Episode 36: Stephen J Morris

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

Welcome to episode #36 We’re thrilled to be joined by Stephen J Morris today. Stephen J Morris is the founder and CEO of Renowned Leadership, committed to empowering leaders to become exceptional and achieve their professional goals. With more than 20 years of experience including 16 years of military leadership in the United States Army in leadership roles, he has identified 5 fundamental pillars of leadership that are the foundation of all production episodes. In addition, the company offers a range of solutions; including 1 on 1 coaching, mentoring programs, and online courses designed to create high-performing and energized teams. Welcome to the show Stephen!

Questions

1. Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?
   1. 5th/6th-grade teachers started complaining about hyperactivity
   2. 8th grade teachers asked mum to put him on medication
   3. 8th grade biology teacher, Mrs Cunningham taught him tips and tricks to use his brain as a superpower
      1. Tactic: move to a different
   4. Formally diagnosed at age 24 in the army
2. What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
   1. Bringing esprit de corps to the corporate world
   2. Goal - everyone in the organization feels engaged. You don’t hate Monday, work is fulfilling, love your team
   3. 1 on 1 coaching
3. How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
   1. Work is his passion (110hrs)
   2. Fishing
   3. Exercise: gym, run
   4. Spartan races
   5. Goal: Boston Marathon
4. What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
   1. Gratitude journal - frames mind for the day
   2. Exercise: Run/gym
   3. Meditation: 30 minutes
   4. Prayer time
   5. Breakfast
5. What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
   1. Now can focus for longer periods
      1. Pomodoro technique
      2. Mind more disciplined now due to military training
   2. Breaks: play with the puppy or go fishing
   3. Use alarms to snap out of hyperfocus
6. COMMERCIAL BREAK
7. What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
   1. Time blindness (e.g. video games) - combat with alarms
8. How do you switch off at night?
   1. Evening journal: defrag (get rid of all the junk files) for 10 minutes
9. What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
   1. Books:
      1. Miracle Morning
      2. Atomic Habits
      3. Dr Carolyn Leaf - neuroplasticity researcher
   2. Sensory toy: spinning ring
   3. Philosophies: breaks (drink enough water)
10. Where can people connect with you or find your work?
    1. renownedleadership.com (book a call button)
11. Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
    1. Be kind to yourself

Joey’s creativity course