ADHD + Success: it can still sting

It sometimes feels like success means people can’t admit things still stink.

Success and ADHD are not mutually exclusive. There are lots of social media accounts that focus on the positives of ADHD and lots of entrepreneurs talk about how they regard it as a superpower. They credit their quick thinking, their ability to spot opportunities, to create new and exciting businesses with the thinking leaps that can be part of ADHD. These external markers of success often hide the serious and real internal struggles that successful adults with ADHD face.

The Facade of Success

From the outside, it may look like successful adults with ADHD have it all together - they might be promoted to the top of their business, run their own start-up, launch several enterprises at once or be involved in leading charities, especially when facing social injustice and for a cause they care about. Even looking at a list of ADHD ‘success’ names - people like Richard Branson, the founder of Ikea Ingvar Kamprad and David Neeleman (founder of Jet Blue airlines) - would make people think ‘yup, all successful. It’s a superpower!’.

But their success doesn't cancel the daily challenges of managing ADHD symptoms. In fact, the pressure to maintain a successful facade can often make it harder to look for help and make the challenges feel even worse.

Barriers to Seeking Help

When other people think someone is successful and ‘winning’ it can create barriers that stop them reaching out for help. 

There's a belief that success means people have  life "figured out," making it difficult for successful adults to reach out for the support they need. If they’ve been promoted because of an ADHD strength or a talent or skill they’ve worked on for years, admitting that ‘simple’ things like remembering to pay bills, manage impulsive money issues, keep on top of housework, manage emotional regulation and things that most of us think adults ‘should’ be on top of - feel incredibly shaming.

Personal Anecdotes

Many of my clients, who are very successful in their varied businesses, still struggle with time management, organization, and emotional regulation.

Their stories confirm to me that success doesn't provide a cushion against the impact of ADHD. In spite of my own success in academia and business, I still find things can spin out quickly when there are demands that don’t line up with my strengths or interests or when my balances and strategies need to be upgraded.

If you are an outwardly successful ADHD adult - where do you let go of that shame? Are there challenges that you’re frustrated you still can’t manage? Are you hiding how hard the scut work is - even from people who you’d call friends?

My new group program is part of a shame-free growing community where there is no pressure to keep up a front - a mask. The power of being accepted and understood by your peers is incredible and I’m opening up 7 slots on my smallest, most supportive and action focused coaching offer yet.

If you want to know more, just click below.

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Warmly,

Katherine