It would be unfair to say I am not creative in my work. I interview people, compose television scripts, web stories and record voice-over tracks for those stories day-in-and-day-out.
The work takes creative intelligence for sure.
But sometimes, when reporting on some stories, I get an itch to try my hand at something different.
Take this story on a collaborative project between a group of Greater Cincinnati writers and illustrators. They created an anthology-style comic book called “Cincinnati Cabinet of Curiosities,” where artists re-imagine popular and not so famous local urban legends.
What got me wasn’t their ability to draw. I can hardly draw a recognizable stick figure.
It was the fact that some of the folks I interviewed also run a podcast. Looking at our group zoom interview after the story aired on television (see embed below), I thought, “Hey, I could do this too!”
I have the equipment to put a podcast together. I lack the technical knowledge to produce one. It is so frustrating to learn a new skill, but I think it is time this old dog learned a new craft.
So, stay tuned for a poorly edited podcast based on the Zoom interview mentioned above.
I wasn’t diagnosed with acute ADHD until I was 38 years old. What can I say? I’m a late bloomer.
That also means I spent most of my life frustrated with myself and belittled by others for not being able to focus or just . . .
I was only diagnosed after entering a new work environment that was loud and chaotic, which spiked my inability to stay focused for long periods of time.
I found myself with two choices at the time: Either figure out what was going on or lose my job.
Initially, I thought I might be dyslexic.
After taking a battery of tests, the psychologist who administered them looked at me and said, “Holy shit! I’ve worked with children and adults for 18 years and have never seen someone with as an acute a case of ADHD as you. How have you functioned this long?”
I’m pretty sure the comment was a mixture of truth and an attempt to disarm me with humor. Anyway, the diagnosis led to coping strategies and some medicine.
It helped. I never told my boss about the diagnosis. He just assumed I miraculously got my shit together.
Through the diagnosis I also learned I have a superpower. It’s called hyperfocus.
Here is what hyperfocus is, as explained in the ADD-centric publication “ADDitude”:
“Hyperfocus, a common — but confusing — symptom of ADHD, is the ability to zero in intensely on an interesting project or activity for hours at a time. It is the opposite of distractibility, and it is common among both children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”
The best part about hyperfocus is my ability to spend hours fixated on a work task that I find completely engaging. The worst part about hyperfocus is my ability to spend hours fixated on a work task that I find completely engaging.
The truly funny part about sharing my ADHD diagnosis, work woes and hyperfocus superpower wasn’t even why I began writing this blog post.
I started out wanting to share the graphic below I created for work before Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason, Ohio announced its new 300-foot-tall giga-coaster, Orion on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. (The coaster opens next spring.)
Graphic by Brian Mains for WCPO
As I started to write this post though, I realized I probably spent way too much time creating the graphic, which reminded me of my ADHD and the pitfalls of hyperfocus.
And that’s what led me here – the end of this post, where I share another aspect of my ADHD – I ALWAYS underestimate how long it will take me to do something because I ALWAYS forget that I ALWAYS find myself meandering down a few side streets and tangents along the way.
And I don’t mean the type of writing I do for work (though lately, I’ve found that to be highly rewarding as well).
I mean sitting down and just sharing whatever comes out.
Maybe it’s a photo or gratitude list or an issue that I’m wrestling with.
But it is summertime.
The start of the season is always busy.
Bunbury Music Festival
There are a ton of summer events to cover for work, alongside graduation parties, birthdays and group outings with friends and family.
And yardwork. Oh, how I hate cutting grass.
Also, running in heat and humidity.
Dear God, give me the willingness to start running outdoors. I’ve been lax in my devotion to covering miles of asphalt recently. I am growing cranky and fat(ter).
Amen.
Which leads me to this – I’m complaining but not really complaining.
If given the choice, I’d always choose to be busy rather than bored.
Boring is dangerous.
It means I have time to think, like really think.
And when I think too much, my mind will manufacture drama to combat the boredom.
That kind of drama is never good.
So, this is me, sitting here and writing this post for no apparent rhyme or reason.
I’m just trying to remind myself to not stop what I tried to start again a few months ago – resurrect this blog.
Using my ADHD superpower of hyperfocus for good – namely obsessing over a creative problem until I came up with a creative solution for a work project 💪🏻
Texting stay-in dinner prepping and plans with my fiancée 🍽
Remembering that I’m at my best when focused more on process instead of end product (be that a personal goal, work project or target marathon)
Informal group runs begin Tuesday evening 🏃🏼
A running friend group-texting pictures of his newborn grandson and his other months-old grandson 👼🏼
Receiving multiple updates from my mother and sister about my almost-three-year-old niece using the potty. I loved the pride they exuded about as much as my niece’s developmental milestone 😍
The number of old friends who I have not spoken with in a long time whom have contacted me lately
Daydreaming about summer activities
The return of spring temps, if only for a couple of days
Coming home late after a long day of work and still finding the desire to write this list
