Christopher Richards, a leadership consultant and founder of Atomic Growth, shares his insights on navigating ADHD in demanding careers. He discusses his holistic 'RISE' philosophy, which reinforces that success doesn’t have to come from stress. Christopher highlights unique work styles for ADHD individuals, emphasizing the value of multitasking versus single-focused tasks. They also explore the pressure to conform to societal success metrics and the importance of aligning work with personal values for true fulfillment.
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insights INSIGHT
Pressure Undermines Sustainable Success
Pressure is a common but harmful motivator for business owners with ADHD.
Enjoyment and identity-led work can replace pressure to prevent burnout and sustain effort.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Late ADHD Diagnosis Revealed Focus Style
Christopher Richards was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD in adulthood after recognizing lifelong signs.
He discovered his focus improves when multitasking rather than single-tasking, unlike many.
insights INSIGHT
Demand Avoidance Links to Productivity
Demand avoidance affects ADHD brains even if demands are self-imposed.
Resistance can emerge internally, making forced efforts counterproductive for focus and productivity.
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In 'How Champions Think', Dr. Bob Rotella and Bob Cullen explore the mental strategies that set champions apart. The book emphasizes the importance of optimism, confidence, and commitment to process over outcome. It provides practical techniques such as visualization and positive self-talk to help readers develop a champion's mindset, applicable across various fields including sports, business, and personal development.
Overcoming Burnout
Overcoming Burnout
David Greenwood
Welcome to another episode of Overcoming Distractions! In this episode, Dave sits down with Christopher Richards, a leadership consultant and founder of Atomic Growth. They dig into the unique challenges and surprising strengths of busy professionals with ADHD, exploring how to navigate demanding careers and personal lives.
Christopher shares insights from his own journey with ADHD, the philosophy behind Atomic Growth, and practical advice for ADHD’ers with demanding careers and business owners looking to find success and fulfillment without relying on unsustainable pressure.
Key discussion points:
Atomic Growth's Philosophy: Christopher talks about his holistic approach, called "RISE" (Rituals, Identity, Somatics, Environment), which emphasizes making a meaningful difference beyond just financial gain.
The Problem with Pressure: Both David and Christopher highlight how many business owners and professionals rely on immense pressure to achieve goals, often leading to burnout and a lack of real accomplishment despite long hours. They emphasize that effective work doesn't have to be stressful.
ADHD and Work Styles: Christopher, who was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD later in life, discusses his unique ability to focus better when engaged in multiple tasks simultaneously, contrasting with David's preference for single-task, undisturbed focus. This highlights the diverse ways ADHD brains can operate and the importance of understanding one's own optimal working environment.
The Value of an ADHD Diagnosis: For Christopher, his diagnosis wasn't about a label but about gaining a clearer understanding of how his brain functions to leverage its strengths effectively.
Overcoming Self-Imposed Limitations (Demand Avoidance): The discussion touches on "demand avoidance," where individuals with ADHD, even when self-imposing demands, can find their brains resisting. This underscores the need for self-awareness and strategies that align with how an ADHD brain naturally operates.
Identifying and Leveraging Strengths: Instead of solely focusing on challenges, David and Christopher emphasize the importance of identifying and utilizing strengths.
**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min
Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with ADHD, ADD 
