ADHD, often seen as a hurdle, has been a powerful catalyst in shaping my content creation process, but I didn’t come to this alone. Being diagnosed with ADHD at 58 gave me more of a sign of relief instead of saying “great, something else wrong with me”.
I was going to treat this as another experiment and my primary focus for this “train of thought” was how was I going to create content that made sense?
I’m going to share where I’m at now and please remember, this is my process and that everyone’s brain works differently. What’s going to work for me, may work for you…or not.
If you decide to implement any of the strategies I’ve shared, it’s crucial to check in with a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
I’m going to give credit to the start of my research from Jessica who is the channel owner of How to ADHD and Dani Donovan, author of The Anti-Planner.
ADHD Fuels My Creativity — Ideas Come in Waves!
ADHD is not a barrier to creativity; it’s a booster rocket. It fuels my imagination, leading to a constant influx of ideas. Before I started to working with frameworks, my content creation was impulsive and inconsistent.
ADHD minds are like idea factories, constantly churning out fresh concepts. This is because our brains are wired differently, leading to unique connections and associations. We’re not limited to linear thinking…instead, we’re able to jump from one idea to another, creating a web of interconnected thoughts.
So when an idea strikes, I jot it down immediately. If I’m on the road, I keep a notebook at the ready and I have Notion on my phone.
Hyperfocus Helps Me Dive Deep into Topics
Hyperfocus, a common trait with ADHD, allows me to lose myself completely in a topic. With my neurodivergent brain, I could easily find myself working on a task for 4 hours before my brain clocked out. Then I had to deal with the arthritic body pain for sitting that long.
This intense concentration can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can lead to procrastination like right now. I’m writing this article when I should be working on a client website. On the other hand, it’s a permission slip for deep exploration, leading to comprehensive and detailed content. When harnessed correctly, hyperfocus can be a powerful tool for content creation.
I use a timer to manage my hyperfocus. Setting a specific amount of time for deep work helps, and then take a break before moving on to the next task. At the moment, I can only work for 1 hour at a time and use that to get up and stretch our my arthritic body. This works well for me.
I’ve Learned to Embrace My Unique Thought Process
My ADHD brain thinks differently, and that’s a strength, not a weakness.
ADHD brains are often described as “distractible,” but another way to look at it is “curious.” We’re constantly exploring new ideas, making connections others might miss. This unique thought process can lead to content that stands out from the crowd.
I’ve stopped fighting my natural thought process. Instead, I find ways to work with it like I’m a huge visual thinker, so mind maps work amazingly when planning my content.
It’s Taught Me to Break Tasks into Manageable Chunks
ADHD has taught me the importance of breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Large tasks can be overwhelming, especially for those with ADHD. This was my biggest problem for as long as I can remember…every single flipping time I was given a big project, it was a shitshow trying to organize it. But, breaking the project down into smaller tasks, then breaking those smaller tasks into even smaller tasks, repeat over and over again, everything became much more manageable. This approach not only makes the task less daunting but also provides a clear roadmap for completion.
Using project management tools or digital to-do lists to break down your tasks might work for you. Tools like Asana, Trello or my go-to Notion helped.
I’ve Become a Master at Using Tools and Frameworks to Stay Organized
ADHD has forced me to become adept at using tools and strategies to stay organized.
Staying organized can be a challenge if you have ADHD. But with the right tools and strategies, it’s entirely possible. From digital calendars to project management apps, there are plenty of resources available to help keep you on track.
I’ve created frameworks and templates for my content writing. For example, I write in short blocks (like in this article). Even when I do stream of consciousness writing, it’s in blocks, which is kinda against the rules of SOC writing right?
Working WITH My ADHD, Not Against It
I’d like to say ADHD isn’t a pain in my ass. I’d prefer to say it’s a unique way of thinking that can be harnessed for success. Sounds good on paper. What I’m doing is far from perfect, but being 80% there works just fine.
This involved a ton of journaling to understanding my strengths and weaknesses, meditating, even if it was only 5 minutes, listening to Binaural Beats and developing a series of experiments to figure out what worked, what didn’t and why. For example, I get easily distracted, so I spent a little time every day to create a quiet, clutter-free workspace. Out of sight = out of mind.
Wrapping It Up
ADHD has shaped my content creation process in ways I never imagined. It’s fueled my creativity, helped me dive deep into topics, taught me to embrace my unique thought process, and forced me to become a some-what master at organization. It’s taught me to work with my ADHD, not against it.
Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t and remember, every mind is a universe. Explore yours! Embrace your unique thought process, harness your hyperfocus, and let your creativity flow. Break down tasks into manageable chunks and use tools to stay organized. And above all, remember that ADHD isn’t a barrier, it’s a unique way of thinking that can with experimenting, you can harness it for your own success.
Until next time, stay inspired.
Gisèle
0 Comments