“Single-Minded Focus”
Michael Phelps won the Gold Medal in his first swim in Beijing! There seems to be some confusion and wonder at how and why Michael Phelps was able to overcome so many odds to not break under so much mental pressure. Michael is described in countless articles to have laser like focus on his swimming and single mindedness on being the best. His concentration has even been described as other-worldly. Yes, Michael has the body makeup of a perfect swimming machine, but in competition it is always the mental aspect which allows someone to step above the rest – in Michael’s case, way above the rest – domination.
Michael Phelps has ADHD. I am not the least bit confused by what others are describing about his laser like concentration, this mental part of his makeup, believe it or not, is rather normal for most people with ADHD. It is called Hyper Focusing. Hyper Focusing allows us to concentrate on something so intensely that we cannot break away from whatever we are focusing on, it can provide supreme drive and motivation. Before I go on about how this helps Michael, let me first be clear about the reality of Hyper Focusing for most people with ADHD. Hyper Focusing is a major cause of dilemma and strife, it can be more of a distraction than anything else. It is often said that kids with ADHD cannot focus and concentrate in school, that’s not entirely true, it is just that these kids are focusing on other things – day dreams, that butterfly outside the window, or maybe something they want to do outside of class.
It is when we start Hyper Focusing on something which we have a talent in, and can make a career of, that Hyper Focusing becomes a benefit. If you read over many of my articles here on ADDer World you will notice that I have written many times at how people with ADHD can be the best at anything they set their mind’s to, well, not just the best, better than anyone who has come before them! This has been proven time and time again, this is not a myth or made up wishful thinking, it is a fact. Find someone with ADHD who is doing what they Hyper Focus on in which they have talent and you will find someone doing amazing things which defy all logic. Michael Phelps is the latest proof.
In my book I clearly describe how pressure, stress and yes, even fear, helped me Hyper Focus. I am a pool / billiard player and when I am under the most pressure, which could seem unbearable to others, I would always perform at my best – I hardly ever lost when under extreme mental pressure. That same pressure, stress and fear does not help me Hyper Focus in other things, it can do the opposite, if it is not what I am self-motivated for. That’s a longer explanation better left in my book and not this article.
This brings me back to Michael winning a Gold Medal yesterday in Beijing. In an article I was reading this morning this stood out to me:
“In an event in which he was supposed to be pushed, he had no peers. In a race in which there was to be stress, he became the picture of relaxation, so at odds with the feat he accomplished. With President Bush, the first lady and former president George H.W. Bush in the stands waving American flags, Phelps won the 400-meter individual medley at the National Aquatics Center in a world record time of 4 minutes 3.84 seconds — crushing his old world mark, winning an Olympic gold medal and likely sending chills through the rest of the competitors on hand, many of whom could succumb to Phelps in similar fashion later in the meet.” washingtonpost.com
I read similar remarks in many other articles about Michael Phelps and it seems to me that few understand the power at Michael’s disposal when it comes to Hyper Focusing. Having the president watching, the first lady and the former President too, is enough to overwhelm most people and make them start rethinking what they are doing or forget what they are doing all together. It is extreme mental pressure and not to mention that just about everyone else in the world is watching too. Michael Phelps was expected to do well and that adds its own kind of intense pressure, the fear of failure and not living up to expectations. The reality that many fail to comprehend about someone with ADHD is that all such pressure is simply more stimulation – it is natural Ritalin, if you will, but far more effective! Whereas Ritalin helps release someone from their single minded, hyper focused and seemingly distracted thoughts, mental pressure of an intense nature helps one increase their Hyper Focus on whatever has captured their mind’s attention.
Congratulations Michael and a special thank you from the rest of us with ADHD!
A short warning to parents of ADHD children: Hyper Focusing cannot be directed to activities that you choose are best for the child. Fear, pressure and stress will not help a child improve in school or other activities as I describe above. I explain this in my book, but I think a simple warning is important. Hyper Focusing works from within the ADHD mind and whatever ‘IT’ is attracted to. An ADHD person has very little control over that which his or her mind Hyper Focuses on. Michael has the benefit that that which he Hyper Focuses on is useful in building a swimming career; however, if Michael’s mind had focused on insect collecting instead, I don’t think he would be praised so much… if that were the case no parental pressure in the world could have made him Hyper Focus on swimming instead.
