This isn’t a lack of routine or focus. It’s one of the ways ADHD shows up. While it can feel like you can never trust when your brain will match your needs and goals for your day, there’s a powerful way to shift from survival mode into self-trust and self-activation while becoming more aligned with who you are and want to be.
That shift begins with Positive Intelligence and a healthy dose of playfulness.
Let’s explore how the power of Positive Intelligence for ADHD Brains and play can change how you work with your ADHD.
Positive Intelligence is a simple, science-backed way to build mental fitness to shift from self-criticism to calm, clarity, and confidence.
It’s based on the idea that we all have inner Saboteurs (like the Judge, the Avoider, or the Hyper-Achiever) that hijack our thinking. These voices are especially loud when you live with ADHD.
PQ helps you notice those patterns and activate your Sage brain—the creative, grounded, curious, and compassionate part of you.
ADHD brains thrive when they engage in innovation, play, community and problem-solving.
But when the inner critic becomes loud and ever-present, it can feel like a constant failure to “keep up.”
Positive Intelligence offers quick, practical tools that are:
✔ ADHD-friendly
✔ Easy to integrate
✔ Focused on strengths, not deficits
It doesn’t require perfect routines or long focus spans. It just meets you where you are—and gives you space to breathe, reset, and choose a response that allows you to progress.
Playfulness is often seen as frivolous or unnecessary — but studies have shown that play is important for adults’ well-being, stress management, cognitive function, and emotional health.
Understanding the interest-based nervous systems of ADHDers, we can see why play would be more essential to connect with performance, relationships, and wellness.
PQ encourages play! One of the core Sage powers is exploration—approaching challenges with curiosity and flexibility instead of fear or judgment. And when you bring lightness into your day, everything shifts.
✅ Create a personal challenge by racing a timer
✅ Use colourful pens, stickers and notes
✅ Add music or movement to activities
✅ Celebrate micro-wins – punch the air, do a happy dance, get a cheer squad
✅ Turn tasks into little games, roll the dice, lucky dip, etc.
These aren’t “hacks”—they’re part of how your brain naturally thrives.
On Friday nights you’ll always find me playing a game of Catan with my hubby and friends. Do you have a regular game or fun thing you do? Let’s start finding more ways to play!
A key part of ADHD coaching and PQ is exploration—approaching challenges with curiosity and flexibility, rather than fear or judgment. Neuroscience suggests that when we approach things we feel we can’t control from a negative emotional perspective, we close our processing powers to solutions, creativity, and even self-compassion. And when we bring lightness into our day, everything shifts.
Think back to a time when you solved a problem – what was your mood and approach?
✅ Create a personal challenge by racing a timer
✅ Use colourful pens, stickers and notes
✅ Add music or movement to activities
✅ Celebrate micro-wins – punch the air, do a happy dance, get a cheer squad
✅ Turn tasks into little games, roll the dice, lucky dip, etc.
These aren’t “hacks”—they’re part of how your brain naturally thrives.
“Carolyn has been an amazing guide on what has been a pretty complicated journey for me. Her warmth and empathy are matched by a great breadth of knowledge, which in combination allow her to zero in on problem areas and offer support in untangling them and finding solutions. I’m very fortunate to have had her in my corner and couldn’t recommend her highly enough.” — J. O’Toole – Writer
Join my ADHD-friendly Positive Intelligence program—over 8-weeks, you will reconnect with your hidden strengths and find calm, productivity, and clarity.
👉 Find out more here: https://outsidetheboxadhdcoach.com.au/positive-intelligence-program/
Your ADHD brain isn’t a problem. It’s powerful, and everything changes when you learn to work with it.
Positive Intelligence helps you turn down the noise of the Saboteurs and turn up the volume on your Sage.
And when you add in a little playfulness? That’s when your brilliance really starts to shine.
I’d love to hear your story and the ways you play. Leave a comment below here on the blog or message me directly at carolyn@outsidetheboxsolutions.com.au
With Infinite Peace and Gratitude from,
