The Gift Of Hyperfocus: It's an Outstanding Business Strength
Dear reader
Before we discuss this topic, I want to make it clear that I do not consider neurodivergence a superpower—certainly not my own, anyway.
Maybe I'd feel differently if we lived in a world that accommodated our needs and sensitivities or lived more in touch with the rhythms of the earth with less noise and less pressure.
As it is, we live in a patriarchal capitalist society, where masking who we are is rewarded, and daily life is challenging.
That said, there are facets of our experience that are unique and unusual, and I suppose from an outsider's point of view, they could be viewed as superpowers.
As a neurodivergent woman, I've been riding the strange but exciting hyperfocus wave all my life.
Hyperfocus is a nuanced aspect of neurodivergence that defies a single experience but can essentially be described as channelling all our energy and concentration into a single task, blocking out distractions, and entering a deep, unbroken state that can last for hours or sometimes even days and weeks.
Both Autistic people and those with ADHD can experience hyperfocus. Still, a study published in 2022 found that Autistic children had higher rates of attentional strength than those just with ADHD or with no neurodivergence at all.
I won't deny it's a highly pleasurable, addictive, flowing state. One I feel genuinely at home in.
And it can lead to extraordinary achievements.
But...
Although—as you'll know if you hyperfocus—it's not all roses, not by any means. Constant periods of hyperfocus can leave us incredibly burned out, isolated from our friends and family and even depressed.
I've experienced all of these side effects multiple times. This boom-and-bust cycle can bring us pleasure amid the highs, but it ultimately feels like a curse.
And it can feel like we have no control over it.
In the past, before I knew I was neurodivergent, I had no control over it; I'd experience weeks of it.
I sometimes worked 14-hour days. I wouldn't move my bum from the chair—researching, reading, typing and writing. I only paused—resentfully—to grab food or use the bathroom.
And nobody better try and pull me away from my focus, or they'll feel my rage!
But nothing is worse than the hyperfocus crash—the moment our mind and body say no more.
It would always end the same way: I'd be burned out, in bed, ashamed. This went on for year after miserable year.
My mum pulled me to one side some years ago.
Hannah, there is something very odd about the concentrated effort you put into things and then have to spend days in bed afterwards.
I agreed with her. We spoke about it in some detail, but neither of us knew why I behaved like this.
I got up from the kitchen table, walked past her with new research tucked under my arm— frothing at the mouth as I eagerly started yet another project— and shrugged: Yeah, who knows?
Neurodivergent traits are often misunderstood or underestimated.
From experience, I know they can be disabling, but I'm now learning that hyperfocus can also be harnessed.
Hyperfocus can be a massive gift if approached carefully and strategically.
After years of trial and error, I can now say that hyperfocus is a potent tool in my business and a brilliant asset in my life.
Besides when I see coaching clients, I now use it to complete nearly all of my work.
Blog posts, website copy, planning, research, design, and system implementation—the list is endless.
It hasn't been easy, and I'm not entirely in control yet, but I am on my way to being.
Maybe I'll never achieve perfection, and that's okay.
Can we choose what we Hyperfocus on?
A few years ago, I'd have said no.
Now, after spending years dissecting myself and learning to make my life more manageable, I'd say yes—to an extent.
I do this in two ways.
Firstly, if I feel a hyperfocus event emerging in my brain and body, I pull back before it takes hold. I promise I'll return to it when I can and add the topic/project/idea on my phone notes.
This takes a lot of willpower, but it is achievable. Identifying my hyperfocus topic and committing it to a list seems to signal to my brain that it's okay to let it go for now, alleviating some of the agitation.
Secondly, I create set time periods within my week specifically for strategic hyperfocusing. This is where I dive back into my notes and decide what to focus on for this set period.
Interestingly, some of the items I so excitedly added no longer interest me, so I can put them on the back of the list or even delete them.
Caveat: I actively oppose fast/busy over-productivity in a working week. It leads to anxiety and, eventually, burnout.
Strategic Hyperfocus is different.
