Statement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time.
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Patrick Hurley was recently appointed to the Professional Advisory Board of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. For more information you can go to www.add.org
Patrick also spoke on October 15, 2007 at the National Conference on Correctional Health Care
in Nashville, TN on his book. The Conference is sponsored by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), which has an impressive membership.
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In my ten years of working with persons with ADHD, I have found numerous people, myself included, who seem to be overly interested in the latest gadgets marketed on televisions short ads and info commercials. It seems that many of us are always fighting off the urge to call the 800 numbers that are listed. These "no battery flashlights", wall hooks, exercise equipment, weight loss compounds, bullet blenders, micro recorders, knives, food choppers or Ron Propeil latest invention seems almost hypnotizing to us.
Don't get me wrong, I rarely order any of these, but the temptation is definitely there, and strong. This, coupled with my work in the homes of many of my clients with ADHD and finding a large amount of these items that I have seen on TV, has convinced me I am not alone. Many of my clients have actually given me some of these items, or bought two so they could give me one.
What is the meaning of this attraction? I think most of us are gadget-oriented. We want to make our lives better and easier. Another factor is many of us have trouble falling asleep at night, and find ourselves watching late night TV, where the numbers of these advertising efforts are directed. I suspect that it is done for both the economics of ad rates, but also the numbers of more impulse purchasers watching TV at these odd hours. Some of the items that are offered we focus in on because they seem to be a possible answer to one or more of our problems. The ads usually have the call in the next fifteen minutes, and we will double your order, or get this bonus item free. We start to panic and think we need to do like the ads say and ACT NOW !
We call the 800 number, or go online to order, and are usually asked to upgrade our orders to get even more stuff. I believe in free markets, so I don't blame the inventors or advertisers for their pitches. I just wanted you to know that if you have this as an issue, you are not alone, and perhaps offer some advice.
First ,these items are not going away, they will be there next week and next month. The special offers are rarely limited to the 15 minute deadline as you often see the same ads for months. Take a step back before reacting, and think at least one week before deciding. Don't even write down the 800 number or the web site the first time you see it. If you have thought for a long time about it, write down the ordering address off the ad and order by mail using check or money order. Sure, it might take longer, but the more work you have to go through to get it, the more likely you might just say you don't really need it after all, which in most cases is the right decision. Since we like to channel surf, if one of these ads comes on, I am going to ask you to do something really hard, and that is keep on surfing to something else.
In conclusion, I have a question and a comment. First the question, where does John Basedow of the Fitness Made Simple ad come up with all the money to run those ads constantly? I would love to know his advertising budget. In addition to that, I have yet to find one of his exercise programs in anyone's house. Now the comment, I sure think those dual head electric power drills would be cool to have, even though I heard that they don't run at very high speeds compared to other drills. I think I will hold off on that purchase for now.
I would appreciate any feedback you may have on this newsletter or helpful suggestions.
Thanks and talk to you next month.
Patrick Hurley
addcorridorcoach@aol.com
If you know on anyone who might like this newsletter, please forward it to them, and tell them to go to my web site at www.addcorridorcoaching.com and sign up.
