote my rant today. Sometimes I forget that I only need to work on ME, and that I don't have to change everyone else in the world.
As long as I know it, I really don't need to push it on someone else, do I? You've made me do some introspection ...AGAIN!
Have had to make lemonade a few times in life, and being a possitive person, it comes out as sweet as the ingrediants you put in it. Thank you for another work of art.
Ive got so many flaws I can't remember them all..hey that's one of my flaws. I think my biggest flaw that I've corrected over the years is waiting until the last minute to do something..but when I think about it first I make a plan and visualize and do it.
Gary, I love how you see things from so many different perspectives and I like the list of positive attributes you included of someone with ADD...maybe some people who read this will realize everything does not have to be viewed as a flaw and be immediately taken care of with medication (like ADHD)!
Gary - You really have a way with words. Your illustrations and photos work well together to drivee home the point.
Are we related?
Sally: Glad you are one to always make lemonade!
Robert: Late Night. The new fun Group in the Rain.
Mary: Stay positive!!
Pam: Thanks. I am Somebody!
Alisa: Don't ever doubt yourself.
William: Life is so much how you look at it.
Lynda: I hate it when that happens in a race. Congratulations on being a marathoner. I'm working to be a half marathoner now.
Missy: Lots of positves out there for many of our unique ways.
Kathy: Be YOU, and bring all YOU and your strengths to the world.
Ellie: It's nice to know we are not all alone in the world. Glad you liked the wallpaper.
Richard: Changing everyone else is tough, cause they can get under your skin for sure. We can work on ourselves though.
Nancy: Nice that you have made lemonade. It does make a situation best.
Neal: If you've worked on procrastination and done better with it, you are still ahead of me. That's a hard one to overcome. But jumping on something early with a plan is a great technique.
Patricia: I think we look at the negative ALL the time and forget the positive aspects of something. Like you say we want to cure everything with a pill.
Jennifer: Thanks. I try to put some graphics with the text to hold the reader long enough so they'll look at the words.
Hi Mel: Another potential ADD / ADHD in the crowd? Who knows if we have it for sure unless you go to a doctor. I think when it severely impacts your life it has to get treated somehow. But sometimes it is extremely beneficial to your life, like with your creativity.
Hi Gary,
This is my daily medicine - to read your blog and remember how thankful I am for all of the blessings I have in my life. My sister just came for a visit and, with her, the glass is always half empty. I want to have the attitude that the glass is half full.
Have a wonderful & thankful day!
Gary, that is about as "ZEN" as it gets. Thanks for the inspiration (I say to you a lot :)) People should focus on their strengths, understand and respect their weaknesses and quit getting in their own way to be an effective member of society.
Your posts are remarkable!
Bo
Gary.. I can tell you have a lot of energy.. All your blogs have a lot of information, and are well thought out. You have quiet a few good pointers here. Great post.. as always.
Hi Tracy: Help your sister with the glass is half full part. Sometimes they just need a little influence by you to see things a different way.
Bo: Great thoughts about strengths, weaknesses, and stopping that head of yours from being a big STOP sign.
Valerie: Mr. Energizer Bunny, that's me. Good thing I don't pour a whole bunch of caffeine on top of that fire or I would REALLY be all over the map LOL.
Hi Gary...sorry I missed your Blog earlier. I agree with you, sometimes too many times people worry about the little stuff. Great Post!
HI GARY!
That lemonade looks awfully good!! Sure making me thirsty!
Make the MOST of TODAY!
Gary~I think you have a book title here! Daily medicine from Dr. Feelgood! We are all waiting patiently......
Fred: Don't sweat the small stuff. Happy Birthday!
Yvette: I could use a glass of lemonade too. Have yourself a wonderful day.
Pam: Got the content, got the title thanks to you, now just need to find the TIME LOL. I think I may have found some other helpers and an agent too. You are such a slave driver : )
Gary,
I just read through some of your posts and I'm impressed. Excellent concepts for business and life!
Thank you!
Rick: I keep trying with my ramblings. Hopefully one or two might be decent.
