Why ADHD Brains Rely on Hyperfocus (and Why It Backfires)

Looking for the Bottleneck Reset Workshop? Click here for details: https://unconventionalorganisation.circle.so/checkout/bottleneck-reset-workshop-wednesday-jan-21stIf you have ADHD, you probably know this pattern. You’re foggy, scattered, or stuck… until a deadline hits. Then suddenly, you’re laser-focused, productive, unstoppable. And afterwards, you’re wrecked. In this episode, Skye and William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD unpack why hyperfocus feels like the only way to get things done, and why it quietly creates more stress, burnout, and long-term chaos than most people realize. Using research on university students, we explore how executive function difficulties change the way ADHD brains access focus, why more ADHD symptoms often lead to more hyperfocus (not less), and why relying on pressure is not a sustainable strategy, even if it looks productive on the surface. This episode is for late-diagnosed adults, professionals, and business owners with ADHD who keep asking themselves: “Why do I only function when everything’s urgent?” “And why does it always cost me afterwards?” What we cover:- Why hyperfocus shows up most when things feel critical or overwhelming - How executive function difficulties push ADHD brains into last-minute intensity - The difference between intense focus and sustainable focus - How hyperfocus borrows energy from your future self - What this pattern means for productivity, stress, and burnout long-term P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

Ads are overwhelming for a lot of ADHD business owners, not because they are bad at marketing, but because the information is scattered, noisy, and contradictory.In this episode, Skye talks with ads expert Jeremy Pogue, founder of Summit Acquisition, about how ads actually work at a high level, what they are and are not responsible for, and how to think about them without spiraling into complexity.This is a grounding conversation designed to help you understand the landscape before you decide anything.What we coverAds as awareness, not instant resultsWhy starting small matters emotionally and financiallyThe role of time and patience in ad performanceCommon misunderstandings that create anxietyHow to tell if ads even belong in your business right nowConnect with Jeremy: Instagram: jeremy_pogue. YouTube: @Jeremy_Pogue P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

Video is everywhere, but very little of it is designed with ADHD in mind.In this Research Recap, Skye and William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD unpack a qualitative study exploring how people with ADHD actually experience video content. From captions to pacing to visual overload, they look at what helps, what hurts, and why one size never fits all.They also talk about why many ADHD viewers adapt by speeding up videos, multitasking, or using video as background stimulation, and how those habits make a lot more sense once you understand the research.This is a grounded look at accessibility, attention, and why flexibility matters more than rules when it comes to ADHD and learning.What we coverHow ADHD viewers experience video differentlyWhy captions help some people and frustrate othersThe impact of pacing and playback speed on focusWhy redundancy can improve comprehensionWhat accessibility really means for ADHDIf you want a copy of the research paper discussed in this episode, DM VIDEO to on Instagram to @unconventionalorganisation and we will send it to you.Want more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

Skye sits down with Carly Braker, founder of Avialan Blue, to talk about building a high tech areospace engineering consultancy while navigating ADHD. Carly shares how she masked symptoms growing up, why the “real world” hit harder, and the adjustments she had to make when deep focus, sensory overwhelm, and impostor feelings collided with entrepreneurship.What we cover:Why gifted kids often miss their own ADHD signsThe crash that happens when school structure disappearsThe identity shift from employee to founderWhat it took to create stability in a high focus consulting businessHow behaviour mapping helped her create systems that actually workCurious to see more of Carly’s work? You can find it here: https://www.avialanblue.com/adhdskillslab/Connect with Carly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlybraker/ P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

People love to say ADHD comes with superpowers. The research is more nuanced.In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye and Will examine two papers that look at ADHD strengths in careers. They discuss the themes that appear across 79 studies, the stories from qualitative interviews, and the complicated truth about strengths that can help and hurt depending on context.What we cover:Why creativity and idea linking appear across ADHD career researchHyperfocus: strength, liability, or bothHow environment can support or sabotage ADHD strengthsThe emotional side of ADHD achievement before diagnosisThe role of humor, resilience, and adaptive altruismWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

Most people with ADHD have one moment that stops them in their tracks. For Laura, it was finding her childhood journals filled with the word “focus” scribbled in every possible way.In this conversation, Skye talks with Laura Key, host of the ADHD Aha! podcast, and VP of content at Understood.org. After interviewing more than 120 people about their ADHD stories, Laura shares her own. From finding her childhood journals to understanding how ADHD shaped her leadership, parenting, and emotional load, this is the moment everything starts to make sense.They talk about late diagnosis, invisible overwhelm, the pressure women carry, and what Laura has learned from listening to so many ADHD journeys. It is warm, thoughtful, and full of the moments that make ADHD adults think, “I have lived this my whole life, I just never had the language for it.”What we cover:The moment ADHD finally comes into focusWhy so many women overlook their own symptoms for yearsWhat Laura learned from interviewing 120 ADHD guestsWhy recent research shows women trust ADHD podcasts more than any other mediumWhere to Find Laura KeyConnect with Laura and explore her work here:Instagram:@understoodorgLinkedIn:Understood: https://www.linkedin.com/company/understoodLaura Key: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-key-720b7436/Podcast:ADHD Aha: https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/adhd-ahaResearch Mentioned in the Episode:Study on why women trust ADHD podcasts:https://www.understood.org/en/press-releases/new-study-finds-podcasts-help-women-with-adhd P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

