My very first client during my coach training program was up against a high-stakes deadline at work—if he failed he would get fired, but if he succeeded he would get a promotion. Completing the task was well within his skillset, but as he described it, “My neurodivergency was getting in the way.” And none of his usual tools were working.

He likes Hero’s Journey metaphors, so I said, “This is your High Tower Surprise. How are you going to slay the dragon?”

“I’m not,” he said, “I’m going to befriend the dragon. That’s how I finally succeed, by befriending my neurodivergency.

In accepting his neurodivergent traits as allies rather than enemies, he found the clarity and focus he needed to finish the task, meet the deadline, and secure the promotion.

This mirrored my own journey during this time: recognizing that I almost certainly have ADHD, and learning to work with it.

The key is in transforming Hyperfocus into Flow State.

Hyperfocus is an intense concentration on a task, often to the exclusion of everything else.  It can feel like an amazing super-power, but it can also be difficult to control.

Flow State is a balanced, controlled mental state where focus, creativity, and productivity align.

What does it take to transform Hyperfocus into Flow? It starts with these essential tools I call the Four Keys:

• Curiosity: Spark your curiosity to engage your focus--it’s like convincing your brain that the task is worthy of hyperfocus.

• Self-Awareness: Notice when hyperfocus is helping you versus when it’s pulling you off track.

• Resilience: Develop strategies for recovering quickly when distractions or setbacks disrupt your Flow.

• Boundaries: Protect your focus by limiting distractions, managing your energy, and prioritizing tasks that align with your goals.

I’m exploring these tools in my upcoming free ebook, “Befriending the Dragon: From Hyperfocus to Flow in Career and Life.”

What’s one ADHD trait you’re ready to work with instead of against? How might the Four Keys help you transform it? Let me know in the comments.