Along with tons of freedom, comes the inevitable realization that you don’t actually have to do anything you don’t want to do. No one is there forcing you, so if you want to sleep in for six days without going to class, you can. The problem though, of course, is that the things you want to do aren’t always the best choice for you in the long run. The simple answer for me, when I was in school, was to simply make a “weeklong pact” with myself. Say I wanted to get up early Wednesday and Thursday morning to study; I’d simply make a contract with myself on Sundaynight that can’t be changed until the following Sunday. In other words, I have to do what the contract says. Tell a roommate about it, or a best friend. Accountability is key. It works. It really does.
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Remember that your boss or coworkers’ brains don’t work as fast as yours. The most logical thing to do to guarantee that you’re not isolated, ignored, or worse, in the workplace, is to practice the art of “slowing down” before you interact with a colleague. You might have just had the most brilliant idea that’s going to make the company millions, but barging into your boss’s office to share it rarely results in a positive outcome. Instead, take a few deep breaths, jot it down on paper, refine it, then present it to your boss at a time of his or her choosing. Sure, this goes against everything our brain’s tell us to do, but in the end, it’ll make sure you’re heard by the powers that be, and not simply tolerated, or worse, removed.

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As we move more and more into the world of neurodiversity, we need to understand as business owners that the chances are very, very high that you’ll be hiring someone with ADHD (or probably already employ someone with it.) While it might seem that they’re daydreaming, or other times they’re completely unfocused, understand that with some simple guidance and proper trajectory, those with ADHD can be your company’s most important asset. Set clear deadlines, (no deadline is the ADHD employee’s kyptonite.) Let them finish one project before dumping another on them, because they’ll work on whatever’s the newest thing. And most importantly, allow them a little time each day to “reboot, recharge, and restart.” That could be a workout at lunch, or perhaps 20 minutes of simply walking outside each day. Their brains are looking for the dopamine and adranaline they need to be at their best. Let them find it.
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Understand that ADHD is a misnomer in itself. ADHD kids aren’t just hyper. Rather, they’re constantly scanning for something to excite them, something that will allow their brains to make the chemicals they’re lacking, like Dopamine, Adrenaline, and Serotonin. The best thing you can do is allow your students to find that by something as simple as lettiing them stand up at the back of the room for a few minutes, or go out into the hall to do some jumping jacks. Those simple movements will trigger the brain to squirt out some of those chemicals, and push their attention right back to levels needed for studying and concentration.
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Have a great story to tell about how your ADHD has help you, or how you’ve learned to use it to your advantage? I’d love to hear it, and maybe have you as a guest on an upcoming episode of Faster Than Normal. Simply send an email to FTN@shankman.com, and tell us your story!