Autistic flow and the hyper-productivity switch - Does this happen to you too?

Autistic flow is a truly inspired and creative state. However, it's not always easy to find and the other side of the coin is a state of severe executive dysfunction. How can you flip your hyper-productivity switch?
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// WELCOME TO ASPERGERS FROM THE INSIDE!!
My name is Paul and I discovered I have Aspergers at age 30.
If you're new you can check out a playlist of some of my most popular videos here: / aspergersfromtheinside
Yes, I know, I don't look autistic. That's exactly why I started this blog, because if I didn't show you, you would never know.
As the name suggests, this channel is devoted to giving you insight into the world of Aspergers.
This blog started off being just my story, but I've learned SO MUCH about my own condition
from meeting others on the Autism Spectrum that now I make sure to feature their stories as well.
I've come a long way in my own personal journey.
Now I'm sharing what I've found so you don't have to learn it the hard way too.
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// WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS BLOG
You can expect me to get to the point with concise useful information.
I focus on what is most important and don't shy away from difficult topics.
The best way to learn about Autism is to see it in real life ( i.e. via the stories of many, many people on the spectrum).
In this channel I endeavour to show you what Autism and Aspergers look like in real people and to also give you some insight as to what's happening on the inside.
I upload a new video every weekend with some bonus content thrown in mid-week too.
There's always new stuff coming through so be sure to check back and see what you've missed. (Is this where I'm supposed to tell you to hit that subscribe button?)
Topics Include:
- What is Aspergers/Autism?
- Aspie Tips, coping strategies, and advice on common issues
- Learning Emotional Intelligence (this is my special interest!)
- Autism in real life: stories from special guests
Everything I do is and endeavour to go deeper and take you 'behind the scenes' to understand what may, at first glance, seem 'odd'.
oh, and I love busting stereotypes and turning preconceptions upsidedown :)
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// ABOUT ME
I discovered I have aspergers at the age of thrity.
It has been my life's mission to understand these funny creatures we call humans.
My special interest is a combination of emotional intelligence, psychology, neuroscience, thinking styles, behaviour, and motivation. (I.e. what makes people tick)
My background is in engineering and I see the world in systems to be analysed.
My passion is for taking the incredibly complex, deciphering the pattern, and explaining it very simply.
My philosophy is that blogging is an adventure best shared.
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// EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING
I also run autism friendly online emotional intelligence training. So if you like my direct, systematic style, and would like to improve your own emotional intelligence skills, check it out here:
emotionsexplain...
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// CONTACT
Blogging is an adventure best shared which means I'd love to hear from you!
Feel free to leave me a comment or send me and email at any time and I'll do my best to respond promptly.
Email: [e-mail]
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this channel!
I look forward to hearing from you!
Peace,
~Paul

[@Rob_TheOne]

Does anyone else get upset when you are interrupted on that flow state? Because you know it could take all day to get back there?

[@dharmapearl]

Absolutely. It’s like my whole body reacts to the interruption.

[@ankhetgoddess5015]

Yes, I definitely do. It's hard to get back in the flow if I am even able to at all. 😮‍💨

[@joshknapp4390]

Absolutely 😓

[@NoticeFeelBreathe]

100%

[@FlowCat]

Yep.. I used to write 10 page papers for philosophy classes and hit this intense flow, where I would bust out those papers in 2-3 hours and get solid As. But then there were general education classes and they would assign short assignments, stuff that should take like 15 minutes, but I would struggle for hours to even get started on them. It definitely had to do with my interest, philosophy makes me feel good and confident, and it's so much fun for me, but biology of food? Mmeeehhhh, not so much.

[@victorhugotoledocofre1366]

It just amazes me how, in all your videos, your every word resonates entirely with me. Thank you for having halped me to know myself better, Paul.

[@deansoderland4287]

Amen

[@felipepereiradasilva7545]

Yep, same here. Just getting started on the journey to finally understand myself. Good luck, mate!

[@maxspruit8370]

Exactly!

[@Ozubura]

But your psych still say to you: why do you think you may have ASD? I’m pretty sure You are trust bipolar or borderline despite none of the medication’s ever working and not therapy ever working l

[@fatimaallawati947]

me too

[@conorreedR2C]

Funny enough, I experienced this just last night. I worked on new music from 6pm to 2am because I was on a roll and I was afraid that, if I stopped, I wouldn't be able to pickup later and finish it. That's why I finished it last night and was able to post the demo to my channel earlier today! It's exhausting; but it works!

[@kermitboy]

Funny enough, I slept through the afternoon yesterday (it was Sunday) woke up at 3 am, ate something and by 11 I have finished with regular work, two posgrad course's homework and I'm just taking a quick refuel to shower, eat again and start with the master's degree homework. It feels amazing being in "the zone"!

[@macronencer]

I know that feeling! I've worked on music through the night, many times. Happens with software too (which is my job). While working yesterday I had an idea for one of my home software project designs. As soon as I finished work, I spent about 2.5 hours just playing with the ideas to make sure they were sound, then typing them out in Evernote so I didn't forget. It was very hard to stop, even though at the back of my mind I knew there were other things I should be doing.

[@tabitas.2719]

@@macronencer I love how your last sentence sums up hyperfocus in a nutshell! :)

[@mollyjane4628]

Paul, I just wanted to thank you for your videos. I’m now 51, diagnosed at age 45, and it’s so very helpful to hear you talking about your perspectives on ASD. It’s still a strange thing for me every now and then to think of myself as a person on the Autism spectrum or as I hear it in my head ( “I’m Autistic”) - because I’m just me, and have been comfortable with myself and uncomfortable with the world since I can remember, but now that I know what’s going on, it’s FANTASTIC to know that I belong to a subculture of really cool quirky people... I’m not alone in this! You’re doing a good thing with these videos. Thanks so much😁, be well friend.

