Different ways of getting your ideas out
Some ideas to experiment with
The gist of this post is:
If you've been reading about neurodiversity, you might have come across the term "verbal processing" - meaning working through ideas by talking.
Many ADHDers relate to this processing style. Although I couldn't find much research about verbal processing and ADHD, it's helpful for all of us to consider the different ways we can express ideas and notice what works best for us.
You can experiment with different ways of expressing your ideas, like recording yourself talking, talking things through, drawing diagrams, or journalling.
For managers and facilitators: it's worth asking yourself if you are allowing for different ways of expressing ideas in your meetings and workshops.
Have you ever been called a chatterbox?
If you're a keen reader of neurodiversity articles, you might have come across the term "verbal processing" referring to thinking by talking ideas through or saying them aloud, as opposed to writing ideas down or displaying them visually.
In general, expressing our ideas can help focus and organise the whirlwind of thoughts inside our heads into a clearer and more manageable narrative. I've heard it said that many ADHDers find verbal processing particularly useful, perhaps because our hyperactivity can express itself through talking. But, everyone's a bit different. So, we can think about different ways of self-expression as a starting point for exploring our preferences and finding out how we do our best work.
If you're interested in exploring how you express your ideas most easily, you could start by taking notice of the kinds of conditions where the ideas seem to flow easily. In work settings, for example: when you're trying to work something out or make a decision, do you find it helpful to bounce ideas with a co-worker? Or would you rather spend some time jotting down your ideas on paper? Or are you the first one to jump up and map out the system on a whiteboard during meetings?
How can I try different ways of expressing my ideas?
The easiest way is to experiment - for example:
I dictated the first draft of this post using the voice notes app on my phone. It does an awful job of transcribing (maybe it's my strong NZ accent!) but gives me a foundation, which I can then re-write and edit. I find the voice recorder helpful because it encourages me to tell a story and stick to the main points without getting too wordy. It also helps focus my attention and stops me from going down too many research rabbit-holes.
Another way to make use of your verbal processing skills: chat things through with a friend or colleague, or anyone else who is good at listening without interrupting.
Do you remember drawing mind maps as a kid at school? You might find it useful to map ideas out in a freeform way and show their relationships with each other.
Of course, there's also journalling - which you can do in whatever way works for you, whether that's long-form writing, bullet points, lists, or drawings.
For meeting chairs, facilitators and managers:
Do your meetings, workshops and brainstorming sessions incorporate different ways of expressing ideas? Or does one style tend to be favoured over another?
Allowing meeting participants to communicate their ideas in different ways might help increase engagement and participation. See also: my previous post about little shifts you can make to improve your meetings, linked below.
I'd love to hear from you: what techniques do like to you use to get your ideas out?
Sources/further reading:
Fellman, W., and Copper, J. 2021. Let It Out! How Self-Expression Soothes the ADD Brain. ADDitudemag.com