10 Productivity Mistakes All ADDers Make

By Aron Croft, HiddenADHD.com

Mistake #1: We believe we're lazy, unmotivated, and flawed

While the general public may think of ADD as a character flaw, the past few decades
of research has shown ADD to be a genetically-inheritable, biological condition.
In 2016, an international study identified differences in five regions of the brain by
comparing 1,713 people with an ADHD diagnosis and 1,529 people without (all aged
between 4 and 63 years old).
We realize that we just need to use different productivity strategies attuned to our
neurological differences. Once we do, we can realize our full potential.

Mistake #2: We try to change by beating ourselves up

As Stanford behavioral scientist BJ Fogg explains, behavior changes when we feel

good. This is why the following products are so addictive:
Social media, video games, and junk food. When we do something small, we get a
reward such as “1 new like!", "5 gold coins!", "Yummm!"
However, we use the opposite approach when trying to motivate ourselves!
How long would you keep using social media if every notification said “Your post
today sucks”?

Mistake #3: We try to do too many goals at once

John Norcross, a professor of psychology at the University of Scranton, researched

17,000 people’s New Years Resolutions and found the main culprit to be: trying to
change too much at once.
In his book The Resolution Solution, the number one tip is to “try to change less.”
So, go for small but consistent progress every week. Approach goals and change like
an escalator rather than like a roller coaster.

© Aron Croft 2021

 Mistake #4: We don't have a keystone goal

Instead of having numerous, disjointed subgoals such as “get better at public

speaking,” “improve time management,” and “workout more,” you can have a
keystone goal like “get promoted” or “start my business” which forces the subgoals.
It's easier and more motivating to manage one exciting Keystone Goal rather than a
collection of individual goals.

Mistake #5: We try to work harder, rather than smarter

Most ADDers won’t beat neurotypicals at crossing off the most to-do list items.
Fortunately, productivity is about how many important things you get done, not the
number of things.
As Alex Pang says, author of Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less,
the most productive people often focus on just a few productive hours a day.
Identify those important actions and spend your few good hours each day on those.

Mistake #6: We believe the straight-line productivity myth

As Daniel Pink explains in When, our productivity and focus vary throughout the day.
Rather than 8 hours of straight-line productivity, our productivity looks more like a
rollercoaster.
So, you want to find the time window when you’re most clear-headed, motivated, and
focused. For 80% of people, it’s in the morning from 8 - 11 a.m., give or take.
Whether yours is in the morning or evening, do your most important work then.

Mistake #7: We try to use motivation and willpower to change

Modern psychology focuses on individualism, but that misses a huge point.

Our environment drives our behavior as much as our individual feelings and belief.
Test this for yourself: Do you give in to bad habits more around certain people? Do
you find yourself less motivated to work when you sit on the couch?
The powerful influence of our environment is actually GREAT news! Because it’s
waaay easier to change your environment than it is to develop superhuman willpower
and motivation!
If you want some simple strategies to apply this approach, I’ve summarized some in
this document (no opt-in required).

© Aron Croft 2021

 Mistake #8: We try to succeed alone

In the previous point, we talked about the impact of our environment.

One of the biggest factors in our environment is the people around us.
We ADDers can take advantage of this fact by leveraging other people in our goals—
such as a mentor, coach, or goal buddy.
When I started using goal buddies and coaches, my achievements multiplied
exponentially.

Mistake #9: We try to be good at everything

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
While it's valuable to improve basic executive functioning skills such as time
management, planning, and organization, you don't want to invest tons of time
improving weaknesses.
Instead, identify your Unique Ability, the term Dan Sullivan, founder of Strategic
Coach, uses to describe work you enjoy doing that you have a natural talent for.
When you do this kind of work, you do it better because you enjoy it and have some
natural inclination towards it.

Mistake #10: We don’t use accountability to achieve our goals

Most of us hate Accountability because of it being forced on us when we didn’t care
about a goal.
For me, this was the case in school. I didn’t see the value in what I was studying and
yet my parents and teachers held me accountable, which was painful.
However, when we get to pick a goal that excites us, accountability becomes our best
friend!
So, ask a friend to be an Accountability Buddy, or join one of my programs and I’ll
pair you up with one.

Connect with us!

1. Join our “ASAP” Facebook Group (The “ADHD Success & Accountability Pod”)
2. Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Who is Aron Croft, author of this guide?

I went from Harvard University to broke, divorced, and earning just above minimum
wage. With my ADD diagnosis, I bounced back to a successful Fortune 500 career, got
remarried, and built a life I love. Hope to meet you soon!

© Aron Croft 2021