As a recovering alcoholic/drug addict, i do know that every drink or drug i took was to keep from feeling my feelings (which were predominately uncomfortable).
One super simple psychological 'trick' I used during University studies is to *pretend* I liked the subject, no matter how boring. To my own surprise that helped tremendously to motivate me to read the material and actively participate in classes, and I also started enjoying the subject itself - probably because many things turn out to be interesting once you know a bit more about it.
His description of burnout happening from a position of high expectations with low sense of control hit me in my soul! I’m an addiction counselor in a grant funded facility. The pace is RELENTLESS. I absolutely love & believe in what I do… but I feel the strain psychologically & emotionally, more because of those combined factors & had never put that together. I actually tested up when his words hit me. It’s the hopelessness of it. It’s what I go to work to help others deal w/ every day & yet my workplace & work load produces it in me.
Grants are often short-term, too adding to your stress. What came to my mind was life with my dark triad husband (now ex-husband). High expectations for the children and I, never satisfied and never relinquishing control.
Agree i am a flow coach and the work is very much into debug and burnout proofing. There are 6 pointers to look into to really handle the situation. His explanation was beautiful, a-b. Before it gets a physical condition it is absolutely an emotion of “ it doesn’t matter what or how much I do. Nothing changes or I never get the results no matter what” apathy…. Worthless. Doesn’t matter if it’s work place, hobby friendship or love relationship. It is extremely important work to do. Because no one is worthless, to believe so is a waste of so much hidden potential and important beings.
It's amazing that there are those of us out there who haven't been diagnosed with some type of attention deficit disorder, given the insanely fast pace of these modern times, the tremendous rise of technology, social media, and having mini computer devices in our hands 24/7, and the 5-10k advertisements that are put in front of our faces each and every single day. We have to fight to reclaim our focus and attention every time we wake up and come to consciousness.
I don't know why but the things that this guy is saying is constantly making me tear up. It's exactly what I needed. The level of awareness and reflection you need, to look into the psychological changes in yourself whilst going through them, materialise them into words and then explain it to the world is extraordinary. Thank you for this truly.
Well the ADHD people aren't happy with this podcast 😂. He never blame that they aren't trying hard enough and also acknowledge that some people need medication for it. Yet they still shit on him, which futher signal to me that the west really loves self cuddling and blaming everyone but themselves
I've spent YEARS on self development books, courses, routines, coaches. Man I've given it my all and it only added more stress to my life. I don't think I was a great a great mum during those years. I only got diagnosed a year ago and the penny dropped. Knowing i have ADHD & Autism has allowed me to accept conventional methods may not work. It's ok if i find my own unique ways of getting things done. Getting rid of the belief that i was just plain stupid was liberating. Meds are helping me for now. I may choose not to take them down the line and find other ways to work with it. Or even better, embrace the strengths my ADHD gives me and focus on those rather than trying to live up to the neuro typical model of the world. "If you judge a fish by it's ability to climb, it will spend it's entire life thinking it's stupid' ~ Einstein
omg this sounds like me. i always just beleive its my fault im dumb im stupid im lazy im not trying hard enough whilst i can show a decade of therapy, self help books, podcasts under my belt to no avail. sure i can COPE but the underlying problem is and always been there
I relate to your comment a lot. I also feel that there are times when I haven't been a great mother because of adhd but damn I tried. I was also recently diagnosed too. Before then i thought i was incompetent and a failure
I think I might have ADHD. I am just so stupid. I am a law graduate but when it comes to life, I make such silly mistakes, over think basic things, I come across as a right idiot. I feel like even in basic tasks I am being judged on.
I liked watching this so much, especially as a Psychology student working on my masters degree in Prevention and also struggling with some ADHD-seeming issues. We can't press enough on the importance on what we choose to believe and how we teach ourselves to regulate and listen to ourselves. Thanks for this interview!
I have quite severe ADHD with really poor, almost non existent executive function. I can not just organise my way out of it, believe me I have tried, and it does help, but there is a physical difference with my brain that is going to be there regardless of my daily routine. In conclusion I do think the advice given can be helpful but marketing it as a cure or alternative to treatment can be quite reckless without knowing peoples individual cases.
I agree 100%. It’s not that simple, and for adhd there is a spectrum of severity. My ADHD is also severe, I’ve tried many many things over the years to help me be successful. But sometimes it’s physically hard for me to even start things. Small things like my morning routine need immense effort. Its not like it’ll naturally make my executive function, emotional regulation, distractibility, scattered brain, impulsivity, forgetfulness and racing thoughts 24/7 better or cured. Sure, like I said you can do things to help, but it’ll never be a cure to help with all these many symptoms that come with ADHD. It’s just not that simple! It’s a very complex disorder and it’s a disorder that people have ALWAYS never understood and dismissed because you can’t see it. We look like everyone else but inside, we can be drowning if not managed. Our brains don’t produce enough Dopamine and are constantly seeking things to give us that. Low dopamine contributes to feeling unmotivated, sleepy, memory loss, sad, mood swings and affects our concentration. It’s not just the disorder where we get distracted, it’s much bigger than that.
yeah he also is a bit dishonest around dopamine in the brain, sure there might be the same amount produced but there are many studies on the different causes of adhd ( defective DRD2 gene for example ) and its effects on dopamine and the brain. I dont have ADHD but my two daughters and their mother do , it was a pretty hard rolleyes in that section to me . That said i dont live in the US of A.....
I am glad the comment section has some sense going on in it. I look at my ADHD as both a struggle and a super power. I just can’t always harness it at will. I really dislike the direction of the conversation in that section of this particular conversation. They are looking at only one side of the coin of ADHD. They are only looking at the “attention/ distractibility” part of the condition. There are other parts of ADHD that I actually struggle with more.
@@itsmydamnation6158 I've been writing about ADHD for a couple of years now and I have never found a study that proves ADHD is caused by a lack of dopamine that wasn't funded by Big Pharma, or lacked the statistical significance required for a study of this kind. The point is this, if ADHD is caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain we haven't (yet) proven it. That doesn't mean it's not the cause, but it's looking increasingly less likely as time goes on.
I love the distraction discussion. I’m a writer and even during this interview I admitted to myself that when I distract myself during my writing time, it’s to distract from my fear of failing at writing. Wow what a great interview!
I’m a writer, too, and an artist - and I live with regret every day. I write, I make art - but I am stuck when it comes to selling what I create. For me, using social media as a distraction from doing the “work” of my “work” comes from loneliness I don’t want to admit (I am kind of a loner, but I also have a lot of friends who live too far away to visit but another distraction is talking to each other for hours, because they are lonely, too.) Also: I think I feel resentful that not only do I make the creative work (I do art all the time - no block there- occasional writers block, but I write easily (most of the time) - I also then have to market and sell it. I feel overwhelmed, so I resort to social media, true crime, fashion-watching - You Tube stuff - and yes, lots of emotional/spiritual/inspirational channels like this to help me stay in the present. I have a decent job as a phone emo/career-coach myself, with many wonderful clients, and as an empath I adore being giving and useful to people who call for my help, but I need help moving my art and writing into the wider world. I have a beautiful website for my art but rarely spend time marketing myself and my latest novel is languishing on Google Docs waiting for the final few chapters of my latest novel. So what do I do? Call V and A and chat for hours about stuff, follow yet another ongoing true crime drama, watch a film noir, post my art or other stuff on Facilebook or Instabomb and see what my friends are commenting about it - and put up rambling responses like this one to shore up my ego and self-awareness that I’m still alive, lol. Anyway, you gave me some “traction” today. I feel like I can take some action. And yes, it’s true that when I do what I need and plan to do I feel great. I’ll check back in and let you know what happened. Thanks for the nudge, noodge. 😂
omg! i've read your book coping with yarn!! never thought i'll be able to connect with you on youtube!?! i'm sorry if you're another writer with same name, then you can ingnore.
@@MarthaWoodworth-f9s I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner. You know, being self aware is so much of the solution for what you’re describing, and you’ve got that. Gosh you are so honest about your actions and I think that’s wonderful. To really know yourself and know what you want will really get you far. I don’t think what you’re doing is bad per se, but maybe you can throw some distraction-toe techniques in there that are actually helping you move forward. Maybe it’d be fun to design some canva art and then you can post that to advertise yourself. The marketing is definitely overwhelming! I’m in that boat right now too. I have my books and I post on insta, face, TH-cam, do a newsletter, offer a free book everywhere, and on and on, and….not much. I do have faith that this will work, and you know what? Since I’ve been believing more and having more trust, it has eased the worry. I wish the best for you and all your wonderful art! 💜
This podcast came out at such an important time for me. I am overhwelmed by my workload everyday and by working in a remote setting for a Startup, it comes at no surprise. What resonated with me is prioritization and aligning my workload with my boss's. This is so key and I am thankful to have learnt this.
I have ADHD & was prescribed concerta. I have Finally Started organizing & cleaning my room while listening to this Is podcast. I have not taken my medication in 2 days. So I appreciate a different perspective & mindset to help me analyze, focus & accomplish this small task that I have procrastinated on.
I was diagnosed and placed on medication, than I learned that my diet was causing glucose spikes and also bad habits like too much screen time were causing my adhd symptoms. I wish you all the luck on your journey to cleaning your body of those meds. ❤
Perfect definition of burn out. It explains the problem we are experiencing as teachers. We have highest expectations from so many outside entities ( government, administration, parents) many of which have no experience as teachers. They pile on and on and on. We no longer have agency or autonomy to do the job well. No one listens to the teachers say “this isn’t working”, “I don’t control that”, “I need control of this for students to progress”, “I don’t have resources for that” and more. We are told make it happen no matter what obstacles we put in your way. We get blamed by all entities when they think we are failing.
Lots of bad habits will give adhd like symptoms, that doesn't mean you have adhd. People without adhd will never understand what it is like to actually have adhd and just talk rubbish based on no experience of living with it, Just their own nero typically mind that has occasional inattentive moments. I live my life as clean as possible to improve my symptoms that iv had since 4 years old, I still struggle daily because I have real diagnosed adhd.
@@nigelmarwa6246 live with our brain for a day! You'll know. Why is it only ADHD the existence of which people question of all the mental issues? You don't question Tourettes, OCD, a borderline with marks of self harm because they are visible. It would take some deeper going into to observe and acknowledge something that is not obvious to the eye. Do put in the effort before you shut down your mind.
ADHD is a gift and a curse at the same time, constantly struggling heavily to stick at a job you don’t like/aren’t interested in, the morning depression and the instant switch of moods. It gets under my skins when people generalise it like it’s just one small thing like not being able to focus (which is a stereotype) in itself. Or when people belittle it and look past it like it doesn’t actually affect our day to day lives.
emotional and mood regulation struggles are a key part of what many with ADHD struggle with, you’re blessed to be spared! but don’t invalidate others or suggest diagnoses which you are unqualified to speak to; and if you are you, shouldn’t be doing it online.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🧠 Understanding internal triggers is crucial for conquering distraction. 05:14 🔄 Distraction isn't just external; it's also driven by internal triggers. 08:02 📝 Writing down the sensations before distraction helps gain control. 10:52 🤖 Reframing internal triggers as a source of power, not hindrance. 17:31 ⏰ Scheduling time for worry allows you to manage distractions more effectively. 19:40 🕒 Using the 10-minute rule to delay gratification helps establish control over distractions and impulse control issues. 20:10 💼 Schedule time later in the day for "worry time" to address distracting thoughts and worries, allowing the brain to relax. 22:34 🔥 Finish your allocated time box, even if it means sitting there with hands on the keyboard, to overcome the initial boredom and resistance. 23:16 🚫 External triggers can be hacked back by creating friction and using visual cues to communicate your focus, such as a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your monitor. 30:05 💡 Preventing distractions with "pacts": effort pacts (adding friction), price pacts (imposing costs), and identity pacts (aligning with your desired self-image). 38:41 🧠 The discomfort associated with pursuing a task affects motivation and discipline. 39:34 🕹️ Enjoying an activity makes it easier to get into a state of flow. 41:10 🎯 To become indistractable, focus on tasks you don't enjoy but need to do. 45:18 🗓️ Create a time-boxed calendar based on your values to prioritize tasks. 53:40 🤝 Scheduling quality time in relationships helps maintain connection and prioritizes loved ones. 59:14 🧠 Internal vs. external locus of control: People with internal locus of control believe they affect change, leading to better well-being. 01:00:09 🚀 Mindset affects actions: Believing in agency and control leads to healthier lives, even in challenging circumstances. 01:02:59 📱 Responsibility in technology use: While companies design engaging products, personal responsibility and agency are crucial. 01:05:19 🧪 Goblins of trauma: Traumatic experiences can either limit or propel individuals; reframing discomfort is important. 01:12:46 🧭 Facing discomfort: Overcoming pain or discomfort requires exposure therapy, both physiologically and psychologically. Confidence and growth stem from facing challenges. 01:19:06 🧠 Confidence can be built by reframing triggers and adopting a new perspective. 01:19:48 👩⚕️ The concept of a brain chemical imbalance is a misconception in the public, not accepted in the Psychology Community. 01:20:42 💊 Skills should be prioritized over pills for treating ADHD; medication can have side effects and should be the last resort. 01:26:13 🤝 ADHD should be seen as treatable, not an identity; focus on skills and functional improvement rather than reliance on medication. 01:37:31 🏢 Indestructible workplaces are built on psychological safety, providing forums to discuss problems, and having management exemplify focused work-life balance. Made with HARPA AI
I’m late to this episode but when you were talking about burnout it dawned on me why so many nurses, I’m a nurse, were depressed during covid and in general our population deal with higher levels depression, anxiety and burnout more than other fields. The expectations on nurses is extremely high. “The most trusted profession” we are in charge of life, and more often than not, we can control the outcome. despite all our efforts, sometimes our patients die, or get sicker, and we are in the room for it all. Man this hit home. Thanks.
When it comes to social media being a distraction, TH-cam is my main one because of how it’s connected to my personal life of learning. I’ve learned about 90% of what I’ve learned in the past two years all from TH-cam alone. And it continues to be the main source of my “self education.” But a lot of the time, it went from using TH-cam deliberately as a education tool to becoming a form of entertainment. Even while still watching all the educational content I would normally consume. What this video has taught me is how I need to be more deliberate and intentional on how I use TH-cam or any other social media for that matter. Instead of waking up and going straight into listening to a podcast that I’m most likely not even fully engaged into, setting a focus time for that will break the entertainment aspect of it and allow me to actually focus on what I’m watching and learning.