Gary: Took me a long time to embrace myself for exactly who I am. But the older I get, the more I have been to put judgement aside and love me for me.
Chris Ann: They say we have to get comfortable living in our own skin. As we get older we quit fighting ourselves so much.
I'm BIG on lemonade! :)
Not Yet Licensed: Sounds good to me. One of my favorite tasty drinks!!
Gary - This is the morning after Late Night and you really have some fans and people really like your work!
Thank you for the lemonade, just what I needed.
Another feature? How much do you pay Rich and Bob for all those features?
Just Kidding! This is a great post, and a well deserved feature. I sometimes wonder why others of yours don't get the star!
Good stuff. Regardless we are loved by God, not for what we do, but for who we are.
Gary, You always have such a way for us to look at things. Even when I am feeling like things are not going my way, I always stop myself and count my blessings and I am lucky to have many of them.
You and me both... and we're also great multi-taskers. I know that I can run ten different windows where I'm doing different things in different places... I get bored and jump... and jump back later. Makes my wife crazy.
You always write the most uplifting posts! I very much relate to glass is half full attitude; we cannot always control the things that happen to us, but we always have options on how we view things. I try to surround myself with those who are like me in that way and save enough energy to help those that haven't gotten to that realization yet.
In real estate specifically, when I have a tough client, transaction, day (pick your poison), I remember the ones that were so appreciative, the ones I thought would never close but did, the ones whose lives I definitely impacted in a positive way and it brings me back to a more positive outlook.
Thanks for sharing.
We all need to focus on our strengths and to stop comparing ourselves with others. If you look at the list, one person's flaw is another person's strength...it's all in how you view the world.
Gary - I think most of us have some degree of ADD or ADHD . . . and I love the perspective on the positive attributes versus the negative connotation. I try and focus on what skills we have as people, and view myself as emphathetic and compassionate towards others. Let's make some lemonade!!!
Gary, You have an incredible talent and I am so glad you have found an outlet through Active Rain. We are truly amazing creatures. The grass always looks greener on the other side, but listen to those on the other side and they want what we have!
Hi Gary - Very interesting post - as usual :-). I never thought of myself as ADD, but I could surely relate to most of that list. If you don't mind me asking, where did the list come from? Guess you could say I'm seriously, intensely curious ;-) Thanks!
You're right - focus is the key. Are you still as busy as you were when I was in Texas? At least it's cooled off a bit, I hear.
Hi Gary, another inspiring post. By your list I am definitely in the same boat as you! But the wonderful thing is about your boat- there is always another seat for those who want be there best and be part of this big wonderful world.
My 6 year old nephew is Autistic and he is one of the smartest people I know. He can see see the connections between things that others miss entirely. Reads at a grade 4 level, can draw a complete map of any roadway he has been on including all the signs along the way. Remarkable.
He made up his own game- "which sign is wrong".
He draws a road sign and you have to guess why it is wrong.
e.g. a sign that says 400 east when it really runs north and south.
Pretty smart boy n'est pas?
Great post Gary---I think a lot of us would have been labeled differently had they had the labels when we were kids.
Hi Gary,
I thrive when things get crazy busy, keeps my ADD in check. :)
Well said Gary, thank you for the gentle reminder. I am going to stop yelling at my friend with presumed ADD when she talks about 10 subjects at once & never concludes a single thing or topic.
Robert: Morning afters are tough LOL. This one has been a pleasant surprise.
Don: Lemonade, to me at least, is always refreshing and the best use of lemons.
Pam: The mysteries of the universe Pam, and why things get featured or not. Paying money. Oh if ir were only that simple. You need to be an AR detective and figure this one out for us. You're certainly smarter than us other run of the mill REALTORS out here.
Chuck: Very good point about being loved by God for who we are. I have ALWAYS separated who I am from what I do. You'd be surprised, or maybe not, most people don't do that.
Audrey: If you are counting your blessings constantly you will not be miserable.
