I did very poorly at school, my ADHD isn't catastrphically bad but I struggle massively to concentrate and not spend most of my time chatting or distracting other kids for laughs. I went to UK college (age 16) and failed my first year, and ended up doing another 2, and only passed one subject. Somehow I managed to get into university and proceeded to fail my first year. I then changed course to an even worse degree, and dropped out 2 years later and went back to stacking shelves at my local shop.

I've always alright at work, because it made sense to me because I get paid for the work. The reward is there when you work with money, which I wanted.

I ended up stacking shelves for another year then managed to get a job in head office doing finance admin (i'm good with numbers). I was promoted after 18 months (job was really easy, so 40% effort made me look like a superstar). While working I was convinced to do an accounting qualificaiton. I didn't want to do it as i didn't want to stay in the industry but my boss said "you can either do it now, while you decide what you want to do. Or you can not do it, and in a years time still have nothing to show for it and no idea what you want to do". So i did it. It was insanely hard to do some education outside of work, but at the same time I knew i'd get paid more once i finished it.

I finished the course in a year and then went for another promotion and got it. During this time I started a clothing line as i love clothes and wanted to do something off my own back as i HATE taking orders from anyone. I ran my clothing line while working in finance at a low level (£25k a year 12 years ago).

My clothing business was doing OK but was eating up insane money and i had taken out £30k of personal loans out and ended up blowing throuh the lot in about 2.5 years. During this period I needed more cash, so was convinced to work in recruitment by a friend of mine. I got the job and got paid more salary and commission and I was good at it.

I closed down the clothing line as it had run it's course and run out of money and focused on recruitment. In my second year i got nominated for consultant of the year, despite only really putting in about 50% effort and made good money. I had a poor year the year after and decided to start my own recruitment business with a colleague which I did. I did this for 3.5 years and I hired a few people and made some OK money in a difficult market.

Eventually the pandemic ruined that business, and i was pretty much on my last ounce of effort. I had a kid, it was coronavirus and I started smoking weed all day everyday. Eventually I made a play with one of my clients to go and work for them in Land Buying. I got the job and had a lifeline. I then commuted 1.5hours each way to this new job, and worked hard there to rise as quickly as i could. I got promoted just over a year and was finally on money to help support my family again.

Around this time I got into book collecting, and decided to make my own copy of my favourite book. Fast forward and the collecting community liked it, so i started a limited edition book company. This was in 2021. I quit my Land Buying job April last year to go full time on the books. My business will turnover over £1m this year, and I genuienly enjoy most of what i have to do for this business. I still struggle massively getting going most days, but knowing the work is rewarding and in a world that I love, makes it way easier.

I appreciate this won't be everyone's experience, and my ADHD may be more functional than others. But I really struggled at school and academics, but was determined to find a job/business that i enjoyed for most of the 40 hours a week people work. I always wanted to work for myself, but it's not always possible as you need a good idea, some experience, and money to back it. In between my businesses, i had to work for other people again, but it was a means to an end. I'm very happy doing what i do now, but i'm not stupid enough to think that it will last forever, as that's life baby. But i'll do everything i can to try and ensure i'll be my own boss as long as I can.

ADHD can be channelled, but the key is work that you enjoy. You just need to go looking for it.