Please make sure you guys are at least trying to fact check some of the information you learn online. Everyone these days thinks they know everything when they've only got their info from 1 source.
Every single study has shown that ADHD is heavily under diagnosed, especially in Adults. Around 70% of adult's with the condition don't know they have it.
It’s so true! It’s especially under diagnosed in women. I’m almost 35 and was just diagnosed last year. My sister is 32 and was just diagnosed this year.
I believe ADHD is a state of mind which is why kids who hate school often have it but later do really well in the hands on working world. I, on the other hand, was a very focused student, and then once I hit the working world, I just hated reading and wanted to just MOVE and LIVE!
Yep! I keep getting diagnosed with BPD but I have Auditory Processing Disorder and possibly ADHD. I am also so directionally challenged possibly due to my APD. Too much background noise and I have a hard time functioning in life it sucks.
I have always asked my boss to prioritize my work when I'm handed more than they realize. Managers love this, they feel flattered that you're coming to them, and they don't have to hear someone coming to complain. The work has to be done, and understanding that is big to them. It's also a time to shine because you get to show everything you do. In the past my manager took some of that work themselves after seeing everything I do and have been capable of and ask me how I got so much done 😂
00:00 Avoiding distraction is the key to not living with regret. 05:21 Distraction is an action we take, not something that happens to us. 15:13 Mastering internal triggers and making time for traction are key to high performance. 19:57 Compartmentalize distractions with worry time and finish time boxes 28:33 Prevent distraction with pacts 33:33 Discipline is not a limited resource, but a belief that it is can limit willpower. 42:45 Schedule time for self-care, relationships, and work 47:23 Time blocking can improve productivity and relationships 57:19 Believing in agency and control improves well-being 1:02:18 Smart regulation needed for tech companies 1:11:47 Trauma is neutral, it's how we interpret it that matters. 1:16:40 Confidence comes from reframing triggers through exposure therapy. 1:26:55 Over-diagnosis of ADHD is a concern due to trivialization and potential benefits to certain industries. 1:31:46 Building an indestructible workplace requires psychological safety and a forum to talk about problems. Crafted by Merlin AI.
1.If we believe in the limitations about our brain or about the world around us, we act in accordance with it 2. What would the person who I wanna become do with his time? 3. A lot of people are generous with their time, and not generous with their money. It should be the opposite way 4. We always think of an output, whereas we forget about the inputs. In terms of knowledge, input it just two things: time and attention. Just like when cooking a cupcake, input it the ingredients like sugar, milk etc.
Yup, it’s terrible having some guru with an MBA on talking about real mental health issues and disorders. Very irresponsible of the DOAC team. Might be best to report this as misinformation.
Yes, the trauma-part of this video is shockingly unnuanced. And maybe smaller action are open for interpretation but definitely not all. That is such a bad thing to say. The soldier didn't feel his arm was gone because of adrenaline, not because of attention... Wauw... Such good insight on focus (or traction) but what a disaster was this on the trauma part.
give him a break ok, he said he was not perfect ok? why are everyone expecting people just be perfect? they are also learning...why your expectations are so high? @@vanessavandevelde146
My problem with this interview is his lack of addressing chronic mental health issues like depression alongside trauma caused by grief and other catastrophic life events. His demeanor reminded me of Sheryl Sanberg when she came out with Lean In and told women it was their responsibility to fight to be successful. Years later, her husband died and she realized she was unable to function the same way at work. Then she released a book called Option B about how to navigate life after these circumstances. She later said she took back some of what she said in her first book as it was coming from a person who hadn’t endure the pain she was currently experiencing. These conversations have a lot of nuance to them. While I think it’s great to give advice on building better skills to overcome procrastination, not addressing real issues that the majority of people are dealing with is pretty reckless. We have a mental health crisis in this country and an epidemic of loneliness. This advice will work the best only if you are a healthy moderately functioning person. The lightheartedness and smiling while discussing devastating issues for many people comes across very cold to those needing help. It can create a horrid cycle of shame because it puts people all in the same boat when we all vary widely depending on what has happened to us and the environment we were born into.
Great point. When he talked of people in his family "overcoming" adhd it felt so much like the just get over it type. Dismissive without having the experience himself.
Dude, the guy is not qualified or experienced enough to speak on brain health challenges which is why HE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED TO SPEAK PUBLICALLY ON ADHD
As a 32 y/o man with ADHD diagnosed at 8 y/o who doesn't take medications, only supplements and nootropics. This conversation is GOLD. Last year my ADHD rised and made my productivity go down. I think it is because I started a business and I work solo in my office, "unsupervised" or "accompanied". I went to the psychiatrist, asking for medication, first of all in mexico we don't have Aderall, medications are on shortage maybe worldwide. I took Tradea for 3 or 4 months and I didn't like the effects. Dropped it. Now I take just nootropics, supplements, good nutrition, go to the psychotherapist and swim everyday early in the morning. I'm still strugging, but getting better.
I am a freelancer and if I can give you a piece of advice to fight this secondary effect of not being "supervised" or "accompanied" it would be this: find someone, a friend, a family member, a former school mate or even someone on a Facebook group and book appointments with each other during which you have to describe your activity, make a summary of your week/month, list the goals you reached, the ones you missed and the reasons why. And have them do the same about their business. I has a double interest: first, you feel accountable and compelled to produce enough to talk about during the appointments and you might get some great inspiration for your business from your accountability buddy... you might even make a friend! It can be hard to keep focus when we're on our own.
You should check out Deep Work by Cal Newport how to get work done efficiently within timeframes - specifically getting work done within a 9-5 and not letting work encroach into your evenings and weekends. He has a youtube channel too where he offers a methodology.
It is amazing to me how many people are triggered by a set of skills offered. I think it may be the clickbaity title. Just listen to a few sentences at 1:20:59 and 1:22:52 No one is taking away your ADHD diagnosis, or shaming you, or telling you to just pay attention. Everyone should be open to learning new skills that can help live a better life. Information is like a buffet, take what suits you, ignore the rest.
I agree! I was reading all of these comments and just floored with the angry and defensive comments. I think it is the attachment to not only their “diagnosis”, but to that prescription that they feel lets them accomplish a weeks worth of work in one day. This is coming from someone who does have the dx and the rx. It’s not Limitless pill. There are consequences. You may feel great for however long that medicine lasts, but you have to pay for it. It is an energy debt. There are better, less harmful solutions - nobody wants to hear about that though.
Why is contributing a different idea to the one presented classed as “ triggering “. ? That’s very dismissive to a group of people that actually have the condition commenting on the opinion of the person about them that does not.
it is scary how heated it is the comment section! Now, i really want to hear someone on the other side of this discussion, someone like a psychiatrist who specializes on ADHD, and their insight on this topic.
Agreed, They should get Russell Barkley on….a real expert. Gabor Mate is excellent on trauma, in which subject he is a specialist. Sadly, he talks too much about ADHD for someone who has never conducted any primary research into it. Like many trauma specialists, he tends to think trauma is behind everything. 80% of ADHD is genetic, while 15% is early childhood trauma. (Russell Barkley) Gabor Mate is not someone to listen to on ADHD
The problem is of course the psychiatrist thinks there are an abundance of mental health issues. Just like a surgeon thinks they can solve your problem with surgery a chiropractor with adjustments, a dietitian with eating better etc… every professional is just as biased.
There is great risk when people who are not qualified talk about mental health/disorders, etc as though they are an authority on the subject. It’s dangerous and I’m surprised that this channel gives people a platform to spread misinformation.
Thank you so much for bringing this to us! I have also been "diagnosed" with ADHD, and had been trying to learn tips and tactics to help with the symptoms. This interview was an answer to prayer and more!!!! I have moved forward more emboldened and sure of my choices, handling situations way more calmly. I am so glad to have a different point of view on attention, AND tools to use going forward. Also, I had no idea I was living with victim mentality relating to this subject until it was called out so clearly on this episode! It has been so liberating ever since. Also just as liberating was his explanation of distraction and traction. Him saying he didn't care if you played video games or scrolled social media so long as you had originally planned on it was and eye opener. Implementing just the basics has already been a game changer. Thank you, again, for bringing this information to us.
Wow, Mr. Nir Eyal begins by speaking about regret! I have thankfully gotten rid of (almost) all regret that I had carried along with me for most of my life. Regret was a ball and chain around my neck, constantly dragging me down, draining my physical and emotional energy, and it stressed my entire system to breaking point. The problem was, I never even knew that I was suffering from long-term regret in the first place! I just felt awful without knowing why. Since the day that I decided to really let go of my regrets, I have felt liberated - reborn even. If you are reading this, and you perhaps suffer from regret in a big way, I hope sincerely that you too may find a way to eliminate regret, and reboot your life.
I had been trying to quit alcohol for 20 years. Almost 2 weeks ago I listened to this conversation & that was the beginning of my alcohol free life. If I could summarize this conversation into one word, that has been guiding me, it's "awareness"
Funny thing about any advice against procrastination is that people suffering from it find it very hard to make those changes in the first place - they'd rather do it later, even if they realize they will never do it anyway. Or they know they won't be able to keep up with it anyway so they won't try. And.. most people have tried. Several times. At some point, you realize ok, this is how the world works for me, I have to adjust my expectations and realize what I can and cannot do. No amount of "break any habit"-advice will never help.
If you are concerned about neurotypical people fooling doctors into prescribing stimulant medication, then keep this topic the focus of the discussion. If you're concerned that there is not enough guidance for doctors to diagnose ADHD appropriately, raising awareness to this issue would be of benefit. If you are asked about psychological disorders of which you have limited knowledge (as evidenced by the opinions about dopamine, chemical imbalance and "undiagnosis" - comparing it to a broken bone), an appropriate response would be to say "This topic is out of my scope so it's probably best that I don't comment". The reason some viewers have reacted strongly to the ADHD topic of this podcast is because people with ADHD are already struggling to cope with the symptoms of ADHD and the stigma of seeking help - which comes in the form of a diagnosis and possible medication. They do not need the wider community, armed with the opinion and misinformation in this podcast, to second-guess their diagnosis and to be looked upon as a drug-seeking layabout who is taking the "easy way" out. These medications are no walk in the park and they are only given when a person presents to a specialist due to an inability to regulate themselves. The diagnostic process, while not ideal in respect to being foolproof, is the only one currently available. No blood test or brain imaging results are approved for diagnosing ADHD, but neither are there for autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and depression.
The thing is that when you don’t like what others think of you it’s actually because you don’t think we’ll of yourself and that is hard to take. If you thought well of yourself then it really wouldn’t bother you what others think….eg if someone called you a dog, you would know you don’t have a tail and so think that person is mad and perhaps feel sorry for them but not believe them. The problem is with diagnosis it gives a person a label which initially may feel like relief but a label is an identity which in itself is false as no condition is permanent and whilst it may feel nice to ‘know’ it then imprisons you …you think this condition is me and so you hate it when others don’t seem to understand etc. No condition is permanent.
I’ve listened to this podcast three times today from start to end and it just tells me the truth I’ve been lying to myself about. It is a game changer and I can’t wait to see progress.
Adhd is my superpower. I embraced the chaos and learned how to decipher multiple streams of information at once. I was able to absorb massive amounts of knowledge early in life. I lost that as I get older but it was a massive boost. Now I organize to keep from getting lost. I tried pills when I was first diagnosed at 7 or 8. That was a disaster. Once I knew what it was I was facing I was able to build mechanisms in my head to help mitigate the negative attributes of adhd. Now I'm a workaholic but I'm in an industry I love so I devote a lot of time to it. Eventually I'd like to be an owner of my own venture but I've spent the last 20 years honing my craft.
This is a big component of many types of meditation. Emotions/feelings aren't wrong, they are beautiful messages to take us inward to 'feel'. What we may discover is beyond surprising and life changing.....in a very good way.
I propose the next DOAC dinner be made up of 20 viewers who've been diagnosed with ADHD, Steven, this guy, and a highly qualified ADHD expert - a real one. If you could get all 20 there on time, and keep them at the table, THIS would be the ADHD conversation many would like to see 👍
You mean a highly qualified ADHD expert that benefits from the ADHD gravy train. You mean the same expert who readily puts kids on medication when other ways of addressing bad behaviour and lack of discipline would have sufficed.
@@kel7410 your attitude is exactly the one that couples ADHD with trauma. Under this pretext, children with ADHD are beaten, abused, harshly disciplined, broken. They become depressed as adults, cannot function better at all. They loose touch with what they are good at, they become empty. I presume you will never ever take any medication for anything ever, or give any pill from any pharmaceutical company to any of your loved ones, just to prove your point.
@@agnesagni dear I respect your views but I respectfully disagree. Kids with such problems are usually lacking in discipline and boundaries so parents are usually to blame. They should try doing the difficult job of fixing their mistakes through diligent parenting instead of looking for a quick fix and leading kids to possibly a life of perpetual medication. It is usually something that happens in the West. I am British and African so I know.
Adhd tip if anyone else struggles with getting up grumpy /pain no matter how much sleep you get. - set one alarm 2 hours before it’s time to get up. Tricks brain into thinking I’m getting to sleep in. Do I have one at 5am and one at 7 and back up one for 730 and 735 then getting ready alarms every 5-10 minutes till 820- I mix the times to help brain not get used to 10 minute increments. I do label them for hard days like “put shoes on” “leave” “leave now” etc
Theres a book called Hidden Time Wealth, and it talks about how using some secret techniques, you can overcome procrastination and accomplish anything in life. Its not just a bunch of empty promises; its the real deal.
The ADHD test ‘ he was referring to is the online Mickey Mouse test not the actual test or the test which some practitioners are making an absolute mint on. The actual test is very comprehensive. It is chemical and sometimes caused by trauma and also quite often co-morbid with autism. If you have met some someone who has it, it will quite often when untreated be coupled with addiction from self medicating. I agree it is being over diagnosed from people who would like to profit. But it is a real thing and it is not a scheduling issue or a discipline issue. They don’t need any more shame around not being able to prioritise, turn up on time, or the reverse be over productive for an extended amount of time. Also ADHD is not about being distracted that is a reductive statement.
Exactly I have 12 alarms for my morning to get to work on time and even then I sometimes don’t hear the alarms (while up and getting ready) it’s on my watch /phone the only reason I can remember to set them before bed is anxiety. Anxiety gets all the credit for any ounce of functioning I’ve had in life.
