Episode 72: Will Soward

Welcome to episode #72 We’re thrilled to be joined by Will Soward today. Will works creatively in a diverse field of digital media. He's invested in making online education more accessible for neurodiverse learners and the Web a better place to learn. Will talks about UX and accessible UI design with communities in the design and education space. He has 7 years as a UX designer under his belt, 12 years as an adult educator, and 20 years designing and coding front-end. Will is currently the Lead UX/LX Designer for Tait Communications in Aotearoa, New Zealand.Welcome to the show Will!QuestionsJN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realise that you weren’t neurotypical? Dyslexia 11ADHD adultWhat challenges did you face? Masking - asking questionsAcademic - Rote learningSit still and listenSpeakingWhat changes have come post diagnosis?Context: why does it matter?More acceptance - stoicism - out of my controlEnvironmental changes - clutter, to do listsWhat challenges do you still face now?Rabbitholes during meetingInterruptingsolutionisingWhat neuroexceptional strengths are you leaning into now?Jump ahead to solve problems quicklyCreativityHyperfocusJC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on? Tait - accessibility designOnline learning - development + designMake it better for ND adultsJN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time? Renovating house (last 8 yrs)Martial arts - forced calm and focus - karate -> taekwando -> BJJ -> muay thaiJC: Productivity tips  What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours? Philosophy: stoicismBreathing: calmingFlywheel to build up motivationListsKey priorities for the weekReprioritiseAlarm 30 minutes before need to leaveWhat is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?Eat that frogBREAK  JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?Reprioritise listJC: How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night? Finish in evening at 5pm to make space for relationship - shut laptopJN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willsoward/Website: https://willsoward.com/JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience? Learn more about neurodiversityMore from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbearConnect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: [email protected] with Joey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/