Lane: I drive my wife crazy too with the parallel activities but they must have saw something in us : )
Cindy in Indy: Think the good thoughts of appreciation about you and what worked in the past and it will surely uplift you on those trying days.
Kelly: Comparing ourselves to others constantly will certainly frustrate you. How you view the world is so important to know your own strengths.
Sharon: We can turn a negative into a positive. Be empathetic to others give us a better understanding of where they are coming from.
Mana: We just have to be comfortable with ourselves and leave it at that. So true. Wise words from you today.
Gail: I think some of us are around the fringe on ADD and that is ok, diagnosed or not. This list comes from a book, Attention Deficit Disorder In Adults: A Different Way of Thinking by Lynn Weiss.
Margaret: Focus is a key in looking at our strengths. I'm still busy. We've cooled off with considerable rain here in August. Unusual for us.
Michelle: Your autistic nephew sounds like the little genius. On one hand people say there is a problem, but look at the "gift" on the other hand.
Charles: That's true, sometimes we had the problem before they had the labels for us.
Suzanne: Kind of like putting our ADD to work for the world. : )
Lyn: Show your friend this list and tell them they are wonderful.
Thanks Gary - you're the best :-) Must be 'cause you're from Titusville FL
Gail: I think where ADD or ADHD gets very severe it starts to interfere severely with our work and life. Only you and others around you will know this is the case and then the doctors come in and help. Hope the positive side of it helped in case you are similar to this as well.
Gary, the way I look at it is, it boils down to choice. You can choose to focus what others might perceive as a negative, or do what you've outline and make the choice to find the silver lining in the big picture. BTW, put me in the ADD group, I just figured it helped me be a stronger multi-tasker ;-)
Gary - Perhaps I'll coin you (unless someone beat me to it)... "The Inspiration of Active Rain." Another remarkably positive piece, my friend. I probably would of opted with the 'Turning chicken s**t into chicken salad' angle:-)
'Turning chicken s**t into chicken salad' hahaha
Now that's optimism!!! ; )
Hey Gary - no Doctors for me, doing just fine, thank you very much ;-)
Hey Jason - how 'bout "A|R's Positivity Mentor" - Gary, you can weigh in here too...smiling
Gary,
Great blog!! So true our life should always be positive you never know who is watching. I am always thinking of a child, they are like chalk boards and you never know what mark you put on it that will change their live. Always remember the glass is always half full.
I did my kitchen walk-through today with the cabinet people -- who were totally blown away that I got it done in 15 days. They said it is apparent that I am very organized, detail oriented and I stay on top of things, which, they added, would mean I might be a fabulous real estate agent so they're going to refer people to me. I didn't have the heart to say that I carried on my business at the same time I did the remodel. They might not have believed that, even though it is true.
Gary - I think Attention Deficit is a plus if you are a Realtor! It just comes naturally to me to constantly switch between tasks, and I am very detail oriented in the finished product. In real estate you can never predict what will happen in the next minute, no two days are ever the same - and that's just fine with me!
I truly enjoy reading your post today... Although it's difficult to wait for a change ... in the end it's worth it.. God always helps us in the end....
Gary, great post and I love how you did your blog customizer! Top Notch!
Gary, great post and I love how you did your blog customizer! Top Notch!
Gary - I think this is a terrific outlook, as usual. You are wise and talented. Keep up the good work, and keep on making lemonade!
I think I am a Pollyanna by nature. I seem to find the good in most all things. But if I have to, I take them lemons and make a Pie!
Gary: I have an ADHD son who has SO many great qualities! You see, when one is ADD/ADHD, you have to give them 10 positives for each negative as they hear negatives so much (when they're little, "NO!" "Don't do that!" "Please SIT down!") that they can EASILY lose any self-confidence that they ever had. So give 'em the positives and watch them BLOOM!
And, yes Gary, you've used another one of my favorite quotes (lemonade)--great minds!
really nice point you make here, and images support it. did not agree w olympic committe decision either.
Wow, you're up to 65.....I wonder how long it will take to hit the century mark?
I will have to read about the guy you have pictured in your post.
