Time blindness and the power of presence

I’ve recently been studying ADHD and how those on this spectrum (and the thing about a spectrum is that we are all on it somewhere) experience and process differently. I was particularly taken with a great summary pdf called the “5 Pillars of ADHD Strategy Guide” (download here) produced and shared by Jesse J Anderson as he readies to publish his book “Refocus”. What leapt off the page for me most was the concept that ADHD people “recognize only two times: “now” and “not now”, anchored by this quote:

ADHD is, to summarize it in a single phrase, time blindness

Russell A. Barkley, PhD

Neurotypical brains have an “Importance-based” nervous system, focussed upon a) prioritising importance, and b) rewards or consequences for doing or not doing tasks.

ADHD brains aren’t motivated by these concepts. They understand them, but they aren’t motivated by them. Yes, for neurotypical people that is really difficult to understand, but it is the reality. Instead, their nervous system is “Interest-based”, motivated by things like Interest, Challenge, Competition, Creativity, Urgency (now!), Passion.

Going back to “now” or “not now”, Jesse gives an example: “when my wife tells me dinner will be ready in 10 minutes, what I hear is “dinner is not ready now”. A really important project is due…