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8 Things I Know at 44 that I Wish I’d Known at 21 (ADHD Edition)
Hey,
I turned 44 a couple months ago.
And it got me thinking.
A lot has changed in my many years since diagnosis.
Understanding how my ADHD impacts me has transformed my life.
Here are eight letters I wish I could’ve shared with my younger self:
1. ADHD doesn’t mean Worse; It means Unique:
Your brain is wired differently, not incorrectly. If you find something you LOVE and you develop your own way of doing things, you’ll outperform any neurotypical person.
2. It’s OK to work differently:
Don’t spend years trying to fit into conventional work structures, thinking you just need to “try harder.” Truth is, your brain thrives in dynamic, creative environments with flexible structures. Giving yourself permission to work your way will transform your life and your business.
3. Emotional Dysregulation is real—but is also manageable:
ADHD impacts more than just focus; it impacts every facet of your life - emotions included. The intense frustration, rejection sensitivity, and self-doubt you experience are not character flaws; they are part of your ADHD. Develop tools for regulating your emotions!
4. Small wins are key:
Big goals can overwhelm you, and getting started is half the battle. Breaking things down into small, manageable steps, and putting the easiest wins first will build your momentum and confidence. Consistent progression is WAY more important than perfection.
5. Support systems are essential:
Surround yourself with people who understand ADHD and provide support. This is critical. Coaches, mentors, and communities will help you realize you’re not alone in this journey and will get you places you never could have gone without them.
6. Self-awareness is the key to growth:
Learning how my ADHD affects you personally will allow you to adapt your own strategies. Knowing your triggers, strengths, and weaknesses will make a world of difference in navigating challenges.
7. It’s totally normal to need different strategies for different tasks:
Not every ADHD strategy works for every task. You should know that it’s normal—and necessary—to have a toolkit of approaches to choose from, depending on the situation and what you need to accomplish.
8. ADHD is a lifelong journey, and that’s OK:
ADHD doesn’t “go away” with age, but you’ll learn how to work with it instead of against it as time goes on. Accept this and embrace the journey. Keep adapting to find what works best for you at every stage!
Maybe you’ll be looking back at your own life in 15 years.
Wishing you had someone to teach yourself the same lessons.
Catch you Tomorrow,
Ian
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