I feel incredibly blessed to be at a university and in a role that I absolutely love, surrounded by a wide range of exciting activities and opportunities. However, this doesn’t mean that my executive function isn’t a challenge to control at times. With so many incredible opportunities, managing overwhelm, task selection, starting tasks, and hyperfocus can be quite the adventure! In this post, I’ll share how these challenges impact me and the strategies I use to try and manage them.
Overwhelm & Task Selection
I am so happy to have an amazing list of tasks on my to-do list. You’d think that having fantastic things to work on would keep overwhelm at bay, right? Wrong! Even when everything on the list is incredible, my brain sometimes decides to blue-screen like an old PC. Instead of drowning in stress, I sit there frozen, my mind refusing to move. Hours can pass as I struggle to figure out what to tackle first, and from the outside, it might look like I’m lazy or disorganized.
Neurotypical people, who can prioritise tasks easily, might not understand that for a neurodiverse brain, every task can feel equally important. I’ve tried everything from to-do lists to Gantt charts, but none of those tools seem to work for me. Even when I logically know which tasks are more important or urgent, my brain doesn’t always cooperate. It craves dopamine and fun. So, I’ve learned to work with my brain instead of against it. Gamifying tasks, taking time to relax, and embracing deadlines are my secret weapons in the battle against overwhelm.
Task Selection … Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Oh No!
When it comes to selecting tasks, my brain often has a mind of its own. It usually knows what it’s willing to do, and I’ve learned not to force it. Instead, I try to let it follow what makes it happy. Take this afternoon, for instance … I should be working through my admin pile, but here I am, writing this post instead.
The sneaky part is knowing I can trick my brain. Once I’m up to speed and hyperfocused on a task I enjoy, I can then pivot to other tasks at lightning speed. It’s like sneaking veggies to a toddler, … my brain doesn’t realise it’s being productive on those less fun tasks, but it works!
Starting a Task
Starting a new task is a insane effort for my neurodiverse mind. The urge to tidy is overwhelming … my brain craves a tidy environment, even though my neurodiverse nature tends to create chaos. It’s a continuous battle of “must clean desk” versus “must start task.”
I can usually tell fairly quickly if I’m going to settle into a task or not. If it’s not happening, I don’t force it. Instead, I try a new approach, switch to a different task, or take a break. Forcing myself only leads to frustration. So, I’ve learned to listen to my brain and adapt, finding ways to sneak productivity into my day without battling against my own nature.
Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus … my favorite neurodiverse superpower. When I get into a task rhythm, I can achieve incredible things quickly and with remarkable quality. My creativity, while seemingly boundless, thrives best with a goal and a clear framework. Hyperfocus isn’t just daydreaming; it’s laser-like concentration that lasts until something interrupts it, leaving me both proud of what I’ve achieved and exhausted.
When in hyperfocus, time slips away, and everything outside my task fades into oblivion. To survive these intense sessions, I prepare by having a variety of drinks (because comfort drinks, hydrating drinks, and fun drinks are all essential!), snacks, and of course a teddy bear on hand. It’s a way to ensure I take care of myself during the whirlwind of productivity.
For me, hyperfocus typically ends with one of three interrupt events … a big unexpected distraction, completing the task, or hunger. Hunger is the worst; by then, I’m usually over-hungry, leading me to seek the quickest, least exhausting way to get hot food. I’m working on eating more regularly rather than just right before bed.
When neurotypicals may marvel at my achievements and the tight timeframes, they often don’t realise it was all thanks to hyperfocus. It’s an amazing superpower, but it definitely comes at a cost.
Neurodiverse Top Tips to work with Limited Executive Function
- Even if your todo list looks like it belongs to a superhero, sometimes your brain just wants to sit and do nothing. Don’t fight it … work with it!
- Treat your brain like a toddler who needs veggies hidden in their food. Start with what’s fun and then sneak in the less enjoyable tasks.
- It’s a constant battle of “must clean desk” versus “must start task.” Sometimes, a 5-minute tidy can turn into a full-blown spring cleaning. Set boundaries!
- Hyperfocus is like a thrilling hacking scene in a movie …. intense, all-consuming, and utterly exhausting. Keep your survival kit handy (Snacks, Drinks, Bears)!
- When hunger hits, you’re likely over-hungry and ready to eat anything that doesn’t move. Working on better self care timing is a must!