How ADHD coaching changed my life
My experience with ADHD coaching has, without exaggeration, been completely life changing for me. As a late diagnosed woman, I had struggled with my executive function for my entire life – feeling like I had fallen short so many times, and in so many different ways. So when I got my ADHD diagnosis, and very shortly afterwards began ADHD coaching, everything started to fall into place. The diagnosis on its own was massively beneficial, but it was the coaching that really made the difference in terms of changing my mindset and improving my mental health.
From coachee to coach: Paying it forward
ADHD coaching had such a positive impact on my life that I trained as a coach to help others have the same transformative experience that I had. Now I feel huge satisfaction from helping people and bringing those insights and shared moments of clarity to others with ADHD and autism. I could make a list of the ‘official’ benefits of ADHD coaching, but instead I’d like to share some more personal insights that I’ve gained, and see my clients gaining too.
The power of feeling understood
I love talking to people who ‘get it’. Imagine living your life with undiagnosed ADHD, and always feeling different, separate, or ‘other’. Imagine how isolating that can feel – like there’s something wrong with you. Now think about how it must feel when you step into a conversation with a person who can easily empathise with what you’re experiencing, because they’ve lived it themselves – they’ve been there.
Obviously we all have different experiences and it’s important to listen deeply to others and let them express their voice, but speaking to a person with a whole lifetime of lived experience with ADHD offers so much shared understanding. The relief and connection can be extraordinary.
Sharing real life experiences and feeling not just heard, but truly accepted – and little less like you’re the only person in the world who feels the way you do. Talking to another neurodivergent person gives me a real sense of belonging, and honestly, I just love that.
Being heard: Why speaking out loud matters
I book a coaching session (for myself) when I feel overwhelmed and need to untangle what’s in my head. Speaking it out loud to a person who gives me the space to do that is precious. As a coach, giving someone the time to unravel what’s in their head feels like giving them a real gift.
It might sound trivial but it absolutely isn’t. Being listened to, and gently encouraged to speak until you’re done, is rare and wonderful. It’s truly amazing how many problems can be solved, and how many solutions can be reached, when somebody listens to you with a compassionate ear. If we can unjumble what’s in our heads, it can give us the clarity to move forward peacefully and with a clear purpose and direction.
No one-size-fits-all: Creating personalised ADHD strategies
In ADHD coaching we often talk about strategies. There are lots of strategies out there, and many adjustments that can be made in the workplace, to help lighten the load when our executive functions need a helping hand. So many people ask the question “What ADHD strategies should I use?” and my answer is always “I don’t know!”. Because if we’ve not talked before I have literally no idea how your brain works, which areas it excels in, and how it needs support.
But here’s the thing: with coaching, we have the time and space to get to know how your brain works. We can co-create bespoke strategies for you. It’s amazing how often my coaching clients create their own strategies that are completely unique to them. They had the answer the whole time, I just facilitated their thinking and supported them through the process. Obviously there’s things I can suggest, but importantly, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. We’re all different and need different strategies.
Unmasking and self-discovery after diagnosis
When I received coaching, a lot of what I gained was from self-discovery. Once I had my ADHD diagnosis, I needed to figure out what it meant to me. Which traits did I identify with and which weren’t so relevant? I’d spent so long trying to fit in that I really didn’t know much about my authentic self. Coaching was all about trying to find who I truly was underneath the mask.
After that, I began to figure out what I wanted and needed from work, and life in general, so I could move forward in a positive way, knowing that I was less likely to struggle and burn out. This is a central theme for a lot of my clients who aren’t used to asking for what they need: the first step is to figure out what they’re asking for. Coaching can be the key to unlocking that information.
Coaching as a catalyst for empowerment and growth
I could honestly talk about ADHD coaching all day – how much it helps me as a coachee, and how often I see it spark real, positive change in my clients. But since you probably don’t have all day, I’ll leave you with this. To me, the heart of a strong coaching relationship comes down to four things: empathy, connection, empowerment, and momentum. If you and your coach can build that kind of relationship, I promise – you won’t look back.