Episode 27: Ben Tobin

Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Welcome to episode #27 We’re thrilled to be joined by Ben Tobin today. . Welcome to the show Ben!

Ben Tobin is an ADHD and career coach. He spent 20 years working in tech and now uses his experience of working with ADHD as both an employee and a leader to help others succeed in their own lives and careers.

Questions

1. JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
   1. Neurodiverse/neurotypical terms
      1. Politically charged
      2. Can be polarising
      3. Prefers “people with ADHD”, “People with brains like mine”
      4. “Neurotypical” people like everyone else
   2. Evolution of the treatment of people that don’t have brains like everyone elses
      1. Pros
         1. Companies seeing how people can be more inclusive.
         2. Allows community, the labels can help connection - group identity.
      2. Cons
         1. Labels can create walls/pigeon-holing.
   3. Strengths of people with brains that work differently:
      1. Different perspectives
      2. Different skills
         1. ADHD / autism can mean hyperfocus.
2. JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
   1. 1 on 1 coaching:
      1. Goals
      2. Strategies to achieve goals (career, life)
   2. Group coaching (ADHD)
3. JN: How do you like to wind down after work?
   1. Video games
      1. Breath of the wild.
   2. Long distance cycling
4. JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
   1. Espresso machine (caffeine hound)
   2. Plan day (bullet journaling - twice daily reflection)
5. JN: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
   1. Schedule keeps him on track
   2. Balanced with flexibility
      1. Accepting sometimes it’s not the right time
      2. But tries to be intentional, make it a decision
         1. Choice between
            1. Moving it
            2. Doing it
            3. Deleting is not an option - interesting. Might be good to go deeper on. Prob not enough time though 🤔
      3. Having a balance keeps him from burning out.
6. COMMERCIAL BREAK
7. JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
   1. https://bentobin.com/
8. JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
   1. Building on the planning
      1. Planning for flexibility
         1. Never books appointments back to back
         2. Knowing that coming back from vacation will be tough
      2. Knowing himself and the way he works

Joey’s creativity course

https://thepluckyjester.com/habitling-habit-building-course