Neurodiversity does not need curing. Those who are wired differently bring tremendous skills to the table. In episode 160 of the Positively Living Podcast, I share statistics and specific skill sets that make neurodiverse minds especially productive and celebrate how neurodiversity is actually a competitive advantage, not a hindrance.
During this episode, I cover:
- What Neurodiversity is and why we need to embrace it.
- Neurodiverse Traits that are inherently productive.
- How we can make the most of our neurodiverse minds.
- What a strategy session with me looks like and how you can use it to leverage your unique mind and become your most productive self.
It is my hope that the world will see neurodiversity for the opportunity that it presents. As we make this shift, I encourage you to find a supportive community so you can embrace your unique strengths, honor your authentic self, and unleash your full potential.
“Neurodiverse minds can approach tasks from unconventional angles, leading to innovative solutions and breakthrough ideas.”
Why Your Neurodiversity is a Productivity Advantage
Welcome to the Positively Living Podcast. I’m your host Lisa, and I’m a multi-passionate coach helping other multi-passionate creatives customize productivity approaches that honor who they are. We use their strengths, personality, and values as a foundation to develop processes and habits that will maximize their efficiency and happiness.
Positive Psychology lends a hand here because we focus on what works and lean into that. For too long, productivity has been an outside-in approach of taking platforms and techniques and trying them on in the hopes it will work. And for too long, when they didn’t work, my clients would come to me asking what’s wrong with them. Any craftsperson knows the right tools for the job are essential.
The same goes for being productive and organized. But it seems like the tools have been limited to those who work a certain way or have a singularly focused life. And for those who are “different” from that norm, it’s been frustrating. I’m out to change that. One of the best things about what I do is celebrating the uniqueness of my clients as we design their schedules and systems, but more importantly, as we design their lives.
What Neurodiversity is and why we need to embrace it
Today, we’re talking about neurodiversity because it’s a topic that comes up a lot and I want to make sure we’re understanding it and viewing it correctly and I’m personally seeing a connection to my clients. It’s an unofficial correlation where my multi-passionate clients also appear to be frequently neurodiverse. I suspect part of it is clients come to me for productivity advice because I provide a person-first approach. After trying and struggling with the standard approaches, they are seeking out those who can help them find the right approach for them. That is an honor to me and also my superpower.
Speaking of superpowers, in many respects, today’s episode is an ode to neurodiversity. There is a fantastic article in Harvard Business Review that shares an interesting perspective. I want to read an excerpt to you now as it describes the concepts of neurodiversity as well as why we need to embrace them.
“Neurodiversity is the idea that neurological differences like autism and ADHD are the result of normal, natural variation in the human genome,” John Elder Robison, a scholar in residence and a co-chair of the Neurodiversity Working Group at the College of William & Mary, writes in a blog on Psychology Today’s website. Robison, who himself has Asperger’s syndrome, adds, “Indeed, many individuals who embrace the concept of neurodiversity believe that people with differences do not need to be cured; they need help and accommodation instead.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Everyone is, to some extent, differently abled (an expression favored by many neurodiverse people), because we are all born different and raised differently. Our ways of thinking result from both our inherent “machinery” and the experiences that have “programmed” us.
“Finding others who work similarly to you and finding mentors and coaches who provide the right kind of support will help you embrace your unique strengths, honor your authentic self, and unleash your full potential.“
I love that for so many reasons. What stands out for me is the idea that to be neurodiverse does not need curing but rather accommodating. That is a compassionate approach to be sure, but it’s also wise because those who are wired differently can bring tremendous skills to the table.
Neurodiverse Traits that are inherently productive
If you want more capable minds contributing to our world, neurodiversity is the answer. An estimated 15-20% of the world is neurodiverse and a study posted in Harvard Business Review suggested that teams with neurodivergent professionals are 30% more productive than those without. JP Morgan Chase has reported even higher numbers starting at 50% and much higher.
Why is that? Let’s consider the aspects of what we need to celebrate. Neurodiverse minds can approach tasks from unconventional angles, leading to innovative solutions and breakthrough ideas. Some of the skills linked to neurodiversity include Attention to detail, Big picture thinking, Ability to learn quickly, Problem-solving, Creativity, Generating ideas, and Visualization. That list also completely describes my multi-passionate clients, again making me see a strong correlation.
One of the remarkable aspects of neurodiversity that I have witnessed, specifically in ADHD, is the ability to hyperfocus. Hyperfocus can include periods of intense concentration and focus, where an individual becomes fully immersed in a task or topic of interest. It’s a tremendous asset when harnessed effectively, allowing for high levels of productivity and the ability to accomplish tasks with exceptional precision as well as speed. I see it as a natural tendency to access a flow state, which is where we are most productive.
