How Stoicism helps me be effective

The perfect practice for ADHD leaders

Author

Ian Tenenbaum
October 29, 2023 • Read Time: 6 minutes

I have always admired those around me who seem to 

move through life effortlessly.

Throughout most of my life,

it was a mystery how some people could accomplish monumental achievements with what looked like from the outside,

such grace and calm.

“Why can’t I be like that?”

“What am I doing wrong”

“What do I need to FIX?”

I searched for answers

…..increased my effort by the minute

…..read all the books

… watched the videos

…..took the courses

… and never gave up hope in search of their secrets.

My frustration was palpable. You could cut it with a knife.

Instead of CALM CONFIDENT I realized I was actually more like:

BUSY

BUSY

BUSY

BUSY

BUSY

Until…..

….I discovered how my ADHD was a driving force in my thoughts, behaviors, actions, programming, patterns, and in turn, my results.

I decided I had to make a change!

ENTER STOICISM

One of the most transformational discoveries for me has been Stoicism.

Embracing its teaching and implementing its practices have played a DRAMATIC role in my journey of transformation.

The teachings of Stoicism bring me guiding values in which I can be:

  • Calm

  • Intentional

  • Strategic

  • Assertive

  • Strong

  • Committed

  • Altruistic

  • Balanced

Stoicism enforces the paradigm that we can hold at the same time as calm and assertive which many of us may be programmed to find contradictory.

Or Balanced and Strong for example.

Pursuing ambitious pursuits does not mean we have to sacrifice other aspects such as our relationships or self-care automatically.

Today I share with you a few of the key principles and a quick tip that you can try out for yourself.

1. The Power of Present Moment Awareness

Stoic Principle:

As leaders, our minds often race ahead, strategizing for the future or dwelling on past decisions. Stoicism teaches us the art of present-moment awareness—a practice invaluable for leaders with ADHD. By grounding ourselves in the here and now, we enhance our ability to make informed decisions and lead with a clear vision.

Action: 

  • Spend 5 minutes each morning for mindfulness meditation & journaling.

  • Focus on your breath, bringing your attention to the sensations of each inhale and exhale.

  • Jot down any and all thoughts on your mind. Once you have a “brain dump” then pause and see what surfaces that “truly matters”.

❝

"True happiness is... to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future."

- Seneca

2. The Dichotomy of Control: Navigating Executive Overwhelm

Stoic Principle: 

Executives with ADHD frequently face a barrage of responsibilities, leading to a sense of overwhelm. Stoicism's Dichotomy of Control provides a strategic framework for discerning between what is within our power to influence and what is beyond. By focusing our energy on the controllable, we can navigate the complexities of executive leadership with greater clarity. 

Action: 

  • Create a list of current challenges and responsibilities.

  • Identify those within your control and those outside of it.

  • Channel your energy into developing actionable strategies for the controllable aspects, creating a sense of calm focus, and clarity. 

❝

"Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing." 

- Epictetus

3. Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

Stoic Principle: 

For those of us with ADHD, we can be bold and confident but setbacks can feel much bigger than they actually are in the moment. Stoicism encourages us to view challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth. This mindset shift empowers us to approach difficulties with resilience and turn adversity into a catalyst for building momentum. 

Action:

  • Reflect on a recent setback you faced.

  • Write down three ways you can turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth.

     

❝

"It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste much of it." 

- Seneca

4. Strategic Decision-Making through Rationality

Stoic Principle: 

In our super fast-paced world, we are faced with way too many decisions to make each day. This sheer volume of decisions can be totally overwhelming and make it nearly impossible to give any one decision too much thought. Stoicism emphasizes the importance of approaching decisions with a clear and rational mind. For us with ADHD, this is even harder than most. This requires a combination of the other stoic principles such as mindfulness and the dichotomy of control. The more we are present, calm, focused, and acutely aware of what we can and cannot control, the more we can focus our limited cognitive resources on the decisions that actually matter.

Action: 

  • Before making a significant decision, take a moment to calm your breathing and relax your nervous system.

  • Next, outline the pros and cons.

  • This structured approach aligns with Stoic rationality, guiding you toward well-informed choices amid the complexity of executive decision-making. 

❝

"He who fears death will never do anything worth of a man who is alive." 

- Seneca

Do you struggle with balancing the chaos in your life?

Schedule a free 50-minute call with me and I can help you unpack where you could potentially make a shift to create more steady and sustainable habits.

Special Offer - Limited Time

Grab my online course “Conquering ADHD Paralysis” for FREE throughout the month of November! ($150 value)

Here is a Stoicism playlist on YouTube with a few of my favorite resources:

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