Question for other ADHD/autistic folks out there:
how do you conceptualize "hard work"?
I was lucky enough in school that I didn't really need to put a lot of effort in, because it was just...easy to know what i need to know? i wouldn't exactly class it as hyperfocus or hyperfixation, because it's different from stuff like my childhood interest in the paranormal or unicorns or mythology -- those are definitely special interests looking back. but like, i was good at school and lucky that i worked well within that external structure.
but as a kid my dad was always telling me that the world is full of 'brilliant failures' who didn't work hard enough to bring their talents to bear on, like, succeeding? with the implication that if i didn't work hard, that would be me.
but i did not then nor do i now know what the fuck 'hard work' is? or how to do it?
like, i understand that hyperfixation and hard work have similar results, i.e. i spent the last two days drawing because i couldn't stop, and the piece of art i am making is good, by my own standards, as a result, and i know that someone who expended, like, effort and executive function and whatever could have done the same, i think?
but i don't know how to do that and no one has ever been able to explain it to me in a way that makes sense?
is it, like, hyperfixation/hyperfocus but without the like, the cushion of Not Being Able to Stop?
because that sounds awful and i have no idea how anyone could do it, even if they have non-ADHD executive function?
is there something i'm missing?
