Being overstimulated is no excuse to compromise our productivity. Peter Shankman, author of Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain shares with us the keys to channeling our overstimulated brains. Try not to see distraction as a curse, but an opportunity. After all, at the root of distraction is the desire to access dopamine levels (the feel good hormone). Find out ways to increase your happiness and motivation in productive ways.
In this episode we’ll cover:
- How to channel ADHD productively
- Utilizing your time wisely
- Tools that increase productivity
- How to eliminate overthinking
- Why dopamine is your friend
Target Audience: Peter serves individuals and companies. Whether it’s the CEO who needs help empowering his employees to create magical customer moments, to the Fortune 100 company that needs a better understanding of its employees, to the small business that doesn’t know where to begin
ADHD As A Gift Not a Curse
Peter believes ADHD is a superpower. In today’s world, most of us are overstimulated and have difficulty with productivity whether or not we have ADHD. Peter realized the success he has is because of his ADHD not in spite of it. He know chooses to see ADHD as a gift not a curse.
The truth is, the majority of the people out there have some level of distraction whether diagnosed with ADHD or not. This is because we are doing more things with more tools. Every time we get a text or any other type of notification, our body releases shots of dopamine. And we always want more of it.
There are 2 ways to create dopamine: the positive way and the negative way. Which route is the one that enhances productivity vs. the one that hinders it?
Here’s a “productivity myth:” people think that productivity means that things have to happen right away. Take things piece by piece – bit by bit. Start a PROCESS of productivity. When you break things down, you see that rituals succeed. Resolutions fail. A ritual is a practice or habit- that’s why it works.
What are the next level productivity hacks?
1. START with exercise
Creating excess dopamine and adrenaline in your brain allows you to focus unbelievably more than normal.
2. Elimination
Eliminate distraction! We waste a ridiculous amount of time thinking about things that don’t matter. For example, Peter chooses to have a very SIMPLE wardrobe so that he does not use up time thinking about what he has to wear. He also chooses to eats the same thing pretty much all the time. He pre- cooks his meals on Sunday. This saves time and money!
Tools That Increase Productivity
Peter suggests using Ommwriter. This is a word processing program that shuts off everything on your computer as you write. This totally eliminates any distractions. Plus, any tools that help him to eliminate having to do (extra) things, such as hiring people who can do what you can’t do. Peter says, don’t bother utilizing your valuable time trying to do things you suck at!
Eliminate Overthinking
One of the things that prevents people from doing a project is they think way too much before they get started. Try it. If it fails, learn from it. It is pointless to sit around and worry about how things will pan out.
Even scheduling things is done by Peter’s assistant. He does not allow himself access to his calendar because he has found that he ends up overthinking things. Thus ultimately slows down his productivity momentum.
Peter, Who are YOU?
- How long is a perfect workout for you? Two 45 minute spin sessions
- Favorite activity? Swimming
- What do you eat for breakfast? Protein either with eggs or a shake
- Meals per day? 3
- Favorite tool on your phone? Tools within the google ecosystem. Or anything that helps with productivity
- One ritual you’d never give up? Exercise
- Bedtime? 8:30pm
Practical and Actionable:
Start understanding how to do the things that work for you. Everyone has the same 24 hours in the day. It’s about priorities not time.
