3 Lessons I've Learned From My Concussio ...

3 Lessons I've Learned From My Concussion

Mar 27, 2021

In early December, I managed to give myself a severe concussion doing one of the most mundane tasks ever. (Seriously, I was shutting the outdoor kitchen on our RV and didn’t get my danged head out of the way in time.)

Due to the severity of the original injury, not properly resting, and then managing to re-injure the same area, I’m still dealing with the symptoms and impaired brain function four months later. It’s a lovely little thing called post-concussive syndrome (PCS).

In short, it’s not fun.

But I have to admit that it’s given me a unique perspective and helped me come to terms with some aspects of running a business with ADHD.

There have been numerous studies linking ADHD with an increased likelihood of experiencing a concussion. And since the symptoms of both are similar, we essentially experience a magnification of our already life-affecting issues.

This is actually a two-fold issue because not only does it make everything harder, it’s not really anything new and we may brush off the symptoms without realizing that it’s from the injury. And that can lead to, you guessed it, more injury. It’s a potentially vicious cycle.

In my case, the magnification of symptoms has forced me to actively find solutions to the gaps already created in my life by my ADHD and general lack of executive function. And these are strategies that I will carry with me even after my brain returns to some semblance of normal.

Lesson #1

Redundancy is a tool, not a hindrance.

I’m going to throw this one back to before my diagnosis and something I constantly felt was something I was doing wrong. When I would find myself using a task manager app, a paper planner, and an accountability list, I would chalk it up to my “main” system failing. Why was I writing my to-do list in three separate places?! Obviously, something wasn’t working. I’d drop two of the three and then attempt to re-commit to my main system…or replace it.

Now I know better. The redundancy is part of my system and it works for me. My task manager app helps me with the time management aspect. Using it allows me to see how long things are actually taking and gives me a visual representation of when I’m trying to cram too much into one day. My analog written list, whether on paper or my whiteboard, helps close the gap related to object permanence. I can SEE my tasks, and that helps me remember to start and stop my timers, or get back on task when I’ve gotten distracted. And sharing my list with an accountability group helps me make the tasks more real and important.

Yes, listing my tasks in three places is redundant, but they each serve a different purpose and even the act of repetition has it’s own value.

Take Away: Don’t view redundancy in your systems as an automatic red flag. Instead assess whether or not it’s serving a purpose. If it is, keep it. If it’s not, let it go.

Lesson #2

Needing rest isn’t a sign of weakness.

Honestly, I’m still struggling with this lesson. I’ve never been one to take naps (except during my last pregnancy, which was a nightmare). I’ve never been one to sleep in, either.

And while I’ve always valued working when I feel like my brain is at it’s best and following my natural daily rhythm, I’ve never really had a rest mode. There have always been tasks to be done, it’s just been a matter of which time of day is suited to which tasks.

I’ve now taken more naps in 2021 than I’ve taken in my entire adult life. I still don’t feel great, but I’m learning to give in to what my brain and body need instead of pushing through.

To be completely honest, I still have a few days a week where I push through, and I always pay for it. Those days typically end with migraines and emotional short-fuses.

And I’m still working to embrace wakeful rest. The idea of being awake and not doing something productive is hard for me. But I’m working on it.

Take Away: Look for ways to incorporate regular rest into your days. Shift your schedule to make time for mid-day rest, if it suits you. The idea that 8-5 is for working and evenings for rest is a cultural construct that we aren’t required to follow. Do you have non-productive things that you enjoy and prioritize? How can you incorporate more of that intentionally rather than squeezing it in around the frayed edges?

Lesson #3

You have the freedom to create a business that works for you and your brain and your needs.

I’ve been singing this tune for quite some time, but the last three months have really hammered it home.

I’ve been resisting making some desired changes to my business because, well, to be honest, it was major changes. And ADHD brains don’t always take kindly to major transitions.

A big one for me has been my desire to take fewer calls each week. A very large chunk of my business and income revolves around spending 2-3 afternoons each week on calls. That’s a lot of scheduled time where I expect my brain to behave and remain focused. And it’s exhausting under normal circumstances, let alone the last few months.

Out of desperation, I began to offer ways for people to work with me that involved fewer calls. It’s been an eye-opener. It turns out that other people dread calls, too! And my long-held belief that you can’t book four-figure projects without a consultation call has been absolutely shattered.

This was a classic case of holding on to a way of doing something because that’s how it’s always been done and that’s what the mentors teach as the tried-and-true method.

I’m still in the slow process of switching my website and default processes to better showcase call-less options. It still seems surreal to me that it works. And I share this with you to explain that not everything is an immediate “ah-ha” moment where your lightbulb turns on and you immediately implement everything because you’ve seen the light. And that’s okay.

Take Away: If a change you want to make in your business seems too radical or too big of a shift, find ways to implement it slowly. Offer a new way of doing something to previous clients that might be willing to try something new. Have a “secret menu” of offerings you’re trying out. Try something with limited spots or a lower price just to see if you like it. Changes in your business don’t have to be implemented all at once or as an absolute (it’s okay to say you’re trying something out).

Final Thoughts

While the amplification of symptoms brought on by my PCS is what forced me to really deal with these issues and learn these lessons, I sincerely believe that they apply to everyone. Whether you’re neuro-typical, neuro-divergent, or even dealing with other chronic mental or physical health issues, there’s at least something in these lessons that can improve your life. As always, take what you believe you can apply to your life, and leave what doesn’t.

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