Having recently published a post on motivating ADHD learners I thought I would focus again on motivation and productivity. We'll be looking into the world of productivity through the lens of Jesse James Anderson, a YouTuber with ADHD, who shares his unique perspective on the challenges he faced and the strategies he developed to overcome toxic productivity.
Understanding ADHD and Toxic Productivity:
In his YouTube video, Jesse James opens up about discovering his ADHD later in life and the struggles he faced in school. He was often told to 'just try harder' but considers this a common misconception for ADHD individuals.
Instead, he identifies three major flaws in neurotypical productivity systems—motivation, distractions, and overwhelm.
Motivation:
While conventional wisdom relies on importance, rewards, and consequences to motivate neurotypicals, ADHD individuals find these motivations less effective. The concept of importance and distant rewards doesn't generate the necessary motivation at the beginning of a task.
Recognising the need for alternative motivators, Jesse highlights the importance of finding tasks that capture interest, involve novelty, present a competitive challenge, or have a clear completion deadline.
Distractions:
The need for novelty is highlighted as a driving force for ADHD individuals, making it crucial to strike a balance between an engaging work environment and avoiding overwhelming distractions. Jesse suggests changing environments strategically, like working occasionally in a coffee shop, to introduce novelty without compromising focus.
Overwhelm:
The neurotypical suggestion to "force yourself to do the hard work" can cause ADHD brains to experience a complete shutdown when overwhelmed, making it impossible to power through. he also reflects on the common advice to break down big projects into countless steps which can cause, yet more overwhelm.
Strategies for ADHD-Friendly Productivity:
In response Jesse introduces practical strategies tailored to ADHD brains:
Embrace the Pivot: Acknowledge that productivity systems may fail and provide the freedom to switch strategies when needed.
Pomodoro Timers: Set time intervals, such as 15 minutes of work and 10 minutes of break, to introduce urgency and structure.
Explore Side Quests Strategically: Use smaller tasks or diversions strategically to build momentum before tackling more challenging projects.
Micro-Commitments: Start with small commitments to overcome the inertia of getting started, allowing for flexibility to walk away if needed. For example, tell yourself you will put the dishes away rather than telling yourself to clean the entire kitchen.
Change Your Environment: Seek novelty by working in different environments, like a coffee shop, to spark creativity and maintain interest.
Turn Tasks into a Game: Inject fun into tasks by turning them into challenges, such as answering questions in reverse order or completing every other step.
Set Time-Based Goals: Instead of overwhelming goals, set time-based goals, like writing for 10 minutes or cleaning for 15 minutes, to provide a sense of accomplishment and a better understanding of task durations.
Jesse James concludes his discussion by encouraging ADHD individuals to persevere, learn from failures, and embrace strategies that align with their brains.
If you're interested in gaining a deeper understanding of toxic productivity and how to navigate it with an ADHD brain, Your Neurodiversity Coach can guide you through. Book a Get Started call today.
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