Focus vs Unfocus

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I have noticed when I play Free Cell on line or do a crossword puzzle, I actually do better if I don't think too hard. If I try to plan too many moves ahead in free cell I'm usually wrong. When I relax with crossword puzzles, the answer often just pops into my mind. I have Inattentive ADD which may be a factor. I say that because they say brain scans of those with inattentive add look normal when relaxed but appear to be similar to those going to sleep when attempting to concentrate. I don't feel sleepy though, just like my head is full of rocks. Does anyone else experience better results with puzzles when not overthinking?

Yeah I get the same whenever I play sudoku.

The problem is it's very hard to maintain unfocus sometimes.

I don't know what 'inattentive ADD' is - the phrase seems redundant to me. How many types of ADD are there? I'm curious because I'm becoming painfully aware of some type(s) of focus/attention deficit issues in myself and I'd really like to learn some work-arounds to get past them.

I thought they got rid of ADD altogether now and there's only ADHD. That's what I learned in one of my Special Education classes at least.

But anyway I do this with writing. If I don't think about what I'm going to write and just go with it, it always comes out ten times better than if I plan what I'm going to say. Usually I don't even write a thesis until after I wrote the paper.

It does seem redundant, I agree. The only think hyperactive about me is my thought processes. From the neck down I'm sluggish. This would describe the type most identified with girls who often go undiagnosed because they're quiet and don't cause trouble in the classroom. They are the one's staring off into space.
here is a link to a test and description of different types of ADD/ADHD.

http://www.npjulie.com/Acrobat_forms/amen_complete.pdf

When I play chess, I sometimes do better going by my gut instinct, rather than overthinking things. Then again, I also can't do well if I don't plan anything at all.

Heh, I try to be as 'unfocused' as possible at all times because of what you said. Things just don't work out when I overthink, in crossword puzzles, games or life.

I have the same problem. I always describe it like as if my brain were tangled up in knots. That's what it feels like.

I've never thought of that approach, though. I'll have to try and use that. I think I do it subconsciously, but I wonder if it will work consciously.

Totally Aimless.......it is like my read is full of mud, and find the more I try and focus, the more anxiety I get. It is worse when I feel rushed or tired. I tend to let my brain be like a code breaker.......like sorting ones' and zeros', especially when I am trying to understand a abstract/complex maths problem. It can take a few minutes to a few weeks. If I take my mind off it, I usually have a light bulb moment. My gut instinct works well too if I don't concentrate.

My Therapist is also bravely teaching me "mindfulness" which is INCREDIBLY difficult......

Yep, forgotten what else I wanted to say......it will come to me later......

Take care,

Micchsta

I've been addicted to Free Cell for at least 10 years. I get in a groove with it that I'm not sure how to explain. I barely think at all and the cards are just flying and I win many games in a row. More than once I've won more than 100 games without losing one.

Usually when this is happening I'm daydreaming or processing stuff going on in my life. I notice that as long as my thoughts are positive or neutral I win and as soon as my mind drifts to negativity I lose. This has happened countless times. I wish I knew what it all means...

I think everyone thinks better when they don't over think something.

A good analogy is dropping a ring into a mud puddle. The more you stir the silt up trying to find the ring, the cloudier the water gets. Whereas if you relax and let the silt settle, the ring you're looking for becomes visible.

There it is...I certainly overthink everything.

unfocusing is a great asset for me as well, increasing my memory (both remembering and recall), thinking speed and lateral processing...
i often go trough college classes zoned out to make full use of this, and i can't really follow tv without solving a sudoku at the same time, while simularly, i can solve that same sudoku better and faster with the tv on.