[@dan.j.boydzkreationz]

In New Zealand vs Australia, far too many are mislabelled ADHD or ADD Inattentive

[@AdilaeThaesar]

"Sometimes the more I prepare for something, the less likely I am to be able to get into a state of flow, and to actually be productive, and to perform at all." I felt this in my bones. I thought it was insane when the more I prepped/studied/took notes the worse I seemed to get. I'm not the only one!

[@magic.mistress]

And this is the reason why I quit piano,,, my teacher was disappointed when he found out I knew all the songs but couldn’t tell him what the notes were

[@mollyjane4628]

I think that applies to what teachers used to patronizingly call “different types of intelligence” - but honestly it IS.... keep playing please

[@jo.comics]

Keep playing, especially if you enjoy it. You know who else didn't learn to read notes? Tim Minchin and he's an amazing pianist. He just does it by ear.

[@Red-ij3dz]

@@mollyjane4628 It's shame that you find it patronising as it's certainly not intended that way. I studied Howard Gardener's theory of multiple intelligences as part of my teaching course and I think it's a good thing for educators to be considering that everyone has different strengths and ways of learning rather than just going by the old IQ concept of simply one intelligence which is high or low. As you say, in the O.P's case there's no reason why being able to read the music should be necessary if she's still able to play the instrument.

[@tofumunch69]

Im pretty sure the Beatles never learned to read sheet music either

[@jamesguitarist]

I play drums and guitar and cannot read sheet music. I just listen and re create usually. If you enjoyed it don't stop playing for anyone else.

[@aurorerodallec7252]

yes one day I can work and it's quality work for hours on a project or something I have to do and the other days I can't do anything. I mean yes, I can force myself but I can't concentrate. And then I do this too, it exhausts me. (sorry if I make mistakes, English is not my mother tongue)

[@paxundpeace9970]

It helps myself to always start at a fixed time like at school or in a training session. Then i will try a reasonable amount of work. 3 paragraphs on a paper or a certain number of exercises if i am done with and still have time left or nothing else to do i keep working. If i would have to change subject or take a brake. I would try later about the same amount. Helpful too the classic checklist If you are doing things that require some kind of protocol or order but it works on randon stuff too with less then 6 task it is easier to manage

[@aurorerodallec7252]

@pax und peace Ty, recently I was trying to find out if a to-do list and a strict, straightforward routine would help me. I guess you confirm my hypothesis

[@raylaughlan5324]

This is the one channel where I legit can’t wait for the new video each week lol it’s like a little piece of validation each time I watch one :)

[@ExcuseZero]

Totally agree. I've never studied for a single test in my life, aced them all. But whenever I try to buckle down, I can't stay on task. What helped me was the creation of rituals, turning tasks into milestones, and supportive bosses or coworkers. So, at my last (good) job, it would go something like this: -Arrive, have a smoke before entering. - Figure out department workload and delegate unskilled tasks to those workers - hand a list of skilled tasks to the techs and let them fight it out - smoke - figure out my workload. (Here is where I set my milestones.) - complete task a, smoke, move to b, repeat until done

[@jo.comics]

I will say that that makes sense, but also that the smoking isn't the best ritual to have. Because cancer and environmental damages, yknow. Maybe a cup of tea or coffee would be better.

[@ExcuseZero]

@@jo.comics agreed. It used to be meditation and a fresh chai tea when I was a teen. As I grew into the unrelenting truth of the capitalist machine, I had to find "more labor efficient" ways of offering less of my blood to grease the gears of the economy. This is with the full understanding of what I'm doing to myself, but hey, I think of it as the last way I can stick it to the man: robbing them of 20+ years of labor from right under their noses lol

[@jo.comics]

@@ExcuseZero Well, on the flipside, the tobacco industry and lobbies are huge and buying into that is also supporting capitalism, really. Ideally, buying tea and coffee from local, small vendors who get their products from equally independent and small places would be the best way of sticking it to the man. But I do admire your openness about it.

[@ExcuseZero]

@@jo.comics well thank you! And yeah, I've been meaning to quit (as all smokers are, always), but that's a good idea

[@terranovarubacha5473]

What's the difference between a task and a milestone? How can I make this shift for myself?

[@mollyjane4628]

YES! This is me and I wonder if people mistake me for having bipolar disorder because sometimes I’m very focused, productive and motivated and other times I’m in a fog and terribly moody...

[@tiffytattoo2450]

That makes so much sense! I was diagnosed with bipolar too years ago and never thought it fit right.

[@KittyCatSpartan117]

Mee too :,) this oscillation is not only seen in bipolar but it seems mental health professionals go straight for bipolar. Being a women makes it more probable for this type of misdiagnosis :/

[@BeeWhistler]

I’m an Autistic artist with multiple hobbies so I am a zoo much of the time. Creativity sometimes just needs a springboad but focus is harder to spark. Well nigh impossible.

[@vikdaddy]

I've accepted that I will only get into a flow state when I am under pressure. So if a deadline is days or weeks away, I will procrastinate; but if the deadline is tomorrow or in a few hours, I will go into hyperdrive.

[@KM-pm6qe]

That totally happens with ADHD. Something about the pressure of a short deadline causing some noradrenaline surge.

[@a.v.1993]

This happens to me too. I work in fast, short bursts of intense action and concentration, separated by whole weeks or even months of being unable to even do simple things. I have found that periods free of anxiety, high stress, and overstimulation are the only ones where I can be productive.

[@joeminella5315]

For me, it's either work or play. If, in my mind, it's play, then it flows. If it's work, ugh, it might get accomplished but without any enjoyment.