On a personal note, I often tell people I live in a “sea of ADHD” in my home. My husband, my children…my family surrounds me with ADHD. And I can tell you honestly, I didn’t always see it as a wonderful thing. I’ve spent a lot of time organizing others (and finding things, but I think that’s a standard mom requirement so I don’t know if that counts), and I’ve done more than my fair share of reminding others. However, I have come to see some of the magic these minds create.
One of the first times I began to see the potential of a differently wired brain was when I read Peter Shankman’s book “Faster Than Normal”. In his book, Shankman explores how neurodivergent individuals possess inherent qualities that allow them to excel in various aspects of life. He highlights the concept of neurodiversity as a competitive advantage rather than a hindrance. He attributes his unusually high energy level and extreme productivity to his ADHD This is because he’s leveraging it instead of fighting it. He considers his ADHD a secret weapon, and I adore that reframe because, again, it’s about asking what DOES work…how do I work best? I will grant you, just like any other tool or superpower, it can go in the wrong direction. You do have to leverage and harness it, and he’s telling us that’s possible.You can find the book on my Favorites page on the website.
How we can make the most of our neurodiverse minds
So how do we make the most of our neurodivergent minds? To start, you need to track where you are most comfortable, most focused, and most productive. What is the environment like? What are you doing? What do you LOVE doing? All of these things together–where you work your best, where you do your best–show you where you need to be putting your time and energy.
Neurodiverse people often possess a strong drive for specific areas of interest. When they engage in activities that align with their passions and strengths, their motivation and productivity are through the roof. Does that sound familiar? That’s how we work together and that’s why some of the first things we do is to assess your strengths, personality, and values. By embracing your unique interests you become more productive and, most importantly, more fulfilled.
It is my hope that the world is seeing neurodiversity more for the opportunity and less for the challenge, but as we make this shift, a supportive community is essential. So I can tell you right now, you have one here for sure. Finding others who work similarly to you and finding mentors and coaches who provide the right kind of support will help you embrace your unique strengths, honor your authentic self, and unleash your full potential.
How you can use it to leverage your unique mind and become your most productive self
If you’re ready for some personalized coaching support, perhaps I can help. I mentioned before that I help you assess your strengths, personality, and values but that’s just the beginning.
When you coach with me, it all starts with a Strategy Session. This session is the basis for the Signature Coaching package, which includes regular accountability sessions, and it’s also a stand-alone coaching package for those who need a one-time option.
Strategy is essential to create the right building blocks and this session combines a compassionate perspective with practical advice. You gain the clarity you need to determine your best steps forward.
The Strategy Session has been used by DIYers looking for expertise and guidance and as an add-on session between accountability sessions when clients need to review more intensive items. We’ve set up new weekly templates, overhauled task management systems, and developed plans for new daily routines and habits. I’ve had an ongoing client use this session to dig deeper into their strengths and values and analyze how their life and work is reflecting those (like a personal gaps analysis). I’ve done a strategy session with a client who wanted to finally write their first book where we co-designed the necessary environment and the process for how and when they would write regularly. So that’s processes, systems, habits…you name it.
(Note: For this one, we used accountability sessions to keep them on pace and on track, and I’m so proud to say within less than a calendar year they finished their first book. And now they’re taking the work we did and applying that to book 2 already!) This session has been used not only to assess how a client works best, but where they might direct their career interests to maximize their satisfaction. While I’m not a career coach per se, the work we do together creates a self-awareness that can apply to so many endeavors. What we do in a Strategy Session alone makes working with other coaches, like business or career, more effective.
How a client uses this foundational session is up to them, but the framework is similar.
In a Strategy Session we’ll:
- Assess your strengths, values, and personality
- Inventory tasks and schedule
- Discuss your daily routines and habits
- Identify your goals
Our goal for the session is to create a personalized productivity plan and you will walk away from the session with a much better understanding of who you are, how you work best, and…as I often say to podcast guests…what makes you light up! All these things contribute to your most productive self. You’ll also walk away with specific action items. I help you track those so you don’t have to remember them. This is your starter plan that you can develop over time on your own or together.
If this sounds like something that would work for you, you can book a strategy session by going to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/strategy and be sure to use the promo code PODCAST for a special listener discount. If you have questions or want to connect and book a Discovery call so we can explore which package is best for you, you can do so on my Connect page https://positivelyproductive.com/connect/
I hope today’s episode has inspired you to think of yourself or someone you care about, in a new light. I’d love to know what you thought of this episode and what topics you’d like to hear more about. As always, I’m so grateful you joined me today and I can’t wait to do it again next week.
Links Mentioned:
Neurodiversity Is a Competitive Advantage (hbr.org)
5 Ways to Thrive as a Multipassionate Entrepreneur (marieforleo.com)
Intention Deficit Disorder: Why ADHD Minds Can’t Turn Goals Into Action (additudemag.com)
