Productivity Psychology Business

Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain (Summary)

by Peter Shankman

Imagine writing an entire book on a single round-trip flight from New York to Tokyo. That's not a fantasy; it's what Peter Shankman did, powered by the very condition most people see as a curse: ADHD. He argues that the 'disorder' is actually a secret weapon for creativity and productivity, if you know how to use its unique wiring to your advantage.

Your ADHD Brain Is a Race Car, Not a Broken-Down Sedan

Shankman argues that people with ADHD don't have a deficit of attention; they have an abundance of it. The key is to stop trying to 'fix' it and instead learn to 'drive' the high-performance brain you were given by providing it with the right fuel and conditions.

Instead of forcing himself to focus on one boring task for eight hours, Shankman structures his day with short, intense bursts of varied activities. This mimics his brain's natural tendency to seek novelty and allows him to stay engaged and highly productive, rather than fighting against his own neurology.

Manufacture Urgency to Unleash Hyperfocus

The ADHD brain thrives on deadlines and novelty. To activate its legendary 'hyperfocus' mode, you must create external pressure and structure, as the internal motivation system can be unreliable for mundane tasks.

Shankman famously books non-refundable, long-haul flights with no Wi-Fi when he has a book to write. The intense deadline (the landing time), the public accountability, and the distraction-free environment force his brain into a state of extreme productivity, allowing him to accomplish more in 12 hours than most people do in a month.

You Must Outsource Your Kryptonite

People with ADHD often excel at creative, big-picture thinking but struggle with mundane, detail-oriented tasks that drain their mental energy. The secret to success is to ruthlessly eliminate these tasks or delegate them to others.

Shankman hires a virtual assistant to handle all his scheduling, travel booking, and calendar management. He calculates that the small cost of the VA saves him from the mental drain of administrative tasks, freeing up his valuable cognitive energy for the high-impact, creative work where his ADHD brain gives him a massive advantage.

Control Your Inputs to Control Your Output

The high-octane ADHD brain requires high-quality fuel. Managing ADHD is not just about mindset; it's about systematically controlling physical inputs like nutrition, intense exercise, and sleep to regulate your brain chemistry for optimal performance.

Shankman treats his morning workout as his most important meeting of the day. He knows that an intense exercise session produces the dopamine and endorphins his brain craves, essentially 'medicating' himself naturally to achieve the clarity and calm required to be productive for the rest of the day.

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