I was diagnosed with combined ADHD and high intellectual potential at the age of 40, about a month ago. Now I understand a lot more about myself, but I still have problems finalizing projects. Fortunately, not at work. My GitHub profile is more of a mess than a portfolio: and that’s a problem if you’re looking for a job.
Spoiler: It’s Impossible
First of all, I want to emphasize that I received my diagnosis based on the DSM-IV (the criteria are identical in the DSM-5, but that’s not the point) from a clinic accredited by the Italian national health system. I am not one of those people who self-diagnose ADHD. I’ve actually had ADHD since birth.
I haven’t written anything in the last month because I’m working on finishing projects before the Christmas holidays and because I’m trying to continue my training. But, while I have successfully completed everything at work, I cannot say the same about my side projects.
So my GitHub profile is a list of projects that I started and never finished, including my personal website, which I first published in 1998 and which has undergone numerous domain and hosting changes over the years. I doubt that receiving an official diagnosis will change anything.
One Project at a Time
Of course, the best way to accomplish what you plan is to proceed one step at a time. We can say the same about side projects. But if you have ADHD, your mind does not conceive of the linearity of time. There are only two dimensions: “now” and “not now”. Can you understand what that means?
In my mind, if I don’t do something now, I’ll never do it. Don’t get me wrong, on a rational level I know very well that there is no exclusive relationship between doing something now and not doing it anymore. However, having ADHD, I feel a physical urge to immediately devote myself to something new.
All this at the expense of what I was already doing. The concept of distraction in my neurodivergence is precisely this: I am not distracted because I am stupid, I am distracted because something new and urgent demands my attention. Furthermore, high intellectual potential makes everything easier to assimilate.
Adopt an Agile Approach
Honestly, I’ve never tried it. Not in that context, at least: I’ve worked with Agile/Scrum for a startup in the past, and my company is considering adopting the same methodology. Personally, I like the Pomodoro Technique, not only because it was conceived by an Italian compatriot. It’s a matter of anxiety.
My ADHD can be summed up as oscillating between two opposite poles, boredom and anxiety, which provoke each other. Therefore, combining precise planning of activities with frequent breaks within a defined time frame works well. I apply the same principle to all my daily activities, no matter what they are.
As far as I’m concerned, the intervals are shorter than Francesco Cirillo’s model: I simply get up every 15 minutes, drink a few sips of water, then return to my desk and pick up where I left off. My approach is less structured, which I integrate with other regular activities such as meal times.
Take Advantage of Gamification
It’s difficult to take advantage of this at work, but when it comes to side projects, it’s definitely a great incentive. I really enjoy participating in challenges, completing training courses, etc. that involve recognition: preferably in the form of a prize. But it must be an immediate reward or, in any case, not exceed a two-week wait.
I admit it, I like swags. Kind of like how I like prize contests. In the past, I did everything I could to get gadgets: it seems to me that opportunities to obtain them have decreased recently. However, I believe that companies should encourage the use of their services by providing free devices to developers.
I’m not necessarily referring to high-end devices. I have a company iPhone that I use as a hotspot or to receive annoying calls from work: I’m referring to prototyping boards, for example. Tinkering with Arduino is a relaxing activity that I should do more often, and it motivates me to finish a project.
Don’t Overlook the Concept of MVP
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a concept you should keep in mind, especially if you have ADHD. I am a perfectionist, so I tend not to release anything into production unless it is 100% complete, but there is no upselling for side projects, so it doesn’t make sense. Do you agree?
I mean, when it comes to work, you probably also have micro-tasks and epic milestones that guide development. When it comes to personal projects, however, there are no timelines to meet: just publish them when you’re ready. Technically, you are not even obligated to publish anything.
An MVP is the perfect compromise, in my opinion, for considering a side project “complete.” I will always have some refactoring in mind, so there is no point in waiting to have a finished product. It is precisely the ability to “finish” that is impossible for someone with ADHD. In my case, it’s even terrifying.
If you like, follow me on Bluesky and/or GitHub for more contents. I enjoy networking.
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