There's some evidence that ADHD brains in particular may have trouble forming habits as they're traditionally thought of. But that doesn't mean they have no value for us!

This episode is about how to lean into the part of habit formation that may work for us (spoiler alert, you may need WEIRD rewards)

Builds on last week's episode, Self-Awareness vs. Solutions

p.s. hopefully the birdsong in the background isn't too annoying... I recorded with the windows open and didn't realize it would pick up!

p.p.s. by the time you listen to this, we'll be at 1,000,000 downloads 🥳

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You may have been told that you're "so self-aware," yet struggle to actually implement solutions. In the moment, you might be lacking the support, the executive function, the initiation energy, etc.

Introspection and self-awareness are great, but they're not the end of the process.

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In the context of learning a musical instrument, it's obvious that there's a period of not being good at it. Whether you call it mediocrity or a skill gap, there's often a gap between where you are and where you want to be.

There are many cases in which we can only improve by doing, trying, and yes, failing. It's uncomfortable and that's normal. You don't have to like it, but it is a step in learning or improving.

I HATE IT. And I also know it's going to happen.

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Trying to do all of the things, all of the time is a recipe for being stuck.

Instead, do some of the things, some of the time.

The episode also talks about a couple of imagination techniques that may help with some types of PDA or other demand avoidance.

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Last week we talked about creative entrepreneurship.

This episode is about my recent & current creative blocks and insecurities that cover some of the difficulties of being a professional creative.

And because people may ask: here's my pre-transition voice, and more-or-less current voice

Related episodes: 

1. 100 Creative Time Limitations
2. 24 Redefining Creative Success with Chris Hale

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Jon Hart is building an online space for neurodivergent musicians. And our conversation focused on the entrepreneurship side of things, because occasionally our disability disables us!

Being a creative entrepreneur has its own challenges. One of which is having too many ideas...

• neurodivergentmusicians.com & the research questionnaire
• jonhartmusic.com

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Predictive Processing (or coding) differences are a relatively new proposed idea about an underlying mechanism of autism. Preliminary studies do show differences, but not necessarily "deficits," which I think is promising.

While it may not explain everything, it's a compelling theory that resonates in my anecdotal experience.

• The predictive coding theory of autism, explained (article w audio option)
• Predictive processing as a mechanistic account of Autism (video talk sent to me & I haven't listened yet)
• Understanding Autism through Predictive Processing (blog post)
• How the "Predictive Processing Framework" is Impacting Your Relationship (audio talk by Sarah Bergenfield)
• 2025 paper on predictive processing, available for free as of now

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I just had a shocking experience regarding my own energy levels while on vacation. Truly, I never would have predicted it even if you laid out all of the details going in.

This episode is about figuring out what drains and rejuvenates your energy, so you can start to choose where that (technically limited) bucket of energy goes.

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The story of a meltdown. For me these days, that includes some intrusive thoughts around being a burden.

You are not a burden. And even if we are sometimes, that's okay. I want to be a part of communities that can carry each other sometimes.

repost of ep 23

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This week I pushed my body way too far, even though I was having trouble parsing that in the moment. The story is also a great analogy for how other ND internal needs feel (including PDA).

Even with all the info, self-kindness, and support, I still struggle to find that exact line of capacity. It's okay that it's hard to figure out!

This is the perfect and slightly ironic follow-up from last week's episode about giving up on NT/ableist expectations ;) (ep 80)

Repost of ep. 81

Mentioned in episode:

• wish list
• Experimenting Your Way to an Extraordinary Life
• Comparative Grammar of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French (affiliate link)
• Mackareth's Neurocomplexity model (& affiliate link if you want to sign up)

Resources:

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