Why belong to the ACO?

I belong to the ACO because I believe that everyone affected by AD/HD should know that coaching help for their specific needs does exist, is effective, and they can find the perfect coach for them.

Help us spread the word about the ACO:
Please forward this newsletter to appropriate friends who might not otherwise know about the ACO.

NEW MEMBER BENEFIT: The ACO Coaches' Round Table

Here’s an opportunity to talk with other AD/HD coaches about issues of particular interest in our profession. The ACO Coaches' Round Table conversations will be around specific coaching techniques or resources for use with our clients or in our own businesses. The published topic of these monthly teleconferences will match the theme of the newsletter for the month. But once we're together on the phone, if other topics come up… well, we're coaches, we'll dance!

The teleconference meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month from 8 – 9 pm Eastern. Join us on March 21 to talk about "Anxiety: Its Role in AD/HD and Coaching" -- or whatever else might come up.

This will be a member’s benefit in the future, but for the first time or so, we'll open it to all who are interested. Please email teleclass@adhdcoaches.org We'll send you the call in instructions.

The ACO will soon publish its Directory of AD/HD Coaching Education, as a service to the public and in addition to the directory of individual AD/HD coaches.

The new directory will help prospective coaches find AD/HD coach education that best suits them and their learning style. This is a great opportunity to bring your program to the attention of current and prospective AD/HD coaches.

In order to have your school or training program listed, you will need to be a professional member of the ACO in good standing. We encourage your participation. If you're not yet a member, sign up on line at members.adhdcoaches.org/members/register.html

Look for more on this in our next newsletter!

Watch for our new calendar of regional and national conferences of interest to AD/HD coaches. If you know of a conference we should list, please email editor@adhdcoaches.org and we'll get it added.

Clients with anxiety issues

Recent studies have shown that 25% of persons with AD/HD exhibit symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can be a normal "alarm” system of the body, but sometimes anxiety can feel overwhelming, giving clients a sense of dread and fear for no apparent reason. This kind of anxiety can have a client feeling out of control of their lives and interfere with their coaching process. The most important thing is for clients to take action to gain a sense of control and reduce their anxiety.

Read more about what to do to help your clients deal with anxiety

Practice Anxiety

It is easy to fall into a trap, thinking you have to do all of your business yourself – the book keeping, the marketing as well as the coaching. Stress and the anxiety that results can be overwhelming.

The work feels more and more difficult and it can do a number on your self esteem. This path can isolate you. And in this position of weakness, you might make poor decisions about your business.

Balance in your life isn't just something you sell to clients. It can help you avoid the stress and anxiety you'll likely feel when building your practice. Read about some steps you can take to avoid ditching the whole business.

Read more about what to do to deal with anxiety around your practice.

Sig Files: the best free advertising available.

If a human will read your email, put a signature file at the end of it. Come to think of it, ALWAYS use one! Do not underestimate the power of this marketing opportunity. I can't say how many times a person with whom I've corresponded about gardening or neighborhood issues will suddenly pipe up and say, “Hey, I checked your website. Tell me more about what you do.”

Your sig file should include, at the least, your full name with appropriate credentials, your business name, your web site address and your phone number.

Read this article about what belongs in your sig file and how to use them.

At this time we can't pay writers who submit articles to this newsletter, but we'll give you credit and links as appropriate. Articles received by the 15th of the month will be considered for the upcoming issue. Sometimes we'll elect to hold an article for later publication. Writers' guidelines are available on line at this minute at newsletter.adhdcoaches.org/writersguidelines.html

I'm looking forward to making this publication top notch. So if you've got any questions, comments, concerns or gripes, please drop me a note. It does no good to grumble alone!

Onward and upward!