Episode 62: Ellen Busch

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

Welcome to episode #62 We’re thrilled to be joined by Ellen Busch today. Ellen Busch, diagnosed with dyslexia in childhood, defied expectations. Her parents nurtured her beyond academic confines, teaching her to navigate the ocean, excel in team sports, and embrace adventure. Despite self-esteem struggles, she became a skilled skier and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Battling low self-esteem and trauma, Ellen persevered, escaping abuse and seeking healing. Through coaching, therapy, and training, she reclaimed her power, now thriving and fearlessly pursuing her dreams. Welcome to the show Ellen!

Questions

1. Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
   1. When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical?
      1. Initially diagnosed as ambidextrous.
   2. What challenges did you face?
      1. Dyslexia associated with an intellectual disability.
         1. People had low expectations of her - teacher told her parents that she would only ever be able to be a wife/mother
         2. Her parents didn’t accept the administrator’s diagnosis. Her dad’s mantra was “Prove em wrong Ellen!”
      2. Took successes outside of the classroom and brought them into the classroom.
         1. Physical challenges like abseiling, scuba diving, boating
         2. Was able to apply the adventures to assignments
      3. Going to college / uni was better
         1. Academic staff were supportive
            1. Probably because she was so open and transparent
         2. Managed to get through tough subjects
   3. What is it like now?
      1. Agrees that the struggle gave her the grit
         1. She could outwork everyone else
         2. At an early age
            1. E.g. Reading nautical charts with her Dad.
   4. What neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
      1. Understanding visual learning
         1. Thinks in pictures
         2. Using visual aids whenever possible
            1. E.g. Anatomy colouring book - associating the colour with the name.
      2. Long-term memory is good
      3. Good pattern recognition
2. What projects are you concentrating on?
   1. Book: disEmpowered
      1. Shares her story about getting through hostile education system and leaning into her strengths
      2. Lots of podcast
   2. Training to become a coach (to help other dyslexic people and parents of dyslexic children)
      1. Heroes’ journey approach
         1. Refuse the challenge
         2. Take on the challenge
         3. Succeed
         4. Take the lessons back to your tribe
3. How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
   1. Come back to the idea of outworking people. Does she find it difficult to switch off
      1. When younger, it was rough
         1. Because don’t have the emotional development on how to cope.
         2. Would have frustrated outbursts.
      2. Do athletic, physical things and then would fall asleep.
      3. Foundational practices
         1. Meditation
         2. Journalling
         3. Breathwork
         4. Visualisation
         5. Reboot practice - 45 mins to turn off the brain
         6. Yoga
4. What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours? What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
   1. Optimising productivity
      1. Take breaks - not a robot!
         1. “Spot drills”
            1. Micro-workouts (10 minutes): 50 air squats/burpees/push-presses/WOD
            2. Does 3 of those per day. Aiming for 4
         2. “Sitting is the new smoking”
      2. Break up tasks - write for 15 minutes and then empty the dishwasher
      3. Setting boundaries: this is what I need to do for myself
   2. Unhelpful advice
      1. Multitasking: doing 3-5 things at a time doesn’t work. Do one thing at a time.
5. COMMERCIAL BREAK
6. How do you manage communication with neurotypical folk?
   1. Setting expectations (like she did with the professors at college)
   2. Active listening
   3. Understanding different perspectives
      1. Asking for clarification
      2. Reflecting back
   4. 5 mountain plan
      1. From Commander Mark Devine (retired Navy Seal)
7. What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
   1. Set alarm clock 30 mins early - give herself time to wake up (not New York style wake up, gulp coffee and leap out the door anymore!)
   2. Large glass of water
   3. Box breathing
   4. Gratitude journalling - typically 3 minutes
   5. Yoga and stretching
   6. Micro goals approach:
      1. start small with the habits - 3 things I’m grateful for and then build out from here
8. How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
   1. PM ritual:
      1. Journaling (what went well/what didn’t go well - what did I learn? In a non judgemental way)
      2. Breathwork (box breathing)
      3. Meditation (insight timer)
      4. Sleep!
9. Where can people connect with you or find your work?
   1. Book: Amazon
   2. ellenbusch.com
   3. Facebook
   4. LinkedIn
   5. Instagram
10. Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
    1. If you are dyslexic/ND, please know that you are not broken
    2. You have amazing abilities - focus on what you’re good at - explore that

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• 10 News First: Melbourne Inventions Helping Those With Disabilities

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