Colleen: Play who you are to an advantage. Very smart.
Jason Sardi: I'm going to call on you to come up with the creative titles for me LOL. Very good.
Pam: Leave it to Jason to have a "most" creative mind.
Gail: No meds LOL. I thought myself, "The Heart of Active Rain."
Tinker: I like that thought about chalk boards and little kids.
Elizabeth: Doing the remodel in 15 days plus running your business. You are amazing.
Lynn: I can relate to now two days are the same.
Donna: Change keeps happening, ready or not so roll with it.
David: Thanks. I took some time on the background and header.
Jason: Making lemonade from whatever we are given is the way to go. Thanks.
Sherry: I love lemon pie. You have a tremendous attitude.
Debe: I love lemonade. Stay positive with your little ADD/ADHDs.
Gary: That Olympic committee tie on the gymnast was a strange one I agree.
Pam: Don't know on the comment count, we will see. I'd have to find a name on that runner. Nice talking with you Wednesday. You are so nice. Of course, I already knew that.
Gary-I really do love your posts. Some of them really get you to thinking and you encourage people in them. Thank you so much for the inspiration. We all need a little inspiration at times.
Gary...
Great post that I needed, thank you! You have to be one of the most positive, inspiring people on the rain.
I talked to Tom and Laura today and they said they had lunch with you. Laura is a sweetheart, and I think they are great for each other. It was weird, and nice (for me not her) to find out she had gone through the Hep. C treatments. It's nice to talk to someone who has been through it.
I haven't felt too good the last couple of days, so way behind on getting my Austin post and pictures out, but will in the next couple of days. I got a couple of really nice ones of Tom and Laura. L
Ah, very uplifting post, thanks for that. Has somebody been reading 'The Secret"....
I subscribed to Active Rain months ago and then forgot about it until an e-mail showed up in my inbox matching me with a lead. Well... the lead vanished, and I don't know if it was a ploy to get me to visit the site again or not, but if it was IT WORKED and I'm so glad it did!!!!!
Gary...YOU DESCRIBED ME TO A TEE!!!!!!! I am presently working on getting rid of the "SHOULDS" in my life allowing me to feel a high level of anxiety. With people like us, with all those "THEYS" telling us we "SHOULD" be doing this or that, it creates paralysis. Until we learn to listen to what our soul is screaming at us to be, regardless of the "multipreneurial" propensities, "thinking" we "should" be doing what the mainstream populous (that'd be those "they's" I referred to) says is the "normal" course of action, we will sit and do nothing!!!!!!!! The tremendous inner conflict between who we really are as an individual vs. the human response to "peer pressure" and wanting to "fit in" creates, at the very least, paralysis both emotionally and physically.
PFEW!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT A REALIZATION! If not for my ADD/ADHD I would have never stumbled on your blog. I spoke to myself very firmly to stay focused before sitting down to conquer a task I've been putting off but here I am completely off course... but grateful that I am.
THANK YOU! for such a shot in the arm filled with just the right stuff that will help me stay determined to use the gifts I've been so fortunate to receive and just recently realizing they are not a curse after all!!!!!!!!! I shall use them to the best of my ability and will be working fervently to purge what all the "THEY"S" of the world tell me what I "should" or "shouldn't" be or do. It's an understatement to say "it won't be easy", but what in life that is of significant value to attain ever is?!?!?!?!?
Sue Kohr
Realtor For 22 Years
Gary, well deserved gold star. I love your attitude and your recognition of your strengths. I think we each need to be aware of our weaknesses as well as our strengths. I am a detail person, but love the energy involved in negotiating for my buyer/seller and bringing a successful conclusion to each transaction. Good job! ;-)
Gary...I smiled all the way through this....I am an Incredibly patient woman living (39 years) with an ADD husband and an ADD son...
You described them both to a T...I will refer to this list on my bad days LOL and block out the stuff that drives my organized self nuts!