~Bryan
PS:
By the way, Michael Phelps’ Mom runs her own ADHD website for Mom’s of children with ADHD! How fantastic is that?!
You can find it here:
http://www.facebook.com/ADHDMoms
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There was a beautiful piece done on NBC during the Olympics right before his race, about his mom. I can identify alot with her - she was also a single mom, raising 3 children… what touched me more than anything was how close he is to his mom, how much he credits her with his success. Shows how truly attentive and loving parenting can influence success - especially for an ADDer. Growing up in a loving and accepting environment with parents who foster strengths and help overcome weaknesses can make all the difference. Michael and his mom are truly inspirations to all of us!
I’m a big Michael Phelps fan! I never knew that he has ADHD!.
I read the story about Phelps mom and how she have beaten the odds.
Long live phelps!
Truly an impressive young man that really shows what going after your dreams can accomplish! This is the kind of mentor I think all kids with ADHD and any kid, can learn from! Oh, and gotta love his english bulldog too!
He just proves what I’ve said more than once about ADHDers: find what we are able to hyperfocus on, and channel that into a career, and we will be unstoppable!
We thought something special was happening with Michael Phelps.
No one has ever, ever achieved such “Super Human” heights in Olympic history.
Last evening [August 14th, 2008], following his winning “qualifier” performance, was the first time I was made aware of this.
Want it done in record time [no pun intended] with pinpoint accuracy??
Leave it to a “Hyperfocused” ADDer!
Way to go Michael!!
Please read my newly published article on the Hallowell website and let me know your thoughts.
http://www.drhallowell.com/pdf/Conquering_College_with_ADD.pdf
I am an undiagnosed ADDer and my son has borderline ADHD[that is what my psychologist said].What I learned about Michael Phelps today
has validated my thought and approach to help my son.I can understand hyperfocusing-a child who can spend 5 hours on a craft project spread over two days,but not on 5 math problems
Yes, he is indeed an inspiration for all of us!
Isn’t it interesting that an ADDer owns world records and the most gold medals won in Olympics history? And not to distract from his great achievements, but yet another ADDer has unveiled the first commercial space craft?
It is nice to take time to view and appreciate some of the positives out there… isn’t it?
~Bryan
Phelps Phood Lacks Phlavor — It Doesn’t Get Any Hotter Than This! // Aug 15, 2008 at 3:14 pm
[...] does he do it? All the pundits talk about his physique, his exercise regimen, his phocus. There’s another dimention to the phenomenal Olympian, [...]
ADHD & Spirituality
It’s the Gospel paradigm again: grace/cooperation changing weakness into strength, death into life (2 Cor. 4:7, 12:9). Knowing the Source helps keep things in focus.
A.D.D. Setting Free
Dedicated to My Love Kathy
Steady is the frame
Chaos in my brain
Spinning round and round
Going up coming down
Loud so clear in sight
Racing to be still
Running from the heart
Beauty hear the beat
What there is to know
Flowing thru the soul
Having full control
Free in all to one
Selfish does it want
Letting go to know
Together we then see
Love is all so be
–Ronald Sorenson
I am a.d.d. and now that I have learned about this gift I have life is beautiful thanks to my love Kathy who showed me this and has made a all natural way to control it LIFE is !!!!!!!GREAT
her site is completenaturalblends.com
I learned just recently that I am ADD . I also write poetry when the’ spirit moves me’ poetry.com
I found out two years ago after years of searching for answers . I will be 80 this year!
Checked out your wife’s site and would like to try some things - but couldn’t find where to/ how to/ register??
I am not that swift on the computer - just smart enough to get into a lot of trouble lol
Maryleen
from Canada
On sunday 8/17/08 at 8:55 am the commentators were discussing Michael Phelp’s accomplishments on WTMJ 620 radio station in Miliwaukee, Wisconsin. They were discussing the fact that Michael is not “sexy” has a crooked nose, ears that stick out and is “obviously not the brightest bulb in the bunch” How disgusting is that!!!
