Win With ADHD Using These Advantages

ADHD gives you business advantages. I’ve seen its power, ever since I became a full-time entrepreneur. At its best, there’s no limit to your creative problem-solving. Budget constraints aren’t obstacles, but opportunities to work smarter; campaigns come with a hundred starting points, and your ideas have a strong, committed champion; success is only a few steps away, as long as you maintain momentum.

Throughout my life, ADHD has fueled my business ventures. Even though I was diagnosed late—age thirty-seven, anyone?—I’ve had the same behavioral tendencies since early childhood. My strengths were always there, but I never dealt with my weaknesses. Until I made ADHD a priority.

I know I can’t change my DNA. But I can use medication, or other forms of therapy to channel my strengths properly. But even if I could remove the ADHD from myself, I would choose not to, now, because I value the upsides. My ADHD helps me succeed. All because of its ‘superpowers’.

ADHD business superpower: boundless creativity

Having an always-on mind means one thing: you have tons of ideas. That might be the most exciting part about the ADHD brain (increasingly called neurodivergent). It’s certainly unique to ADHD’ers, regardless of where they are on the neurodiversity spectrum. Think of it like a never-ending firework display—lots of bright ideas and noise that might feel like madness if you’ve never experienced it before.

I thought this is how most people think, but then I took Ritalin, and realized “normal” is totally different. It’s much calmer and everything feels slower. I suddenly had one clear thought at a time, that I could understand and process. But somehow, this was boring. In fact, I almost wanted to kill myself. I thought, “Do people really live like this?” And yet, although it was hard to adapt, I could see how this slower, more deliberate thinking could help me get stuff done.

Medication is still critical for me, because it helps me handle my ADHD. But I always appreciate the fireworks in my mind when I’m doing creative work, like figuring out business ventures or what direction our marketing agency should follow.

During my career, I’ve been able to call on my fireworks mind when required (like while living in a foreign country struggling to pay rent).

If you have ADHD, be thankful for your creative problem-solving potential. It could be the difference between success and failure, as long as you learn to manage and challenge it correctly.

ADHD business superpower: instant association

With ADHD, you tend to bounce around, whether it’s between ideas, concepts or projects. Building on the previous superpower, this kind of free association accelerates: creativity.

An open mind that jumps around is ready for creativity. Because the more you can access  different concepts, the wider your range for brilliant solutions.

This is called analogous thinking and it’s an integral part of having ADHD. But it’s also extremely valuable in business, especially if you begin to take on multiple projects and challenges.

Although this gives you a big picture of your business, it’s a good idea to let assistants and people you trust do most of the tasks. Because of my ADHD, I’m often unable to complete things because my mind is already somewhere else, or on other parts of the business. Or on one of my other businesses entirely.

Once again, if you wield your associative thinking correctly, you get fantastic results. Trust me: that’s how I built three different businesses from the ground up.

Now, hooking onto the next superpower.

ADHD business superpower: charming charisma

“People with ADHD would be murdered by seventeen if they weren’t so charming” – that’s what a doctor once told me. And it doesn’t surprise me.

I’ve often been the centre of attention, or entertained a group of people, because of my ADHD. My mind is quick, and my mouth can be even quicker, sometimes.

People with ADHD are well-liked, perhaps because of their unique perspective of the world. But they can also be a nightmare to live with (I’m sure my wife would agree).

Being quick-witted has aided me many times in business, helping me come up with winning sales pitches or solid arguments for new use cases. Occasionally, I’ve been told I’m too direct, although my honesty mostly makes others smile. At the very least, I appear confident, because I don’t shy away from speaking my mind.

In the right context, natural charm wins more clients. I’m immediately excited and positive and this resonates with people. At the same time, it’s something I need to manage: I tend to over-promise, because of how easy it is to say yes, as your mind conjures up all the best-case scenarios. The downside, of course, is that over-promising and not delivering hurts your business (I once said yes to an investment that work out the way it should have).

Now, being aware of my tendencies, I’m happy to just listen and take notes. I’ve learned not to decide anything on the spot — ever. By taking my time, I know I’m giving my best, thoughtful self to a new project or venture.

As I understand my strengths, I’m able to counter my weaknesses, helping me succeed in business with my unique, ADHD mind.