Great post...as usual
Laura: Thank you. If I got you thinking I done good ; )
Liz: You are so sweet. It was nice meeting Tom and Laura. They are incredibly nice people. It's good that you and Laura got to share your medical treatment experience. I hope you do feel better here real soon. You are so thoughtful and such a hard worker.
Brian: I am aware of the principles of The Secret and the law of attraction but I don't think I actually saw the movie or read the book. Something to definitely put on my To Do list.
Susan Kohr: Thanks for your GREAT comment. Be completely ok with your multipreneur abilities and how you are different from others. That's how I've grown over time to totally accept myself. You might want to read a book called The Renaissance Soul. It describes "us" thoroughly.
Teri: I'm glad you recognize your strength in negotiation. We need to play to our strengths for sure.
Joan: Yes, living with ADD people can drive the other one nuts. I can relate to that, but remember there is strengths to their different ways too.
Thanks Gary, good post! When we market ourselves we need to accentuate the positive. As well, we need to emphasize our strong points and make them work for us.
Gary, you are just too cool. Are you sure you don't want to come to Naples??? We'd love to have you in our office! :)
Jon: Play to your strengths, so true.
Hi Shannon: I love Naples. I used to fish off that pier all the time on vacations there. If I'm ever a Naples REALTOR I'll look you up.
Yep. She used to say that I was funny... with a gleam in her eyes. Now she sarcastically says "He's a riot" as her eyes roll...
Gary: Fist visit to "late night" and your the first reading. I may very well fall into the catergory of "ADD". I love doing what I do, but there always comes a point where I need to go on. I stopped for a moment after reading, to put into perspective of what I do. Yup-I have all the above keypoints. The best part - I do what I do Best and even better I enjoy it. Thanks for post. I think I need to go for the "GOLD".
Lane: You've turned into the proverbial "Old Shoe."
Michelle: Embrace and celebrate all that is YOU even if you are different from everyone one else. It REALLY is a good thing.
Thats so cool and obviously a big hit......who doesn't want to believe, that they're exactly where they need to be..........and that they're unique and special each in their own way!
Gary~Do you have free refills on that Lemonade?
I know you're busy Mr. Popular, but if you want a 20% tip, you should get that refill over here soon!
Just kidding! Just trying to get you over the 100 mark! ; )
Liz: We all are unique, and those perceived weaknesses when looked at differently are actually strengths. That's what I was trying to show with the ADD.
Pam: I'm sorry, I've been busy. I don't have a Cabana boy lying around my house like you do to take care of these things. (BTW, Cabana Boy definition = Your husband LOL) I'll be back.
Pam: You are such the Taskmaster with me. ; ) I got the refill. Well deserved always on your part. You're just trying to make me the BEST me, which I appreciate.
Life is all about attitudes. We may not be able to change the facts, but we can choose to change our attitudes.
Yet another winner Gary! Thank you!
Great post. My family comes from the 9-5 kinda backround which is great. But they just dont seem to understand the way I do things. Its funny though, when things are going well, they think I'm doing somethign great, if things slow down at all, it all changes. I listen to myself all the time. Interesting perspective.
Gary-That was such a wonderful post. I too have many interests and try to do them all. It makes life interesting. God loves us and made us all unique. Thanks for the uplifting and inspiring post
Jim: Attitude is everything. So true.
Mirela: Those feature stars come out of the blue like lightning don't they??
Jeff: If you've learned to listen to YOURSELF "all the time" you have learned a life lesson that has eluded the masses. Very good for you.
Pat: I think there is completely nothing wrong with having many interests. It does keep life fresh for us. We all can't be single focused. It is not who we all are.
My husband is very sweet, but doesn't quite play the Cabana Boy part! Drat! That's why I had kids.....to have someone to order around! LOL Sometimes my kids say that and I laugh and tell them it would be so much easier to actually do all the work myself. They just don't get it, but will when they're big.
Gary, I don't want to embarrass you--But, have I told you I love you lately
? (Phileo, Agapeo). This particular blog couldn't have been more 
and timely for me.
I love this post! I just had to re-visit it! Thank you Gary for consistently giving us "Winners"!