Are You Neurodivergent or Are You Stuck on One Road?

PS by definition, this is not a negative label nor a medical diagnosis. Nor am I talking about people who are autistic. Unfortunately its merely a descriptive term that is misused often to describe pretty much anyone who operates differently.

I recently had one of the most joyful conversations of my life. I was on the phone with a new friend, a true polymath who has thrived in countless industries and holds multiple degrees. We hopped from one topic to another with such joy and curiosity, and it made me think about how differently our minds can work. While my friend and I love to explore many roads at once, both of our partners are the opposite—they are deeply focused, which is exactly what you want in their fields. Mine is an eye surgeon. And honestly, you probably do want someone highly focused before they take a scalpel to your cornea.

This contrast made me wonder: is there really a “right” way for our minds to work? Or do we simply need to celebrate and respect the diversity of how we think and process the world?

Today, many of us who think differently might have been labeled—or even medicated if we were growing up today. But what if that uniqueness is actually a gift? Imagine if someone like Elon Musk had been told to quiet his mind. How many innovations would we have missed? Edison is another classic example He was said to have Intense focus: and was known for his ability to concentrate intensely on his work for long periods, sometimes forgetting to eat or sleep. This is often cited as a characteristic of neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism. Edison didnt even speak until the age of four He totally would have been medicated and we would all be in the dark. Add to that he struggled with social interactions.

I’ll admit, when I was younger, I definitely acted out. I thought nothing of throwing an apple at a friend in the middle of class. (Impulse control issues? You think?) Back then, you got suspended—not put on drugs.

To me, there’s nothing more fun than working on multiple projects at once. Yes, I know the research on “switching costs”—they say it can drain 40% of your productivity. But here I am writing this, which just might help someone. And then I’ll switch gears and work on my business. For me, this is fun.

So whether you find yourself hopping between ideas or staying laser-focused on one path, let’s remember to appreciate the different ways our minds work. After all, it’s that diversity that makes our world so rich and full of possibility.