It involves focusing on something we’ve planned for a period of time—perhaps one or two afternoons a week—where we intentionally forget everything else.
Sunday is one of my hyperfocus days. Something about Sundays, when the world is quieter, lends itself to my state. It helps me to nestle in, and I can produce high-quality work at lightning speed.
Problem-solving comes quickly and easily in this state.
I can zero in on a complex issue with such intensity that everything becomes clear.
I can unravel intricate knots in data or ideas or make really unique connections between seemingly disparate ideas. This immersion isn't just about the time I spend—it's about the quality of the insight I gain during that time.
Plenty more...
Beyond problem-solving, hyperfocus enables flashes of brilliant thinking—those rare aha moments. It's a deep dive into the creative subconscious where the most avant-garde ideas reside.
Hyperfocus is also our friend when it comes to rapid learning and mastering new skills. When hyperfocused, our mind becomes a sponge capable of absorbing masses of complicated information.
I've experienced times when I learned new software tools and, within hours, achieved proficiency that might have taken days or weeks under normal circumstances.
The skills I acquire are deeply understood and retained. This depth of mastery can translate into significant expertise, cultivating a reputation as a reliable, highly skilled professional.
Many people (friends and clients) contact me regularly to ask how pieces of tech work or the best way to do something. I likely already know (because entrepreneurship is one of my special interests), or I'll find out for them during a hyperfocus session.
A reframe.
I've spoken to a handful of other neurodivergent women about this specific topic—strategic hyperfocusing— and they tell me they, too, are able to work in this way.
Instead of a limitation, it becomes a secret weapon in the competitive landscape of work or business, enabling neurodivergent women to excel in ways others can't.
This shift in perspective—viewing hyperfocus not as a hindrance but as a unique strength—opens up a world of possibilities for us.
And let me tell you just in case you're worried about losing your hyperfocus highs, hyperfocusing on these specific topics at these ring-fenced times is just as pleasurable— in my experience—as usual, gung-ho hyperfocus.
Perhaps even more so, as there's no nagging in the back of my mind that I'm going to get burned out and eventually feel ashamed.
I get very excited when I know I have a hyperfocus session coming up, and I plan for it.
I ensure my working position is ergonomic to prevent pain in my right hip. I set alarms to take regular breaks. I aim to move my body every hour, so I place my yoga mat next to my desk - a quick Hatha sequence works wonders. I keep nutritious drinks and snacks within sight and easy reach.
None of this happened in one go. It's a practice. And perhaps it's only been achievable because my health has been in tatters. This means there's NO WAY I'm returning to that place, so I have a militant approach to my wellbeing now.
Five Action Points for Strategic Hyperfocus:
1. Identify Hyperfocus Triggers: Observe and document what topics or tasks trigger you. Recognise the signs you're about to enter a hyperfocus state and be mindful of them.
2. Create a 'Hyperfocus Ideas' List: When you feel the urge, jot down the topic or task in a dedicated list on your phone or journal. This will signal to your brain that the idea is safely stored and can be revisited later, helping you to let go.
3. Schedule Hyperfocus Sessions: Allocate specific time periods in your week for hyperfocusing. Consistently dedicate a few hours to diving into the topics from your 'Hyperfocus Ideas' list. This will bring structure and make it more manageable.
4. Set Boundaries and Use Timers: Establish clear boundaries for your hyperfocus sessions. Use timers or alarms to remind yourself to take breaks and stay within the scheduled time. This helps prevent burnout and ensures you remain productive over the long term.
5. Practice Self-Reflection and Adjustment: After each hyperfocus session, take some time to reflect on what worked well and what didn't. Adjust your approach as needed. Gradually, you'll refine your ability to enter, manage, and exit hyperfocus more effectively.
Learning to harness hyperfocus strategically was not an overnight feat but a continuous practice laden with trial and error and countless moments of self-discovery.
It's a balancing act of honouring my neurodivergent traits while maintaining my wellbeing.
Every step I've taken toward mastering this gift has been a step towards understanding myself better and, hopefully, empowering others to do the same.