[@a.g.9919]

yes! I am VERY creative. I know this, may as well shout about it as it is my BEST trait, but if I get onto something I will work on it obsessively for a 24 hours, then the next day I will crash and do nothing at all

[@MNkno]

Your hyper-productivity switch is very resonant. There are times when I need to be creative ... and then there are deadlines. I handle the productivity switch by approaching the project strategically - identify where creative thought is needed, and create blocks of anything that can be worked without much thought. An example might be "Go to the store and buy paint" is just task work, "plan the structure of the positions of things in the picture" is creative work. I will then boringly and uninspiredly push through the tasks, until that magic moment when the doors open and I can engage in the creative part of the work. If I get stuck and the doors just aren't opening and I've finished all the tasks (and housework, and cooking, etc.)... I have a couple of videos that I can escape into that usually leave me inspired to do something.. "The Ancient Top 10" series (lethal weapons, dictators, etc.) is one, there are books, too..... but it can be anything that will create a break to another view, and enable me to come back with fresh eyes and some enthusiasm... (I stay away from those that just leave me ready to go to sleep!)

[@dragonrider1467]

All or nothing. Its frustrating sometimes

[@sanctuary_of_a_dreamer]

This happens to me every time. Sometimes, I wasn't at all prepared and on stage and talked for half an hour and impressed people, then on some other day when I was fully prepared I could hardly say anything

[@Mrs.Silversmith]

What you're describing sounds like an overlap between ADHD and Autism to me. I can totally focus and be productive with tasks and activities that I suck at. Now I am hyperproductive in the areas I specialize in, and by comparison the difference can be astounding in outcomes. However, I don't have a problem with starting and staying on task when the task is something that I am not feeling "in the zone" about. Personally I do not have any symptoms of ADHD and I think that makes a big difference for a topic like this. I am aware that a lot of people with Aspergers/Autism also have ADHD.

[@graemeoliver744]

I'm not 100% convinced they are fully different things tbh. I see a lot of ADHD people complaining about symptoms that look more like ASD and there is a lot of overlap in the listed symptoms.

[@Blueshadow2772]

There's a huge overlap. When I got my ASD diagnosis. The psychologist said that around 50% of autistics have ADHD. For me living with both conditions it's so hard sometimes. For example having a day of productive cleaning then around 2 or 3pm my function level lowers. My brain is craving something new ( for stimulation) then stopping that task and looking at my phone for three hours. It's a constance struggle.

[@rylsahawneh3662]

I’m just discovering that I might be autistic but I’ve known I have ADHD for quite a while now. I have a perpetual question now: “is this ADHD or autism?”

[@o.602]

@@rylsahawneh3662 it could be both.

[@everythingispose-able2543]

Many of the same chemicals and brain structures are involved in both and the diagnosis tends to address the particular areas that are causing the most negative impact.

[@elinamakela8435]

I find that physical wellness helps hitting that flow state. Sleeping well and eating high-protein meals regularly for a few dayswill result in a really good productive day or two. But when you’re in the slump or can’t control what life throws at you makes sleep, diet and everything else so much more difficult.

[@heather32884]

This sounds about right

[@Maria-up2yv]

I accidentally clicked on your profile, and thought it must be mine cause we have the exact same music taste and subscriptions

[@heather32884]

@@Maria-up2yv well I guess now we’re bffs 👯‍♀️.!!! 😄

[@Maria-up2yv]

@@heather32884 hahaha awww 😎 we are too cool

[@astraaijajansone49]

Just like me - learning a new thing takes always longer time for me than for an average person. I won't even touch a device/machinery/whatsoever before completely sure about all the ways how it works and how and why it fails and what and how to fix there from any point then... I'm the one who reads manuals beforehand. But once I've got it - I'm on the level where... well, this is a real feedback from one of my coworkers (speaking to a relatively new person around): listen, if at any point you don't know how to do a thing or don't have a manual or have any struggles around - just ask her, - she's a walking book, she knows anything.

[@Leena79]

So relatable. Also, if I get distracted while in the flow, it takes forever to get back to work. I can easily work on something for hours and hours, forgetting to eat or sleep, superfocused, but even something like a badly timed phonecall can mess up my flow.

[@JWildberry]

It's interesting that you mentioned the thing about the camera, because I noticed that in other videos and wondered if it was an eye contact thing, a reflection thing, or just that you're used to letting your gaze wander while you speak. Regardless of reason, it's very soothing to me. It makes it much easier to listen to what you're saying.

[@francessadler6878]

I’m the same. I lose my concentration completely if I look people in the eye. I’d be the same with a camera though I found if i use my phone and it’s showing the image of me it’s not anywhere near as difficult. Go figure

[@KM-pm6qe]

Yeah, I think I like it better too, as a viewer.

[@jo.comics]

Gosh, that's definitely something I've always struggled with. I love to draw and I've always wanted to draw a comic book, so about two years ago I actually got into such a good flow that I managed to draw up an entire comic book in less than half a year! But then it went away and I couldn't even draw a single panel. Now it's back again and I drew about 30 pages of another comic in a few days. It's crazy to me just how heavy an impact this has, I always just assumed it was my inability to motivate myself, so it's nice to know that that's not it. I also find that if I'm not inherently interested in a topic, I will find it extremely hard to get invested, even if I really really need to learn about it. It's really difficult to deal with, to be honest.

[@ComewithLove79]

Great hair cut!

[@dawidwsmole2248]

I agree, his haircut it indeed pretty.

