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How we can build a true sense of accomplishment with ADHD

Louise Foddy

I didn’t attend graduation for my MSc.

Or my BSc. 

Or my PGCE.


🎉While others celebrated their hard-earned achievements, I didn't see the point.


When I received a distinction for my MSc in Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology, I thought, “I’m pleased,” but I didn’t feel a sense of accomplishment.


It’s not that I didn’t care—


💖I loved the research, diving into journals, and writing assignments—synthesising my thoughts and crafting a flowing narrative was incredibly satisfying for me.


But when it was done, I felt like, what now?


➡️𝘿𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨


Whilst my response may have seemed unusual compared to my peers, it was a typical reaction for someone with ADHD.


𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 mean that ADHDers do not get the same dopamine buzz from accomplishments.


We may even 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 and that if others saw our process, we would be deemed undeserving.


Plus, due to 𝗔𝗗𝗛𝗗𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 what it took to get there, losing the struggles we overcame and progress we made.


🗺️𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙖𝙡


Instead, for ADHDers, it's not the goal that provides satisfaction but meeting the needs of the ADHD brain with challenge, novelty, interest.


And enjoying the view as we go.


As the Buddha says, the path is the goal, and this couldn’t be truer for those of us with ADHD.


The path is our source of joy and motivation.


Take time to enjoy the view
Take time to enjoy the view


𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢


However, when we don’t understand what the ADHD brain needs, the process used by ADHDers can be unpleasant, making the path, our potential source of joy, problematic.


To force activation, we may rely on stress and negative emotions such as shame to drive action, but at a cost.





𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘁.


So, if the path is stressful, and achieving the goal doesn’t provide reward either, it’s 𝗻𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.


𝙃𝙤𝙬 ADHD 𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙨


I can help you understand what your ADHD brain needs and teach you strategies to get moving when you feel stuck—


Whilst these ADHD coaching tools are certainly useful, t𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 ADHD 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 is in connecting you to your deeper motivations, emotions, and unique abilities. Uncovering your blind spots and the unconscious scripts running that sabotage your ability to make the changes you want.


And it’s about discovering what you enjoy about the journey, collecting your wins and learning how to stay engaged in a way that feels healthy and sustainable.


📧If this resonates with you, get in touch for a complimentary session and lets explore!




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