Thank you! I am so fed up with "experts" claiming ADHD isn't real--or implying there should be even MORE hoops to jump through to get diagnosed. I wish they would follow one of us for a week and watch our desperate, tenuous grip on our jobs, relationships, and daily lives. The dopamine deficit is an actual thing. So is PubMed. I wish they'd check it out before they start their know-it-all blather...
Other than questionaire test for ADHD there's the brain waves test. When they EEG your brainwaves it's clear that your brain has differences compared to normal brains when you have it (P300 it's low in amplitude and it's latency increased.) This makes it very hard to start doing anything, making it hard to listen and focus on your thoughts, to select an idea and follow it correctly, to stay on task, to switch between tasks. So if somebody is trying to counteract this with behavioral interventions first/only, the result will be only more lost time before getting to the treatment. The treatment gives you the start to counteract the effects of the ADHD. Then you can start working on yourself and taking care for yourself. Thanks!
The problem with diagnosing ADHD starts with the fact you can't just test it. It's something that has to be evaluated over a LONG period of time in the majority of cases.
It's amazing how he briefly touched on such an important topic right towards the end, the topic of religion, which came up for me right at the beginning of this episode. I've been thinking lately how this is the one subject that hasn't really been explored on this podcast and how amazing it would be to hear Steven speak to certain guests on the subject of religion and bring on people specifically to talk about it. I think this would make for some extremely interesting conversations. I agree with everything Nir Eyal had to say about missing out on important values that religion has to offer. I also enjoyed this episode much more than I thought I would. Thanks always Steven!
As someone coming from the same position as Nils, I would add that one thing I regret/find great is the whole family dressing up and going out together one day a week. 😊
what i’ve learned from life is that no matter how amazing/influential a person is, their reality/biases will always inform their prescribed solutions. You can see that Stephen struggles with the concept of ADHD because he doesn’t believe in it- point blank. And i’m so aware of using labels as crutches but what’s just as dangerous is dismissing the realities of other people.
I’ve been following Nir on LinkedIn, so was already familiar with his concepts of timeboxing and productivity. Still this episode completely blew me away and l’ve had the most productive day at work after watching this episode. I’ve been in the industry for 14yrs - let that sink in! No more procrastinating for me and just sitting on important work because ‘I don’t feel like it’. I feel so liberated
Oh yeah, and of course I’ve been clinically diagnosed with ADHD, but like Nir said, skills before pills! No need to suffer due to any deficiencies you may have for sure
The dopamine hypothesis regarding ADHD has not been debunked. This hypothesis has been exrremely robust despite decades of research. Further, ADHD/ADD is chronically under diagnosed, especially in school aged girls and women. It is one thing to critique the criteria published in the DSM V TR and how a physician may use this to make a diagnosis. It is another thing entirely to dismiss the findings of neurological research or to say that these findings have been debunked when they have not. This author has some interesting things to say regarding the behavioural aspects of inattention. He could have said these things without casting shade on members of the audience who genuinely suffer from these conditions. We still have a lot to learn about ADHD, but on these points that were mentioned, we have not 'got ADHD wrong.'
I will first admit off the bat that I did not watch this entire interview. The teaser alone made me super mad. I think people don't understand that there is a difference between people who self-diagnose and people who are professionally diagnosed. I hear a lot of people I know say they have ADHD, and as a person who has struggled without a diagnosis my whole life, and finally gotten one, I know that there is a really big problem with people who do not have it to misunderstand it, mislabel it, and draw conclusions that are false. They also usually overlook the larger umbrella of neurodivergence that it falls into, which has to do with a lot more than productivity. It's a fundamental difference in the way you process everything. This is absolutely a condition of brain dysfunction that is quantifiable. For me, I didn't really believe it until I was given drugs. When speed makes you calm, and you feel like you can actually think at a pace that you can keep up with, you know that your brain is wired very differently than neurotypical brains. Add to that the other symptoms of neurodivergence like sensory differences and how you interact with other people, and it's absolutely nuts to dismiss it as a legitimate cause for lowered productivity. To shame people for this is pretty unconscionable. I hope Steven will have someone on to discuss this stuff as a rebuttal because I feel like this attitude could be harmful to people watching this who do struggle with it.
I think anyone who gets offended by this or doesn’t believe this guy has a point will be a slave to pills for the rest of their lives. I’ve been diagnosed for adhd over 15 times in my life and giving this guy a chance saved me from taking legal meth
On ADHD: Your broken bone analogy and addiction analogy is ridiculous. A broken bone is an injury that can heal. An addiction is a habit that can be broken. ADHD is a developmental condition. Just like dyslexia, autism etc, it is not something you can cure. You can form habits and take medication that can make life easier, but there is no getting rid of it. And your “losing your keys” point is also missing the point. Yes, everybody loses their keys at some point. But when you lose things chronically to the point of financial struggles, you’ve now got a problem. In simpler terms, we all pee, but when you pee 40 times a day, you might have a problem that needs checking. You make some fair points, such as the danger of overdiagnosing (though comparing US to EU is ridiculous - the UK has such abysmal mental healthcare that we’re seriously underdiagnosing patients) and wanting to push skills over pills is admirable. I think kids with ADHD should be pushed into high intensity physical hobbies to redirect their energy and use meds as a last resort. But overall your views are the narrow minded thoughts of somebody who has clearly never struggled with a disorder. I would never wish it upon you, but I would also ask that you refrain from commenting on things you can’t empathise with, fully understand, or have a expertise in. Writing a book on how to use post-it’s does not make you a psychiatrist, unfortunately.
100% - It's always some guy who doesn't have it themselves that talks about ADHD like "JUST FOCUS BRO!", "JUST FIX YOUR MORNING ROUTINE, BRO!", completely missing the fucking point about what it actually is. Thanks for typing that comment.
Thanks for saying this. It gets so tiring correcting rude people like this man over and over. I do wish adhd on him and everyone else who pompously sits there saying things like “people make adhd an identity and that’s so dangerous!” What is dangerous is his attitude. I spent most of my life without a diagnosis but I always had adhd. Knowing what I have and why my brain works how it works, rather than like the NT people around me is such a huge relief! Attitudes like this man’s, attitudes I held against myself for my entire early life, almost costed me my life. His attitude is actually dangerous.
Ive seen several videos like this on this channel now and to me it kinda seems like a deliberate effort to send a message about ADHD into the world because the discussion feels one sided. Feels disingenous and like some personal agenda. The host has said things that to me insinuates he basically doesn't believe in ADHD, i remember some episode where he brought up things based on his own life experience rather than science. To me there were always red flags with this guy but ive still enjoyed many of these episodes. Really starting to get a bad vibe from this channel now though.
So agree! My son has very severe ADHD, and even with all of the self help tools and dietary changes in the world, without medication, he can't focus, and hyperactivity makes him extremely flighty and impulsive. Even now, at 14, he's still working to strengthen his executive functioning, practicing his organizational skills, and working on self control. Each of the 3 people in our home have some form of ADHD, so our house is very organized, and everything is very scheduled. And yet, we still have symptoms to deal with daily. 🤔 Go figure!
The "high expectation/low control" really hit home for me. I have experienced this in two jobs - as a Customer Service team leader in Tesco and as a Customer Service broadband telephone helpline operator for TalkTalk. As an ex Nurse, the customer help aspect was very important to me...and I foolishly assumed, because of the job descriptions...that it would be important to my employers too, Wrong. They asked for, and expected, predetermined successful outcomes while simultaneously making those outcomes almost unobtainable by the systems they had in place. For a long time, I felt I was failing and was burning out until I realized their business model and then I left. Soul destroying. I still (ten years later) get PTSD if I walk into any Tesco super market.
9 minutes in and I’m already in awe. I love these podcasts and information from people who throw out, rewrite, or redefine the traditional text books. Thank you.
Please keep an open mind and read the comment section. This persons idea of adhd is not accurate and is damaging. It is for people that have adhd like symptoms. Not actual adhd. He has no idea.
The segments on trauma and ADHD should be cut or at least not be the focus of the title. He's clearly not an expert on those, made especially obvious at his non-nonchalant comment about exposure therapy. The good parts about habits and distractions follow many concepts of stoicism and I like many of his points there.
I sense that his brief statement about ADHD might lead people to underestimate the complexity of this neurodiversity. Especially for people who are not familiar with it. ADHD isn’t about distraction. Attention-deficit isn’t interchangeable with distraction. When a person with ADHD naturally hyper-focuses on something that interests her/him, anything else, e.g., time, body-awareness would often become oblivious. Or otherwise, if the person has to endure an activity unstimulating, it would be very challenging for the person to stay in focus. And this is not just once a while thing, but all the time, throughout the person’s life. A person with ADHD often see connections in things that people are unaware of, or think several steps ahead, which can also hinder her/him from taking actions or jump in to actions. So having ADHD is a bless and a curse. A person with ADHD can achieve excellence on things they are passionate about or failed miserably to meet the other’s expectations. To identify with the neurodivergence after proper diagnosis isn’t playing victim but rather living a better life through sharing and learning from each other.
Weird. No starving Africans have "ADHD" or "OCD" wonder how many kids in Gaza have "gender dysphoria" and need to retrace their steps after fetching water because "ocd". Yeah it's so complex and nuanced that a doctor can diagnose it in 15 minutes and drug the shit out of ya. The science is in!
I wish more people where covering this subject as living whit this can’t be a real pain and having autism but being highly functioning with how society views people like me is a real bloody pain. A lot of people think that having a disability gives them a chance to take advantage of me. I’m 40 and it’s not my disability’s that is massing up my life buy how others acted around me that is at times very abusing and degrading. Thank you for covering this subject 😊
That was a great corroboration of the worldview I've subconsicously built throughout my life. That said, being diagnosed in my 30's with ADHD did help me to seek specific *types* of solutions to problems I wasn't overcoming on my own. I'm SO glad I wasn't diagnosed as a kid, because I never had an excuse to fail or give up at anything: in fact, I wasn't allowed by my parents to give up, ever. Addiction can be very physical and literal, the way someone recently commented, but there are an infinite range of things to "be addicted to," and very, very few of those things are truly physically addictive, and more a result of not taking responsibility for our actions. Again, I have ADHD and I can see in my own life how everything is a response to discomfort, and how success is always beyond discomfort.
There are points in this podcast which are great food for thought about taking responsibility for our own behaviour. However there are some quite glaring points where Nir demonstrates some very narrow thinking about neurodiversity and the vulnerability of certain groups of people. For example he doesn’t suggest that people with mental disabilities such as LD might be a group that need to be protected from social media. ADHD is quite often coupled with other diagnostic conditions such as autism, brain injury etc. In essence his analysis is mainly focused on people fortunate to be genuinely neurotypical but might be inclined to victimise or create excuses for themselves. That has some value but I think some people listening to this might be quite unfairly upset about parts of his message.
My problem is I have too much going on; I often become overwhelmed when EVERYTHING is a priority. I put on my own oxygen mask first, so to speak, to the dismay of a few very important in my life. This podcast is very helpful❤️
As someone who works with kids in primary school everyday this episode on being Indistractable was GOLD! I got so much out of it and for the first time, started taking notes, something I should do for every episode here! (I’m a long time subscriber)… What struck me most, and there were a few things, was the quote: a mistake repeated more than once is a decision”… wow! I’ll be thinking on that point for a long time! Then the discussion on Burnout was super interesting… it really hit home… I’m a private music teacher, have been for 38 years, and I love my job… but, I’ve felt like quitting so often lately as I’m sick of asking kids to practice at home each week, but, due to “ distractions” they more often than not, don’t practice… it drives me crazy.. and it’s definitely got worse over the last 10 to 15 years..!…this conversation taught me that I’m feeling burnt out not from over work, but from having high expectations of my students, but no control of whether they do or do not practice at home. 😳😱 total light bulb moment! So, it seems my only option to coping with this dilemma, besides giving the parents this book about navigating distractions is to lower my expectations…. But then I feel like I’m compromising my values-in multiple ways… it’s a tricky problem and one thousands of teachers of all kinds have to deal with… every day … any teachers out there who can relate!?..❤️❤️.
I see it much like my depression and dislexia, its a learnt behaviour that has been intrinsically pushed its way into my physiology. Constant stress and anxeity in my childhood created chemical issues and a habit of being that way later in my life, i knew no better. So, i pushed myself to do things and keep going with it, etc, its hard work, but im now medication free, my dyselexia is no longer in my way or affecting my memory etc. Many of theses diagnosis are simply caused by how our lives develope ourselves. Such as children brought up with the inability to appreciate calm and stable boundaries and stable homes, tend to be diagnosed with ADHD... but also not having a release and calm when we're stressed.
I've listened to thousands of hours of podcasts of any genre. This one is the single most knowledgeable and helpful one that I found so far. Thank you both!
Ha! I did not know about this 10-minute rule and it makes absolute sense. When I quit smoking I wanted to have a mental tool to resist and I "discovered" a technique where I said, I'm not quitting, I *am* going to smoke but not now, in 1 month. Then next month I took the decision to wait one more month, and so on. That is so liberating. I even smoked one cigarette in an event and I silently said to myself, the next one will be in 1 month - it's been a year since this last cigarette and 15 years without smoking. I told about this method to my brother and my mother and they both implemented it and quit smoking themselves. I think this is such a powerful technique.
Still in mid podcast but truly enjoying and appreciating it. I always enjoy how Steven brings hus personal quuestions, which I can relate to in ny own life, to each person he interviews. This one is having a positive impact bc I usually can't, or don't, identify what I am feeling which led to the distraction..
What happens when you have done everything right and then get an untreated injury and extensive gaslighting that produces 5 years of stress and trauma. Then you are diagnosed with a autoimmune disease that literally makes working out or even working impossible along with changing my diet, I don’t drink or smoke and spend 3/4 of my in bed. I worked out until I just couldn’t anymore. I have done everything. I was an example of exposure therapy and it just made it worse. I am working on intermittent fasting, take ice baths and weaning myself off as much meds as possible with the help of my doctor. I have change my diet and cutting out sugar and processed food, altho I have always ate relatively healthy and worked out 4-6x week. But the progress has been negligible. This disease has taken all the things I loved away from me. I love your channel and your podcasts are great but so far, it just breaks my heart because I just don’t see how I can change something that won’t allow me to do the things that would actually help me. Working on Marissa Peers meditation now. 🤞
In other cultures, you don’t have to schedule time for your friends and time for your family--you just HAVE and naturally spend time doing nurturing, fun things with humans!🤗
the willpower idea is really interesting I agree I don't think you can run out of willpower, but I do believe that willpower can often lead to sensory overload, and that's what actually causes the burn out It also makes me think about the idea of decision fatigue where if you have too many options to choose from, you'll probably overthink yourself into a cycle of never choosing anything
I’m from France. France is very behind about mental and I m so glad it’s changing. Congratulations on your diagnosis. It’s liberating to find out when you have it.
