ADHD Passive and Active Systems

Today you get an inside look at passive vs active skills for ADHD.

This benefits anyone who struggles with:

• stress
• productivity
• self-confidence
• depressive symptoms
• ongoing anxiety episodes
• and a bunch of other stuff

The origin of this post is here (shortened): https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/jacobkountz_adhd-activity-7172644891951321089-YvCf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

But for my online deep divers, here's my gift to you.

ADHD + The Productivity Trap

As an ADHDer, I bet you spend a lot of time trying to be productive in being productive.

This is called meta-productivity (just made that up).

It’s like the process of thinking about things aka self-consciousness, but with being productive.

The issue with spending an intense amount of time trying to be more productive is that it doesn’t work.

Especially for those who have a hard time implementing novel ideas when you have them.

Sure, now and then you can play out a new thought and see the result, but that’s not your norm.

And you probably also bought an online course in productivity (or something similar) and have yet to finish it because you moved on.

See where I’m going with this?

Active Skills

All of what I’ve described is “active” skill development.

These skills require movement of your body to act out your ideas. They work on an external playing field.

(it coincides with the “just do it” mentality on your terms)

But I’m convinced that just because it’s on your terms doesn’t make it anymore productive. Probably feels good though because you feel like it works.

Other active skills you may be familiar with:

• buying a new online course

(and doing nothing with the ‘results’)

• learning a new timing technique

(and implementing it once and then quitting)

• consuming hundreds of hours of video

(and feeling burned out and never trying at all)

The list can go on and on and you still aren’t getting much done.

Here's the turning point!

Passive Skills

Passive skills are where it’s at.

Imagine a day where you don’t have to lift a finger and you become 10x more productive.

All the skills you learn, process, and implement are within your mind and body.

This internal playing field is the foundation for deep work aka quality production.

Passive skills you may be familiar with:

• taking a break

(and you collect yourself)

• notice your breathing

(and you slow yourself down)

• paying attention to the present

(and realizing the chaotic environment)

All of which are happening inside you.

I didn’t say passive skills will be easier to learn, but they can be a lot easier to implement after you tap into your awareness bone.

Here's the productivity trap you avoid when you engage passive skills before active ones.

Imagine learning 3 new production hacks and successfully implementing them (big expectations I know).

The result? Your sales increase, numbers enhance, etc., and you have the following moment internally:

“I did it! Wow. I’m proud of myself. Yes!”

Nothing wrong with this picture.

Hours or days go by and you try this again, but with a different outcome.

You didn’t implement the new active skills you just learned.

And the inner critic dialogue settles in:

“What the heck is wrong with you? You did this a few days ago, why isn’t it working now? You just need to try harder and you’ll get it.”

Sound familiar?

And what happens to your productivity after berating yourself?

It takes a nosedive, my friend. We've all been there.

Now the devils are in the details here. Yes, I get that having a moment of clarity and putting a few points on the scoreboard feels wonderful, but it doesn’t last long.

Why?

These are moments of impulsive pleasures that are unfortunately short-lived.

And that’s what active skills do for ADHDers, they put you in a position of a dopamine high that can lead to disappointment.

Undoing Productivity Traps

Active skills though. Very different.

Here's the same scenario but with a different process.

Imagine learning a new internal process such as self-compassion (one of many passive skills), and you get two projects done in a day at work and you make a big sale.

Powerful moments and a great day:

“I did it. Wow. I’m proud of myself for this!”

A few days go by and you make zero sales, no projects are done, and you are late to work (while keeping the passive skill of self-compassion in mind):

“Tough day, but I did the best I could and am proud I got through it. Was late to work but didn’t turn around and just go home. Today will make me a little more resilient.”

Huge difference in presence, perspective, and emotional regulation.

You have mental clarity and a calmer body, and you notice this as a passive skill.

And guess what happens to your productivity after a little self-compassion work?

It increases.

Why?

The practice of self-compassion and introducing additional passive skills such as emotional regulation practices can turn things around mentally and physically.

Now for my hardcore production machines aka perfectionists (like myself), this may not entirely fly for you, but consider it at least.

Imagine if you had a whole toolbelt of these passive skills that support:

• cognitive processes
• emotional processes
• movement processes

When you try those active skills and fumble, you don’t put yourself down as harshly and can bounce back more easily as far as I can tell.

This is good news for those who are up for constant challenges and know a thing or two about good active skills that currently for for you.

Which brings me to my last point.

Learn passive skills, and engage them often.

Then learn active skills and use passive skills to support it.

That’s how people with ADHD build productivity on an entirely new level.

And you didn’t need to buy a course to learn that did ya?

Hope this helps.

Take care.

P.S.… I share many resources in a pay-what-you-want digital library that grows monthly here .