Around 12 months ago I went to get a formal diagnosis for ADHD. I always had suspicions I was neurodivergent, however, I didn’t see value in having a label.
Through spending my life in what I would explain as hyperactive chaos, I wanted to understand what it felt like to be still like normal people.
I met with a great psychologist who helped me gain a diagnosis and explain to me how my mind works, I then got referred to a psychiatrist to consider medication.
I was prescribed vyvanse and I gave it a shot. I can only describe it as being strapped to a calm rocket ship. I hated the feeling while I was on it as it felt like I was being dragged in two opposing directions.
I started unpacking what my experience with ADHD was.
The benefits were that my mind was constantly racing, jumping from idea to idea almost every waking moment of the day. My ability to process thoughts, strategies and scenarios were second to none.
The issue with this is that I had a tendency to get frustrated with others who couldn’t keep up with me. It was almost always the primary source of friction between me and others I surrounded myself with, placing impossible expectations upon them.
Next was my impulsivity. Once I had an idea in my head, there was nothing that could get in my way.
This is a double edged sword. Fantastic for creation and innovation. Terrible when you fall head first into obsessing around new hobbies, interests and shiny objects.
Then comes the hyper fixation. When I can gain enough focus, I become an unstoppable force and create at a pace many can only dream of.
I have built more frameworks, programs, courses, models, systems, game plans and widgets than I can keep track of.
The catch is that I only get one shot at it. Once I put that project down, an invisible force field appears between me and my motivation to revisit it and the project is forever forgotten and I’m onto the next thing.
This is why my best mates and business partners are so important to me. They all possess the skills and executive function I do not to finish what I start.
When you combine all of these traits, it is either building blocks for creating the next Marvel movie starring ADHD man, or the building blocks to create the next DC flop starring ADHD man (if you know, you know).
The key to turning this into a blessing and not a curse is having principles and decision making frameworks that channel the good stuff and buffer away from the bad stuff.
For example, my best work is done under incredibly short deadlines and high stakes situations. Those with ADHD suffer from dopamine deficiency and in turn, chase the thrill of dopamine dumps.
This is why many with ADHD are adrenaline junkies, take crazy risks, have compulsive spending habits and issues with addiction.
The solution is to create self imposed deadlines, raise the stakes in areas where I can control the risk and have healthy outlets for my compulsions which is exactly why I bought Aureus Acres.
I now have the ability to channel all of my chaotic energy into our sanctuary where the stakes are low and I can present as almost human in my business.
Next is the impulse control.
I have lost count of the hobbies and interests I discovered, became hyper fixated on, only to have an interruption and never think about it again.
It’s the single biggest threat to everything I do.
I know that if I stop doing something for even a week, it is lost to me forever.
The solution is maintaining a minimal acceptable standard.
I ask myself, what is the least amount of this activity I can justify to myself that is a step above nothing at all?
For example, I cannot justify not picking up my guitar and playing for 5 minutes. It is exactly why I have it in a stand behind my office space so it is always in sight and in mind.
On the flip side, if I want to stop myself from doing something I need to manufacture enough time to let the impulse pass.
For example, the other day I saw a TikTok about Bonsai trees. I fell into a hyper fixation and spent half a day watching videos, researching, creating a wishlist and researching hand made tools from Japan – with ADHD you cannot settle for anything but the best as we believe this shortcuts the path to the goal.
The hack is to tell yourself to circle back to this in a week and create some subconscious hurdle that allows our mind to let go of the idea and move onto the next thing.
My process is to hyper fixate, do the theory work such as the planning, wish list and action plan, then attach my gratification to this while telling myself I will come back to it later.
I wish I had learned this a decade ago and I would easily have $1m additional in net wealth right now.
So why am I writing this?
I feel the world of neurodivergent education sucks right now and most talking about ADHD treat it as if it is an illness or disability.
I believe it is all about channeling and learning to create frameworks like I have to use it for good.
Every super man has a cryptonite. Learn it, understand it and make the most of it.
If you’re working or living with someone like me, it’s your role to learn how to channel this power as well.
Without taking the time to understand how our minds work, it will be an endless source of frustration and anxiety.
If this has been helpful let me know. I’m not an expert but happy to share what I know if there’s any interest!