Everything he says is triggering but accurate. If you are triggered, you aren't taking responsibility for your own life. We all have trauma, myself included. I was triggered by his words, but I feel motivated to change my life. Truth always hurts. 🔥❤️
It's not triggering, it's just fucking dumb. I'm 36 and have taken responsibility for everything in my life. I've dealt with and resolved my trauma in therapy. I've been meditating daily for +3 years. I work out 4x per week. My diet is healthy and comprehensive. My sleep schedule is amazing. However, nothing has cured my ADD. I'm lucky I don't have the hyperactivity component. My lifestyle helped my symptoms, but they're far from cured. My medication helped me more than anything, so I don't wanna hear this double-digit IQ bullshit from another productivity grifter.
There’s a difference between distractable and ADHD. ADHD is very much a physiological disorder. The ADHD brain works differently than “normal” brains. What works for one, will not work for all. If I’m in a lecture, and I grow bored and my mind wanders, I am completely incapable of forcing my brain to listen to the lecture. Same for reading, or doing a task. I can try, really really hard, but it’s not going to happen. My mind will always divert to more interesting ideas.
I totally agree. There is also an element of dread when you know you have to go to an appointment or something and self hatred when you don’t get the basics done. I’m sure we would all do well if we lived like our ancestors. Not being forced to focus on one thing. No commitments except to eat and exist. I am made for that, just being.
Your just bored, I don't have ADHD, and my brain also sometimes wanders in lessons and gets bored. Doesn't mean my brain isn't "normal", whatever that means anyway. Your body is clearly indicating to you that you're not meant to be in that lesson, as its not stimulating for you. "Forcing" yourself to listen doesn't correspond to having a "normal" brain.
Steven, I am so obsessed with your podcast! I first saw you at Dragon's Den and I love the banter among you Dragons. I came across your podcast last month and I have seen a lot of your content. I told my boyfriend about you and coincidentally he's also watching your podcast. I am a huge fan. "You can't have pain without attention." This made me realize a lot of things about me, physiologically and psychologically. Thank you so much and keep doing these great things!
Love his take on emotional triggers! However, I need a source for him claiming ADHD isn't caused by lower dopamine levels, because that still seems to be the current scientific consensus.
There's a book called Hidden Time Wealth, and it talks about how using some secret techniques, you can overcome procrastination and accomplish anything in life. It's not just a bunch of empty promises; it's the real deal.
As someone who is on an adhd diagnosis route I’m going to say that distraction from what I love doing is a huge problem, not the zero problem this guy is saying it is. Looking forward to trying the noting technique, problem is I don’t notice when I go off task til ages later, let alone when I’m about to go off task. I just wander off. If I can’t physically wander off my mind wanders. I’d love to catch these moments before they happen. That’s the prior skill I need before the post it note technique can work.
13:50 (on distraction) recognizing the feeling of distraction as it comes on - yes! I feel this is the key to freedom from possibly all mental dilemmas - learning to feel when something is just starting. Then You can recognize and manage it before it becomes overwhelming - even just seconds after it arises. Learning to sense when your mind is getting ready to make its next course change - then either going with it or not, but certainly not letting it be an unconscious event. It can be easy to change course if you develop this skill.
I am a retired mental health worker. I have listened to a few podcasts on this channel. Some of them have been very informative, but some of them have spread a lot of dangerous misinformation. This one was one of them. Many people who have untreated ADHD go onto have serious addictions, end up in prisons or commit suicide. I also looked up statistics concerning ADHD. According to what I read, US has around 10% and Europe has about 20%. I find that to be high, but that is what I found. Other areas where the guest should not attempt to provide information is with addiction. When someone is addicted to something, they are in fact dealing with a lifelong disease. When you stop using a substance it is far from over! A heroin addict can't stop being a heroin addict one day and then decide they can use it again in the future, since they recovered. That person cannot use heroin, or any other addictive drug again for the rest of their lives. After listening to the guest, I am wondering if he believes that people can actually be physically addicted to something.
I totally agree with you. This type of advice may be useful for ppl who truly do NOT have addictions or executive dysfunction, but for those who DO, this guy’s rhetoric is dangerous and misleading.
Thank you so much for taking the time to research and share your findings. This is a perspective I feel I can trust. I’m glad I read these comments before watching and moreso that there are so many educated kind folks sharing evidence based counter arguments. Thank you
I think you should revisit what he actually has said about ADHD. He is right..skills before pills. Try everything before medication. I just posted what the CDC has said in the USA versus Europe and his numbers are correct.
@@c.a.schenk653 And what happens when skills are not enough?? Because the majority of ADHDers have vastly skills, and excel at them, however, that alone is not enough to live a proper life.
Not watched all of this interview yet. But I am already thinking if this is another shot at peeps with ADHD I am gonna get mad. I am tired of this debate around ADHD. So if a person had a broken leg, but managed to walk with crutches, would we say ‘you don’t have a broken leg, you have adapted, therefore no breaks here.’ Just because people can learn skills and coping mechanisms to deal with their ADHD, this does not mean their ADHD has gone away. I am probably not making my point very well. Because I am tired and frustrated. Why does everyone who doesn’t have ADHD have an opinion on those who do? I was a high school teacher for 20 plus years and raised 2 amazing daughters, single handed. My god what a struggle. But I did it. I developed soooo many coping techniques over the years. On the outside it probably looked easy. On the inside it’s a mess. I am now gonna watch the rest of the interview…..hoping I don’t blow a gasket 🤣🙏.
Perhaps you could think about writing how you managed as i think doing a job for 20 years plus 2 kids it would be far better reading about someone who coped with it than someone just guessing on how to cope with it without actually having it. themselves
Did you watch the rest of it? I’m in a similar boat and also wondering if I should even bother listening to it. Should I? 🤔 was there anything actually helpful for someone with ADHD?
My son was told he had ADHD. For my family, drugs are the last resort. It turned out that it was triggered by MSG. Removed MSG from his diet and what a positive change. No longer ADHD. A friend of mine, her children was trigger by red dye (I forget the number). Every child is different and some may need medication but some could be something eaten or something else in the environment.
What a bloody brilliant conversation between two brilliant minds. Saved to my playlist and one to revisit over and over. Will be picking up his book. So grateful for this platform, Steven!!!!!!
Oooo, you got me at reframing the internal triggers! I've been trying and failing to write about a huge idea for about 5 years... I haven't been succeeding because of the weight of the pressure to succeed... 😢
I loved his discussion of distraction, traction and action. I actually made this year's one word motto 'action' because I drilled down to everything I want in my life to require action in my chosen direction. It makes 'action' even more fitting!
Agree and most of us are smart and have figured out how to do much of this and heard many others experts talk about the same thing. If I want to hear about ADHD I'll listen to the channels and people devoted to that
These comments, the four above my comment, missed the point of what he was talking about and just dialed in on one small part of the two hour conversation. He did say that addiction and ADHD are real pathologies and that there are people that seriously struggle with it and need medication to help them. But he also said that a lot of us use these phrases like “I’m so ocd” or “I’m addicted” willy-nilly even though we can use techniques to help ourselves without having to use medication. Train your brain and don’t be a victim.
I found your channel 2 days ago. Loved it. Quickly went through like 20 episodes. This one is my favorite. I'm leaving this comment here hoping that one day it's gonna be something that we'll talk about. Thank you so much for bringing this much value. And yes. I watched to the last second.
This is one of the best podcast I ever listened. So many insights and i can say it works. I used it coincidentally long time ago without knowing the scienc behind it. Now it all makes sense and all the pieces come together which make all the lessons i had learn became even more powerful and transformational
I’m listening to this realising how ironic it is I’m having to keep rewinding the last five minutes as I keep getting distracted by thoughts. I’ve never been tested for ADHD so I’m not going to suggest I think I could genuinely have it but focusing and procrastination has been a persistent issue in my life. I spend most of my days being unproductive and distracting myself with anything like games, TH-cam, music and so on. I feel I have potential to do something worthy but can never have the motivation to do so or the ability to focus and commit to something. I’m always thinking things will come to me in the future but when I really think about I’m bullshitting myself and I’m really just stuck in a rut. It’s 4am right now and I’m contemplating just staying up now otherwise I’ll be waking up in the afternoon again…
I love your podcast! I've only listened to a few episodes and I've learnt an incredible amount. What I particularly like is the interview format and the focus on the tips that are really applicable. This episode is one of the best! Please keep up the good work. Greetings from Germany
ADHD in adults is UNDERDIAGNOSED. Especially women with ADHD are often undiagnosed or their ADHD is misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression. Edward Hallowell: "Adults who have ADHD but do not know it are at much higher risk than the general population for serious problems. Mood disorders, extreme sadness, and anxiety often occur when ADHD goes undiagnosed. Even if these conditions are are treated, the underlying problem, if left untreated, leads to other problems. Adults with undiagnosed ADHD get fired from their jobs more frequently, or they impulsively quit, or they underachieve, slowly losing self-esteem, confidence, drive, and joy in life. They often resign themselves to a life with less success and luster than it could have were they diagnosed and treated. Substance abuse, as well as other compulsive bad habits, afflict a far higher percentage of adults with undiagnosed ADHD than adults in the general population. These problems typically lead to more problems, from DUIs to the end of a marriage, to crime and, in some cases, jail. [Read: Adult ADHD - A Guide to Symptoms, Signs, and Treatments] Accidents of all kinds are more common, especially car accidents and speeding, which carry with them the risk of permanent physical disability or death, and trouble with the law." Edward Hallowell "The downside of undiagnosed Adult ADHD"
How dare you confront a popular book author and public speaker with data and articles from actuall psychiatrist ;) But to be fair it is as much in Hallowell interest to claim underdiagnosis to fill his medical centers (he runs quite a business on ADHD with 4 facilities) as it is in Eyal interest to claim his book can fix everything including ADHD and no drugs required...
I was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD at 49 yoa! My life up until diagnosis has been a train wreck! Better able to function with medication, just so much to fix!
"All human behaviour is driven by desire to escape discomfort"
That hit deep
that’s bullshit.
No it's not. Nice lie... maybe think about it a bit... so deep, you'll scrape you nose if you dive into it...
As a recovering alcoholic/drug addict, i do know that every drink or drug i took was to keep from feeling my feelings (which were predominately uncomfortable).
Or reaching Vicarus..
@@twilityou proved his point, watching youtube to escape your discomfort
One super simple psychological 'trick' I used during University studies is to *pretend* I liked the subject, no matter how boring.
To my own surprise that helped tremendously to motivate me to read the material and actively participate in classes, and I also started enjoying the subject itself - probably because many things turn out to be interesting once you know a bit more about it.
I did that too! I used to get into character and pretended I was a researcher on the topic and loved the material. It worked up until a point.
@@LO-bk4bv That's true, for study subjects it's a great strategy, but don't fool yourself into a career you don't actually like ;)
@@LO-bk4bvlol what was the point where it stopped
Story and advice from Huberman
Worked for me too!
His description of burnout happening from a position of high expectations with low sense of control hit me in my soul! I’m an addiction counselor in a grant funded facility. The pace is RELENTLESS. I absolutely love & believe in what I do… but I feel the strain psychologically & emotionally, more because of those combined factors & had never put that together. I actually tested up when his words hit me. It’s the hopelessness of it. It’s what I go to work to help others deal w/ every day & yet my workplace & work load produces it in me.
Grants are often short-term, too adding to your stress. What came to my mind was life with my dark triad husband (now ex-husband). High expectations for the children and I, never satisfied and never relinquishing control.
Agree i am a flow coach and the work is very much into debug and burnout proofing. There are 6 pointers to look into to really handle the situation. His explanation was beautiful, a-b. Before it gets a physical condition it is absolutely an emotion of “ it doesn’t matter what or how much I do. Nothing changes or I never get the results no matter what” apathy…. Worthless. Doesn’t matter if it’s work place, hobby friendship or love relationship. It is extremely important work to do. Because no one is worthless, to believe so is a waste of so much hidden potential and important beings.
Disappointment is merely expectations nit being met. Lower/change the expectations.
It's amazing that there are those of us out there who haven't been diagnosed with some type of attention deficit disorder, given the insanely fast pace of these modern times, the tremendous rise of technology, social media, and having mini computer devices in our hands 24/7, and the 5-10k advertisements that are put in front of our faces each and every single day. We have to fight to reclaim our focus and attention every time we wake up and come to consciousness.
I don't know why but the things that this guy is saying is constantly making me tear up. It's exactly what I needed. The level of awareness and reflection you need, to look into the psychological changes in yourself whilst going through them, materialise them into words and then explain it to the world is extraordinary. Thank you for this truly.
❤ Right here beside you friend. X
❤
This is so extraordinary.
Well the ADHD people aren't happy with this podcast 😂. He never blame that they aren't trying hard enough and also acknowledge that some people need medication for it. Yet they still shit on him, which futher signal to me that the west really loves self cuddling and blaming everyone but themselves
Me too. This is really life changing.
I've spent YEARS on self development books, courses, routines, coaches. Man I've given it my all and it only added more stress to my life. I don't think I was a great a great mum during those years. I only got diagnosed a year ago and the penny dropped. Knowing i have ADHD & Autism has allowed me to accept conventional methods may not work. It's ok if i find my own unique ways of getting things done. Getting rid of the belief that i was just plain stupid was liberating. Meds are helping me for now. I may choose not to take them down the line and find other ways to work with it. Or even better, embrace the strengths my ADHD gives me and focus on those rather than trying to live up to the neuro typical model of the world.
"If you judge a fish by it's ability to climb, it will spend it's entire life thinking it's stupid' ~ Einstein
omg this sounds like me. i always just beleive its my fault im dumb im stupid im lazy im not trying hard enough whilst i can show a decade of therapy, self help books, podcasts under my belt to no avail. sure i can COPE but the underlying problem is and always been there
I relate to your comment a lot. I also feel that there are times when I haven't been a great mother because of adhd but damn I tried. I was also recently diagnosed too. Before then i thought i was incompetent and a failure
I think I might have ADHD. I am just so stupid. I am a law graduate but when it comes to life, I make such silly mistakes, over think basic things, I come across as a right idiot. I feel like even in basic tasks I am being judged on.
