Often seem more clearly and more often in children, these characteristics are born of not being able to keep attention on the job at hand.

They may listen (you’ll only find out if you ask) and be continually looking at something else that has captured their attention. Alternatively they may look at a speaker with a glazed expression and not be listening at all.

As many teachers and parents will confirm, it is very difficult to work with a child that has their mind in any place but where it would benefit from being at that given time. What we see is a child not being stimulated by the immediate environment and letting their imagination compulsively wander onto something they find more interesting to think about. Of course, while they are doing this they are not participating in the (externally) desired activity and when that is a learning event, they don’t learn. Because the subject of the moment is not stimulating to them, children can become disruptive and distract those around them.

When hyperactivity is added to this model, what we see is a child who additionally can’t stay still. They may fiddle with their hands or hair continually or get up and run around. In its stronger forms this is usually often labelled as ‘behavioural problems’.

Both of these conditions are corrected by the basic techniques for
focusing their attention, supplemented with additional work to manage their energy and improve their self awareness in connection with a set of basic life concepts, such as self, change, consequence and sequence.

In adults the basic principle remains although may be seen more easily by unpredictable time management - either very early for appointments or late; a string of short lived jobs; lack of finishing of projects; declining to do anything that takes working out or an extended amount of time to implement and complete; and losing things. They are often forgetful and also may have quite
a lot of little accidents, such as in parking the car. These adults may also be renowned for always being very busy, although their achievements may be limited. Those with the hyperactivity factor may just simply tire you out with the speed of their movements or ideas.