[@mwillmer6074]

I read this as "get a hair cut!" And i was about to throw hands lmao

[@eyeshadowlady]

Definitely experience this too. The worst environment for me is being watched. I need quiet, alone time, and more than just that to know no one is going to sneak up behind me and spy on me. That fear makes it nearly impossible even when all other conditions are met. So like with my husband, he would randomly and still does randomly peak over my shoulder to see what I'm typing, offer a criticism (oh you're talking about car seats AGAIN -- my latest special interest) or comment on the amount I am typing and what could I possibly be talking about or who to and saying so much. Essentially I'm not able to be productive at all in my writing so long as we share a home, but the thought of going to a library around other people and noises and this whole new place that I didn't know where to park or how to navigate or who Id need to talk to quite deterred me from that avenue. Then other things like learning guitar, or trying to overcome my low tone just to keep up with my sister and our friends or the other kids in PE, I always came in last despite my best effort and the effort was really exhausting and painful. Plus with music you need to know or learn so much about it, it's overwhelming. I gave up on a lot either due to social anxiety or this experience you describe, if not one the other. Appreciate all your thought provoking content and hope it helps teachers and parents and loved ones understand the people in their lives. We have to contend with a lot of miseducation from the entertainment industry and from professionals in the field who greatly misunderstood this condition (especially the lack of empathy part).

[@callepaints7394]

This is painfully accurate, but it's a relief to hear it's like this for others. I've been trying to embrace this part of myself for a while and it seems to have helped my productivity, but it's still hard to deal with the days when I just can't do anything.

[@blinkin304]

in the past i had considered the possibility that i might be autistic, but today youtube pointed me at one of your videos and after watching several of your videos, i completely agreed with almost every experience you described, and on the videos where you listed questions you could use to self diagnose, i found that the cases where my answers to those questions were "no" or "maybe" were in the minority by far. with respect to this video, i often find that if i am not in the right mental state to work, then i have to go do something else for a while or i will just become even more frustrated with my lack of progress, and that only makes things worse.

[@abbyofgenderpronouns]

This gave me an unreasonable amount of happyness being told that my number 1 struggle in life can be made into a good thing and that my results related rage isn't just slow progress

[@anonymouscandle1223]

Holy shit, you put it into words, I've struggled with this all my life and never understood why. I never understood why I just couldn't seem to do things that people around me could.

[@theholywitch9681]

I can totally relate to this. Flow is amazing, but we can't force it. Rather allow ourselves to surrender to the experience and accept our mistakes. Then it's more likely to create such state, at least for me.

[@Arkhs]

Some of that is executive function. However most of it is that the data hasn't been processed yet. You're trying to call up information that isn't there. You can click refresh all you want but if the site you want is offline it doesn't matter whether your Wi-Fi is on or off. Maybe that's a bad analogy. Local neural overgrowth and global undergrowth means you have a large amount of information which essentially means that each compartment of your brain is a super computer trying to communicate using dial up. So when you try and access some thing it hasn't got the relevant data from other compartments. It's the main reason that people that don't procrastinate at all end up doing a shit job. Goddamn I love my internet analogies today inexplicably.

[@PlanetEarthLifeSkills]

I appreciate this one! When I'm in the flow, and really getting it done, I sometimes notice it consciencely then - crash! The very noticing distracts me and a train wreck ensues! Now I just laugh at it but it used to ready get me down. I smile a whole lot wider and more often now that I made the link to myself and Aspergers

[@KM-pm6qe]

Almost like it breaks the spell

[@andoryuu3]

5:50 - “Unless I’m an expert, there’s kind of no middle ground. So It’s a blessing and a curse.” Agreed. I recently have been comparing this idea to a “connect the dots” picture. I can’t really comment on anything until I’ve developed a complete understanding, and that requires connecting all the dots for initial understanding, then coloring it in for the deeper understanding. I have been told many times that whatever I do with my life, I will go far. But I suffer from the same learning challenges initially, and many just don’t understand. “Why can’t you just be like everyone else?” Sorry, tried that. I’d like to quote Eminem here and say the following: “But if you’d just give me a chance, I can put you in a trance the way I dance, But nobody wanna play with me, So I’m taking my ball and going home” When I know something, it’s because I’ve learned it on a deep level.

[@victoriab8186]

thank you so much for the connect the dots analogy!!! I've been trying to look for a way of explaining this for ages. I can be very good at connecting dots, but I can only see a web of connections until all the dots are connected and finally there's a picture, whereas other people seem more able to guess a picture, or be told what the picture is, and fit the dots to it, adjusting there mental picture each dot that isn't quite in the place that fits to the imagined picture. If you tell me a swarm of dots is a landscape, I will be very confused and probably upset and overwhelmed - which may make it harder for me to sit down and work through to connect the dots into the landscape

[@hustonbop]

Thanks for this!!! I am a self-taught musician and songwriter and I record songs at home... I don’t play live just because of the reasons you so clearly explained... it is so good to know that it isn’t just me!!! Thank you!!!

[@basti-.-]

This is probably your most relatable video for me so far

[@jhoughjr1]

yep. its impossible to manage really. I just have to maximize it when it arises and await its return when it leaves me. Unless I have adderal.

[@reggyreptinall9598]

I find that adderall helps but intensifies the burnouts.

[@Bhez7]

@@reggyreptinall9598 same with coffee, or likely any stimulant. it's like it taps into your future energy for you to use now, but of course you have to pay it all back at some point

[@SuperLotus]

At one point the meds helped, but then later my insomnia got worse and I stopped taking them

[@firstnamelastname7347]

Ever try LSD? I find that it lets me tap into the flow state, and 'break away' from routine, and immerse myself in new experiences

[@SuperLotus]

@@firstnamelastname7347 That seems kind of an extreme to casually suggest for someone to try. There are risks of psychosis and trauma without the right guidance and initiation.

