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Creative Synthesis

Living up to your full potential.

ADHD
Tips for Gifted Adults with ADHD

Lisa Rivero M.A. on February 27, 2018

An ADHD coach offers tips for managing the challenges that come with being smarter than the average bear and having ADHD.

An ADHD coach offers tips for managing the challenges that come with being smarter than the average bear and having ADHD.

ADHD
How ADHD Adults Cope Before Treatment

Lisa Rivero M.A. on January 27, 2018

Undiagnosed adults with ADHD may develop a number of coping skills and compensations—some more helpful than others—without being aware of why they are doing so.

Undiagnosed adults with ADHD may develop a number of coping skills and compensations—some more helpful than others—without being aware of why they are doing so.

Intelligence
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Gifted Intensity

Lisa Rivero M.A. on June 4, 2016

For many gifted and creative children, emotional intensity is not only normal but a crucial part of their personal growth.

For many gifted and creative children, emotional intensity is not only normal but a crucial part of their personal growth.

Graffiti of Eminem in Shanghai, China
Creativity
Creativity’s Monsters: Making Friends with Complexity

Lisa Rivero M.A. on February 8, 2015

Creativity is about more than what time you wake up or what apps are on your phone. Being more creative requires us to be open to all the voices in our heads, even—or especially—the crazy ones.

Creativity is about more than what time you wake up or what apps are on your phone. Being more creative requires us to be open to all the voices in our heads, even—or especially—the crazy ones.

Embarrassment
Shame and Motivation to Change

Lisa Rivero M.A. on January 29, 2015

We know the feeling only too well: Our pulse quickens. Our faces flush. The feeling is so bad that we want to escape at all costs. But is shame always bad?

We know the feeling only too well: Our pulse quickens. Our faces flush. The feeling is so bad that we want to escape at all costs. But is shame always bad?

Education
Want to Take Better Notes? Get the Lead Out

Lisa Rivero M.A. on April 30, 2014

One of the modern challenges for classroom teachers, especially at the college level, is how to deal with student use of laptops and other personal technology in the classroom. A new study suggests that, even when used solely for notes, laptops may not always be the best choice.

One of the modern challenges for classroom teachers, especially at the college level, is how to deal with student use of laptops and other personal technology in the classroom. A new study suggests that, even when used solely for notes, laptops may not always be the best choice.

Creativity
When It Comes to Creativity, Attitude Is Key

Lisa Rivero M.A. on April 26, 2014

No creative problem solving exists free from any limitations. Rather than trying to eliminate constraints, we might want to engage with them more fully and to find reasons for doing so.

No creative problem solving exists free from any limitations. Rather than trying to eliminate constraints, we might want to engage with them more fully and to find reasons for doing so.

Attention
Shakespeare for Everyone

Lisa Rivero M.A. on April 23, 2014

Poetry matters now more than ever, whether we read it, write it, or speak it, because it forces us to pay attention: to a word, a phrase, a line, an idea, or an object, if only for a few moments.

Poetry matters now more than ever, whether we read it, write it, or speak it, because it forces us to pay attention: to a word, a phrase, a line, an idea, or an object, if only for a few moments.

Creativity
Unlocking the Power of Creative Blues

Lisa Rivero M.A. on April 6, 2014

Few of us want to feel sad, but if we value creativity, we might not want to be too quick to turn on a happy song when we are feeling the blues.

Few of us want to feel sad, but if we value creativity, we might not want to be too quick to turn on a happy song when we are feeling the blues.

Girl
Motivation
When Not To Be Nice

Lisa Rivero M.A. on January 10, 2014

Some of the most intense pressure I feel is not from my work or my personal goals or even society. The pressure I have the hardest time managing and resisting is the pressure to please. Everyone. All the time. I know I'm not alone.

Some of the most intense pressure I feel is not from my work or my personal goals or even society. The pressure I have the hardest time managing and resisting is the pressure to please. Everyone. All the time. I know I'm not alone.

ADHD
Life With ADHD

Lisa Rivero M.A. on December 6, 2013

Picture your mind as a Ferrari on a crowded highway. The car’s brakes, though, are broken, and the accelerator is welded to the floor, permanently at full speed. You are trapped in a warp speed machine, never being able to focus on one car around you for too long, for there are always more. Personally, I view it as a superpower. But it was not always this way.

Picture your mind as a Ferrari on a crowded highway. The car’s brakes, though, are broken, and the accelerator is welded to the floor, permanently at full speed. You are trapped in a warp speed machine, never being able to focus on one car around you for too long, for there are always more. Personally, I view it as a superpower. But it was not always this way.

Gleeful College Graduate
Cognition
The Creative College Student

Lisa Rivero M.A. on September 15, 2013

College students have a valuable opportunity to develop their creativity in ways that will benefit them long after graduation. Here are three assignments to add to your usual schedule of classes.

College students have a valuable opportunity to develop their creativity in ways that will benefit them long after graduation. Here are three assignments to add to your usual schedule of classes.

Happiness
When Life Poses Big Questions

Lisa Rivero M.A. on August 6, 2013

Do you run from or embrace uncomfortable, existential questions? It's never too late or too early to create a more meaningful life.

Do you run from or embrace uncomfortable, existential questions? It's never too late or too early to create a more meaningful life.

Relationships
Nerds, Love and the Meaning of Life

Lisa Rivero M.A. on May 1, 2013

Nerds' unabashed love of learning goes beyond aptitude tests or college majors. It's an engagement with things and ideas that can give life meaning.

Nerds' unabashed love of learning goes beyond aptitude tests or college majors. It's an engagement with things and ideas that can give life meaning.

Elderly hands
Aging
Aging, Acceptance and Affect

Lisa Rivero M.A. on April 20, 2013

Acceptance does not mean resignation, avoidance of painful feelings, or optimism. It does mean an active, non-judgmental engagement with all emotions, both negative and positive.

Acceptance does not mean resignation, avoidance of painful feelings, or optimism. It does mean an active, non-judgmental engagement with all emotions, both negative and positive.

Girls
Friends
When Teased Children Grow Up

Lisa Rivero M.A. on April 14, 2013

I decided to study the other children and learn how to fit in better. I began to dress like them, talk like them, like what they liked, not like what they didn't like. I was very, very good at it.

I decided to study the other children and learn how to fit in better. I began to dress like them, talk like them, like what they liked, not like what they didn't like. I was very, very good at it.

Imposter Syndrome
Face Your Imposter

Lisa Rivero M.A. on April 7, 2013

The question may not be whether we always deserve what we achieve, of even if we achieve what we deserve, but rather if we can learn to live with the discomfort inherent in the questions.

The question may not be whether we always deserve what we achieve, of even if we achieve what we deserve, but rather if we can learn to live with the discomfort inherent in the questions.

Intelligence
Actually, It Goes Both Ways

Lisa Rivero M.A. on February 26, 2013

The gifted community is all abuzz about a recent post by Seth Godin titled “Actually, it goes the other way,” wherein the best-selling author and marketing guru implies that being gifted is a choice. I’m disappointed but not outraged, and here’s why.

The gifted community is all abuzz about a recent post by Seth Godin titled “Actually, it goes the other way,” wherein the best-selling author and marketing guru implies that being gifted is a choice. I’m disappointed but not outraged, and here’s why.