Avoiding Toxic Productivity Advice for ADHD

Summary

In this engaging talk, Jesse J Anderson discusses the challenges of toxic productivity, particularly for individuals with ADHD. He shares his personal journey of discovering his ADHD as an adult and the struggles he faced with traditional productivity systems. Anderson emphasizes the need for an alternative approach, highlighting the four C's of motivation (Captivate, Create, Compete, Complete) that resonate with the ADHD brain. He offers practical strategies to overcome common pitfalls, such as embracing the pivot, using pomodoro timers, and setting micro-commitments, ultimately encouraging listeners to persevere and make a positive impact despite imperfections and failures.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Understanding ADHD: The speaker, Jesse J Anderson, discusses the impact of toxic productivity on ADHD brains, sharing his personal journey of discovering his ADHD as an adult and the struggles he faced in a system not designed for his brain type.
• 🚫 Ineffective 'Try Harder' Approach: The common advice to 'try harder' is not effective for those with ADHD, as it doesn't address the underlying challenges and can lead to more frustration and struggle.
• 🎯 Tailored Productivity Systems: Traditional productivity systems, like GTD, were not built with ADHD brains in mind, leading to a lack of trust in these systems and eventual failure.
• 🌟 Hamilton's Impact: A quote from Hamilton resonates with the speaker, highlighting the feeling of being misunderstood and labeled negatively in school, a common experience for those with ADHD.
• 💡 The Four C's of Motivation: ADHD brains are motivated by captivate, create, compete, and complete, which are different from the motivations that drive neurotypical individuals.
• 🔥 Overcoming Overwhelm: The ADHD brain is prone to shutting down under overwhelm, unlike neurotypical brains, which can push through discomfort to complete tasks.
• 🐸 The Frog Analogy: The popular productivity advice of 'eating the frog' first (tackling the hardest task first) does not work for everyone, especially those with ADHD, as it can lead to avoidance and inaction.
• 🛠️ Breaking Projects Down: While breaking down large projects seems logical, it can lead to procrastination and distraction for those with ADHD, as the task becomes too overwhelming when viewed in its entirety.
• 🔄 Embracing the Pivot: Recognize that productivity systems will likely fail at some point, and it's okay to pivot to new strategies when this happens, without shame or guilt.
• ⏰ Pomodoro Timers: Using timers to segment work and breaks can help maintain focus and provide a sense of urgency, though the specific intervals can be adjusted to suit individual needs.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Jesse J Anderson's talk?

The main topic of Jesse J Anderson's talk is toxic productivity and its effects on ADHD brains.

When did Jesse find out he had ADHD?

Jesse found out he had ADHD just a few years ago as an adult.

What was Jesse's initial reaction to finding out about his ADHD?

Jesse knew something was different about his brain early on, and he was having trouble getting things done, but he didn't know what to do about it.

What did Jesse's teachers think about his potential?

Jesse's teachers knew he wasn't reaching his potential, but they didn't tell him what his potential was or how to reach it.

What was Jesse's initial strategy to cope with his ADHD?

Jesse initially tried to cope with his ADHD by trying harder, but he found that it was not an effective solution.

What is the main problem with neurotypical productivity systems for people with ADHD?

The main problem with neurotypical productivity systems for people with ADHD is that they were not built with ADHD brains in mind, leading to issues with motivation, distractions, and overwhelm.

How does the 'eat the frog' strategy work for neurotypicals?

The 'eat the frog' strategy suggests that one should tackle the most difficult or undesirable task first thing in the morning to get it out of the way and make the rest of the day easier.

Why doesn't the 'eat the frog' strategy work well for people with ADHD?

The 'eat the frog' strategy doesn't work well for people with ADHD because they often end up staring at the 'frog' (the task) for hours without starting it, leading to feelings of failure and avoidance.

What are the four C's of motivation that Jesse suggests for people with ADHD?

The four C's of motivation for people with ADHD are Captivate, Create, Compete, and Complete.

How can embracing the pivot help someone with ADHD?

Embracing the pivot means acknowledging that productivity systems will eventually fail and that it's okay to move on to something new when that happens, reducing feelings of shame and stress.

What is one strategy Jesse suggests to help build momentum for tasks?

One strategy Jesse suggests is to find tasks that align with the four C's of motivation (Captivate, Create, Compete, Complete) to build momentum and make it easier to tackle more challenging aspects of a project.