Using ADHD to be Successful

Many descriptions of ADHD focus on the negative aspects and neglect to mention the real advantages of having ADHD.

​Be assured there are plenty of highly successful adults with ADHD who direct their boundless energies, enthusiasm and creativity to make extraordinary contributions to society.

The advantages and strengths of ADHD are also now much better understood by researchers. The brain is an incredible part of the human body that helps you to adjust and adapt in areas that are challenging for you. This means that despite your challenges, you also have immense strengths!

It's well known among researchers that in having ADHD you might also have significantly higher levels of intuition, the ability to "super focus" on areas of interest and reach expert-level knowledge, lateral thinking, creativity (in thought or action) and a more pronounced level of energetic and fun (to name a few).

​Positive ADHD attributes include:

  • can hyper-focus on favoured activities, computers, computer games, sport etc
  • does well in the arts, acting, music, singers and song writers, comedians….
  • creative, thinks outside the square, a problem solver
  • warm-hearted, always supporting the ‘under-dog’
  • high energy, a good leader, entrepreneurial
  • loyalty, never forgets a good friend or deed
  • good sense of humour, the life of the party
  • super sensitive, enabling empathy in most
  • intuitive, insightful, enterprising
  • strong sense of justice for all
  • ability to take chances, risks
  • forgiving attitude
  • trusting attitude, and
  • tenacity.

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Not all people with ADHD have all these traits, but it can give insight to the positives of ADHD.


How people with ADHD find success:

  • Love what you do. People who succeed are always in careers they love.
  • Hyperfocus is your biggest strength. This gives you the persistence and energy to succeed.
  • Exercise is important. This enables endorphins to be released which will help you de-stress.
  • ​Realising your mistakes don’t spell the end of the world, but use your experiences to learn and grow.

A true story:

"I am 34 and have ADHD + Anxiety + Hyperventilation syndrome and as a teenager extreme ODD & substance abuse. I was a lifelong textbook for most traits and behaviours, teachers didn’t like me, drinking/sex 13, reckless driving, criminal behaviour, average/low academic achievement, extremely poor maths, difficulty with friendships, alcoholic at 20, then drugs, victim of domestic violence and so on.

I was diagnosed in my twenty’s with ADHD and started medication thinking I would be fixed. I wasn’t!! Methylphenidate just allowed me to slow down and think straight but I had to learn how to plan, organise, stop and think, self discipline etc.

But today I can sit (not completely still) and read, I have a university degree and a high paying job where I am recognised for my organisation skills (GO FIGURE) and I’m literally making all my childhood dreams come true. For me consistent routine is crucial. Sleep, exercise (at least 30mins day) to become present and lose some energy, diet – no sugar, caffeine or high glycaemic carbohydrates, and I must abstain from alcohol and drugs forevermore with the support of narcotics anonymous and I need calm around me, to talk about my feelings, and breathe!

Oh and importantly daily Concerta. When I am good, I’m better than a ‘normy’, but when one of those elements in my routine falls down, literally everything falls apart until my insightful hubby reminds me I have ADHD and I can pull myself back into my disciplined routine again. I constantly forget and so it’s a lifelong journey but I can’t believe who and where I am today."         ​

–CBH North Shore