You Can't Derive Positive Results Just From Negative Means: Principle II

The second installment of my Positive Change Initiative

Global Creatives rely heavily on a consequence-based motivation system to get things done. This approach works for the urgent daily challenges but is less effective for the bigger, more important projects beyond our urgent time horizon. We often use the blunt force tools of our negative neural network (the fear center of the brain) to move through the different stages of work because ADHD can create assorted traps and pitfalls throughout this process, illustrated in the video.

Here are common traps that can occur due to executive function breakdowns:

Contemplation - Some reflection is necessary but too much reflection or contemplation tips easily into anxiety, worry and rumination. Cycling through “What if?” scenarios can be a real challenge.

Ideation - Brainstorming and weighing options is another excellent practice but Global Creatives can feel the allure of The Shiny Object the Next Great Thing. This is where Big Signal meets Big Idea Generator. The individual entertains never-ending new ideas which can easily tip into overwhelm and over-commitment.

Determination - This is the realm of priority and commitment. For those with ADHD, our daily items present equally in significance and urgency. We burn huge bandwidth cycling through what to work on next. Paralysis by Analysis camps out here.

Activation - It can be so hard to get into action we will want to stay here at all costs. Often confused with Flow State, hyper-focus is the false prophet here. We stay engaged too intensely and too long, often alienating those around us.

Now you can see why we struggle with moving through these phases of work and that developing some extreme coping behaviors is justified. Start with noticing where you get hung up in these stages. Is it with rumination? Hyper-focus?

Pause and begin to be curious about this process of work and how much you access motivation through fear, anger or consequence. Start by separating truly important work from the urgent work illustrated in the Eisenhower Time Matrix in the video.