Hyperfocus: Friend or Foe?

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I'm so conflicted as to whether my ability to hyperfocus on one point or problem when working on something is a good or a bad thing...

With the way society seems to value multitasking and frontal-lobe functions, as well as things like planning and execution, I tend to think it's a huge handicap. However, when I think of all the successes it's brought me - living and breathing a problem for days on end, weeks even, until I finally solve it - I feel the opposite way: then, I feel proud of this hyperfocusing ability that my brain has.

Unfortunately it's really hard to turn it into a positive all the time. Like I say, the modern economy doesn't value eccentric artisans or people who work at their own pace on their own terms: it's all about fitting into the team, influencing and persuading people, planning things and "completing the sale" - all stuff that suggest at the opposite, that is, never perseverating or sticking to one thing too intently.

Arrrgh!! I don't know what to think of all this. Maybe your opinions and perspectives would help... Much appreciated.

It's neither good nor bad, it simply is. There's no need to categorize it in any absolute, black or white way. For me hyperfocus is a blend of negatives and positives, depending on my situation, the people around me, and all of our expectations.

The negative, for me, comes when I get cranky if interrupted, or if I'm so focused that something startles me, and then I can't get my focus back easily. I also have trouble leaving a task to go do something I really need and must do, like pay bills, go to work or an appointment, and when I need to stop because my body needs attention.

Hyperfocus is great for complex problem solving, visualization, meditation, all sorts of creative endeavors, and learning new things. I think if more people who don't have hyperfocus understood what they could gain from it, they'd envy those who have it like crazy. As it is, when they can't get our attention, that drives them crazy.

Hyperfocus is good..but there are times when the "big picture" or objective view is required as well. This is not to say it is bad at all; just needs to be channeled.
Perhaps these words will help:

"We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects."
- Alexis De Tocqueville

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else can see." – Arthur Schopenhauer

Focused talent and experience combined will be the best teacher.
JMHO

Good I think, it all depends on where and how it is used and managed.
You can look at it from a supply and demand point of view, supply is limited, that is number of aspies to NT, so this is in your favor.
You just need to find the points of demand, if you bring the right focused skills you have it made.