Episode 69: Christa Seals

Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Welcome to episode #69. We’re thrilled to be joined by Christa Seals today.

Christa is a serial entrepreneur from her teen years and has extensive military experience, Christa has always positioned herself as a leader and mentor, consulting high-caliber executives, managing special agent HQs, and scaling her businesses.

With her specialized understanding of human nature, team performance, and how high-producing talent operates, Christa is in the unique position to provide team building, performance enhancement, and skill development for high achievers within a demanding industry.

Welcome to the show Christa!

Questions

1. Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
   1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
      1. Her deep interest in her curiosity
         1. Bringing biology books on camping.
         2. Deep focus while playing violin (so immersed in it that she’d end up with a bruise on her chin)
      2. When I was younger I felt like it was there but it didn’t manifest until I had multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
      3. The last one really triggered it the worst and caused me to go through a multi-month clinical treatment.
      4. Shifting between periods of hyperfocus and then having a lot of trouble focusing.
   2. What challenges did you face?
      1. Speech, memory, and dealing with common situations, I was easily overwhelmed, and easily triggered.
      2. Some days able to concentrate well at work, other times unable to get anything done for days straight
      3. Didn’t tell anyone about the TBI or health issues.
         1. Didn’t want them to be an identifier.
         2. A leader with similar issues opened up which helped Christa feel less alone.
      4. The identity of being a small female in the military
         1. Feeling the need to prove herself.
   3. What changes have come post-diagnosis?
      1. Acceptance
      2. I have slowed down immensely in comparison to when I was at the peak of my military career. I have started self-examining myself before most if not all situations so I can best prepare.
   4. What challenges do you still face now?
      1. Impulsivity, I naturally get easily excited about new things but that causes me to be impulsive (i.e. TEDx). I also have a lot of hobbies that I find hard to balance.
      2. How can you give yourself grace while being in a disciplined environment like the military?
         1. Military is pretty standardized, and not compatible with neurodivergence.
            1. Some leaders like the creative leadership of a neurodivergent individual.
   5. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
      1. My creative lens. It took me a while to realize that I see the world differently and that’s truly a gift to share with the world. I have helped clients, friends, and family look at things completely different than what they approach problems with and that helps them overcome and find solutions.
2. What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
   1. Writing book
   2. Business Coaching
      1. Dentists, Professors, AI developers
      2. Provide structure, help set goals
         1. SOPs
         2. Paper => Digital
   3. working on my TEDx talk.
      1. Being audacious: have balls of steel
         1. Necessary to create change
3. How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
   1. Depends on how much off time
      1. I have. I love squeezing in coffee dates, or a quick trip to a beautiful view.
      2. If I have a bit more time then I love travelling, taking my family to find hidden gems in new places.
      3. Exploring: finding the views that no one really knows the location
4. Productivity tips
   1. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
      1. Listen to ASMR: helpful for productivity at work and household chores
         1. What does ASMR stand for again? - autonomous sensory meridian response
            1. Not sure, but it’s often used as an ambient soundtrack to relax
            2. Reminds her of grandmother humming the rosary.
            3. Now
               1. Painting sounds of the brush
               2. Rummaging through bags: makeup bags, craft bags.
      2. Location cued productivity:
         1. Working from home doesn’t help
            1. Thinks about housework/home improvement projects at home
      3. Self study/reflection
         1. Examines conscience
            1. Prayer/meditation
      4. Brain dumping ideas
      5. Don’t work through lunch - useful recharge time.
   2. What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
      1. Chronodiscrimination: not everyone wakes up at 5 am and jumps out of bed
         1. She does much better if she wakes up without an alarm - peak productivity
5. BREAK
6. What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
   1. It has evolved several times after testing my own productiveness in different scenarios.
      1. Has had to adjust with parenthood.
         1. I used to start by making coffee and sitting on my balcony while I read for 20 minutes, and then it transitioned to going to the gym first thing in the morning. But that changed after I had my son. Now that my son is 3, I take him to school so I am most productive by taking a shower, getting dressed, getting ready down to my shoes, and then waking up my son to get ready so I’m not overwhelmed trying to get both of us ready at the same time
   2. Wakes up with the sun
      1. I also allow my body to sleep in if I need to, but then I kick off the same way.
      2. Shower to get productive
   3. Gets into the outfit for the energy level
      1. Sweatpants are to relax
   4. Emotional support drink
      1. Something warm before meetings
      2. Energy drink if need to start focusing immediately
   5. Consciously sits down for lunch
      1. As soon as done with food, gets set for the next thing
   6. Start slow and then ramp up
7. How is your sleep?
   1. Self-experimentation:
      1. Things that didn’t work well
         1. Yoga before bed
         2. Hot tea
         3. Exercise before bed
      2. Things that worked
         1. Brain dump creative thoughts so can sleep - better than trying to suppress the thoughts
         2. ASMR
            1. Reminds her of grandma praying with rosary beads in a low voice -
            2. Other experiences:
               1. Coworkers typing
               2. Painting sounds
               3. Makeup bag rummaging
8. Where can people connect with you or find your work?
   1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christaseals
      1. I answer all my DMs
   2. Website: https://www.christaseals.com/
9. Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
   1. Early birds are not superior to night owls/third birds
   2. Self-study as much as you can - use yourself to

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