[@kimhawkins8858]

I know what turns mine on! When I have a good boss/manager and he/she says "I need you to do this." And it's something I know how to do by heart. I feel like I'm glowing and making the air around me shimmer. :-)

[@moll443]

Yeah this is me totally. I struggle so hard some days at work and others I can just get through the day and even keep going. I never understood why and I get very frustrated because of course at work they make you sit there for 8 hours. I also hate feeling like I'm not doing a good job/ not being efficient. So far what I've discovered helps get me in that state is working earlier in the morning, and sometimes starting the day how I like to - headphones with the right music on etc. But I still struggle a lot with this. You're right it's very similar to the creative process. I think this is why I need to some how work on my own and get out of the 9-5 type work. I work best when it's on my terms lol.

[@kdcraft89]

This explains a lot! People sometimes act like you are a perfectionist, but that's not quite right. It's what you just described.

[@SneakySteevy]

2:05 100% me. I drummed when I was a teenager and couldn’t perform in shows. So anxious! I had to memorize the whole thing and it was not funny so I stopped. What Im realizing by listening to your videos is that I wanted to change ME to be ME but I have to creates environnements that I feel good and I will be able to be ME.

[@Mandalasa]

I had to think of a picture I gave once a therapist: I’m feeling as if I’m sitting in a ball pool at Ikea. Those balls unfortunately aren’t sorted by color or beautifully arranged… and those balls represent my intellectual knowledge… if I’m asked something my mind begins fishing in this pool for the right information. More than not, I’ll have the right info “on the hook”… but I can’t rely on that. I can’t rely on my ability to remember information when needed. But: The moment I’m in the flow, it’s like diving into the pool and being able to intuitively and securely recall every information… When I’m not in the flow, I’m not able to recall the information in a trusted way. It feels like gambling. Hearing Paul talking about his experience reminded me of my picture/experience… I’m so easily distracted if I have to think about something and can’t perform the way I should, but once I don’t have to think about it or “on spot pick the information out of my brain-thought-pool” I can perform perfectly… just let me dive in and not stand there fishing for it 😅 I’m a scuba 🤿 diver, not a fisherman…. Hope this makes sense…

[@sugoime8722]

Relate so much to this. And it's not about just having an hour or a day where I'm unproductive. It can last for days. Then I'll get a spike of productivity for a day and a half or so and then slump right back into unproductivity again. There's never any middle ground.

[@rohar8739]

Thank you for making this video, it spoke to me so much. I started a new job and computer science studies recently and the learning curve was quite steep. But now I am getting in the flow of things and am much more confident in my new endeavours. For the first two months of any job I've had, I get the impression that my coworkers think I am confused a lot but I am just asking for specifics and guidance as I learn my role so I can do it with my eyes closed once I surpass the learning curve.

[@maiamaiapapaya]

"I should probably leave it there and get back to what I was supposed to be doing." Lol story of my life

[@TheCyberSatyr]

Sounds right to me. I can't control it either, i really wish I could. I find it happens most often when im given a task, often small and repetitive, and then i just go. It makes me pretty good at flooring, tiling, things like that. But it doesn't always kick in. When it doesn't, its so hard to keep at it... but i can't quit til I get it right or get so frustrated I break to the point of tears and say fuck it completely

[@murtazaarif6507]

You say it perfectly well, Paul. I am the same with moments of creativity and blockage. When my creativity comes alive, I know it's my opportunity to do my best work. With blockage, I become undecided about things like watching videos or films, particularly since I have a huge amount of movies to select from. My creative outlet though is design and fiction.

[@kariannefimland1475]

Love this explanation! This is something I have struggled with many times. I either get loads done or none. This is so difficult to explain to others. Thanks for a great video. :)

[@Batutu0]

I found one thing that help me enter the flow state. It is to wrap up all of my thought so that my mind become empty (I do this by automating all of my daily activities). Once I don't have anything to think about, preferably after sleep, I will read, watch something or gather info about my project. Then I will be drawn to it. The main problem usually is task switching. And the main advantage is our ability to be fascinated with a project (which is usually happen to be our special interest) for a really long time. So here is my way of how to utilize these two: The trick is to not have any other topics occupying my mind in the middle of the day which can interrupting my train of thought on my current topic/project untill my project completely done or target accomplished for the day (so I cut off my social media and only watch my one favorite cartoon episode on repeat whenever I think I need a break). Take a power nap seems to help too, especially if your project is rather ambitious. Don't need to feel guilty about it. (P.s. I've had 3 naps today) In conclusion I think The key is how to clear the dangling thought in your mind and replace it with your desired project. Let me know if any of you have another thought on this

[@Narnach]

Getting distracted by notes when giving a talk or doing a video resonates strongly with me. I always figured the difficulty came from me doing mental editing of the imperfections in the script, and then having to juggle my spoken narrative with the mental edited narrative. It’s why I didn’t script my KZbin videos and as a result developed my ability to improvise a talk about any topic I’m knowledgeable about. Upside: low prep time. Downside: I may be a bit rambly or less structured compared to a “perfect” script that I worked on for hours.

[@Cssaarr]

OK ! so, I am not diagnosed, is just everytime I hear aspies talk about their experience I is so relateable to me and i can completly understand what they are saying; in this case, I studied Law, and I always said to my family "I study so much for my oral final exams because either I get to the point where I know everything I have to know without even thinking about it, or I know nothing"; I also say to my friends "I am sorry I disappear for 6 months at a time, I function in virtuous and vicious circles; if I go out one night, everything goes down from there; if I have one productive day, I get focused and productive until I finish my goal"

[@tabitas.2719]

Thanks! So relatable :) It reminded me of how I used to close my eyes at the beginning of a task (painting & limited time typically) or during tests, to think with less sensory input and while getting myself into a mindset of "You have all the time in the world." Only way I wouldn't clam up under the time pressure and very effective - though I did freak out a teacher or two in my time. :D

[@juliaevans9521]

So glad I found this video to watch today as I especially resonate with the desire to achieve a "flow", but it can't be forced as you say it is the result of circumstances , support and your own mental state being all in a "perfect place". It happened this morning when giving an IT training presentation, and (unlike last time) I was able to use my presentation as a tool - not the sole focus - allowing me NOT to panic when there were small errors in it and remain calm in my approach in speaking in a friendly way to my 4 learners.

