
Objectively speaking, the way I work doesn’t look “normal” to most people, especially when it comes to how I do my creative work and writing.
The “Weird” Way I Do My Work
I have published a daily blog for over six years, so you might think I’ve mastered the whole idea of “butt in chair.”
Most people who haven’t seen me in “action” when writing are surprised to learn that I rarely write with my butt in a chair.
As a person with ADHD, I’ve spent years struggling to find the ways that I work best. What I’ve discovered — and finally learned to embrace — is that I need a different type of context to do my best work.
Most days, I write at gym, after my morning workout, while sitting on the floor, a yoga block, or a small box, with my iPad propped up on a slightly taller box.
The Results Speak For Themselves
I can acknowledge that this way of working might seem weird to people. It might seem unusual, perhaps undisciplined and unfocused. It may not be not “normal” — whatever that means.
Several evidence-based reasons explain why my writing ritual, as well as the atypical ways I engage in some of my other work, work for me.
I’ll leave those for another time, because they aren’t necessary.
What’s most important when it comes to personal productivity is not the understanding of “why” something works but the fact that it works.
In this case, the results speak for themselves.
I published a daily blog for over 6 years. That type of longevity and consistency is a challenge for most people, let alone those of us who are neurodivergent.
Perhaps even more important, but invisible from the end result, is the difference in the time and energy it takes me to do my work.
When I embrace the conditions work best for me, I execute my work more quickly and efficiently. I more easily stay out of the trap of perfectionism. And I am better able to regenerate energy and focus.
In a different environment, under different conditions, or at a different time of day, it can take me double or triple the amount of time and energy — if not more — to produce the same output.
The Slow Road to Acceptance: Why It Took Me So Long to Embrace My Unique Way of Working
It took me a long time to fully embrace this way of working to the point where I actively plan it into my schedule.
My resistance to accepting what I needed and allowing myself to embrace my unique work methods was all about fear.
I was worried about what people would think about how I get my work done. I pressured myself to conform to the typical constructs of what work looks like: sitting at a desk in an office or a co-working space, or at the very least sitting in a chair at a table.
Like many neuro-divergent people, I told myself that I just needed “more discipline” and better structure to do my work. I believed that if I just “tried” harder I could do it the “normal” way.
Of course, I have plenty of discipline and structure. That structure simply doesn’t look like structure looks for most people. And I can do it the “normal” way: I am perfectly capable of sitting in a chair at a table and typing on a keyboard. I even do it sometimes.
But that’s not how I work best.
My Work Revolution
My work revolution took hold when I finally gave myself permission to bring my iPad to the gym: when I fully committed to carving out some space and time for myself to write after my workout (and sometimes between multiple workouts).
On most days, I don’t leave the gym until I’ve published.
This has been liberating for me in terms of my time, my energy, my self-acceptance, and my self-confidence.
In addition, embracing my “unusual” way of working has proven to me that “hard” work doesn’t always have to be painful.
Sometimes the path of least resistance is a valid path to travel.
The hardest part is to be willing to accept what we know we need and embrace our unique style of working.
Perhaps the “work revolution” we need right now is the revolution in how we work.
This is the opportunity available to us as Mars in Capricorn forms a trine to Uranus in Taurus on January 29.
Mars Trine Uranus: Revolutionize How You Work
Mars is the planet of drive, ambition, and action. It’s the part of us that knows what we want and takes action to make it happen. In earth-sign Capricorn, Mars works in a structured, resilient, and practical way. It has a plan, a structure, and it follows that plan with discipline and devotion.
Uranus is the planet of revolution and innovation. Although it can be disruptive, the effect of Uranus is to liberate us from the status quo.
A trine is a triangle — the most stable structure in nature. This is most supportive aspect two planets can form. It’s an aspect that creates flow — the path of least resistance. With Mars involved, we still need to do the work, but with both planets in earth signs, this trine is extremely practical and grounded.
We can “get things done” — be creative, collaborative, constructive, and contributing members of society — without conforming to rigid structures or typical ways of working.
Mars trine Uranus is a signature that supports us in getting things done in a way that is focused and disciplined, while also being disruptive and innovative.
This is a signature that is ideal for innovating the ways you work, to stage a revolution that brings you liberation when it comes to doing your work and tackling your to-do list.
Under this signature, we realize that we can “get things done” — be creative, collaborative, constructive, and contributing members of society — without conforming to rigid structures or typical ways of working.
What’s Your Work Revolution?
It can take a lot of experimentation to learn what you need to do your best work. And it can take even more inner work to accept and embrace your unique ways of working.
When you give yourself permission to work how you work best, you open a door to your untapped potential.
But when you give yourself permission to work how you work best, you open a door to your untapped potential.
That’s a revolution worth fighting.
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