Jack’s Personal ADHD Journey
Before I had ever heard of ADD or ADHD, my struggles appeared to escalate in early high school, as the demands increased for periods of concentrated attention in class, as well as the need to focus on homework and general study tasks at home.
It seemed that the more I had to plan, organise and focus my time toward completing given tasks, the more I would procrastinate, continually putting off what I knew I needed to do. It just seemed to be almost impossible, but with the minimum effort required I would typically manage to get things done in the last minute, when there seemed to be no choice. Of course, doing things at the last minute came with lots of stress and anxiety, but it was the only way I could get it done.
Even at that early stage, I labelled myself as just ‘lazy’ and just not being dedicated enough to achieve my best. I truly wanted to get good marks and kept promising myself that I’d do better next term and really knuckle down. Despite my promises, nothing really changed, and I couldn’t really understand why – maybe school just wasn’t for me. But for some reason I truly wished I could succeed.
In Year 12, doing my HSC (Higher School Certificate), I became very frustrated with my lack of motivation to study and felt like I was never going to pass and I’d be better off to give it a miss and try again with a renewed commitment next year. After my parents consulted with the teachers, it was decided that I should continue and with greater effort, I could get through.
Studying was still a major obstacle and I vividly remember sitting at my desk and staring into space, wondering why I couldn’t get started on the work I really desperately wanted to do. I just couldn’t quite get why my classmates were staying up until the early hours of the morning, when I was struggling to do even one hour. I thought it was just ‘laziness.’
After doing my best and finally reading all my English books during ‘swatvac’ (two weeks before the final exams), I managed to pass all my subjects, which came as a very pleasant surprise when I found out.
I then went on to study to be an accountant (strongly influenced by my parents), but gave up after successfully completing around half of the degree. When left to my own devices, I skipped lots of classes, hardly did any study and it just got to the point when I finally had to concede that I just couldn’t deal with the stress anymore.
I eventually went on to get a sales job where I truly seemed to excel, and was constantly encouraged for my good work and sales success by my bosses. Wow that felt good for a change!
After around three years I went in to business for myself and have now done so for the last 30 years!
I’m now living proof that with the right medical help, knowledge, strategies and coaching support, everyone can have the opportunity to live a far more productive and satisfying life and achieve more than they ever believed possible!
To contact Jack with any questions or comments, or to arrange a free and confidential initial conversation about ADHD coaching, please click here or call Jack on 0400-582-666 (from Australia) or +61-400-582-666 (international)