Alternative Information

An ADD Case Study: What Does it Mean to Fail?


Josh is a client of mine who is a junior in college. He's very smart. He's amazingly smart. Talk to Josh for an hour and you'll know how smart he is. But if you don't know Josh and you look at his grades from previous semesters, you would probably guess that he wasn't smart at all.

Josh gets frustrated in school. He works hard, but often finds that the pressure of test taking overwhelms him, and his grades suffer for it.

Recently, Josh had a midterm in his Economics class. He knew it would be tough. He hates this class, but it's required for his Business major. He had one test in the class already, which he did not pass. For the midterm, there were 3 books to review, and pages upon pages of notes to memorize. But he was determined to get an A. Three weeks prior to the test, he began setting aside review time. He highlighted the books, and took notes on them. He rewrote his notes to memorize them. And he even formed a study group with some of his classmates.

The morning of the test, Josh felt good. He had plenty of rest the night before, he ate a good breakfast, and he was ready to ace his Economics test. He got to the classroom, ready to go, and when the test was handed out and he flipped through it, he froze. The test was four pages long, with short answer questions, math problems, and an essay. Even though he had studied so hard, Josh started to doubt himself. He did his best to push past the anxiety and overwhelm and finish the test. Then he went back to his dorm room and slept. He was physically and emotionally spent.

A week went by before Josh got his test back. It was a B. He had studied so hard, he knew the material, and yet all he got was a B. He was crushed. "I did the best I could, I worked so hard to overcome this test-taking fear, and I failed."

"What exactly did you fail at?" I asked.

"I got a B," he replied. "I put so much work into that test that I should have got an A."

For Josh, it was very easy to look at the situation and see failure. He wanted an A. He wanted to prove to himself, his parents, and his professor that he could ace this test. And Josh was so busy holding himself up to unrealistic expectations, that he completely missed his successes:

  • He stuck to the structure that we created for him.

  • He developed excellent study habits to prepare for the test.

  • He got a B! He answered approximately 80% of the questions correctly, when just a month ago he wasn't passing the class.

    I pointed this out to Josh and, although he listened, he only half-heartedly agreed.

    Then, two days ago, I got this email from Josh:

    "Dear Jen,

    I got my philosophy test back today and guess what, I got an A-! I thought about what you said and realized that I have been doing really good studying this semester and I am doing better than I ever have. My dad is so excited about my B and A-. Thanks for pointing it out because sometimes its hard to see the good stuff."

    I agree. Sometimes it is hard to see the good stuff - whether you're a student, an artist, an office worker, a business owner, or a parent. When that happens, look harder. Even if you "fail," you'll still learn something about yourself or the situation you're in. And if you're learning, then you're really not failing, are you...?

    This story was shared with Josh's permission.

    About The Author

    Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She encourages clients to increase self-awareness, focus on strengths and talents, and create realistic action plans. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm. addmanagement@addmanagement.com


    MORE RESOURCES:

    WELT ONLINE

    Europe Looks to Alternative Sources for Energy
    Wall Street Journal - 7 hours ago
    By GUY CHAZAN As Europe counts the cost of Russia's latest gas shut-off, there are signs it could give a boost to alternative sources of gas that currently ...
    Video: Ukraine leaves Europe without gas - Gazprom RussiaToday
    Europe late with alternative to Russian gas TREND Information
    Gas war may boost alternative routes to Europe guardian.co.uk
    Canada.com - Los Angeles Times
    all 6,271 news articles


    CNET News

    Linksys offers full wireless alternative to Sonos
    CNET News, CA - 12 hours ago
    After hinting at a "digital stereo" product in The New York Times last week, Cisco unveiled the details of its Wireless Home Audio System today, ...


    CNET News

    The Wand: Nyko announces a high-tech Wii remote alternative
    CNET News, CA - 9 hours ago
    In an effort to trump the existing Nintendo Wii remote controller, Nyko is introducing what the company is calling the most advanced Wii remote yet. ...
    Nyko brings Wand Wii remote, Charge Station EX and Kama Charge kit ... engadget
    Nyko Announces New Wii Controller at CES 411mania.com
    all 6 news articles


    CEP News

    Treasury Bond Alternative
    Boston Globe, United States - 22 hours ago
    "Where should I put my money right now? I don't feel comfortable investing in stocks, and I've heard that Treasury bonds are paying next to nothing. ...
    Bonds may be a shield, but they're still risky Gail MarksJarvis Chicago Tribune
    Get Out Now! Barron's
    Corporate debt's allure Boston Globe
    all 376 news articles


    Boston Globe

    Airlines Search for Alternatives to Oil as Fuel
    New York Times, United States - Jan 6, 2009
    Pratt, which has tested alternate fuels in its engines, and others in the aviation industry assert that they will pursue alternatives even in a period of ...
    Aviation industry strives to find alternative fuels SmartBrief
    Air Algae: US Biofuel Flight Relies on Weeds and Pond Scum Scientific American
    Algae-Powered Jet Proves Biofuel in Continental Test Bloomberg
    The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - Atlanta Journal Constitution
    all 230 news articles


    Sunrise Solar tapped for alternative energy project in Brazil
    Bizjournals.com, NC - 21 hours ago
    The project is part of a multimillion-dollar alternative energy development initiative by Brazil which is making a big push to become energy self-sufficient ...
    Sunrise Solar to Provide Solar to Brazilian Hospitals istockAnalyst.com (press release)
    all 18 news articles


    Fuel Systems Solutions to Launch US Automotive Alternative Fuel ...
    MSNBC - 16 hours ago
    Since the 1960s, Fuel System Solutions' transportation subsidiary, BRC, based in Cherasco, Italy, has been a major provider of alternative fuel systems ...


    MTA to consider alternatives for Eastisde Transit Corridor
    Los Angeles Wave Newspapers, CA - 9 hours ago
    LOS ANGELES — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will consider the adoption of the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase Two Alternatives Analysis study ...


    HispanicBusiness.com

    Hybrids, alternative fuel cars showcased
    Detroit Free Press, United States - Jan 7, 2009
    The EcoXperience exhibit will feature about a dozen hybrid vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels. It will be supported by General Motors ...
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation and North American ... PR Newswire (press release)
    Detroit's North American International Auto Show changes subject ... MLive.com
    Try hybrid vehicles at auto show exhibit Detroit Free Press
    all 85 news articles


    S. Fla. Companies Look To Creative Layoff Alternatives
    MSNBC - 21 hours ago
    Though it may not sound so good at first, many say having a shorter work week or taking unpaid vacation is better than the alternative. ...

    Alternative - Google News

  • home | site map
    © 2006