How Joy Transforms Productivity for ADHD and ASD
The Power of Fun
Hello! 😁
After yet another frustrating visit to my occupational therapist, I decided to pick up a book I had read earlier this year, Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal. As I started re-reading it, I realized something important, no external help, not even medication or guidance, can make my days work smoothly. I have to figure out how to make them work by myself.
This time around, as I read the book again, something stood out that I hadn't fully noticed before. The key isn't just to get things done, it's to have fun while doing them. The first chapter talks about the importance of bringing energy and play into your work, and there's a story about Professor Richard Feynman that drives this point home.
Back in the 1940s, Feynman, a brilliant physicist, had grown tired of his work. It had become a chore. Then one day, he saw some kids throwing a plate around, which sparked his curiosity and excitement. That fun little moment led him to dive into a whole new project, one that eventually earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics. Because he found joy in it, the work didn’t feel like a chore. It energized him, and that spark kept him going without burnout.
This got me thinking about my own struggles. In school, I always hated assignments. They were difficult and no fun at all. Even now, with art, something I love, I struggle when it feels like a “must-do” task. When it turns into something obligatory, it becomes a chore, and I lose interest. That’s why, when I’m given an assignment, like drawing a portrait from a specific reference, I tend to tweak it. I’ll use the reference, but I’ll turn it into something fun for me, like drawing my original characters or fan art. It’s a way of keeping the process enjoyable, and when it’s fun, it doesn’t feel like a chore anymore.
When something becomes fun and interesting, I can hyperfocus on it until it’s done, classic ADHD and ASD behavior. No medication in the world can give you that kind of drive! Sure, people suggest turning boring tasks into fun ones, but I haven't fully figured out how to do that yet. An example could be cleaning while listening to music or doing it with someone, but it's still a challenge for me.
What’s clear is that when we feel good while doing something, we’ll keep doing it. For those of us with ADHD and ASD, this is even more critical because our motivation is often at rock bottom. I'm just at the beginning of the book, so I’m sure I’ll learn more as I continue. I plan to take notes and apply what I learn to see how it goes, and I’ll share those experiences along the way.
If my occupational therapist won’t help me, then maybe these books will. Even if they’re not specifically written for those with neuropsychiatric disorders, there’s still plenty of wisdom we can use.
❄️ My Art Journey
It’s been a surprisingly chill week, which, to be honest, feels a bit out of the ordinary.
First off, I have to admit that I’ve been procrastinating like a pro when it comes to my Halloween drawing (Artwork Bellow). I keep going back and forth: should I use watercolors or go digital? And then there's the question of whether to film the whole process or not. I even sat down and wrote out my “5 Whys” to figure out why I’m procrastinating so much. If you're curious, I can tell you all about it, it's been quite the revelation!
On a brighter note, I revisited a cold landscape painting from a course by 21 Draws that I had attempted before. This time, I stuck to what the instructor was doing instead of going rogue with my own style, and it turned out so much better. Plus, the video for it is out now too!
Oh, and remember the course I mentioned last week? It’s finally released, and I’m absolutely loving it. Ben Eblen’s style just speaks to me in a way that makes learning feel effortless. It’s refreshing, really. I can’t wait to dive deeper into it.
❄️ What to Read next?
Thank you so much for your generosity and support!
Love your art and you are so right about hyperfocus! Enjoying what you do is the key. I’m finding the same with writing. If I set myself a deadline or an expectation to write X posts a month, it becomes a chore and I no longer find it enjoyable. No expectations + play equals good work I think!
Your landscapes look awesome!! Love them!