When hyperfocus works against you
In my course on getting shit done with ADHD, I describe hyperfocus as your ADHD secret weapon…
In ADHD terms, that’s called hyperfocus, and it’s your secret weapon as someone with ADHD.
Hyperfocus is a form of flow or being in the zone. The world around you disappears. You have a sense of clarity and calm. You get a phenomenal amount and quality of work done. Your perception of time disappears.
People with ADHD will often feel very accomplished on days where they go into hyperfocus, and very drained and unaccomplished on days where they don’t.
However… ADHD doesn’t always point where we want it to.
When your hyperfocus is pointed at your most important tasks—those big projects that seem impossible to neurotypical folks—you’re virtually unstoppable.
But when your brain gets hooked on something new and exciting, hyperfocus can become your biggest liability. It becomes impossible to focus on anything else, even the more important stuff you absolutely need to get done.
When that happens, what can you do about it?
I’ve found that for me ADHD medication helps a fair bit with this. It’s a bit like the googles Cyclops from the X-Men wears. I still have my cool laser eyes, but I can control where they blast.
But even that doesn’t always work.
On those days where I just can’t fight the hyperfocus pull… I don’t. I know from past experiences that the best way to get past it is to let it run its course and burn out.
Unfortunately, that often means I’m scrambling last minute to get the important stuff done, but I haven’t found another way that works more effectively.