May I ask how ADHD diagnosing works? I guess you just fill a form with some questions? By the way, Einstein never said this quote :D
@@improvingwithfun Even if it wasn't Einstein, someone said that quote and it makes sense :D
The hardest part of anything is starting.
Nothing is ever as bad as we make out in our heads prior to the experience we are freaking out about. ❤
So true! I started changing my habits during chemotherapy. It wasn’t easy at all but I saw as my only answer.
❤
So true.
I can start, I find it hard to finish.
I have Adult ADD and this video has already distracted my morning routine
same
😅 the irony !!
Joke! 😅
Me!
Period.
I liked watching this so much, especially as a Psychology student working on my masters degree in Prevention and also struggling with some ADHD-seeming issues. We can't press enough on the importance on what we choose to believe and how we teach ourselves to regulate and listen to ourselves. Thanks for this interview!
I have quite severe ADHD with really poor, almost non existent executive function. I can not just organise my way out of it, believe me I have tried, and it does help, but there is a physical difference with my brain that is going to be there regardless of my daily routine. In conclusion I do think the advice given can be helpful but marketing it as a cure or alternative to treatment can be quite reckless without knowing peoples individual cases.
I agree 100%. It’s not that simple, and for adhd there is a spectrum of severity. My ADHD is also severe, I’ve tried many many things over the years to help me be successful. But sometimes it’s physically hard for me to even start things. Small things like my morning routine need immense effort. Its not like it’ll naturally make my executive function, emotional regulation, distractibility, scattered brain, impulsivity, forgetfulness and racing thoughts 24/7 better or cured. Sure, like I said you can do things to help, but it’ll never be a cure to help with all these many symptoms that come with ADHD. It’s just not that simple! It’s a very complex disorder and it’s a disorder that people have ALWAYS never understood and dismissed because you can’t see it. We look like everyone else but inside, we can be drowning if not managed. Our brains don’t produce enough Dopamine and are constantly seeking things to give us that. Low dopamine contributes to feeling unmotivated, sleepy, memory loss, sad, mood swings and affects our concentration. It’s not just the disorder where we get distracted, it’s much bigger than that.
yeah he also is a bit dishonest around dopamine in the brain, sure there might be the same amount produced but there are many studies on the different causes of adhd ( defective DRD2 gene for example ) and its effects on dopamine and the brain.
I dont have ADHD but my two daughters and their mother do , it was a pretty hard rolleyes in that section to me . That said i dont live in the US of A.....
I am glad the comment section has some sense going on in it. I look at my ADHD as both a struggle and a super power. I just can’t always harness it at will.
I really dislike the direction of the conversation in that section of this particular conversation. They are looking at only one side of the coin of ADHD. They are only looking at the “attention/ distractibility” part of the condition.
There are other parts of ADHD that I actually struggle with more.
how do you handle things that you are passionate about? are you hyperfocussing?
@@itsmydamnation6158 I've been writing about ADHD for a couple of years now and I have never found a study that proves ADHD is caused by a lack of dopamine that wasn't funded by Big Pharma, or lacked the statistical significance required for a study of this kind. The point is this, if ADHD is caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain we haven't (yet) proven it. That doesn't mean it's not the cause, but it's looking increasingly less likely as time goes on.
I love the distraction discussion. I’m a writer and even during this interview I admitted to myself that when I distract myself during my writing time, it’s to distract from my fear of failing at writing. Wow what a great interview!
Not so for us with ADHD. Would that it were that simple.
I’m a writer, too, and an artist - and I live with regret every day. I write, I make art - but I am stuck when it comes to selling what I create. For me, using social media as a distraction from doing the “work” of my “work” comes from loneliness I don’t want to admit (I am kind of a loner, but I also have a lot of friends who live too far away to visit but another distraction is talking to each other for hours, because they are lonely, too.) Also: I think I feel resentful that not only do I make the creative work (I do art all the time - no block there- occasional writers block, but I write easily (most of the time) - I also then have to market and sell it. I feel overwhelmed, so I resort to social media, true crime, fashion-watching - You Tube stuff - and yes, lots of emotional/spiritual/inspirational channels like this to help me stay in the present. I have a decent job as a phone emo/career-coach myself, with many wonderful clients, and as an empath I adore being giving and useful to people who call for my help, but I need help moving my art and writing into the wider world. I have a beautiful website for my art but rarely spend time marketing myself and my latest novel is languishing on Google Docs waiting for the final few chapters of my latest novel. So what do I do? Call V and A and chat for hours about stuff, follow yet another ongoing true crime drama, watch a film noir, post my art or other stuff on Facilebook or Instabomb and see what my friends are commenting about it - and put up rambling responses like this one to shore up my ego and self-awareness that I’m still alive, lol. Anyway, you gave me some “traction” today. I feel like I can take some action. And yes, it’s true that when I do what I need and plan to do I feel great. I’ll check back in and let you know what happened. Thanks for the nudge, noodge. 😂
omg! i've read your book coping with yarn!!
never thought i'll be able to connect with you on youtube!?!
i'm sorry if you're another writer with same name, then you can ingnore.
That’s because you’re focused on the outcome/the audience. Just write to say what you have to say, and your audience/outcome will find you.
@@MarthaWoodworth-f9s I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner. You know, being self aware is so much of the solution for what you’re describing, and you’ve got that. Gosh you are so honest about your actions and I think that’s wonderful. To really know yourself and know what you want will really get you far. I don’t think what you’re doing is bad per se, but maybe you can throw some distraction-toe techniques in there that are actually helping you move forward. Maybe it’d be fun to design some canva art and then you can post that to advertise yourself. The marketing is definitely overwhelming! I’m in that boat right now too. I have my books and I post on insta, face, TH-cam, do a newsletter, offer a free book everywhere, and on and on, and….not much. I do have faith that this will work, and you know what? Since I’ve been believing more and having more trust, it has eased the worry.
I wish the best for you and all your wonderful art! 💜
This podcast came out at such an important time for me. I am overhwelmed by my workload everyday and by working in a remote setting for a Startup, it comes at no surprise. What resonated with me is prioritization and aligning my workload with my boss's. This is so key and I am thankful to have learnt this.
Man remote work is also just really shit imo
I have ADHD & was prescribed concerta. I have Finally Started organizing & cleaning my room while listening to this Is podcast. I have not taken my medication in 2 days. So I appreciate a different perspective & mindset to help me analyze, focus & accomplish this small task that I have procrastinated on.
Would love a follow up on where you’re at now!
magic mushrooms solves it all
I was diagnosed and placed on medication, than I learned that my diet was causing glucose spikes and also bad habits like too much screen time were causing my adhd symptoms. I wish you all the luck on your journey to cleaning your body of those meds. ❤
A good psychiatrist will do allergy testing and nutrient level testing and remedy any imbalances before putting you on medication:
How are u know comparatively
Perfect definition of burn out. It explains the problem we are experiencing as teachers. We have highest expectations from so many outside entities ( government, administration, parents) many of which have no experience as teachers. They pile on and on and on. We no longer have agency or autonomy to do the job well. No one listens to the teachers say “this isn’t working”, “I don’t control that”, “I need control of this for students to progress”, “I don’t have resources for that” and more. We are told make it happen no matter what obstacles we put in your way. We get blamed by all entities when they think we are failing.
Absolutely agree
Couldn't have said it better!
Expected to, "Do more with less," is the yearly budget season rule. At some point being creative with less leads to universal depletion.
Would be fascinating to watch Steve interview 2 guests at the same time, with oppositing opinions/ research
What a brilliant idea! I think that would be very healing for this bipartisan world :)
Agreed
ooh that would be so interesting!!!
I agree. Especially when some of the guests who are experts within the same/similar fields with conflicting view points on the same topics!
This is a debate not a interview!
Lots of bad habits will give adhd like symptoms, that doesn't mean you have adhd.
People without adhd will never understand what it is like to actually have adhd and just talk rubbish based on no experience of living with it, Just their own nero typically mind that has occasional inattentive moments.
I live my life as clean as possible to improve my symptoms that iv had since 4 years old, I still struggle daily because I have real diagnosed adhd.
Where is the evidence of your adhd
@@nigelmarwa6246 live with our brain for a day! You'll know. Why is it only ADHD the existence of which people question of all the mental issues? You don't question Tourettes, OCD, a borderline with marks of self harm because they are visible. It would take some deeper going into to observe and acknowledge something that is not obvious to the eye. Do put in the effort before you shut down your mind.
Amen to this. I feel ya ❤
And you've been lied to since you were 3 years old, now lie to yourself to maintain your victim status. Grow up. Get REAL!
Exactly! Neurotypicals always be thinking they understand it all and got a solution that fits everyone and everything lmao
ADHD is a gift and a curse at the same time, constantly struggling heavily to stick at a job you don’t like/aren’t interested in, the morning depression and the instant switch of moods. It gets under my skins when people generalise it like it’s just one small thing like not being able to focus (which is a stereotype) in itself. Or when people belittle it and look past it like it doesn’t actually affect our day to day lives.
Instant switch of moods? That sounds more like Autism or Bipolar. My mood is always about the same.
Trauma?
@@FactsBeFactssounds like a mood disorder but it's actually not- Russell Barkley Psychiatrist
emotional and mood regulation struggles are a key part of what many with ADHD struggle with, you’re blessed to be spared! but don’t invalidate others or suggest diagnoses which you are unqualified to speak to; and if you are you, shouldn’t be doing it online.
Sounds just like me 😢
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:00 🧠 Understanding internal triggers is crucial for conquering distraction.
05:14 🔄 Distraction isn't just external; it's also driven by internal triggers.
08:02 📝 Writing down the sensations before distraction helps gain control.
10:52 🤖 Reframing internal triggers as a source of power, not hindrance.
17:31 ⏰ Scheduling time for worry allows you to manage distractions more effectively.
19:40 🕒 Using the 10-minute rule to delay gratification helps establish control over distractions and impulse control issues.
20:10 💼 Schedule time later in the day for "worry time" to address distracting thoughts and worries, allowing the brain to relax.
22:34 🔥 Finish your allocated time box, even if it means sitting there with hands on the keyboard, to overcome the initial boredom and resistance.
23:16 🚫 External triggers can be hacked back by creating friction and using visual cues to communicate your focus, such as a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your monitor.
30:05 💡 Preventing distractions with "pacts": effort pacts (adding friction), price pacts (imposing costs), and identity pacts (aligning with your desired self-image).
38:41 🧠 The discomfort associated with pursuing a task affects motivation and discipline.
39:34 🕹️ Enjoying an activity makes it easier to get into a state of flow.
41:10 🎯 To become indistractable, focus on tasks you don't enjoy but need to do.
45:18 🗓️ Create a time-boxed calendar based on your values to prioritize tasks.
53:40 🤝 Scheduling quality time in relationships helps maintain connection and prioritizes loved ones.
59:14 🧠 Internal vs. external locus of control: People with internal locus of control believe they affect change, leading to better well-being.
01:00:09 🚀 Mindset affects actions: Believing in agency and control leads to healthier lives, even in challenging circumstances.
01:02:59 📱 Responsibility in technology use: While companies design engaging products, personal responsibility and agency are crucial.
01:05:19 🧪 Goblins of trauma: Traumatic experiences can either limit or propel individuals; reframing discomfort is important.
01:12:46 🧭 Facing discomfort: Overcoming pain or discomfort requires exposure therapy, both physiologically and psychologically. Confidence and growth stem from facing challenges.
01:19:06 🧠 Confidence can be built by reframing triggers and adopting a new perspective.
01:19:48 👩⚕️ The concept of a brain chemical imbalance is a misconception in the public, not accepted in the Psychology Community.
01:20:42 💊 Skills should be prioritized over pills for treating ADHD; medication can have side effects and should be the last resort.
01:26:13 🤝 ADHD should be seen as treatable, not an identity; focus on skills and functional improvement rather than reliance on medication.
01:37:31 🏢 Indestructible workplaces are built on psychological safety, providing forums to discuss problems, and having management exemplify focused work-life balance.
Made with HARPA AI
You Da Best
Thank you! 🙏🏽💜😊
can it pull out and list the quotes they cite?
I’m late to this episode but when you were talking about burnout it dawned on me why so many nurses, I’m a nurse, were depressed during covid and in general our population deal with higher levels depression, anxiety and burnout more than other fields. The expectations on nurses is extremely high. “The most trusted profession” we are in charge of life, and more often than not, we can control the outcome. despite all our efforts, sometimes our patients die, or get sicker, and we are in the room for it all. Man this hit home. Thanks.
When it comes to social media being a distraction, TH-cam is my main one because of how it’s connected to my personal life of learning.
I’ve learned about 90% of what I’ve learned in the past two years all from TH-cam alone. And it continues to be the main source of my “self education.”
But a lot of the time, it went from using TH-cam deliberately as a education tool to becoming a form of entertainment. Even while still watching all the educational content I would normally consume. What this video has taught me is how I need to be more deliberate and intentional on how I use TH-cam or any other social media for that matter. Instead of waking up and going straight into listening to a podcast that I’m most likely not even fully engaged into, setting a focus time for that will break the entertainment aspect of it and allow me to actually focus on what I’m watching and learning.
Every word of this is my life too!
Please make sure you guys are at least trying to fact check some of the information you learn online. Everyone these days thinks they know everything when they've only got their info from 1 source.
Problem is...there is a ton of misinformation on UTube.
Every single study has shown that ADHD is heavily under diagnosed, especially in Adults. Around 70% of adult's with the condition don't know they have it.
It’s so true! It’s especially under diagnosed in women. I’m almost 35 and was just diagnosed last year. My sister is 32 and was just diagnosed this year.
So many victim beliefs, so sad.
As long you find tricks to overcompensate there is nothing to diagnose.
I believe ADHD is a state of mind which is why kids who hate school often have it but later do really well in the hands on working world. I, on the other hand, was a very focused student, and then once I hit the working world, I just hated reading and wanted to just MOVE and LIVE!
Yep! I keep getting diagnosed with BPD but I have Auditory Processing Disorder and possibly ADHD. I am also so directionally challenged possibly due to my APD. Too much background noise and I have a hard time functioning in life it sucks.
I have always asked my boss to prioritize my work when I'm handed more than they realize. Managers love this, they feel flattered that you're coming to them, and they don't have to hear someone coming to complain. The work has to be done, and understanding that is big to them. It's also a time to shine because you get to show everything you do. In the past my manager took some of that work themselves after seeing everything I do and have been capable of and ask me how I got so much done 😂
Smart Melly Mel 😁😂😁👍✅
00:00 Avoiding distraction is the key to not living with regret.
