Episode 59: Christina Hooper

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

Welcome to episode #58 We’re thrilled to be joined by Christina Hooper today.

Christina is revolutionizing the journey for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. As one of the world's only AuDHD Business Designers, she puts a focus on understanding deeply, unlocking potential, and designing businesses that aren't just successful, but also fulfilling and sustainable.

Christina and her business partners are creating a space where differences are strengths, where every challenge is a chance to innovate, and where everyone gets to live their best life through the journey of entrepreneurship.

Welcome to the show Christina!

Questions

1. JN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
   1. When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
      1. Age? I missed it
      2. Self-diagnosed through Tiktok
         1. Felt like the first time other folks understood how her brain worked.
            1. Other people experiencing
               1. Brain bouncing around
               2. Not being able to sit still
               3. Drawing connections other people can’t
   2. What challenges did you face?
      1. Couldn’t create the course that should have been easy.
         1. Hired Melanie? The mindset coach?
      2. Business culture
         1. Attire
         2. Loud venues (e.g. Vegas)
   3. What is it like now?
      1. Sensory toys
         1. Fidgit toys
      2. Background music
         1. Without words
         2. Medieval tavern (Bardcore?)
         3. Classical dubstep
      3. Follows the music of brain DJ
      4. Dopamine cheat sheet
      5. Sensory-friendly clothes
      6. Beverage goblin army
      7. Supplements
      8. MTHFR gene mutation
         1. Diabolical B12 deficiency
            1. Turns B12 into cyanide
   4. What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
      1. Business design skillset
         1. Leaning into autism
         2. The possibilities / lateral thinking
2. JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
   1. Academy
      1. 18 years in business
      2. Offering
         1. Delivery methods:
            1. Metaverse style via gather.town
               1. Body doubling
            2. Office hours with coaches
            3. Email/slack
         2. Roadmap for ND entrepreneurs
            1. Strategies, apps
         3. Mindset coach
         4. Fractional COO
            1. Help with delegating and communication
   2. Has 3 other businesses
      1. Consultancy - personal brand
      2. SaaS built on high-level
      3. Project management agency
   3. Started doing graphic design initially
   4. Also website programming on the side (before WYSIWYG builders)
3. JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
   1. Hanging with husband and kids
   2. Loofy/one-piece
      1. Business lessons
4. JC: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
   1. Optimizing productivity
      1. You have to prepare the day before if you want to be productive today
         1. Rest and recover well
         2. Pay attention to energy
            1. Monday = content creation day
            2. Thursday/Friday = get interviewed/admin
            3. Daily/monthly cycles
            4. Seasonal changes - winter = not a good time for launching products
      2. Body doubling
         1. Highest level = physical human next to you
         2. Lower level = focus mate/gather town
      3. Optimizing stimulation level
         1. 4x speed if she wants to watch something and learn
         2. Can read a book, watch a video, and listen to a podcast at the same time.
            1. One of the things should be familiar - e.g. a re-run. Without cliffhangers.
         3. Needs to have two things happening at once.?
      4. Things don’t work forever
         1. Why - perhaps the context has changed, e.g. body doubling doesn’t work if you’ve been
   2. Unhelpful productivity advice
   3. PlayDHD
5. COMMERCIAL BREAK
6. JN: How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
   1. She stopped trying
      1. Tries to get people to assume positive intent
      2. Training the neurotypicals to assume positive intent
7. JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
   1. Go easy first thing - sloth energy - avoid anxiety first thing
   2. Experience morning colors for the rest of the day
      1. And colors the energy
8. JC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
   1. Closing duties:
      1. Washing dishes
      2. Clothes
      3. Lock door
   2. Timing: do the duties before dinner
   3. Tactile goal setting
      1. Stir to left for more of what you want of
      2. Stir to the right for less
9. JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
   1. christinahooper.com
10. JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
    1. Slow down and prioritise your joy
       1. Life is a journey