21 Apr How to Manage Adult ADHD: A Guide for High-Achieving Professionals
How to Manage Adult ADHD. If you’re a high-performing professional who’s only recently been diagnosed, or you strongly suspect you have ADHD, please know that you’re not alone. I’m 50 and awaiting my assessment. There are a vast number of ‘Generation X’ers’ and Baby Boomers out there that have slipped through the net without support, due to the lack of awareness. Labelled disruptive, attention seeking, clumsy, ditsy or rebellious many of us have muddled our way through life in a society that has lacked knowledge, understanding, patience and empathy, of the chronic struggles those affected by ADHD face daily.
Countless successful people go years without recognising the signs. Instead they push through burnout, overwhelm, and self-doubt. But now that you are aware, the real question is: How do you manage adult ADHD in a way that works for your ambitious life?
ADHD in High Performers: You’re Not Broken
Celebrities and entrepreneurs like Richard Branson, Simone Biles, and Will.i.am have publicly shared how ADHD plays a role in their success. Branson credits his creativity and risk-taking to his ADHD. Biles uses hyperfocus and resilience to dominate in gymnastics.
These people are living reminders: ADHD isn’t a flaw—it’s a different operating system.
Once we understand our own operating system, with the right support things effortlessly and seamlessly slip into place facilitating a peace of mind whilst optimising our well-being and performance. This allows us to work with our strengths and not against them.
Common ADHD Challenges in Driven Professionals
Even the most capable minds can face these hidden struggles:
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- Executive dysfunction and procrastination—even on important tasks
- Recreational drug use, hedonism, gambling, promiscuity and other risky behaviours
- Time blindness and poor estimation of how long things take
- Hyperfocus on work at the expense of health or relationships (‘workoholic’)
- Forgetfulness and mental fatigue from constant decision-making
- Emotional dysregulation, chronic overwhelm and rejection sensitivity
- Masking symptoms, leading to burnout or imposter syndrome
3 Tips for High-Functioning Professionals with ADHD, that have personally transformed my life
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Build Structure That Flexes
Rigid systems tend to fall apart under ADHD pressure. Use flexible frameworks like time-blocking with buffers, task batching, and themed workdays. Think structure with space to breathe. -
Work With Your Peaks
Don’t force productivity in your off-hours. Track your natural energy cycles and schedule deep work during your focus peaks, and lighter admin during your lows. -
Treat Emotional Regulation as a Priority Task
Overwhelm, RSD (rejection sensitivity), and anxiety can hijack your whole day. Daily nervous system support—like breathwork, EFT tapping, or movement—isn’t optional for sustainable success. I am a qualified practitioner for EFT and work with you to show you this simple and effective tool.
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Tools & Support for Real Life
Managing adult ADHD isn’t about “fixing” yourself. It’s about creating strategies that fit your brain. From body doubling and visual planning to nervous system regulation and mindset shifts, small changes lead to big breakthroughs.
I am an ADHD Coach and offer ADHD coaching and hypnotherapy designed for high-achieving professionals like you—so you can stay driven, without burning out.
Ready to work with your brain, not against it? I offer tailored advice. To Explore my ADHD Coaching & Hypnotherapy Services you can request and book a FREE call with me here – https://calendly.com/
You can email me here. https://rebeccadakin.com/contact-me/
Blog posts on other issues that can be linked to ADHD: