If you are someone who has been diagnosed with or thinks they may have ADHD, you likely find yourself fixed on all the challenges living with your brain poses.
But what if I told you that living with ADHD has some huge benefits? That’s right, I have learned that my ADHD brain has helped drive me to become highly successful in both in my personal and professional lives. By learning to manage my mind I turned what could easily be perceived as a liability into one of my biggest assets.
There is a widespread misguided belief that having ADHD is a terrible thing. Neurodiversity advocates suggest there’s too much attention on the impairments that come with conditions like ADHD. And frankly, I agree! The better approach is to focus on what someone who lives with ADHD is good at, and not what they lack. While living with ADHD has its challenges, it also has many advantages as well.
Empathy & Compassion
People with ADHD have an incredible ability to relate with other people. But it goes beyond basic connection. We have a highly developed capability to empathize with others, and to see a lot of diverse point of views. Probably because we view ourselves as different. We can better understand how others that don’t fit neatly inside of society’s perfect mold feel and experience life.
Creative & Inventive
Michael Phelps, Karina Smirnoff, Howie Mandel, Ty Pennington, Adam Levine, Justin Timberlake, and Simone Biles are a few famous creatives that live with ADHD. Composers Mozart and Beethoven are assumed to have had ADHD as well. People with ADHD can be impulsive and risk takers which leads to innovative thinking. They are less held back by the inner critic that stifles creative flow in neurotypical brains (aka-normal brains). Additionally, people with ADHD often hyper-focus on things they have serious interest in. That can be a plus when working to develop their craft.
Enthusiasm & Passion
When someone with ADHD has purpose and passion, their enthusiasm for the job at hand is unstoppable. Like a dog with a bone, the ADHD mind is obsessed with achieving and succeeding, finishing what they start, and results driven. They are natural leaders and will get it done, and get it done well.
Critical Thinkers and Problem Solvers
Persons with ADHD thrive on deciphering puzzles and problems. Provide us with an attention-grabbing challenge to crack and we will not be able to leave it until we have found a solution. Noteworthy historical inventors such as Thomas Edison and Thomas Jefferson are assumed to have had ADHD. We think, therefore we are!
The Superpower of Hyperfocus
While most people like to point out the inattentive or absentminded qualities of the individual with ADHD, they fail to recognize their superpower-hyperfocus. When kept under control and aimed towards productive activities, like achieving goals and living dreams, it can be an unbelievable positive feature that allows us to get the work done and done well.
Hardy Sense of Humor
People with ADHD love a good laugh, and many have sharp wit and an uncanny ability to make others laugh as well. Well known humorists such as Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams are believed to have ADHD. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We also use humor as a coping mechanism against those who may find our not so positive traits annoying. Better to make you laugh than make us cry.
That “Special Something”
People with ADHD have an exceptional way of looking at the world, a point of view that others simply do not understand. We are often charismatic, charming, intuitive, highly intelligent, natural leaders, and sensitive. While some may interpret us as absent minded, annoying, or remiss, we are just like any other person, except we must battle our brains to meet society’s predefined box of acceptable behaviors.
If you are someone who lives with ADHD or struggles with focus, concentration, procrastination or just getting to the finish line on goals you set, I can help teach you strategies to bend your mind to your will. When you learn to view your ADHD as a superpower and NOT a disorder, you can achieve impossible goals.
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you manage your mind, book a free Breakthrough Session today and see if working with me is a good fit.
Yes, you can!
~Char
