Succeeding with ADHD

The things that make us different are also often a potential advantage. People with conditions like ADHD must overcome challenges to conform and, in the process, often develop skills that make them exceptional leaders and entrepreneurs. In this session, we will explore how many of the most successful have turned these tendencies into an advantage and how you can do the same, regardless of your diagnosis.

Transcript

1. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Succeeding with ADHD How to use the ADHD brain to your advantage.
2. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK What if your brain is faster than normal?
3. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK During this test you’ll need to keep your own score by giving yourself one point for each yes. Sound like too much work? Give yourself a point! Unofficial ADHD Test
4. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • This is not intended for diagnosis • The presenter is not a physician • References in slide notes Disclaimer
5. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you missed what I just said and plan on using this test for diagnosis anyway, give yourself a point. Unofficial ADHD Test
6. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • Associated with impaired occupational, family, and relational functioning as well as poor driving skills • Linked to lower dopamine transporter density (DTD) • Estimated prevalence of ~11% in children • Estimated prevalence of ~2-4.4% in adults • Screening questionnaire available at ADD.org What is ADHD?
7. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you’re thinking I took too long defining ADHD, give yourself a point. Unofficial ADHD Test
8. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Common Presentations: • Inattentive (previously called ADD) ADHD Presentations
9. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Signs: • Careless Mistakes • Difficulty Focusing ADHD Presentations - Inattention
10. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Give yourself a point for each time you lose track of what I’m saying. Unofficial ADHD Test
11. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Common Presentations: • Inattentive (previously called ADD) • Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD Presentations
12. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Signs: • Fidgeting • Restlessness • Interrupting ADHD Presentations – Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
13. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you pace during phone calls, give yourself a point. Unofficial ADHD Test
14. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Common Presentations: • Inattentive (previously called ADD) • Hyperactive/Impulsive • Combined ADHD Presentations
15. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Bonus points if you’re doing something else instead of paying attention to this presentation. Unofficial ADHD Test
16. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • Often linked with genetic variation of the 7-repeat allele of the DRD4 gene which varies by geography • May confer evolutionary advantages Disorder or Neurodiversity? “Atypical (neurodivergent) neurological development is a normal human difference that is to be recognized and respected as any other human variation.” -Thomas Armstrong, PhD
17. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Poor Control/Application != Broken
18. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • John F. Kennedy • Albert Einstein • Bill Gates • Sir Richard Branson • Paul Orfalea • Cameron Herold • Seth Godin • John Lee Dumas • David Neeleman • Michael Jordan • Michael Phelps • Justin Timberlake • James Carville Successful Individuals with ADHD* * Not all officially diagnosed
19. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK 1. Self Analysis Steps to Harness Your Brain
20. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you think you’re good at self-analysis, give yourself one point since many people with ADHD are not good at self-assessment. Unofficial ADHD Test
21. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • Handling Crisis Well • Creativity • Strong Intuition • Quick Study • Less Risk Averse Beneficial Traits
22. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK ADHD Tendencies • Extreme focus in some activities • Easily distracted during other activities • Prefers working late at night • Craves stimulation and often restless • Drive for perfection in most or all endeavors • Goes overboard on some projects and avoids others • Routinely avoids commitments or takes on too much
23. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you read the list of ADHD tendencies and thought, “this is just normal,” give yourself three points! Unofficial ADHD Test
24. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Tendency – Hyperfocus / Microfocus
25. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Moments of deep and intense concentration • Difficulty regulating one’s attention span Tendency – Hyperfocus / Microfocus
26. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you drive like a maniac to get to a job you hate, give yourself a point. Unofficial ADHD Test
27. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Tendency – Stimulation Craving
28. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Stimulation craving results in destructive behavior • Restlessness leads to distraction and inattentiveness Tendency – Stimulation Craving
29. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you’ve ever considered committing a crime rather than waiting in line, give yourself a point. Unofficial ADHD Test
30. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Tendency – Out of Sight, Out of Mind…and In Sight Too
31. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Living in the moment with little focus on the past or future • Going months without thinking about close friends • Forgetting to respond to messages despite wanting to continue the conversation • Leaving things out so you’ll see them when they are needed Tendency – Out of Sight, Out of Mind…and In Sight Too
32. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Tendency – All or Nothing
33. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Tend to seek perfection and invest 110% in projects • Avoid endeavors requiring limited investment Tendency – All or Nothing
34. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you’re known for being a perfectionist in some things while not minding sloppiness in other areas, give yourself a point. Unofficial ADHD Test
35. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Tendency – Perfectionist Procrastination
36. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Compulsive need perfection in most efforts • Avoids activities where perfection is unattainable Tendency – Perfectionist Procrastination
37. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Give yourself one point for every hobby you’ve picked up or business you’ve started in the last year to a maximum of 30 points. Unofficial ADHD Test
38. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Give yourself a point for every report card that said: Unofficial ADHD Test • below their potential • can be disruptive • can’t keep hands to themselves • very smart, but needs to try harder
39. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK 1. Self Analysis 2. Develop Strategies Steps to Harness Your Brain
40. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Moments of deep and intense concentration • Difficulty regulating one’s attention span Techniques • Select time and environment to harness focus • Identify strategies to transition from hyperfocus Tendency – Hyperfocus / Microfocus
41. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Stimulation craving results in destructive behavior • Restlessness leads to distraction and inattentiveness Techniques • Select time and environment to limit distractions • Substitute positive sources of stimulation • Tie distraction limitations to objective completion Tendency – Stimulation Craving
42. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Can you…like if you want to talk about an exciting idea that…and you go like three minutes but you’re…and you never, because you just…you can’t finish one…because it’s so…and someone that has AD…they can follow, right? …and they get that’s what you’re talk…but you never actually finish one single…because you’re… Unofficial ADHD Test
43. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Living in the moment with little focus on the past or future • Going weeks or months without thinking about close friends • Forgetting to respond to messages despite wanting to continue the conversation • Leaving things out so you’ll see them when they are needed Techniques • Select time and environment to harness focus • Identify strategies to transition from hyperfocus Tendency – Out of Sight, Out of Mind…and In Sight Too
44. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Tend to seek perfection and invest 110% in projects • Avoid endeavors requiring limited investment Techniques • Micro-moment approach for dreaded tasks • Use time limits instead of task limits Tendency – All or Nothing
45. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Manifestation • Compulsive need perfection in most efforts • Avoids activities where perfection is unattainable Techniques • Identify impact to determine appropriate effort • Focus on general analysis with limit on level of detail Tendency – Perfectionist Procrastination
46. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK 1. Self Analysis 2. Develop Strategies 3. Design Structure Steps to Harness Your Brain
47. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • Adopt a positive mentality • Eliminate decisions by making them in advance • Utilize tools to enforce your strategies Structure Techniques
48. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If your microwave oven often contains forgotten coffee, snacks, or meals you were reheating, give yourself two points! Unofficial ADHD Test
49. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Address inattention and impulsivity using: • List Making • Scheduling • Emailing • Project Planning • Break Taking • Outsourcing Organizational Coping Mechanisms (Skills) “If I compare my daily output with that of a normal person, then I achieve about 150% just because of what I can compress into a day…and it’s clearly because I am totally structured.”
50. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Do you accomplish dozens of things on your to-do list every day, but fail to get the things done that matter? Unofficial ADHD Test
51. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Does your to-do list include eat breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth…because you may forget, but mostly because you love checking things off? Unofficial ADHD Test
52. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Do you then avoid brushing your teeth because it’s boring and takes two whole minutes? Unofficial ADHD Test
53. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • Adopt a positive mentality • Eliminate decisions by making them in advance • Utilize tools to enforce your strategies • Modify your habits to encourage positive change Structure Techniques
54. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • Habits are made up of a cue, routine, and reward • Cues fall into five categories –Location –Time –Emotional state –Other people –The immediately preceding action • Anticipation of rewards develop into a craving How Habits Work
55. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Do you notice little things that other people miss? Unofficial ADHD Test
56. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK When you feel the urge for your habit, ask yourself: • What time is it? • Where are you? • Who else is around? • What did you just do? • What emotion are you feeling? Hacking Your Habits – The Cue
57. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK What craving do you think your habit is satisfying? • Try substituting another reward. • Try substituting the opposite reward. • Keep experimenting until you find a substitute. Hacking Your Habits – The Reward
58. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Insert a new routine between the cue and reward. • Write a plan for what you will do when the cue occurs. • For example: “When [cue] I will [routine] because it provides me with [reward].” • Try it for a week and re-evaluate. Hacking Your Habits – The Routine
59. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you’re starting to fade, give yourself a point…and a protein bar! We can be enthusiastic, but have trouble sustaining interest. Protein helps! Unofficial ADHD Test
60. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK 1. Self Analysis 2. Develop Strategies 3. Design Structure 4. Incorporate Support Steps to Harness Your Brain
61. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • Set reasonable goals and avoid perfectionism • Replace critical self-talk with positive encouragement • Incorporate rewards for correct behavior Self Support
62. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Are you interested, but kind of yawning? Give yourself a point! Unofficial ADHD Test
63. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Falling asleep? Give yourself two points! Unofficial ADHD Test
64. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK • Seek allies with similar traits • Inform and involve family, colleagues, and friends • Explore trading tasks • Consider professional assistance External Support
65. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Sound asleep already? Have someone else give you three points! Unofficial ADHD Test
66. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you’re still watching but also put on a cat video, give yourself a point…and maybe buy a cat! Unofficial ADHD Test
67. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK 1. Self Analysis 2. Develop Strategies 3. Design Structure 4. Incorporate Support 5. Periodically Re-evaluate Steps to Harness Your Brain
68. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If you were like this your whole life, give yourself three points! Unofficial ADHD Test
69. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK If were not like this your whole life, get yourself checked out for depression, anxiety, thyroid problems, or ask someone who knew you as a child. Remember that poor self assessment and memory problems are common traits. Unofficial ADHD Test
70. Succeeding with ADHD @GainesK Q & A Review 1. Self Analysis 2. Develop Strategies 3. Design Structure 4. Incorporate Support 5. Periodically Re-evaluate References • Faster Than Normal by Peter Shankman • The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Slides at Kergosien.net