[@marie-evecanuel4214]

EVERY TIME you explain a concept EVERY TIME! You explain exactly my particularities and how i feel different from the others thats completely crazy to me 🤯

[@Canyouguessmynames]

Wow, somehow this idea of hyper-productivity and flow as a part of my neurodiversity is really helpful. I sometimes feel a little bit out of control when I slip into a state like this by accident, and having a positive way to describe this is so nice. It helps me to not judge myself if I am doing two hours of small jobs around my new apartment before I remember to have breakfast. I have already found that riding it out is much more helpful than trying to resist, but I still have subtle judgement and concerns about if I am burning myself out by being 'too autistic'.

[@BKHolmstrom_23]

When you talked about needing to practice & master either A) your talking points for a video, or B) the music for a drum performance, mastering it ahead of time - - BINGO! I notice that with a lot of things I do, most notably when I change jobs. When I start the new job I'll throw myself into it and master it within 2-3 months. That way I can "coast" without a lot of conscious thought. It's easier to deal with any curve balls that might come at me. I think, for me, it's the need for routine, right? No surprises, no (or minimal) sudden changes to throw me off. With speaking it's the same, too. I will stumble and stutter if I go in with notes, even abbreviated note cards. But if I have my talking points in my head, I can freewheel and ad lib like a pro. That goes to passion...if something is meaningful to me, I can retain it and expound on it much more than if I'm just reporting on or reciting something I don't care about.

[@SpookySkeleton738]

A lot of this resonated with me. For me it seems to be completely random, I'll just get a spark seemingly out of nowhere and I'll just pull up whatever it is I want to do and get cracking. Then, for the next few days/weeks I'll be completely unable to think about anything else except that one thing, even when I try to take breaks and do other things to avoid burnout, all I can think about is the one thing I seem to be fixated on. This continues until my brain does a 180 and does the complete opposite, I'm just unable to concentrate at all on the thing I just spent the last week hyper-focused on, and sometimes I'm unable to comprehend the work I've already done and the project just dies completely. To be honest, it's pretty infuriating to *know* that I'm technically capable of all these things, but unable to actually apply any of that in a truly meaningful way because of the arbitrary nature of my focus, and have spent a lifetime beating myself up (and being beat up by others) because of it. If only there was a magic switch, eh?

[@tadcastertory1087]

My strategy for this: 1. Prozac (helps with anxiety related distractions) 2. Actually distract yourself whilst working (e.g. with music, listening to a podcast) deliberately. 3. Mentally shout at yourself to pay attention when your mind wanders.

[@constanzelaflamme8648]

I liked the thing about notes. I have found that when I'm explaining something I've done a bunch of research on from memory I can just pull from my passion and give a great impromptu speech, but when I have notes I stress out over all of the things I "need" to say and end up having significantly more trouble articulating myself

[@mic6074]

Yes. As a kid I had so much trouble learning to read and spell. I only really "caught on" to reading around when I was 12. But then I took an interest in creative writing and got pretty good at it!

[@phoenixreborn21]

Ah yes, totally. Currently reading Jamie Wheal' & Steven Kutler's book: STEALING FIRE it gives you great insights into these states of flow. So I am trying to be in FLOW as much as I can. It is such a beautiful state, effortless, self-less, contentment. Joy. Happiness. Bruce Lee called it the BE LIKE WATER STATE. It is the Daoist Wu Wei - Doing without doing. Many many ways you can activate it: - parasympathetic Breathing - forest bathing / meditating in nature - reading - making videos - creating celtic knot mandalas - nature photography - researching a topic, like now the FLOW state - even watching a great series you like - taking a shower - daydreaming - sleeping & consciously dreaming - brainwave enhancement technology (OUT of the BETA) - Qigong/Taiji As you say, one is the most productive, and it is effortless, and one also forgets any worry or anxiety in the same time. Flow is UNIVERSAL and INDIVIDUAl. But once you know what to look for, you can really go look for it consciously. Connecting the dots here. . What the mainstream autism narrative NEVER quite gets, is exactly THAT, how important it would be TO SUPPORT these FLOW states, therefore, adapting the environment in a way, that is NOT distracting, SO YOU CAN be in that FLOW, and in the end this leads to more productivity. So if a company for example would offer an single office to an autistic, this extra effort would benefit THEM, right, since productivity is so much higher, when no sensory distractions are present, like in that horrible open plan office..

[@ryc2535]

Finally I feel like u people get me. I'm in the process of being diagnosed and have never felt understood until I started watching asbergers on the inside. Your insightful and extremely helpful while I'm trying to understand exactly what this syndrome means for me.

[@cora5525]

This describes my whole existence. It's excruciating to learn something knew or work when I'm in the wrong state...but practice and/or have a good day, then I can get surprising good at things with great gains, and I don't know why I thought it was so difficult before. I don't know if I have autism though (just a suspicion due to a lot of other factors)

[@devonhart6677]

YEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!! To ALL OF THIS! So relatable! I can't do anything halfway, and the times when I try to force myself to do something halfway it physically HURTS, like I'm wearing an itchy sweater and can't take it off! 😭😖 Sooooo frustrating!

[@dw_iso_fun]

I related to this a lot. If I don't feel like I have mastery over X I tend to completely fail. Just this morning it took me 3 hours to put together a benign 5minute video, and spent the rest of the day crashing.

[@Mandalasa]

It’s incredible how much of your content/shared experience deeply resonate… so valuable that you share 🧡 and the way you do it 🙏 your ability to reflect and articulate your experience is such a gift for the community … for sure not average in this area 😉 thanks Paul!