05:21 Distraction is an action we take, not something that happens to us.
15:13 Mastering internal triggers and making time for traction are key to high performance.
19:57 Compartmentalize distractions with worry time and finish time boxes
28:33 Prevent distraction with pacts
33:33 Discipline is not a limited resource, but a belief that it is can limit willpower.
42:45 Schedule time for self-care, relationships, and work
47:23 Time blocking can improve productivity and relationships
57:19 Believing in agency and control improves well-being
1:02:18 Smart regulation needed for tech companies
1:11:47 Trauma is neutral, it's how we interpret it that matters.
1:16:40 Confidence comes from reframing triggers through exposure therapy.
1:26:55 Over-diagnosis of ADHD is a concern due to trivialization and potential benefits to certain industries.
1:31:46 Building an indestructible workplace requires psychological safety and a forum to talk about problems.
Crafted by Merlin AI.
Thank you!
1.If we believe in the limitations about our brain or about the world around us, we act in accordance with it
2. What would the person who I wanna become do with his time?
3. A lot of people are generous with their time, and not generous with their money. It should be the opposite way
4. We always think of an output, whereas we forget about the inputs. In terms of knowledge, input it just two things: time and attention. Just like when cooking a cupcake, input it the ingredients like sugar, milk etc.
Trauma isn’t just feelings. 1:11:10. Trauma is what happens to you in the long term of the traumatic event or repeated events.
Yup, it’s terrible having some guru with an MBA on talking about real mental health issues and disorders.
Very irresponsible of the DOAC team.
Might be best to report this as misinformation.
Yes, the trauma-part of this video is shockingly unnuanced. And maybe smaller action are open for interpretation but definitely not all. That is such a bad thing to say. The soldier didn't feel his arm was gone because of adrenaline, not because of attention... Wauw... Such good insight on focus (or traction) but what a disaster was this on the trauma part.
give him a break ok, he said he was not perfect ok? why are everyone expecting people just be perfect? they are also learning...why your expectations are so high? @@vanessavandevelde146
My problem with this interview is his lack of addressing chronic mental health issues like depression alongside trauma caused by grief and other catastrophic life events. His demeanor reminded me of Sheryl Sanberg when she came out with Lean In and told women it was their responsibility to fight to be successful. Years later, her husband died and she realized she was unable to function the same way at work. Then she released a book called Option B about how to navigate life after these circumstances. She later said she took back some of what she said in her first book as it was coming from a person who hadn’t endure the pain she was currently experiencing. These conversations have a lot of nuance to them. While I think it’s great to give advice on building better skills to overcome procrastination, not addressing real issues that the majority of people are dealing with is pretty reckless. We have a mental health crisis in this country and an epidemic of loneliness. This advice will work the best only if you are a healthy moderately functioning person. The lightheartedness and smiling while discussing devastating issues for many people comes across very cold to those needing help. It can create a horrid cycle of shame because it puts people all in the same boat when we all vary widely depending on what has happened to us and the environment we were born into.
Great point. When he talked of people in his family "overcoming" adhd it felt so much like the just get over it type. Dismissive without having the experience himself.
Sugar is the main thing that causes depression.
Dude, the guy is not qualified or experienced enough to speak on brain health challenges which is why HE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED TO SPEAK PUBLICALLY ON ADHD
Good points, one solution doesn’t fit all.
I have long term mental health issues (PTSD, anxiety, OCD) and I found it quite positive and uplifting.
As a 32 y/o man with ADHD diagnosed at 8 y/o who doesn't take medications, only supplements and nootropics. This conversation is GOLD.
Last year my ADHD rised and made my productivity go down. I think it is because I started a business and I work solo in my office, "unsupervised" or "accompanied". I went to the psychiatrist, asking for medication, first of all in mexico we don't have Aderall, medications are on shortage maybe worldwide. I took Tradea for 3 or 4 months and I didn't like the effects. Dropped it.
Now I take just nootropics, supplements, good nutrition, go to the psychotherapist and swim everyday early in the morning. I'm still strugging, but getting better.
what do you take sir?
I am a freelancer and if I can give you a piece of advice to fight this secondary effect of not being "supervised" or "accompanied" it would be this: find someone, a friend, a family member, a former school mate or even someone on a Facebook group and book appointments with each other during which you have to describe your activity, make a summary of your week/month, list the goals you reached, the ones you missed and the reasons why. And have them do the same about their business. I has a double interest: first, you feel accountable and compelled to produce enough to talk about during the appointments and you might get some great inspiration for your business from your accountability buddy... you might even make a friend! It can be hard to keep focus when we're on our own.
You should check out Deep Work by Cal Newport how to get work done efficiently within timeframes - specifically getting work done within a 9-5 and not letting work encroach into your evenings and weekends. He has a youtube channel too where he offers a methodology.
Regret was 100% the motivator in the journey to overcoming my adhd identity. And it's wild how subliminal distraction is!
It is amazing to me how many people are triggered by a set of skills offered. I think it may be the clickbaity title. Just listen to a few sentences at 1:20:59 and 1:22:52 No one is taking away your ADHD diagnosis, or shaming you, or telling you to just pay attention. Everyone should be open to learning new skills that can help live a better life. Information is like a buffet, take what suits you, ignore the rest.
I agree! I was reading all of these comments and just floored with the angry and defensive comments. I think it is the attachment to not only their “diagnosis”, but to that prescription that they feel lets them accomplish a weeks worth of work in one day. This is coming from someone who does have the dx and the rx. It’s not Limitless pill. There are consequences. You may feel great for however long that medicine lasts, but you have to pay for it. It is an energy debt. There are better, less harmful solutions - nobody wants to hear about that though.
Why is contributing a different idea to the one presented classed as “ triggering “. ? That’s very dismissive to a group of people that actually have the condition commenting on the opinion of the person about them that does not.
it is scary how heated it is the comment section!
Now, i really want to hear someone on the other side of this discussion, someone like a psychiatrist who specializes on ADHD, and their insight on this topic.
Watch the podcast with Dr Gabor Mate
Agreed, They should get Russell Barkley on….a real expert.
Gabor Mate is excellent on trauma, in which subject he is a specialist.
Sadly, he talks too much about ADHD for someone who has never conducted any primary research into it.
Like many trauma specialists, he tends to think trauma is behind everything.
80% of ADHD is genetic, while 15% is early childhood trauma. (Russell Barkley)
Gabor Mate is not someone to listen to on ADHD
Not scary. Interesting, eye opening, worth discussing, but not scary.
The problem is of course the psychiatrist thinks there are an abundance of mental health issues. Just like a surgeon thinks they can solve your problem with surgery a chiropractor with adjustments, a dietitian with eating better etc… every professional is just as biased.
Why is people disagreeing with this person scary ?
He’s got a point for everyone else….but NOT people struggling with ADHD.
Stop the victim mentality, ADHD is tough but not unbearable.
There is great risk when people who are not qualified talk about mental health/disorders, etc as though they are an authority on the subject. It’s dangerous and I’m surprised that this channel gives people a platform to spread misinformation.
Bang on!
It's definitely not unbearable for me, but my girlfriend finds me unbearable when I don't take my medication. @@urikatjiuongua6150
@@LO-bk4bv 1:20:59 what part of this is bad?
Thank you so much for bringing this to us!
I have also been "diagnosed" with ADHD, and had been trying to learn tips and tactics to help with the symptoms.
This interview was an answer to prayer and more!!!! I have moved forward more emboldened and sure of my choices, handling situations way more calmly. I am so glad to have a different point of view on attention, AND tools to use going forward.
Also, I had no idea I was living with victim mentality relating to this subject until it was called out so clearly on this episode! It has been so liberating ever since.
Also just as liberating was his explanation of distraction and traction.
Him saying he didn't care if you played video games or scrolled social media so long as you had originally planned on it was and eye opener.
Implementing just the basics has already been a game changer. Thank you, again, for bringing this information to us.
but honestly, who the hell plans to scroll meaninglessly on social media for hours?
@@_rhapsodistall of us
Wow, Mr. Nir Eyal begins by speaking about regret! I have thankfully gotten rid of (almost) all regret that I had carried along with me for most of my life. Regret was a ball and chain around my neck, constantly dragging me down, draining my physical and emotional energy, and it stressed my entire system to breaking point. The problem was, I never even knew that I was suffering from long-term regret in the first place! I just felt awful without knowing why. Since the day that I decided to really let go of my regrets, I have felt liberated - reborn even. If you are reading this, and you perhaps suffer from regret in a big way, I hope sincerely that you too may find a way to eliminate regret, and reboot your life.
I had been trying to quit alcohol for 20 years.
Almost 2 weeks ago I listened to this conversation & that was the beginning of my alcohol free life. If I could summarize this conversation into one word, that has been guiding me, it's "awareness"
I have ADD. Currently procrastinating with this podcast.
Same here...
You don’t ‘have’, you have been ‘diagnosed with’ ❤
Explain what happens ..
@@mhtbfecsq1 what do you mean?
@@jpjapers just curious what it's like
Funny thing about any advice against procrastination is that people suffering from it find it very hard to make those changes in the first place - they'd rather do it later, even if they realize they will never do it anyway. Or they know they won't be able to keep up with it anyway so they won't try. And.. most people have tried. Several times. At some point, you realize ok, this is how the world works for me, I have to adjust my expectations and realize what I can and cannot do. No amount of "break any habit"-advice will never help.
If you are concerned about neurotypical people fooling doctors into prescribing stimulant medication, then keep this topic the focus of the discussion.
If you're concerned that there is not enough guidance for doctors to diagnose ADHD appropriately, raising awareness to this issue would be of benefit.
If you are asked about psychological disorders of which you have limited knowledge (as evidenced by the opinions about dopamine, chemical imbalance and "undiagnosis" - comparing it to a broken bone), an appropriate response would be to say "This topic is out of my scope so it's probably best that I don't comment".
The reason some viewers have reacted strongly to the ADHD topic of this podcast is because people with ADHD are already struggling to cope with the symptoms of ADHD and the stigma of seeking help - which comes in the form of a diagnosis and possible medication. They do not need the wider community, armed with the opinion and misinformation in this podcast, to second-guess their diagnosis and to be looked upon as a drug-seeking layabout who is taking the "easy way" out. These medications are no walk in the park and they are only given when a person presents to a specialist due to an inability to regulate themselves. The diagnostic process, while not ideal in respect to being foolproof, is the only one currently available. No blood test or brain imaging results are approved for diagnosing ADHD, but neither are there for autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and depression.
Thank you for taking the time to write out my exact frustrations
well said, thank you. perfect reply.
Beautifully summarized!! Thank you❤
The thing is that when you don’t like what others think of you it’s actually because you don’t think we’ll of yourself and that is hard to take. If you thought well of yourself then it really wouldn’t bother you what others think….eg if someone called you a dog, you would know you don’t have a tail and so think that person is mad and perhaps feel sorry for them but not believe them.
The problem is with diagnosis it gives a person a label which initially may feel like relief but a label is an identity which in itself is false as no condition is permanent and whilst it may feel nice to ‘know’ it then imprisons you …you think this condition is me and so you hate it when others don’t seem to understand etc. No condition is permanent.
@@theinngu5560 are non verbal autistic permanent?
I’ve listened to this podcast three times today from start to end and it just tells me the truth I’ve been lying to myself about.
It is a game changer and I can’t wait to see progress.
Adhd is my superpower. I embraced the chaos and learned how to decipher multiple streams of information at once. I was able to absorb massive amounts of knowledge early in life. I lost that as I get older but it was a massive boost. Now I organize to keep from getting lost. I tried pills when I was first diagnosed at 7 or 8. That was a disaster. Once I knew what it was I was facing I was able to build mechanisms in my head to help mitigate the negative attributes of adhd. Now I'm a workaholic but I'm in an industry I love so I devote a lot of time to it. Eventually I'd like to be an owner of my own venture but I've spent the last 20 years honing my craft.
This is a big component of many types of meditation. Emotions/feelings aren't wrong, they are beautiful messages to take us inward to 'feel'. What we may discover is beyond surprising and life changing.....in a very good way.
I take ADHD medication AND I meditate. Meditation on its own is not enough for me.
I propose the next DOAC dinner be made up of 20 viewers who've been diagnosed with ADHD, Steven, this guy, and a highly qualified ADHD expert - a real one. If you could get all 20 there on time, and keep them at the table, THIS would be the ADHD conversation many would like to see 👍
Great idea.
You mean a highly qualified ADHD expert that benefits from the ADHD gravy train. You mean the same expert who readily puts kids on medication when other ways of addressing bad behaviour and lack of discipline would have sufficed.
No one with ADHD will ever sit through this interview. I’m out’
@@kel7410 your attitude is exactly the one that couples ADHD with trauma. Under this pretext, children with ADHD are beaten, abused, harshly disciplined, broken. They become depressed as adults, cannot function better at all. They loose touch with what they are good at, they become empty. I presume you will never ever take any medication for anything ever, or give any pill from any pharmaceutical company to any of your loved ones, just to prove your point.
@@agnesagni dear I respect your views but I respectfully disagree. Kids with such problems are usually lacking in discipline and boundaries so parents are usually to blame. They should try doing the difficult job of fixing their mistakes through diligent parenting instead of looking for a quick fix and leading kids to possibly a life of perpetual medication. It is usually something that happens in the West. I am British and African so I know.
Adhd tip if anyone else struggles with getting up grumpy /pain no matter how much sleep you get. - set one alarm 2 hours before it’s time to get up. Tricks brain into thinking I’m getting to sleep in. Do I have one at 5am and one at 7 and back up one for 730 and 735 then getting ready alarms every 5-10 minutes till 820- I mix the times to help brain not get used to 10 minute increments. I do label them for hard days like “put shoes on” “leave” “leave now” etc
That's a cool tip 😎 thanks for sharing that
I don't have ADHD but I have always done this trick of setting an early alarm so I can go back to sleep. I assumed a lot of people did this.
@@jamiebom1023 like a lot of adhd tips I feel some ppl naturally find them but not others and Vice versa 😊 glad it works for you also
Adhd tip- don't watch this episode 😂
@@suziediamondcainI do the same❤
Theres a book called Hidden Time Wealth, and it talks about how using some secret techniques, you can overcome procrastination and accomplish anything in life. Its not just a bunch of empty promises; its the real deal.
What publisher?
