Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Episode 38: Jesse J Anderson

Nov 10, 2023

Join Jesse J. Anderson, a writer and ADHD advocate, as he shares his humorous journey of self-discovery living with undiagnosed ADHD. He reflects on the challenges of motivation and the struggle to find a diagnosis later in life. Jesse discusses balancing a full-time job while pursuing personal projects and highlights the therapeutic benefits of video gaming as an escape. He also shares strategies for overcoming bedtime challenges and navigating the complexities of hyperfocus, offering relatable insights for neurodivergent individuals.

49:00

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Episode guests

Jesse J. Anderson

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Quick takeaways

Jesse J. Anderson's late diagnosis of ADHD at 36 illuminated his lifelong struggles with focus and motivation in academic and professional settings.

The phenomenon of hyper-focus allows those with ADHD to immerse deeply in engaging tasks, often neglecting other essential responsibilities in the process.

Implementing the 'four C's of motivation'—captivate, create, compete, and complete—provides effective strategies for boosting productivity tailored to the ADHD brain.

Deep dives

Understanding ADHD and Its Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD at 36 provided Jesse J. Anderson with important insights into his experiences growing up. He recalls acing tests while struggling significantly with homework due to a lack of motivation, a common issue for those with ADHD. Throughout his early career, Jesse jumped between numerous jobs, often becoming bored and disengaged despite initial excitement. His eventual diagnosis shed light on these patterns, helping him understand that his inability to focus stemmed from an interest-based nervous system rather than a simple lack of effort.

Intro

2min

Living with Undiagnosed ADHD: A Journey to Self-Discovery

21min

Exploring Gradual Transition Strategies in Career Development

2min

Balancing Life: Work, Parenting, and Gaming

13min

Overcoming Bedtime Challenges: Strategies for Better Habits

3min

Navigating the Struggles of Hyperfocus in Productivity

2min

Soothing Nighttime Rituals and ADHD Resources

6min

Welcome to episode #38 We’re thrilled to be joined by Jesse J Anderson today. JESSE J. ANDERSON is a writer, speaker, coach, ADHD advocate, and maker of things. Diagnosed at 36, Jesse writes about his insights and experiences living with ADHD in the weekly newsletter, Extra Focus, helping over sixty thousand readers navigate their own ADHD journeys or better understand their loved ones. He is known for his humorous, relatable, and insightful posts about ADHD under the handle @adhdjesse, and has been featured in publications including Today and Huff Post.. Welcome to the show Jesse!

Questions

Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
1. Always felt a bit different. Thought it was a family quirk
2. Did well at tests but didn’t do homework
3. Moved jobs a lot after high school: 30+ jobs
  1. Pizza delivery - 7 different jobs
4. Best friend diagnosed with ADHD
  1. Symptoms started to resonate: hyperfocus, sensory issues
  2. Not much info at that point
  3. Hard to find a psychologist to diagnose
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
1. Day job: designer and frontend developer
  1. Loves the job (been there for 9 years)
2. Writing hard to prioritize
  1. Had to say No to other projects (podcast and Polar Habits)
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
1. Video games: dopamine factories (Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Starfield, etc.) - escape into another world
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
1. Delayed sleep phase syndrome (75% of ADHD): used to stay up until 2 am
2. Shower, Coffee and get into work
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
1. Get inspiration:
  1. Watch movie trailers to get inspiration from a medium that isn’t his own
2. 4 Cs of motivation (Dr William Dodson)
  1. Neurotypicals motivated by:
    1. Importance of task
    2. Rewards
    3. Consequences
  2. ADHDers interest based motivation:
    1. Captivate: things you’re interested in
    2. Create: Novelty
    3. Compete: optimization, the right level of difficulty
    4. Complete: deadlines, due dates, and urgency
COMMERCIAL BREAK
What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
1. Difficulty going to bed on time - part medical and part habit
How do you switch off at night?
1. Thunder sounds/ASMR
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
1. Books:
  1. “Driven to distraction”
  2. Danny Donovan: “The Anti Planner”
2. “How to ADHD” YouTube channel
3. Apps:
  1. Polar Habits
  2. Brain.fm
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
1. Extrafocus.com - newsletter
2. Extrafocusbook.com - book
3. adhdjesse across social media
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
1. Get the book: Extrafocusbook.com

Joey’s creativity course

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Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Episode 38: Jesse J Anderson

Episode guests