Being Creative and Inventive or ADD, ADHD
They're Often Known To Be Hard To Deal With
Historically the most creative and innovative people are usually the ones thought to have the craziest ideas, mentally challenged, or have a difficult time learning. Just take a look at Edison who was thought to be all of the above.
Today we label them as ADD, ADHD, ODD, or "A little out there" it gives reason to sometimes not understanding just how fast their mind can function. Here's a great example of an almost missed opportunity and why.
While watching the new episode of Shark Tank (love that show) I couldn’t help but feel bad for one of the inventors when he just couldn’t hold back his passion for his incredibly creative and unique idea/design. Thank goodness for Barbara who saved the day by being a “go between” to save the deal. Daymond had a hard time dealing with the inventor and went on to admit that dealing with designers is difficult enough without adding another partner where he could barely get a word in edgewise.
Here's The Point and I Think The Reason Why
If you didn’t see the show my point is that there is a very thin line or short fuse when people deal with those whose minds are in overdrive. We tend to immediately want to classify them as add, adhd, odd, etc.. Are they usually the ones that are more creative? My answer is a definite yes, and the reason being is #1) We think outside of the box, #2) Our brains are most of the time on overdrive which is difficult enough for us to deal with let alone someone who has no idea what it’s like, #3) Most of the time we feel this incredible NEED to tell the world about our new idea which I’m sure at some point we can become very annoying to others (a special thanks to friends and family:). So when do you say enough is enough? When their 5 yrs old and you think they are adhd because they can’t stay focused, or wait until their 15 and label them odd because they are so oppositional (which is really sometimes nothing more than their passion on overdrive)?
Are they also the ones that are so quickly labeled as adhd, odd, etc? Absolutely, without a doubt, because it makes them easier to cope with and keep in control.
Is it possible to let all those ideas, emotions, and passions loose or do we need to sedate them with medications so they’re easier to deal with? Ask anyone who knows me and they will probably say SEDATE (just kidding**** I think). Expressing all of the above can not only allow someone to figure out who they are and to develop morals and character it gives us inventions that are to endless to begin. If you want to understand more of why I feel so strongly about this please read Children Expressing Creativity or take a look at a few of the ideas that just pop into my head while doing everyday tasks.
A Couple Ideas You Might Enjoy
1) Large animal lovers with water troughs. I went out to give my horses fresh water this morning and realized it was time once again to scrub the troughs because it looked like yuck You know they either get algae, rust deposits from well water (depending on what they‘re made of), feed that drops in, or just a bunch of dirt on the bottom. Now personally I can think of 20 million things I would rather be doing than cleaning out a horse trough. Then I thought hmmmm if I just put a thin plastic liner inside and filled it up with water then when it got dirty I could just punch a hole in the liner or just tip it over, empty the water, replace the liner and Whaaaaala I can go on to do the 20 million things I would rather be doing. You could tie it around the edge like a trash bag or use elastic around the outside rim.
#2) Wood Flooring If you haven’t figured out yet that my taste is a little different than most just take a look at this floor I put down or go to Edgy Hardwood Floors to see how I did it.. Your probably saying yeah so big deal, BUT WAIT THERES A TWIST. The next time you want to put down hardwood floors and are doing it yourself go buy the wood, stain one side in a lighter oak or pine (or just polyurethane it) flip it over and do the other in a walnut (or whatever other color you like) Make it a floating floor and when you get bored with it move the furniture and flip it. Make the sides a neutral color that will go with both and you just changed the entire room in just minutes. If your wondering about the baseboards do one side and top one shade and the other to match the dark so when you flip it they match. You can use 1x4’s or whatever you like Yes you will have to cut a few extra pieces for corners but it is so worth it. You can also do the stone one design on one side and the other side another, or use paint doing one side black, one white, and then you have a third option for stripes (just thought of that one). Just take a look at the picture of the bathroom and you get the idea or go to the article at Small Bathroom Remodeling.
Ok I could go on, and on, and on but you get the idea. It doesn’t matter where you are or what your doing believe me sometimes what you think is being hyper, or “out there” is really just some ones mind trying to focus on a new idea or design, an easier way of doing something, or they are just waiting for one thought to stay put for just a second so they can FOCUS:) .
Yes I know that some people need medication look at Ty Pennington (Extreme Home Makeover) and he's awesome, but it is all to often they're on meds and don't need them.
So How Do You Let Those Creative Minds Flow Without You Needing Meds
So how do you get all those ideas and passion out without making you tear your hair out or need a script for Valiums? Here’s a couple of productive ways that will work for a bunch of different age groups.
One thing to remember before you start is if you start ridiculing or knocking the idea, the project will end in a hurry and suppress whatever other concepts are left. Constructive and positive reinforcement will bring you both a multitude of stress release, laughter, and a bond that will last a lifetime. Then again, you may end up with a million dollar shark tank or other investor. So what have you got to lose, besides some well deserved peace and quiet while they create.
OK first you have to find out what they’re passionate about, if you don’t already know. Don’t panic, it’s easy, just look in their room, if there is a ton of comic books then that’s it. If they love Barney or Cinderella, clothes, video games, or just think of the one thing they drive you crazy about the most and that’s it. Now, give them something to write or draw with, a computer to use, or a tape recorder (depending on their age) and ask them to create their own version of their passion. A good example is a new video game, remember it has to have new characters, phases, or have them write or record a book, or a short story about a new doll, write a new song (it doesn’t matter whether they’re 5 or 25) and let the imaginations run wild. If they have a favorite tv show then have them write an idea for an episode. If they have a different style when it comes to clothes have them design their own line of clothing. Depending on what you end up with you can take this as far as you want. You just may have a great writer, designer, inventor, or engineer on your hands
No matter what they come up with remember it’s what they’re passionate about and at one time or another you’ve had that same passion about something, so DON’T BE A CRITIC UNLESS IT’S POSITIVE. If you reward them by maybe publishing the article or story (hub pages is not only free they might actually make a little money), or sending the idea to a tv show, or letting them join a music class, I promise you will not regret it and you will have created a common bond that will change your relationship in ways you never dreamed possible.
Good Luck and and have an incredible day