@@joshuasalim712 scam
This is an ad, guys
Scam
The book doesn’t exist. If you find it online and buy it. You’ll just lose $$
The ADHD test ‘ he was referring to is the online Mickey Mouse test not the actual test or the test which some practitioners are making an absolute mint on. The actual test is very comprehensive. It is chemical and sometimes caused by trauma and also quite often co-morbid with autism. If you have met some someone who has it, it will quite often when untreated be coupled with addiction from self medicating.
I agree it is being over diagnosed from people who would like to profit. But it is a real thing and it is not a scheduling issue or a discipline issue. They don’t need any more shame around not being able to prioritise, turn up on time, or the reverse be over productive for an extended amount of time. Also ADHD is not about being distracted that is a reductive statement.
Exactly I have 12 alarms for my morning to get to work on time and even then I sometimes don’t hear the alarms (while up and getting ready) it’s on my watch /phone the only reason I can remember to set them before bed is anxiety. Anxiety gets all the credit for any ounce of functioning I’ve had in life.
Thank you! I am so fed up with "experts" claiming ADHD isn't real--or implying there should be even MORE hoops to jump through to get diagnosed. I wish they would follow one of us for a week and watch our desperate, tenuous grip on our jobs, relationships, and daily lives. The dopamine deficit is an actual thing. So is PubMed. I wish they'd check it out before they start their know-it-all blather...
@@ElinWinblad Pff it's so true. The only way we can do things is to be anxious about doing them. It's so sad.
Other than questionaire test for ADHD there's the brain waves test. When they EEG your brainwaves it's clear that your brain has differences compared to normal brains when you have it (P300 it's low in amplitude and it's latency increased.) This makes it very hard to start doing anything, making it hard to listen and focus on your thoughts, to select an idea and follow it correctly, to stay on task, to switch between tasks. So if somebody is trying to counteract this with behavioral interventions first/only, the result will be only more lost time before getting to the treatment. The treatment gives you the start to counteract the effects of the ADHD. Then you can start working on yourself and taking care for yourself. Thanks!
The problem with diagnosing ADHD starts with the fact you can't just test it. It's something that has to be evaluated over a LONG period of time in the majority of cases.
It's amazing how he briefly touched on such an important topic right towards the end, the topic of religion, which came up for me right at the beginning of this episode. I've been thinking lately how this is the one subject that hasn't really been explored on this podcast and how amazing it would be to hear Steven speak to certain guests on the subject of religion and bring on people specifically to talk about it. I think this would make for some extremely interesting conversations. I agree with everything Nir Eyal had to say about missing out on important values that religion has to offer. I also enjoyed this episode much more than I thought I would. Thanks always Steven!
ADHD is just disconnection from God... walk in the light and be blessed.
As someone coming from the same position as Nils, I would add that one thing I regret/find great is the whole family dressing up and going out together one day a week. 😊
@kwimms that is a total load of crap.
what i’ve learned from
life is that no matter how amazing/influential a person is, their reality/biases will
always inform their prescribed solutions. You can see that Stephen struggles with the concept of ADHD because he doesn’t believe in it- point blank. And i’m so aware of using labels as crutches but what’s just as dangerous is dismissing the realities of other people.
I’ve been following Nir on LinkedIn, so was already familiar with his concepts of timeboxing and productivity. Still this episode completely blew me away and l’ve had the most productive day at work after watching this episode. I’ve been in the industry for 14yrs - let that sink in! No more procrastinating for me and just sitting on important work because ‘I don’t feel like it’. I feel so liberated
Oh yeah, and of course I’ve been clinically diagnosed with ADHD, but like Nir said, skills before pills! No need to suffer due to any deficiencies you may have for sure
This Podcast/Channel is my absolute favorite. The way these conversations go and the interview is the best I've seen. Thank you for doing these!
The dopamine hypothesis regarding ADHD has not been debunked. This hypothesis has been exrremely robust despite decades of research. Further, ADHD/ADD is chronically under diagnosed, especially in school aged girls and women. It is one thing to critique the criteria published in the DSM V TR and how a physician may use this to make a diagnosis. It is another thing entirely to dismiss the findings of neurological research or to say that these findings have been debunked when they have not. This author has some interesting things to say regarding the behavioural aspects of inattention. He could have said these things without casting shade on members of the audience who genuinely suffer from these conditions. We still have a lot to learn about ADHD, but on these points that were mentioned, we have not 'got ADHD wrong.'
❤❤❤
I will first admit off the bat that I did not watch this entire interview. The teaser alone made me super mad. I think people don't understand that there is a difference between people who self-diagnose and people who are professionally diagnosed. I hear a lot of people I know say they have ADHD, and as a person who has struggled without a diagnosis my whole life, and finally gotten one, I know that there is a really big problem with people who do not have it to misunderstand it, mislabel it, and draw conclusions that are false. They also usually overlook the larger umbrella of neurodivergence that it falls into, which has to do with a lot more than productivity. It's a fundamental difference in the way you process everything. This is absolutely a condition of brain dysfunction that is quantifiable. For me, I didn't really believe it until I was given drugs. When speed makes you calm, and you feel like you can actually think at a pace that you can keep up with, you know that your brain is wired very differently than neurotypical brains. Add to that the other symptoms of neurodivergence like sensory differences and how you interact with other people, and it's absolutely nuts to dismiss it as a legitimate cause for lowered productivity. To shame people for this is pretty unconscionable. I hope Steven will have someone on to discuss this stuff as a rebuttal because I feel like this attitude could be harmful to people watching this who do struggle with it.
Agreed. Lots of misinformation from this author and it is offensive to those who truly suffer from the disorder.
I think anyone who gets offended by this or doesn’t believe this guy has a point will be a slave to pills for the rest of their lives. I’ve been diagnosed for adhd over 15 times in my life and giving this guy a chance saved me from taking legal meth
On ADHD:
Your broken bone analogy and addiction analogy is ridiculous. A broken bone is an injury that can heal. An addiction is a habit that can be broken.
ADHD is a developmental condition. Just like dyslexia, autism etc, it is not something you can cure. You can form habits and take medication that can make life easier, but there is no getting rid of it.
And your “losing your keys” point is also missing the point. Yes, everybody loses their keys at some point. But when you lose things chronically to the point of financial struggles, you’ve now got a problem.
In simpler terms, we all pee, but when you pee 40 times a day, you might have a problem that needs checking.
You make some fair points, such as the danger of overdiagnosing (though comparing US to EU is ridiculous - the UK has such abysmal mental healthcare that we’re seriously underdiagnosing patients) and wanting to push skills over pills is admirable. I think kids with ADHD should be pushed into high intensity physical hobbies to redirect their energy and use meds as a last resort.
But overall your views are the narrow minded thoughts of somebody who has clearly never struggled with a disorder. I would never wish it upon you, but I would also ask that you refrain from commenting on things you can’t empathise with, fully understand, or have a expertise in.
Writing a book on how to use post-it’s does not make you a psychiatrist, unfortunately.
thank you, I totally agree, I'm so confused about how he's talking about ADHD like this without being a psychiatrist
100% - It's always some guy who doesn't have it themselves that talks about ADHD like "JUST FOCUS BRO!", "JUST FIX YOUR MORNING ROUTINE, BRO!", completely missing the fucking point about what it actually is. Thanks for typing that comment.
Thanks for saying this. It gets so tiring correcting rude people like this man over and over. I do wish adhd on him and everyone else who pompously sits there saying things like “people make adhd an identity and that’s so dangerous!” What is dangerous is his attitude. I spent most of my life without a diagnosis but I always had adhd. Knowing what I have and why my brain works how it works, rather than like the NT people around me is such a huge relief! Attitudes like this man’s, attitudes I held against myself for my entire early life, almost costed me my life. His attitude is actually dangerous.
Ive seen several videos like this on this channel now and to me it kinda seems like a deliberate effort to send a message about ADHD into the world because the discussion feels one sided.
Feels disingenous and like some personal agenda. The host has said things that to me insinuates he basically doesn't believe in ADHD, i remember some episode where he brought up things based on his own life experience rather than science.
To me there were always red flags with this guy but ive still enjoyed many of these episodes. Really starting to get a bad vibe from this channel now though.
So agree! My son has very severe ADHD, and even with all of the self help tools and dietary changes in the world, without medication, he can't focus, and hyperactivity makes him extremely flighty and impulsive. Even now, at 14, he's still working to strengthen his executive functioning, practicing his organizational skills, and working on self control.
Each of the 3 people in our home have some form of ADHD, so our house is very organized, and everything is very scheduled. And yet, we still have symptoms to deal with daily. 🤔 Go figure!
The "high expectation/low control" really hit home for me. I have experienced this in two jobs - as a Customer Service team leader in Tesco and as a Customer Service broadband telephone helpline operator for TalkTalk.
As an ex Nurse, the customer help aspect was very important to me...and I foolishly assumed, because of the job descriptions...that it would be important to my employers too, Wrong.
They asked for, and expected, predetermined successful outcomes while simultaneously making those outcomes almost unobtainable by the systems they had in place. For a long time, I felt I was failing and was burning out until I realized their business model and then I left.
Soul destroying. I still (ten years later) get PTSD if I walk into any Tesco super market.
9 minutes in and I’m already in awe. I love these podcasts and information from people who throw out, rewrite, or redefine the traditional text books. Thank you.
Please keep an open mind and read the comment section. This persons idea of adhd is not accurate and is damaging. It is for people that have adhd like symptoms. Not actual adhd. He has no idea.
The segments on trauma and ADHD should be cut or at least not be the focus of the title. He's clearly not an expert on those, made especially obvious at his non-nonchalant comment about exposure therapy.
The good parts about habits and distractions follow many concepts of stoicism and I like many of his points there.
❤❤❤
I sense that his brief statement about ADHD might lead people to underestimate the complexity of this neurodiversity. Especially for people who are not familiar with it. ADHD isn’t about distraction. Attention-deficit isn’t interchangeable with distraction. When a person with ADHD naturally hyper-focuses on something that interests her/him, anything else, e.g., time, body-awareness would often become oblivious. Or otherwise, if the person has to endure an activity unstimulating, it would be very challenging for the person to stay in focus. And this is not just once a while thing, but all the time, throughout the person’s life. A person with ADHD often see connections in things that people are unaware of, or think several steps ahead, which can also hinder her/him from taking actions or jump in to actions. So having ADHD is a bless and a curse. A person with ADHD can achieve excellence on things they are passionate about or failed miserably to meet the other’s expectations. To identify with the neurodivergence after proper diagnosis isn’t playing victim but rather living a better life through sharing and learning from each other.
Thank you so much for this comment!
Weird. No starving Africans have "ADHD" or "OCD" wonder how many kids in Gaza have "gender dysphoria" and need to retrace their steps after fetching water because "ocd". Yeah it's so complex and nuanced that a doctor can diagnose it in 15 minutes and drug the shit out of ya. The science is in!
I think your sentiments and the ones he expresses in this talk are not mutually exclusive
I wish more people where covering this subject as living whit this can’t be a real pain and having autism but being highly functioning with how society views people like me is a real bloody pain.
A lot of people think that having a disability gives them a chance to take advantage of me.
I’m 40 and it’s not my disability’s that is massing up my life buy how others acted around me that is at times very abusing and degrading.
Thank you for covering this subject 😊
I need to buy his book. Great information.
Life is now. There was never a time when your life was not now, nor will there ever be.”
That was a great corroboration of the worldview I've subconsicously built throughout my life. That said, being diagnosed in my 30's with ADHD did help me to seek specific *types* of solutions to problems I wasn't overcoming on my own. I'm SO glad I wasn't diagnosed as a kid, because I never had an excuse to fail or give up at anything: in fact, I wasn't allowed by my parents to give up, ever. Addiction can be very physical and literal, the way someone recently commented, but there are an infinite range of things to "be addicted to," and very, very few of those things are truly physically addictive, and more a result of not taking responsibility for our actions. Again, I have ADHD and I can see in my own life how everything is a response to discomfort, and how success is always beyond discomfort.
There are points in this podcast which are great food for thought about taking responsibility for our own behaviour. However there are some quite glaring points where Nir demonstrates some very narrow thinking about neurodiversity and the vulnerability of certain groups of people. For example he doesn’t suggest that people with mental disabilities such as LD might be a group that need to be protected from social media. ADHD is quite often coupled with other diagnostic conditions such as autism, brain injury etc. In essence his analysis is mainly focused on people fortunate to be genuinely neurotypical but might be inclined to victimise or create excuses for themselves. That has some value but I think some people listening to this might be quite unfairly upset about parts of his message.
Also nicotine can be both a stimulant AND a depressant. He is objectively wrong to suggest it is one but not the other.
THANK YOU!! 💛
You’re using it as a label too- he points that out. Where your attention goes, energy flows
My problem is I have too much going on; I often become overwhelmed when EVERYTHING is a priority. I put on my own oxygen mask first, so to speak, to the dismay of a few very important in my life. This podcast is very helpful❤️
As someone who works with kids in primary school everyday this episode on being Indistractable was GOLD! I got so much out of it and for the first time, started taking notes, something I should do for every episode here! (I’m a long time subscriber)… What struck me most, and there were a few things, was the quote: a mistake repeated more than once is a decision”… wow! I’ll be thinking on that point for a long time! Then the discussion on Burnout was super interesting… it really hit home… I’m a private music teacher, have been for 38 years, and I love my job… but, I’ve felt like quitting so often lately as I’m sick of asking kids to practice at home each week, but, due to “ distractions” they more often than not, don’t practice… it drives me crazy.. and it’s definitely got worse over the last 10 to 15 years..!…this conversation taught me that I’m feeling burnt out not from over work, but from having high expectations of my students, but no control of whether they do or do not practice at home. 😳😱 total light bulb moment! So, it seems my only option to coping with this dilemma, besides giving the parents this book about navigating distractions is to lower my expectations…. But then I feel like I’m compromising my values-in multiple ways… it’s a tricky problem and one thousands of teachers of all kinds have to deal with… every day … any teachers out there who can relate!?..❤️❤️.
Can you make it fun to practice? Maybe give the kids exercises of musical pieces they recognize and love?
@@robertgoes79 Thanks for this.
i love how the box under the video has the topics, when i rewatch the podcast it is made so easy to go back to a certain part of the interview .
One of the BEST Podcast Interviewers I've run across!
Why ?
Incredible. Guys talks about not making ADHD as an identity. People immediately get personally offended because they make ADHD their identity.