[@onebluebubble]

I've been struggling with this a lot lately. I recently moved and have rearranged my furniture a few times. The first few weeks here I had my back to a wall and a view of the room while sitting at my desk. It worked really well but I didn't connect that security of having no one behind me affecting my work and flow (even though I live alone). my desk has always been in a corner and just now I realized how greatly it changes my workflow even when everything seems to be going fine and my brain is ON (that's what I call it)

[@ryan_deakin]

This realllllly resonates with me . It has caused me a great deal of depression trying to manage it

[@RafaelSantos-xl1ut]

Esse vídeo descreveu muito da minha história. So much of this is exactly what I have lived in my three dacades of life as Rafael.

[@hannahevertson8306]

This definitely happens to me, and is noticeable to those around me though I can be productive at most times there are times I can just go off and do literally everything super quickly. I wish I could control that switch lol

[@dianalevans9125]

This was fabulous and you're 1,000% on point. Im struggling so bad because I have a major project and need a couple of things and need my space to be set up a certain way... It hurts bad very stressful...

[@pearlahern2316]

Yes, for sure. Notes often WRECK me as well. I have to do very sparse outlines if I use notes at all.

[@sonjal7015]

Why is it that your videos always reach me at the right moment? Thank you!

[@tris5602]

Yes!! I can't use notes when giving a speech, because I start worrying about missing a talking point, and lost track of what I'm saying. If I put a lot of time and thought into the speech before hand, the presentation feels natural.

[@sharoncox1734]

I'm like that too - I have to use bullet points in blocks of 3 or 5.

[@cdiessner711]

You really hit the nail on the head when you compared autistic productivity to a switch. I found I was mediocre in subjects like math and french early on in school, only to become the best in my class years later. It's almost like we have a much slower acceleration than most, but our top speed is frighteningly fast.

[@PrincessDie187]

True

[@ridindirty1301]

Iv learned to get all my work done, even days ahead of schedule, because I know my interest and focus will turn off at any time in which nothing will be done.

[@area73blog]

When I was in high school I was generally good at almost everything without even putting in much effort...my mind just absorbed knowledge like a sponge. Now I'm 47 and it doesn't always work like that any more, even for subjects that intensely interest me. At some point I'll get over that initial hump though and become the expert...in fact I'm struggling with this right now as I recently took an offer from my boss to switch to a different project and have been struggling to bring myself up to speed.

[@AgentK200]

Thank you for taking some time out of your day to post this.

[@elljay8439]

Don't struggle to be average - be the amazing, unique person you are! :)

[@visionvixxen]

I also never thought about special interest in restricted interest the way you described it, but that’s exactly it a big part of it is it takes a long time to rehearse and become semi-proficient at things and if you’re lucky enough to get focus the part of you that wants to be purposeful as inclined to put more of your energy in it

[@rpt0rman]

Thanks for sharing, this is so very relatable! Being either really awesome or really terrible at different subjects/skills is something I have struggled with a lot. Being productive can be so difficult when your brain just can’t seem to find the energy. Love your channel, it’s really helped me feel connected and understood.

[@theheartofzany1]

Hi, I have OCD (Mixed thoughts and acts) I take things literally and I also see thing in black and white. I am what I call an extremist :) xx

[@ccwilliams316]

Yes. I warn others often of my “all or nothing” tendencies, but I was not self-aware of this until my 50’s. I always thought I was a procrastinator, but it is often due to mental energy available and/or having the proper time available, knowing I will work tirelessly for hours on a project. Thank you for this, again.

[@amandarowe4346]

My ten year old son was just diagnosed and you've given me so much insight! Thank you!! ❤️

[@injunsun]

I used to fall into Flow playing a Tetris like game, as well as in Tetris. When I got there, I could feel it, and then use that focus to study or I could just stay there, playing a mindless game for hours. Turning Flow into a useful tool was hard to do, and I've lost it these days.

[@didyouhearthat4794]

Thank you so much for having taking time to do this video. I feel less alone when I watch your videos because you, in a way, understand me ! thank you (sorry for my English I am French)

[@jongalt26]

