Hyperfocus: My ADHD “Superpower” in Power Platform Consultancy

As a Senior Technical Power Platform Consultant, my journey is deeply intertwined with a key aspect of my ADHD: hyperfocus. While Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can present a unique set of challenges, particularly for someone like me with the combined subtype, I've found that one of its most potent traits - hyperfocus - has become a significant advantage in my professional life, especially within the Power Platform space.

Stats

The inattentive subtype of ADHD accounts for 20 to 30% of cases. The hyperactive impulse subtype accounts for 15% of cases. The combined subtype (which is my subtype) accounts for between 50 and 75% of cases.

Approximately 15 to 20% of the adult workforce have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Institutions like Gartner recognise the value of people with neurodiversity issues, believing that from 2024 and beyond, realising this value is one of their top 10 strategic predictions.

ADHD is about compensating for the lack of stimulation coming from the brain. Someone with ADHD will thrive in a multi-faceted job where they can shift from one task to another. However, as ADHD thrives on challenges, they may struggle in a non-stimulating and monotonous job role. When choosing a job it is important to match your skill set with the work you are doing. More debilitating ADHD symptoms are seen when there is a mismatch in what the person is doing and their skills. In a non-stimulating environment there is less ability to multi-task whereas in a job which meets their criterias, they may flourish.

- Dr Khurram Sadiq, Consultant Psychiatrist

Source - https://augmentive.io/blog/workplace-adhd-statistics-uk

A blessing and a curse

For me, hyperfocus is truly a blessing and a curse.

When I'm passionate about a subject, I can dive incredibly deep, to the point of losing all concept of time and working late into the night without realising it. It has been known on multiple occasions where I look at the time and think SHIT! I’ve forgotten to pick the kids up from school again. My wife sometimes says she can hear my brain whirring. While this intensity can lead to getting "bogged down" or even being a bit

"difficult" if challenged on a particular approach, it also allows for intense concentration and rapid development. It's a superpower that lets me tune out distractions, even squealing pigs outside my window (feel free to ask), when I'm engrossed in a task. My mind can sometimes feel like "a browser with too many tabs open", but hyperfocus allows me to concentrate on one.

My discovery of the Power Platform was a "light bulb moment" for me. It resonated because it's inherently visual, allows for quick results, and offers a structured approach to building solutions and ultimately helping others which has been intrinsic to my character.

This combination perfectly complements how my brain works. Given my reliance on visual communication and the challenges I sometimes face with the written word, the visual nature of the Power Platform is particularly helpful. I'm very passionate about low-code solutions.

The synergy between my hyperfocus and the Power Platform is evident in how I approach and deliver projects. When faced with a complex client requirement or a new technical challenge, my hyperfocus kicks in, allowing me to immerse myself fully in finding innovative solutions.

Clifton Strengths

Clifton Strengths are a framework that help you discover what you naturally do best And help you learn how to develop your greatest talents into strengths you can then use your personalised results and reports to maximize your potential. Doing this was a game changer for me. I was able to play to these.

You can find out more here https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/253676/how-cliftonstrengths-works.aspx

My strengths:

This aligns with my "Input" CliftonStrength, which describes a natural curiosity and a need to collect and archive information, often leading to deep dives into topics of interest. For instance, Mike Gowland and and I developed the "Just Ask It" solution, an Al tool designed to help consultants quickly generate domain-specific Dataverse schemas, user stories, and Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs). This tool was born from my ability to go down a "rabbit hole" and "dive deep" into Al technologies, building something practical in just a weekend.

The challenge of not having specific domain knowledge for diverse clients, like a water utility or an aircraft parts manufacturer, was a key driver, and this tool now provides a "starting point" for confident client conversations. This rapid development, leading to a comprehensive document that could save "a couple of days" of traditional consulting work, is a direct outcome of leveraging my hyperfocus, combined with my

"Arranger" CliftonStrength that helps organise pieces and resources for maximum productivity and my "Developer" strength which thrives on cultivating potential and seeing progress.

Hyperfocus management - is it possible ?

Of course, managing hyperfocus is crucial. While it's a powerful asset, l've learned to rely on coping strategies to balance its intensity. Things like blogging help me remember complex tasks in a structured way. I use multiple apps and notebooks for lists to combat forgetfulness. Being upfront and honest about my ADHD with colleagues and clients (when appropriate) helps foster understanding. I also filter my emotional responses, especially in emails, by stepping away or consulting with trusted friends and colleagues. Surrounding yourself with these key allies is very important. The structured nature of my work, using Azure DevOps for task management, also provides a beneficial framework that I appreciate. My "Positivity" CliftonStrength helps me encourage others, and my "Woo" talent facilitates building rapport, which is vital in client-facing roles.

Ultimately, my journey with ADHD, particularly hyperfocus, has shaped my approach to Power Platform consultancy. It allows me to become deeply engrossed in client problems, leading to creative and efficient solution delivery.

Embracing neurodiversity, as a previous employer actively supported through initiatives like the neurodiversity pathway in private health care and the "squirrel group", is not just about accommodation, but about recognising and 43 harnessing unique strengths that bring immense value to the workplace.

For someone who is reading this, and resonates with this, remember to take breaks. Remember hyperfocus can lead to burnout. Even if what you are hyperfocussing on can be the thing in your life that you are most passionate about.

Take care of yourself, and reach out if you need to chat about this more.

As always. Thanks for reading.

Jon