Embracing Impulsivity
Last week, I discussed the troubles with impulsivity. This week’s blog post covers the flip side of that discussion. Yes, impulsivity can cause some troubles, but it can also be a fun side of ADHD as well. There are ways of harnessing your impulsivity and using it to your benefit.
Spontaneity
Describing someone as “impulsive” is often seen as a negative description. However, describing someone as spontaneous is seen as a nice thing to say. We see spontaneity as a desirable quality. Surpring someone with a lovely gift is welcomed. Deciding to do karaoke at the last minute is seen as fun. In short, the impulsive decisions of an ADHDer can be welcomed at times.
Creativity
“Creativity is just impulsivity gone right”
The rapid fire of ideas can cause an ADHDer to behave impulsively. However, those ideas can be harnessed into creative ideas. It has been hypothesized that many inventors have had ADHD. New ideas flow within the ADHD brain. Yes, the ideas are impulsive, but they can also be highly creative and world-changing.
Give Yourself the Proper Constraints
But, how does one exhibit the right kind of impulsivity and not the annoying or dangerous kind? The key is to give yourself proper constraints. That might sound like a contradiction, but you can be impulsive within constraints. In fact, a lot of people thrive within constraints. For example, have you ever watched an improv show? Improv performers might seem like they have no constraints, but when playing an improv game, there are rules that must be followed. Yet, these rules are the very thing that makes the scene funny. What constraints do you need to harness your impulsivity and turn it into a strength?