I see it much like my depression and dislexia, its a learnt behaviour that has been intrinsically pushed its way into my physiology. Constant stress and anxeity in my childhood created chemical issues and a habit of being that way later in my life, i knew no better. So, i pushed myself to do things and keep going with it, etc, its hard work, but im now medication free, my dyselexia is no longer in my way or affecting my memory etc. Many of theses diagnosis are simply caused by how our lives develope ourselves. Such as children brought up with the inability to appreciate calm and stable boundaries and stable homes, tend to be diagnosed with ADHD... but also not having a release and calm when we're stressed.
I've listened to thousands of hours of podcasts of any genre. This one is the single most knowledgeable and helpful one that I found so far. Thank you both!
I completely concur 💯 be blessed 😊
Ha! I did not know about this 10-minute rule and it makes absolute sense. When I quit smoking I wanted to have a mental tool to resist and I "discovered" a technique where I said, I'm not quitting, I *am* going to smoke but not now, in 1 month. Then next month I took the decision to wait one more month, and so on. That is so liberating. I even smoked one cigarette in an event and I silently said to myself, the next one will be in 1 month - it's been a year since this last cigarette and 15 years without smoking. I told about this method to my brother and my mother and they both implemented it and quit smoking themselves. I think this is such a powerful technique.
Still in mid podcast but truly enjoying and appreciating it. I always enjoy how Steven brings hus personal quuestions, which I can relate to in ny own life, to each person he interviews. This one is having a positive impact bc I usually can't, or don't, identify what I am feeling which led to the distraction..
What happens when you have done everything right and then get an untreated injury and extensive gaslighting that produces 5 years of stress and trauma. Then you are diagnosed with a autoimmune disease that literally makes working out or even working impossible along with changing my diet, I don’t drink or smoke and spend 3/4 of my in bed. I worked out until I just couldn’t anymore. I have done everything. I was an example of exposure therapy and it just made it worse.
I am working on intermittent fasting, take ice baths and weaning myself off as much meds as possible with the help of my doctor. I have change my diet and cutting out sugar and processed food, altho I have always ate relatively healthy and worked out 4-6x week.
But the progress has been negligible. This disease has taken all the things I loved away from me.
I love your channel and your podcasts are great but so far, it just breaks my heart because I just don’t see how I can change something that won’t allow me to do the things that would actually help me.
Working on Marissa Peers meditation now. 🤞
In other cultures, you don’t have to schedule time for your friends and time for your family--you just HAVE and naturally spend time doing nurturing, fun things with humans!🤗
the willpower idea is really interesting
I agree I don't think you can run out of willpower, but I do believe that willpower can often lead to sensory overload, and that's what actually causes the burn out
It also makes me think about the idea of decision fatigue where if you have too many options to choose from, you'll probably overthink yourself into a cycle of never choosing anything
I was diagnosed with adhd. And I’ve been diagnosed in Paris, France. It was a long process which first started in the US years ago.
I’m from France. France is very behind about mental and I m so glad it’s changing. Congratulations on your diagnosis. It’s liberating to find out when you have it.
Everything he says is triggering but accurate. If you are triggered, you aren't taking responsibility for your own life. We all have trauma, myself included. I was triggered by his words, but I feel motivated to change my life. Truth always hurts. 🔥❤️
It's not triggering, it's just fucking dumb. I'm 36 and have taken responsibility for everything in my life. I've dealt with and resolved my trauma in therapy. I've been meditating daily for +3 years. I work out 4x per week. My diet is healthy and comprehensive. My sleep schedule is amazing.
However, nothing has cured my ADD. I'm lucky I don't have the hyperactivity component. My lifestyle helped my symptoms, but they're far from cured. My medication helped me more than anything, so I don't wanna hear this double-digit IQ bullshit from another productivity grifter.
There’s a difference between distractable and ADHD. ADHD is very much a physiological disorder. The ADHD brain works differently than “normal” brains. What works for one, will not work for all. If I’m in a lecture, and I grow bored and my mind wanders, I am completely incapable of forcing my brain to listen to the lecture. Same for reading, or doing a task. I can try, really really hard, but it’s not going to happen. My mind will always divert to more interesting ideas.
I totally agree. There is also an element of dread when you know you have to go to an appointment or something and self hatred when you don’t get the basics done. I’m sure we would all do well if we lived like our ancestors. Not being forced to focus on one thing. No commitments except to eat and exist. I am made for that, just being.
I assume you've considered the language you use as a projection into behavior? Not being an ass, just an honest question.
Your just bored, I don't have ADHD, and my brain also sometimes wanders in lessons and gets bored. Doesn't mean my brain isn't "normal", whatever that means anyway. Your body is clearly indicating to you that you're not meant to be in that lesson, as its not stimulating for you. "Forcing" yourself to listen doesn't correspond to having a "normal" brain.
@@scarba true. I feel dread when having to do anything that is very important .
@@bryanroberts2229lol “my name is Bryan and I know everything”
Steven, I am so obsessed with your podcast! I first saw you at Dragon's Den and I love the banter among you Dragons. I came across your podcast last month and I have seen a lot of your content. I told my boyfriend about you and coincidentally he's also watching your podcast. I am a huge fan.
"You can't have pain without attention." This made me realize a lot of things about me, physiologically and psychologically.
Thank you so much and keep doing these great things!
Holy shit. 20 Minutes in and I'm almost in tears. I wish I knew about this 30 years ago. This is a game changer.
Love his take on emotional triggers!
However, I need a source for him claiming ADHD isn't caused by lower dopamine levels, because that still seems to be the current scientific consensus.
There's a book called Hidden Time Wealth, and it talks about how using some secret techniques, you can overcome procrastination and accomplish anything in life. It's not just a bunch of empty promises; it's the real deal.
As someone who is on an adhd diagnosis route I’m going to say that distraction from what I love doing is a huge problem, not the zero problem this guy is saying it is. Looking forward to trying the noting technique, problem is I don’t notice when I go off task til ages later, let alone when I’m about to go off task. I just wander off. If I can’t physically wander off my mind wanders. I’d love to catch these moments before they happen. That’s the prior skill I need before the post it note technique can work.
Exactly!
Language is so important. Dis - TRACTION. Vital conversation. Thank you 🙏🏾
13:50 (on distraction) recognizing the feeling of distraction as it comes on - yes! I feel this is the key to freedom from possibly all mental dilemmas - learning to feel when something is just starting. Then You can recognize and manage it before it becomes overwhelming - even just seconds after it arises. Learning to sense when your mind is getting ready to make its next course change - then either going with it or not, but certainly not letting it be an unconscious event.
It can be easy to change course if you develop this skill.
I am a retired mental health worker. I have listened to a few podcasts on this channel. Some of them have been very informative, but some of them have spread a lot of dangerous misinformation. This one was one of them. Many people who have untreated ADHD go onto have serious addictions, end up in prisons or commit suicide. I also looked up statistics concerning ADHD. According to what I read, US has around 10% and Europe has about 20%. I find that to be high, but that is what I found. Other areas where the guest should not attempt to provide information is with addiction. When someone is addicted to something, they are in fact dealing with a lifelong disease. When you stop using a substance it is far from over! A heroin addict can't stop being a heroin addict one day and then decide they can use it again in the future, since they recovered. That person cannot use heroin, or any other addictive drug again for the rest of their lives. After listening to the guest, I am wondering if he believes that people can actually be physically addicted to something.
I totally agree with you. This type of advice may be useful for ppl who truly do NOT have addictions or executive dysfunction, but for those who DO, this guy’s rhetoric is dangerous and misleading.
Thank you so much for taking the time to research and share your findings. This is a perspective I feel I can trust. I’m glad I read these comments before watching and moreso that there are so many educated kind folks sharing evidence based counter arguments. Thank you
I think you should revisit what he actually has said about ADHD. He is right..skills before pills. Try everything before medication. I just posted what the CDC has said in the USA versus Europe and his numbers are correct.
@@c.a.schenk653 And what happens when skills are not enough?? Because the majority of ADHDers have vastly skills, and excel at them, however, that alone is not enough to live a proper life.
Not watched all of this interview yet. But I am already thinking if this is another shot at peeps with ADHD I am gonna get mad. I am tired of this debate around ADHD. So if a person had a broken leg, but managed to walk with crutches, would we say ‘you don’t have a broken leg, you have adapted, therefore no breaks here.’ Just because people can learn skills and coping mechanisms to deal with their ADHD, this does not mean their ADHD has gone away. I am probably not making my point very well. Because I am tired and frustrated. Why does everyone who doesn’t have ADHD have an opinion on those who do? I was a high school teacher for 20 plus years and raised 2 amazing daughters, single handed. My god what a struggle. But I did it. I developed soooo many coping techniques over the years. On the outside it probably looked easy. On the inside it’s a mess. I am now gonna watch the rest of the interview…..hoping I don’t blow a gasket 🤣🙏.
Perhaps you could think about writing how you managed as i think doing a job for 20 years plus 2 kids it would be far better reading about someone who coped with it than someone just guessing on how to cope with it without actually having it. themselves
Did you watch the rest of it? I’m in a similar boat and also wondering if I should even bother listening to it. Should I? 🤔 was there anything actually helpful for someone with ADHD?
ADHD doesn't exist... you just weak.
The ADHD part of the discussion is at around 1h20
My son was told he had ADHD. For my family, drugs are the last resort. It turned out that it was triggered by MSG. Removed MSG from his diet and what a positive change. No longer ADHD. A friend of mine, her children was trigger by red dye (I forget the number).
Every child is different and some may need medication but some could be something eaten or something else in the environment.
We appreciate interviews like this. They contain useful content.
Love DOAC. He is changing my life for better one podcast at a time, little by little.
This conversation is so beautiful. Everyone needs to hear this! So many valuable takeaways
it feels almost ironic that I'm listening to this whilst working, to help stimulate me, so I can work better :D ADHD is a weird thing
What a bloody brilliant conversation between two brilliant minds. Saved to my playlist and one to revisit over and over. Will be picking up his book. So grateful for this platform, Steven!!!!!!
Oooo, you got me at reframing the internal triggers!
I've been trying and failing to write about a huge idea for about 5 years... I haven't been succeeding because of the weight of the pressure to succeed... 😢
Me too!
I loved his discussion of distraction, traction and action. I actually made this year's one word motto 'action' because I drilled down to everything I want in my life to require action in my chosen direction. It makes 'action' even more fitting!
A much needed conversation! This podcast relieved so many of my open questions about flow, procrastination, and willpower!
This is the ONLY place that I get the conversations that I want to have.
(That I need to have)
Thank you!
ADHD is more than just being distracted.
What? What? Uh? Yeah... it's also being low IQ and annoying and playing a victim LARP.
Agree and most of us are smart and have figured out how to do much of this and heard many others experts talk about the same thing. If I want to hear about ADHD I'll listen to the channels and people devoted to that
This guy is partly clueless. He doesn't even understand the basics of nicotine/chemical addictions.
It is
These comments, the four above my comment, missed the point of what he was talking about and just dialed in on one small part of the two hour conversation. He did say that addiction and ADHD are real pathologies and that there are people that seriously struggle with it and need medication to help them. But he also said that a lot of us use these phrases like “I’m so ocd” or “I’m addicted” willy-nilly even though we can use techniques to help ourselves without having to use medication. Train your brain and don’t be a victim.
I can"t even focus on watching this video
I found your channel 2 days ago. Loved it. Quickly went through like 20 episodes. This one is my favorite. I'm leaving this comment here hoping that one day it's gonna be something that we'll talk about. Thank you so much for bringing this much value. And yes. I watched to the last second.
This is one of the best podcast I ever listened. So many insights and i can say it works. I used it coincidentally long time ago without knowing the scienc behind it. Now it all makes sense and all the pieces come together which make all the lessons i had learn became even more powerful and transformational
Please interview Dr Daniel Amen! I read his books and with his scan proves the difference between someone with ADHD and a healthy brain
❤❤❤
Who else got distracted while watching this?
😂😂 yes
Only about 5 times in the first 20 minutes, but in my defense I was getting ready for work lol
😂😮😢
Lolol yeah me up in these comments 😂
Yeah I came back multiple times 😅
I’m listening to this realising how ironic it is I’m having to keep rewinding the last five minutes as I keep getting distracted by thoughts. I’ve never been tested for ADHD so I’m not going to suggest I think I could genuinely have it but focusing and procrastination has been a persistent issue in my life. I spend most of my days being unproductive and distracting myself with anything like games, TH-cam, music and so on. I feel I have potential to do something worthy but can never have the motivation to do so or the ability to focus and commit to something. I’m always thinking things will come to me in the future but when I really think about I’m bullshitting myself and I’m really just stuck in a rut. It’s 4am right now and I’m contemplating just staying up now otherwise I’ll be waking up in the afternoon again…
I love your podcast! I've only listened to a few episodes and I've learnt an incredible amount. What I particularly like is the interview format and the focus on the tips that are really applicable. This episode is one of the best! Please keep up the good work.
Greetings from Germany
ADHD in adults is UNDERDIAGNOSED.
Especially women with ADHD are often undiagnosed or their ADHD is misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression.
Edward Hallowell:
"Adults who have ADHD but do not know it are at much higher risk than the general population for serious problems. Mood disorders, extreme sadness, and anxiety often occur when ADHD goes undiagnosed. Even if these conditions are are treated, the underlying problem, if left untreated, leads to other problems.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD get fired from their jobs more frequently, or they impulsively quit, or they underachieve, slowly losing self-esteem, confidence, drive, and joy in life. They often resign themselves to a life with less success and luster than it could have were they diagnosed and treated.
Substance abuse, as well as other compulsive bad habits, afflict a far higher percentage of adults with undiagnosed ADHD than adults in the general population. These problems typically lead to more problems, from DUIs to the end of a marriage, to crime and, in some cases, jail.
[Read: Adult ADHD - A Guide to Symptoms, Signs, and Treatments]
Accidents of all kinds are more common, especially car accidents and speeding, which carry with them the risk of permanent physical disability or death, and trouble with the law."
Edward Hallowell "The downside of undiagnosed Adult ADHD"
How dare you confront a popular book author and public speaker with data and articles from actuall psychiatrist ;)
But to be fair it is as much in Hallowell interest to claim underdiagnosis to fill his medical centers (he runs quite a business on ADHD with 4 facilities) as it is in Eyal interest to claim his book can fix everything including ADHD and no drugs required...
I was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD at 49 yoa! My life up until diagnosis has been a train wreck! Better able to function with medication, just so much to fix!