I'm sure mild doses improve productivity for most people, but I would bet their behavior would turn manic at a lower threshold than people in the ADHD spectrum.
Living with ADHD is extremely frustrating. Without medication there were many days where I'd go to work, get side-tracked for a moment, and accomplish absolutely nothing. Operating that way in college is fine, since you can usually find time to cram, but in the real world every day is finals day.
I also tend to engage in lots of negative novelty-seeking behavior: cheating on girlfriends, speeding since I can hardly pay attention to the road at 55, drinking too much, etc. I'm vaguely anhedonic and insatiable, which has led to great success in my career, but I never enjoy it much.
I wonder if that is generally true, that the most successful people are the least likely to appreciate their success. Seems to make sense per what you write - these people are likely to be successful and driven because they are insatiable. But, if you are insatiable that means you can't be satisfied, and don't appreciate what you have.
Ironically, it is the more satiable people, i.e. the less driven, who often envy the successful.
Maybe. If you think about successful serial entrepreneurs or executives, they could easily leave the game and live on a tropical island. There are many reasons to stay, like having an interesting life or wanting to change the world, but I think most have an innate desire to win.
I doubt it's a positive trait overall, but some outliers manage to channel it into something productive.
Living with ADHD is extremely frustrating. Without medication there were many days where I'd go to work, get side-tracked for a moment, and accomplish absolutely nothing. Operating that way in college is fine, since you can usually find time to cram, but in the real world every day is finals day.
I also tend to engage in lots of negative novelty-seeking behavior: cheating on girlfriends, speeding since I can hardly pay attention to the road at 55, drinking too much, etc. I'm vaguely anhedonic and insatiable, which has led to great success in my career, but I never enjoy it much.