Written by: Sophia Alcaraz
Edited by Nichole Quintos

*CCO and Managing Partner of VCS Amrei Dizon, along with Founder Merlee C. Jayme, Creative Mentor Sam Alapan, and the campers*

How do you stay productive when your creative brain doesn’t follow a straight line?

At The Misfits Camp, that question becomes an invitation—to rethink what productivity looks like for neurodivergent creatives. Founded by Merlee C. Jayme, an award-winning creative visionary who has spent over three decades breaking barriers in advertising, the camp offers a safe, inclusive space for creatives with disabilities and neurodivergent thinkers to grow, connect, and thrive.

VCS’ CCO Amrei Dizon with Misfits Camp Founder Merlee C. Jayme and Creative Mentor Sam Alapan.

One of its most engaging sessions, “Finished, Not Perfect,” held in early June at the Jayme Headquarters (JHQ), explored how neurodivergent minds, especially those with ADHD, can reimagine productivity on their own terms.

Led by Amrei Dizon, Managing Partner of Vitalstrats Creative Solutions and Co-founder of Introspeck Management Consultancy, the workshop invited participants to see ADHD not as a limitation but as a creative advantage.

*VCS’s Amrei Dizon moments before leading her workshop*

Breaking the Stigma Around ADHD

For many neurodivergent creatives, productivity often feels like a moving target. Focus can shift quickly, energy comes in bursts, and ideas arrive all at once.

The struggle to “keep up” with traditional work expectations can lead to frustration or self-doubt. The Misfits Camp, however, exists to challenge that mindset.

In this camp, neurodivergent creatives are encouraged to explore their strengths, embrace their unique process, and redefine what productivity and success mean on their own terms. With specialized mentorship and real-world training, the camp turns creative potential into a path for growth.

The Breakthrough: Finished Not Perfect

Dizon’s turning point came with a powerful mindset shift: “Finished, Not Perfect.” As she described it, “a transformative realization that dramatically increased my productivity and creative output, helping me move past perfectionism-induced procrastination and self-doubt.”

Through stories, tools, and open conversation, participants learned to view their ADHD traits as creative strengths: the ability to think in patterns, notice details others miss, and connect ideas in unexpected ways.

This mantra became the heart of a more empowered and authentic way of working, one that embraced her neurodivergence and eventually led her to thrive as an entrepreneur.

Introducing the ADHD E.X.P.R.E.S.S. Method

With “Finished, Not Perfect” as her foundation, Dizon developed a practical framework to harness creativity and sustain momentum on ADHD terms.

Explore – Start with free-flowing idea generation. Set aside 10 minutes daily to brain-dump thoughts, inspirations, or unfinished ideas—no pressure, just exploration.

eXcite – Choose projects that naturally spark joy, interest, or align with your identity. These “high-dopamine” tasks are more likely to hold your attention and feel rewarding.

Play – Turn work into a game. Add novelty, inject fun, and reward yourself for small wins. This helps combat task boredom and sustain engagement.

Refine – Enter focused work mode. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method (25-minute sprints with breaks) and identify 3 “big rocks” or key tasks to prioritize.

Exhale – Rest with intention. Incorporate structured breaks to recharge your energy and avoid burnout, especially important for managing ADHD fatigue.

Share – Stay accountable. Share your goals with an “accountability buddy” or creative community. External support helps sustain momentum.

Ship – Let go of perfection. Embrace the mantra “Finished, Not Perfect” and take pride in completing and sharing your work.

This approach reframes productivity as something flexible and personal, a rhythm that works with your mind, not against it.

Build Inclusive Creative Spaces

The Misfits Camp reminds us that creativity has no single mold. Every mind—neurodivergent or not—has its own rhythm, pace, and beauty.

Guided by Merlee C. Jayme’s belief that creativity grows stronger through diversity, the camp builds on her decades of work empowering voices that see and create differently.

For those who’ve ever felt out of place in traditional workspaces, The Misfits Camp offers this reminder: you don’t need to think like everyone else to create something extraordinary.

To learn more, get involved, or collaborate, reach out at hello@themisfitscamp.org or follow @chairmom_ on Instagram.

Let’s celebrate the beautiful chaos of how we think, feel, and create.

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