MY ONLY GRANDSON DYLAN WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD AND ASPERGER’S SYNDROME . WITH EARLY INTERVENTION AND VERY INVOLVED PARENTS, HE HAS IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY. WE ARE SO PROUD THAT DYLAN’S DISABILITY IS TRULY A BLESSING. HE CONTINUES TO EXCEL IN SCHOOL AND IS PART OF A STEPPING STONES SUPPORT GROUP. DYLAN IS SO PROUD OF MICHAEL PHELPS BECAUSE HE CAN RELATE TO THE SAME DISORDER. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SUPPORTIVE AND LOVING PARENTS!
Michael is beautiful inside and out! I like his perfect imperfections! I can’t get enough of him! How boring would it be if he were seemingly perfect like many of those robots on t.v. That’s not real or interesting! Our add/adhd children have been knocked down so many times. Thank you Michael for not only representing our awesome country in the olympics, but also for inspiring our children and showing them that they too can exceed all expectations!
Thank you “Lisa from Baltimore” for responding to what Melinda Vose heard on the radio. I have just three words for those commentators-jealous! jealous! jealous!
I have to say, Michael Phelps really is an inspiration to me! I have ADHD and Im 14. Once i found out he had it, that just really inspired me to do well in whatever I do. And thank you for writing this article, so other people can understand what me and so many other people with ADHD go through! I’m considering reading your book.
Kayla
Michael is an amazing inspiration to all of us and we can’t thank him enough for being who he is. Just remember though, that each and every one of you is an inspriation to each and every one of you too! We are all in this together.
Thanks for reading the article and taking a moment of your time to comment.
8 in 8: Michael Phelps Wins The Gold « Patient Centric Healthcare // Aug 18, 2008 at 7:36 pm
[...] (Here’s a site that lists several famous people with ADD/ADHD.) I think there is one good article which talks about his Hyper Focusing on swimming which is a common ability of people with this disease. In this case, he has harnessed it very [...]
I have ADHD too. I am from India. In my country people are not aware of ADHD. Thank you very much Micheal you are great……
Great analysis, Bryan, as usual.
Even as I thrill at Michael’s accomplishments, I worry that parents of children with ADHD will now decide against treatment for them and hope against hope that their child can find an object of passion like Michael did.
As you say, being a major swimming competitor is his hyperfocus. Someone else’s might be serial dating and continual dissatisfaction, spending on Ebay, and worse.
Every person–ADHD or not–should be seen as an individual, in my opinion, and not bundled with stereotypes that might not suit them. And I would hope people with ADHD also get a shot at happiness without having to break world records. It seems to be demanding a lot–and I sometimes wonder at the cost.
I agree with what you are saying Gina. When I was growing up everyone wanted to be Larry Bird and then Michael Jordan or Joe Montana. So the advice is just as good for those without ADHD too. We should be inspired and motivated, but not at the cost of measuring up to our heroes. Not everyone is going to break world records and not everyone has to in order to find happiness. But, I tell you what, if I could throw the ball like Joe Montana…
i have adhd just like michal phelps. i think that if anything his adhd is a big part of the reason he is so successfull. when i play basketball with my adhd in full force i find i can think much much faster and make plays quicker than when im on my meds. And for those of you who did not know adhd has many benifits http://addadhd.suite101.com/article.cfm/positive_aspects_of_adhd_and_add this site lists most of the benifits that adhd contribute to and most people with adhd can relate to all of them. one of the ones is atleticism and he is prob gets his athleticism from his adhd. so people with adhd should know the benifits and use adhd for them and not think of it as a bad thing.
This article totally makes sense. My son who is 5 years old can outplay most adults when it comes to video games. It seems to be the only thing he can literally focus on. It does become a problem some of the time when he wants to play all the time and becomes upset when he can’t. But at the same time it’s amazing how he can actually walk his father (or any other person, for that matter) through a new game after only playing it for a couple of days. I believe he’s going to become a real gamer. And you never know, maybe my son will become a creator in the world of video games! =)
Michael Phelps | Neil Peterson // Mar 10, 2009 at 5:58 pm
[...] remained singularly focused on the task at hand. Many ADHD bloggers have credited this ‘Hyper Focus‘ as a key component of his success as an athlete and is a prime example of how something that [...]