Can TikTok actually teach you about ADHD - or is it just feeding you misinformation?In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye dives into a 2022 study analyzing the quality of ADHD content on TikTok. They explore how much of it is accurate, how much is personal storytelling, and why the most relatable content often isn’t the most reliable.What we cover:Why #ADHD is one of TikTok’s biggest health hashtagsThe 3 types of ADHD videos researchers foundWhy “personal experience” and “misinformation” often overlapHow even healthcare professionals get ADHD content wrong onlineHow to spot credible ADHD information before you share itWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channelDisclaimer:The information shared in this message, including any examples or stories, is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It’s not professional, medical, or financial advice. Every person’s ADHD journey is different, and results will always vary depending on your individual situation, effort, and circumstances.While we share research-based tools and strategies, we can’t promise specific results or outcomes. Your progress will depend on factors like your goals, consistency, and environment.Unconventional Organisation and its coaches are not responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals before making significant personal, medical, or business decisions. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

This one’s real, hilarious, and way too relatable.Skye sits down with Russ Jones, ADHD coach, creator of the Ready, Set, Go framework, and host of the *ADHD Big Brother* podcast, to talk about what it really takes to build momentum when you’re working with an ADHD brain.They share stories, laugh a lot, and unpack the small mindset shifts that make consistency feel possible, even on the days when motivation disappears. Russ also shares what has changed for him since joining Skye’s coaching program, and the systems that are helping him keep that momentum going.What we cover:How to build momentum when you never feel “ready”The “Even Though” mindset for taking small steps that stickWhy ADHD-friendly systems need humor, not pressureWhat accountability looks like when you hate being told what to doHow progress really happens inside an ADHD brainFor the free Ready, Set, Go framework, mentioned in the show, visit the link below:https://www.adhdbigbrother.com/readysetgoLearn more about Russ, his coaching and his podcast, please visit ADHD Big Brother. To learn more about the ADHDBB membership, see the link here: https://adhdbigbrother.circle.so/adhdbb P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

Are ADHD brains more creative, or is that just a myth?In this Research Recap with William Curb from Hacking Your ADHD, Skye breaks down a foundational study on ADHD and creativity, exploring how ADHD brains innovate, imagine, and sometimes overreach.What we cover:How ADHD brains approach creative problem-solving differentlyWhat “conceptual expansion” means for ADHD thinkingWhy originality and practicality don’t always go hand in handWhat this research says about collaboration and follow-throughHow ADHD creativity can be a strength when supported by systemsWant more of Will’s work? Go check out HackingYourADHD.com or subscribe to his YouTube channelThe information shared in this message, including any examples or stories, is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It’s not professional, medical, or financial advice. Every person’s ADHD journey is different, and results will always vary depending on your individual situation, effort, and circumstances.While we share research-based tools and strategies, we can’t promise specific results or outcomes. Your progress will depend on factors like your goals, consistency, and environment.Unconventional Organisation and its coaches are not responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals before making significant personal, medical, or business decisions. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.

ADHD medication can be a controversial topic online. Is it safe? Does it change who you are? What does the science actually say?In this episode, Skye talks with Dr. Ryan Sultan, psychiatrist, researcher, and founder of Integrative Psychiatry in NYC, about what medication does in the brain and what decades of studies reveal about its effects. This is not medical advice - it’s a clear, evidence-based conversation to help you understand your options.What we cover:How ADHD medication affects dopamine and focusThe difference between stimulant and non-stimulant medicationsWhy safety and addiction concerns often get misunderstoodHow to approach treatment decisions from an informed placeHow to know if your treatment plan needs adjustmentThe role of therapy, structure, and lifestyle alongside medicationDr. Ryan Sultan, MD is a double board-certified psychiatrist, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia, and the Founder & Medical Director of Integrative Psychiatry in Chelsea, NYC, and Miami, FL. He leads NIH-funded research on ADHD and comorbidities and has published in JAMA, The Journal of Adolescent Health, and JAACAP. Clinically, he works with children and adults navigating conditions like anxiety, depression, and substance use.Medical Disclaimer:This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.Skye Waterson is not a medical doctor and does not make treatment recommendations.Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about diagnosis, medication, or treatment for ADHD or any other condition. P.S. If your ADHD symptoms turn every business day into chaos—unfinished tasks piling up, revenue stuck, systems that don't stick—it's not you. It's your operating system. We help service business owners unblock their next $50-500k with simple systems that focus their brain. Watch this video to see how we do it, then take the program walkthrough.