Podcast Summary

Podcast: Adult ADHD ADD Tips and Support

Episode: Adult ADHD Tips – Life Visioning Exercises Part 1
Date: January 8, 2025
Host: Michael Joseph Ferguson (Author & ADHD Life Coach)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into Life Visioning exercises for adults with ADHD, based on the “Drummer and the Great Mountain” approach. The host, Michael Joseph Ferguson, focuses on practical, holistic tools for goal-setting and self-reflection tailored to neurodivergent individuals, particularly those who identify with the "hunter-type" brain. Part 1 covers the philosophy behind life visioning, major community success stories, and details the first step in a structured five-part visioning process: identifying personal talents and skill sets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Intentional Visioning (03:47)

• Ritualizing New Beginnings: Michael stresses the benefit of marking the new year with self-reflection and intention-setting, while acknowledging that different cultures have different starting points for the year.
  • “Having that ritual is important. It’s important to draw a line in the sand and say, ‘Okay, this is the beginning of the year. I’m going to do some life visioning and goal setting for the year—with some detachment.’” (08:00)
• Letting Go of Pressure: Visioning is about getting clear on what you want, not worrying about how it will happen yet.
  • “Put aside how it’s going to happen. Don’t worry about that yet. Just ask yourself, what am I wanting?” (06:30)
• Shifting from Reaction to Choice: ADHD often leads to living in reaction; visioning is proactive, helping listeners move from overwhelm into empowered choice.

2. Real-Life Successes from the ADHD Community (09:15)

Michael highlights recent wins among clients and workshop participants, demonstrating the tangible impact of intention-setting and support:

• Community members becoming ADHD coaches.
• Clients quitting drinking, resulting in dramatic life improvements.
• Entrepreneurs reviving struggling businesses with new structures and support.
• Grieving individuals recovering and regaining inspiration.
• Improved mood and energy when boundaries are set to address anxiety/depression.
• Daily exercise leading to significant well-being and focus.
• Parents moving struggling children to supportive schools, transforming family life.
• Solopreneurs and entrepreneurs finding relief via weekly check-ins and external support.

“That comes as a result of doing—starting here, starting with the life visioning work.” (12:50)

3. Overview of the “Life Visioning” 5-Step Framework (15:00)

Michael walks through the heart of the life visioning process, designed specifically for ADHD/hunter-type brains:

Step 1: Get Clear About Your Talents and Skill Sets
Step 2: Mining Your Daydreaming for Clues
Step 3: Creating Long-Term Goals in Specific Life Areas
Step 4: Translating Long-Term Goals to Short-Term Goals
Step 5: Converting Short-Term Goals into Doable Actions & Milestones

• Life categories (from Sonia Choquette): health, work, relationships, creative expression, finances, service, spirituality/mindfulness, home, travel/adventure, possessions.
• Emphasis on milestones:

  “I've leaned more and more towards talking about milestones. ... They give us a line in the sand to say, ‘I did that.’ And I’ve gotten to this phase of whatever I’m doing.” (19:50)

4. Deep Dive: Step 1 – Identifying Talents and Skill Sets (21:00)

Exercise Instructions:

• Write a list (bulleted or simple) of things you’re good at—big or small, specific or general.

• Reflect on these questions:

  1. When are you so engrossed in an activity that time flies?
  2. What have others told you you’re gifted at?
  3. What activities give you a sense of confidence, either during or after?

  “This exercise for most people is somewhat revelatory, even if you’ve done it … because we forget what we’re good at and we often forget to schedule those things into our lives.” (22:35)

Reflection Prompts:

• What realizations or insights came up as you made your list?

• Which strengths can you focus more energy on in 2025 for a more enjoyable and confident year?

  “As you read back through what you wrote, what did you realize? ... What of those things can you place more energy towards in 2025 because you know it will make your life better?” (23:15)

Note:
A second part to the exercise, focusing on subconscious clues, will be covered in Part 2 (the next episode).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Magic of Small Tweaks:

  “One little tweak of getting them to another school... it was some work, but it really paid off.” (11:35)

• Milestones vs. Goals:

  “I find the word milestone versus goal feels a little more... it’s a little more comfortable to work with.” (19:45)

• On Ritual and Beginning Anew:

  “It is arbitrary, like what we say is the beginning of the year… But having that ritual is important.” (08:00)

• Overcoming Overwhelm:

  “Goal setting feels very overwhelming, and we often want to push it away, but we always know what we’re wanting. That’s the key.” (06:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:47 - Main episode begins, Michael introduces today’s focus.
• 06:15 - Why “wanting” matters more than “how.”
• 08:00 - Drawing the line: the ritual of starting the year.
• 09:15 - Client and community success stories.
• 15:00 - Introduction and breakdown of the 5-step Life Visioning process.
• 17:20 - Explaining life categories for goal setting.
• 19:45 - Importance of milestones versus goals.
• 21:00 - Step 1 exercise: Identifying talents and skill sets.
• 22:35 - Reflection questions; purpose of repeating the exercise yearly.
• 23:15 - How to use your strengths for a better 2025.

Tone and Language

• Highly encouraging, compassionate, and energetic.
• Down-to-earth and gently motivational, speaking directly to listeners with empathy for ADHD challenges and strengths.
• Language remains practical and accessible, with structured yet flexible advice tailored to neurodivergent thinkers.

Next Steps & Resources

• Get the Life Visioning PDF chapter: drummerandthegreatmountain.com/episode113
• Join the Life Visioning Workshop: January 25th and 28th, details at drummerandthegreatmountain.com/workshop
• Look out for the next episode: Deep dive into subconscious clues for visioning.

In Summary

This opening installment of a two-part series lays the groundwork for a structured, ADHD-friendly approach to setting life goals and intentions for the new year. Michael Joseph Ferguson blends community successes, step-by-step frameworks, and practical exercises that encourage listeners to embrace their strengths, clarify their desires, and approach goal-setting with flexibility, optimism, and concrete support.