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“If You Don’t Learn, You’ll Feel”

Turning Emotions into Your ADHD Superpower

There’s a saying that if you don’t learn, you’ll feel. I’ve certainly experienced this as a neurodivergent. I’m a big feeler now.

The Unique Wiring of the ADHD Brain

The challenge for neurodivergents is that our brains are just wired differently.

Take, for instance, the ADHD brain, we may appear:

• Uninterested

• Nonchalant

• Lazy

• Rebellious

The truth is, our brains are stimulated by things we have an interest in. It’s difficult to engage in something we don’t have any interest in. This is exactly where the feeling comes in.

My Early Career Wake-Up Call

Early in my career, I remember being given a task that was daunting. I had no interest in it and didn’t think it was important.

This ignorance, unfortunately, made me spend more time working later. I felt really pissed off; I hated it.

Experience really is my best teacher!

Using Negative Feelings as a Springboard

I now use that feeling of catching up as a springboard to help me stay engaged in things I may not be interested in.

As a family man, I want to spend more time with my loved ones. I get that at work, there’ll be times one has to work late, but where I can reduce it, I’ll gladly do so.

The feeling of failure and missed deadlines is just scary AF. It’s a driving force that lights a fire in my belly to show up. This has been incredibly helpful when tackling the daunting side of the job.

Adding Positive Emotion Priming

While negative feelings give me a powerful push, I’ve learned to also harness positive emotion priming to start tasks with momentum instead of dread.

Before diving into boring or overwhelming work, I pause and visualize the reward: quality time with my family once it’s done, or the calm feeling of a clear to-do list.

I celebrate tiny wins along the way, even a simple “task started” checkmark triggers a small dopamine hit.

This proactive positive priming makes my brain more willing to engage, balancing the fear-based drive with forward-looking excitement.

The Beautiful Payoff

And the best part… success breeds more dopamine.

The feeling primes my brain into the right trail of thoughts. My:

• Attitude and

• Approach to work

Are better. I don’t like losing!

Ready to Turn Your Feelings Into Fuel?

Drop a reply and tell me: What’s one emotion (positive or negative) you’re going to use this week to kickstart a task you’ve been avoiding?

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Lastly,

Stay Different,

The AuDHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.