28 Jul Hyperfocus: When ADHD Works in Your Favor
Brooklyn Letters
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
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We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old -
Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
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I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
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Excellent services, caring therapists.
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Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
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We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
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We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
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The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
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Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
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I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
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Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
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Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
Thanks to both for a job well done... -
Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
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Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
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One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
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I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
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Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
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I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
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Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
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My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
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I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
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Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
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Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
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Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
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As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
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We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
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Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
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Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
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We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
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We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
HYPERFOCUS: WHEN ADHD WORKS IN YOUR FAVOR
You’re sitting on your chair at your desk, trying to focus on that report you need to finish, but your mind keeps wandering. You check your email, peek at social media, and get up for a snack. But then something sparks your interest, a new idea or project, and suddenly you’re down the rabbit hole. Hours pass in what seems like minutes. Congratulations, you’ve entered the hyperfocus zone.
For those with ADHD, hyperfocus is a double-edged sword. While it makes concentration nearly impossible for mundane tasks when your brain does lock into something, watch out. You’re unstoppable. Hyperfocus is like a superpower, allowing you to immerse yourself in activity and block out the world completely. The trick is harnessing this ability and directing it toward your priorities. When you can tap into hyperfocus at will, your productivity and creativity know no bounds.
What Is Hyperfocus?
Hyperfocus is an intense mental concentration that people with ADHD can tap into. When hyperfocused, the world seems to fade away, and you become engrossed in the task at hand. For those brief periods, you have a laser-like focus that allows you to block out distractions and work at an optimal level.
Hyperfocus tends to kick in when you’re doing an activity that stimulates your mind, like a hobby, creative pursuit, or deep work. It is as if your brain temporarily rewires to channel all mental energy into that fascination. The key is finding what triggers that hyperfocus for you and then optimizing your environment to enable it.
Some tips to activate your hyperfocus superpower:
- Choose work you find meaningful or challenging. Routine or mundane tasks won’t do it.
- Minimize distractions. Find a quiet, secluded space to work. Turn off notifications on your devices.
- Start working, even if you do not feel “in the zone” yet. Getting started is often the hardest part, and hyperfocus may kick in once you have begun.
- Take short breaks when needed to recharge and renew your mental focus. Step away from your work for a few minutes, then dive back in.
- Try to recognize the signs that you’re entering a hyperfocus state.
Things like losing track of time, not noticing what is happening around you, and feeling deeply immersed in the work. Leverage those moments! You can harness your hyperfocus and accomplish amazing things with the right conditions and techniques. Pretty cool for what is often seen as a “disorder,” right?
How Hyperfocus Impacts Productivity
When you hyperfocus, the world fades away, immersing you in the task at hand. For those with ADHD, hyperfocus can be an unexpected productivity superpower.
Hyperfocus allows you to work at an intense concentration level for extended periods. You become almost oblivious to everything else going on around you. In this state, you can churn out high volumes of work in a flow state. The hours fly by in what seems like minutes.
Choosing Your Targets Wisely
The key is harnessing this ability and directing it at important or meaningful tasks. Don’t waste a precious hyperfocus session on busywork or mindless chores. Choose ambitious and engaging projects that motivate or excite you. Creative endeavors that leverage your passions are ideal.
Setting the Right Environment
Minimize distractions when you want to tap into hyperfocus. Find a place without interruptions by technology, notifications, or people. Ambient music without lyrics works great for some, while others prefer total silence. Make sure you have snacks, water, and comfort items within easy reach so you can keep working without disruption.
While hyperfocus may be outside of your control, you can set the stage to encourage it and be ready to take advantage when it strikes. With the right targets and environment, you can get a huge amount of rewarding work done during these focused periods. The productivity payoff makes the effort to harness your hyperfocus well worth it.
Harnessing Your Hyperfocus Superpower
When you have ADHD, hyperfocus can be an unexpected superpower. Hyperfocus is an intense form of concentration where you tune out the world and tune into a task. This laser-sharp focus allows you to work for hours on end without noticing the passage of time.
Harnessing Your Hyperfocus
The key is tapping into hyperfocus when you want and on what you want. Some tips for harnessing your hyperfocus superpower:
- Pick tasks that interest you. Hyperfocus comes most easily when you’re doing something you find fascinating or exciting. Choose activities, chores, or work projects that you find stimulating.
- Minimize distractions. Turn off notifications on your devices and try to limit interruptions. A quiet space is ideal for hyperfocus.
- Start working. Often the hardest part is just diving in. Once you get started, hyperfocus usually kicks in automatically. The beginning is half the battle, so just get to work, and your focus will follow.
- Take breaks when needed. While hyperfocus feels effortless, it can be mentally taxing. Take short breaks when you start to feel burnt out or distracted. Staying in an extended hyperfocused state for too long can lead to exhaustion and reduced productivity.
- Review how to trigger it again. Pay attention to the conditions that spark your hyperfocus so you can recreate them. The more you practice, the easier it will be to tap into this concentrated state when you need it most.
With the ability to hyperfocus at your command, you have a potent tool for accomplishing important tasks and engaging in work you find meaningful. While ADHD presents certain challenges, hyperfocus demonstrates the unique strengths and skills you have to offer. Harness this superpower and see how much you can achieve.
Conclusion
So while ADHD can often feel like a struggle, know that hyperfocus is a superpower that comes with it. Learn to harness it, and you’ll be unstoppable. Pay attention to the things that trigger your hyperfocus so you can activate it when you need it most. Minimize distractions, get in the zone, and watch yourself achieve in ways you never thought possible. Your ADHD may make some parts of life difficult, but with a hyperfocus on your side, you have a secret weapon that you can leverage to allow you to accomplish amazing things.
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Craig Selinger
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