Debunking Pressure Productivity Myth
Does stress actually help us perform better?
Refined Leadership - ADHD Lens
Aug 3, 2026 · 56 min · 15 segments
Why can a capable ADHD professional know exactly what needs to be done—and still find it incredibly difficult to begin? In this conversation, Cathy Rashidian speaks with Brendan Mahan, MEd, MS…
Brendan MahanGuest
Cathy RashidianHost
But that doesn't mean you perform after the activation more effectively than you would if you were able to activate without that pressure.

The wall is there and it's going to stay there, right? Like, I have people ask me, well, how do I get rid of the wall? I don't like that mentality.

Because it doesn't, me not liking that mentality for folks who kind of know how I work, doesn't seem like it should jive.

But the reason I feel that way is because if I decide that that wall of awful is gone because I haven't had any problems with it in a while, and then I have a life change, And all of a sudden I'm struggling in that way again.

Right? Now I might go, oh my God, I thought I was over this and what's wrong with me and I'm terrible.

I might sort of degrade myself even more, right? I might be even meaner and more harsh on myself and be filled with more shame because this wall of awful people.

But that doesn't mean you perform after the activation more effectively than you would if you were able to activate without that pressure.

The wall is there and it's going to stay there, right? Like, I have people ask me, well, how do I get rid of the wall? I don't like that mentality.

Because it doesn't, me not liking that mentality for folks who kind of know how I work, doesn't seem like it should jive.

But the reason I feel that way is because if I decide that that wall of awful is gone because I haven't had any problems with it in a while, and then I have a life change, And all of a sudden I'm struggling in that way again.

Right? Now I might go, oh my God, I thought I was over this and what's wrong with me and I'm terrible.

I might sort of degrade myself even more, right? I might be even meaner and more harsh on myself and be filled with more shame because this wall of awful people.
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Debunking Pressure Productivity Myth
Does stress actually help us perform better?
Calling Out ADHD Charlatans
He's tired of ADHD misinformation for profit.
Birth of the Wall of Awful
Where did 'Wall of Awful' originate anyway?
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