Oh im glad you asked, i happen to be quite knowledgeable in this area. My credentials: I own a commercial architectural firm. If anyone reads this and is considering entering this industry, i beg you to reconsider. Before becoming an ownerer, 40 hour weeks were vacations, 60 hour weeks was typical during the slow years (2010-2012), 80 hours a week was average during busy years (2002 -- 2010; 2012-2017) 2018 - many shits happened, work hours grew to 110, bosses did nothing to assist so i left. The above was just training, akin to elementary grade school versus college. At the start of our firm i had three experienced competent people (full time) with me whom ive worked with for many years. Others 'moonlighted' for us. Life was good till partner 1 passed (3 weeks after the firm started) and partner 2 faded out for whatever BS reasons. If three of us were carrying a metal triangle they left me with a heavy AF load. But we armor up and soldier on, and on, and on, and OoOOOOOOnnnnn So fuck yea, i was able to stretch my schedule for work periods to an average 36 ish hours on, sleep some hours, repeat. Thresholds would hit 40+ hours. Cruise control was 26-28 hours work, 8 hours sleep which was recovery mode. July 6, 2018 - may of 2020 and taper down to september 2020 which was the total length of this journey. Thankfully all of the projects are in construction and most BS squared away. More importantly: I recently received my verification that i am part of the best fucking club ever. For this honor i have to thank Dr. House, Dr. Cox and Red Foreman, excellent role models for being a team leader and for parenting. Joking aside, Paul. Thank you very much. When i found your videos, they were (and continue to be) an inspiration. Metal in the morning is awesome! I self diagnosed ASD about 4 months ago after consuming a low pH amine solution, completing the AQ, cross referencing old odd medical issues (rhythmic movement disorder) and numerous anecdotal metrics however i wanted the final verification. It took awhile to find a pro but shes awesome and my official diagnosis report was complete a few weeks ago. Oh shit, this is my coming out of the closet, both middle fingers raised in the air and a smoke dangling precariously from cotton-mouthed lips. Im Jason, its a pleasure to meet my brothers and sisters of the light :) Im 45 and i was not autistic until i was. Holy shit the narratives have zero idea what they are talking about ! I can only share my story through the lens of my life therefore a lot of what i will say is necessary to be in first person in a communal style. Speaking in first person makes me feel kind of funny so when i use the word we, we just means 'those of us to whom the statement applies' and it does not mean 'that i am speaking on behalf of anyone or group' Have you ever heard of the game, kick the can? if not, its a game kids play where in lieu of a ball a can is used. That can is the perspective camera that i am going to kick. And kick, and kick and its going to be a joyous ride. How to activate and maintain flow states for long periods of time. We have been granted a gift that is now labeled as a disorder. This gift of intuition, in other cultures, would lead us to be shamans or well respected wise members of any group. Our sensitivities would be celebrated, they have been celebrated and they are celebrated. And if not, then we celebrate them. Do not let their methods, pessimism, negative adjectives affect us. Their way of life is truly the upside down. Their way of life is against the flow. We are beings made of pure fucking energy. We are the protectors of the light we can only dim our light ourselves. We fight against the energy vampires! We will not allow them to drain us! Step A - start thinking of oneself as a being of energy and start feeling how energy is transferred as emotion Step B - Please ponder star wars, replace The Force (and Luck) with Intuition. The instructions to develop intuition are there. Its a simple metaphor to get the point across. There is a tremendous amount of depth to it. hit me up for more. Correlate how you are thinking with how you are feeling. Things change once we become at peace with the rhythms of life, its ok to have a waning day. Those are for recharge and reflection, allowing oneself the freedom and acceptance of the deviation is important. Step 1: We only have control over one thing in the entire universe, and that is our inner voice. So many people so much of the time, clearly use this voice in a negative fashion, conjuring negative emotions that spriral towards the dark Fuck that, The converse is also true Steer, do not fight, the inner voice. Use music as your energy processing machine, process dark emotions to light emotions. Happy, excited, serene, peace, sadness, empathy, compassion, understanding and love are just some of the light emotions. A small change in trajectory will yield great results down the road :) theres more steps but i gotta go :) lol sorry for the wall of text.

[@q.b.2318]

This is entirely relatable. Thank you for taking the time to share this information while you we're in the "flow." Hearing you articulate your experiences is almost always helpful in understanding my own. Alexithymia and non-verbal thoughts can make it challenging at times, but I think you already know. Appreciate your videos as usual. Keep up the good work!

[@q.b.2318]

*WERE not " we're " sorry my bad

[@aren8798]

I have noticed the same phenomenon. I "believe"...know, that getting into a flow state isn't actually random. It just appears random because of the lack of awareness that we have as human beings. This is an amazing video and I think that anyone on the spectrum or who is working with an individual on the spectrum needs to watch this. Great analysis!

[@angelaangela8216]

oh I now this very well. learning something new is almost painful to my brain. In fact it is painful. But if I push through it I know it will get very easy. But getting there...oh my... But sometimes in this initial state people would tell me, "oh you're just not good at this and you never will" because they don't know how I learn. I used to believe this and it greatly hindered me because I would want to meet their expectations of me not being good at something.

[@galespressos]

Yes, that’s exactly it. What you said in the first two minutes. Awful . Frustrating, also other people think I can so if I don’t then I must not want to do it, or they think I cannot and don’t realize that if i have something that is given plentiful space without certain deadline then I’m usually able to do it surprisingly well. Also easy things can be super difficult but supposed hard things can be super easy, The more I prepare the less likely I am to get into a state of flow and be productive: yes, that happens. Other people insist I do that and then it’s a disaster, and they think I am hopeless. Spent over a half dozen hours as starting was hard, put in much effort, and was near to the finish but someone panicked and had someone else do it, so all efforts were wasted. They thought I’d done nothing or hadn’t realized the hours, and of course I hadn’t wanted to say how long it took to get started, Then it happened again, and I was getting into the flow finally and nearly done when project taken away again. I am being taught not to try as much effort will be expended, will be nearly done, and then all gets wasted,

[@GeorgeMakrides]

Yes! Rarely average or "normal." Either bad or really good. This explanation helped. Thanks Paul.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

I get like this with writing. When my muse is in/on I can write thousands of words but you can tell when the muse dies, it just totally stops.

[@angelaread9336]

Yes I am completely familar with those states and how they feel.

[@thewindchimesystem]

This literally happened to us last night. Great video, Paul! 🎶☕

[@Nicholas1994]

Hey Paul. I've been watching your videos for a while now and thought it was about time I left a comment. Your videos have really helped me understand a lot about myself. I'm 26, and I've spent since I was about 10 feeling different in a lot of the subtle ways you describe in your videos. I've done so much reading on depression and attachment theory and stuff when I studied psychology, but I always felt like I was missing something fundamental. Your advice and explainations have been pivotal and invaluable to me.

[@kellyschroeder7437]

Hi Paul. Relate. I always learn well by watching demonstration and re-demonstrating (copy and paste) 💙🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💙👊 Thanks

[@grumblekin]

I get a couple of hours in the morning and maybe another 2 hours in the afternoon and that's it. But I can do 8h of work in that 4h so I schedule my hard editing, writing and creative requirements during that 4h and then spend the rest of the time on low level but still necessary tasks (organizing lists, backing up data, checking sources, reading papers, data entry, etc.). I work about 10h a day, 5 days a week and 5 or 6h on the weekends with about an hour for lunch and a 20-min power nap.