Hacking Your ADHD
The Optimization Trap with Jaye Lin
Apr 21, 2025
Jaye Lin, an ADHD podcaster and community builder who co-founded the ADHD-Women@Google group, shares insights on navigating the optimization trap. She explains how excessive planning can lead to burnout and hinder task completion. Jaye uses relatable anecdotes, likening indecision in projects to the chaos of cooking chicken parmesan. They discuss the importance of starting small and being authentic in creative endeavors while prioritizing genuine intentions over perfection. Their conversation also touches on balancing passion with financial stability and the pressures of holiday planning.
01:03:34
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Quick takeaways
- The Optimization Trap illustrates how ADHD individuals can become paralyzed by over-planning, often leading to burnout before action begins.
- Prioritizing completion over perfection fosters a sense of accomplishment for ADHD individuals, enhancing motivation and reducing feelings of inadequacy.
Deep dives
Understanding the Optimization Trap
The optimization trap is a concept that highlights a cycle where individuals with ADHD become overly engrossed in planning and perfecting tasks rather than executing them. This often leads to burnout before they even start their projects. Many people find themselves spending extensive time researching and brainstorming ideas, which may feel rewarding due to dopamine release. However, this culminates in a disconnect during the execution phase, where feelings of overwhelm and anxiety hinder their ability to complete tasks, resulting in frustration and a mental block.
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