I always suspected I was different. As a child, I would change who I was to fit in, mimicking others’ mannerisms, tone and even interests. I’ve also always felt emotions more intensely than most people, even though I often kept them hidden. Eye contact was another struggle – it was hard for me to focus on listening when trying to maintain it. But I never thought I’d be diagnosed with ADHD. I had always associated it with hyperactive kids who caused chaos, but I wasn’t like that. I was physically still, but my mind was always racing.

I left my job shortly after being diagnosed. In 2016, I worked at a marketing agency with an environment full of distractions – loud music, a table tennis table, and even an office dog. It was a sensory nightmare. Despite the pressure to meet high expectations, I found it hard to focus, which only added to my anxiety. I left after just two months. Later, when I joined another agency, I asked for a few accommodations – to work from home occasionally, to focus on results rather than processes, and to work in a quieter space. It made a huge difference. Within three months, we grew the Facebook following from zero to 8 million. 

ADHD in the workplace can be an asset. Polls show neurodivergent employees bring creativity, innovation and focus. ADHD has given me a strong ability to recognise patterns, making me great at predicting trends. I’m entrepreneurial and think outside the box, which benefits any team. I’m also a fast thinker, which comes in handy during negotiations, and I have a strong intuition – I can read people well, which is invaluable in business.

Some of my best work has come from hyper-focus. ADHD gives us the ability to intensely fixate on a project, which can be both a strength and a challenge. I’ve learned to recognise when I’m entering a hyper-focus state, as it’s also the reason ADHDers can burn out quickly. When I feel signs like clenching my jaw or overeating, I know it’s time to step back and rest.

Keeping anxiety at bay helps. I’ve learned to ask for context when someone asks for a ‘quick chat’. Before my diagnosis, I’d overthink and become anxious, not knowing what the conversation would entail. Now, I ask for details upfront, which keeps the anxiety at bay. I’ve also realised meetings caused me stress because I’d overanalyse everything, worrying about how others saw me. To avoid that, I now suggest sharing all relevant info via email before a meeting, and then setting a deadline for everyone to submit their ideas. This takes away the pressure of face-to-face interactions and helps me contribute without anxiety.

Embrace your differences. ADHD manifests in unique ways, and I’ve learned to accept that. I doodle in meetings to help me focus, my foot shakes when I have excess energy, and I might zone out while thinking deeply. I’ve stopped trying to fit into the ‘normal’ box and embraced my brain’s quirks. Being different comes with strengths, and the world benefits from diverse minds.

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I was diagnosed seven years ago. Before that, I’d self-diagnosed through endless online reading. Looking back, I always knew something was different. As a kid, I was full of ideas, bouncing off the walls, and maybe a little too enthusiastic about everything. People saw me as capable but disorganised. I didn’t fit the mould and was often called disruptive for not listening – but I wasn’t misbehaving, I was just excited. It wasn’t until later, in my working years, that I started learning about ADHD. That’s when I realised there was a name for the way my brain worked. Before that, I just thought I was a bit ‘unusual’.

I view ADHD less as a problem and more a set of personality quirks. Quirks that, if managed properly, have helped me get where I am today. ADHD has been a huge asset in building Purolabs. People with ADHD often see patterns and connections that others miss, which is great for spotting trends and finding creative solutions. My constant flow of ideas keeps things fresh, and my ability to hyper-focus lets me work for hours without tiring (although my wife might not always appreciate that). Plus, I tend to stay calm under pressure, which is vital when running a business, especially in the fast-paced world of e-commerce. 

My brain is like a constant brainstorming session. This is great for innovation, but it also means I have to be careful not to get distracted. Another challenge is getting 95% through a project, then jumping onto something new and exciting. Writing everything down keeps me focused. If I don’t capture an idea or task immediately, it’s gone. I use the Todoist app to record everything I need to remember, which keeps my brain from getting overloaded, and swear by David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) method. Lately, I’ve been diving into AI and automation tools like Make.com and N8N to free up time and automate repetitive tasks.

Working from home keeps me on track. I’ve learned co-working spaces don’t work for me – I get too distracted. Working from home in my own controlled chaos is the best option, and minimising meetings helps protect my focus time. I’m always very open about my ADHD – I’ll mention it to anyone, even in job interviews. Within my team, it’s helped foster a more open, accepting environment. I love that we have a culture where it’s okay to think differently – that’s where the best ideas come from. 

Hyper-focus is real for me. When I’m into something, I can lose track of time and completely forget to eat or move. It’s great for productivity but terrible for balance. My schedule is all over the place with my daughter, so I’m still working on setting boundaries. I’ll let you know when I’ve cracked it. 

Build systems and processes that work for you, not against you. Don’t try to force yourself into a neurotypical mould. Understand how your brain works, find strategies that suit you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

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Once I understood what ADHD was, it all clicked. Growing up, I was full of energy and always juggling multiple tasks, but I didn’t realise it was a gift. Once I understood ADHD, I started seeing it as the driving force behind my uniqueness and energy. When I embraced it, everything started to fall into place. 

When I was diagnosed, I remember how ADHD was frowned upon. Today it’s something people are more open-minded about. I’m glad I wasn’t diagnosed earlier, as it would’ve made me feel like it was a handicap – and it’s definitely not. Over time, I’ve realised ADHD isn’t something to overcome, but a set of traits I can use to my advantage.

Routine tasks are challenging for me. I thrive on new, exciting projects, but repetitive work can feel draining. It’s not boredom, though – it’s how my brain processes those tasks. I’ve learned to harness my ability to hyper-focus, but balancing my time across my global talent agency is key. Shifting my mindset has helped. I break everything down into manageable steps to keep my brain engaged. Time-blocking, delegation and using task lists all help me stay on track. I also rely on a clean, minimal office space to keep my head clear. When I feel impulsive, I consult my team before making decisions.

Every morning, I write down five things I need to accomplish. I tackle the hardest tasks first to avoid mental buildup. I also print out deadlines and paperwork so I can see them on my desk. It’s been an eye-opener to see other successful people in business with ADHD – when you’re in the company of people like Sir Richard Branson and Bill Gates, it feels empowering.

I have to be careful not to burn out – I’m obsessed with my work. Sometimes I’ll block people on my phone to prevent distractions when I need downtime. I’m also strict about weekends – I avoid contacting my team unless it’s urgent, as they need time to recharge too. The best advice I’ve received is not to fight my ADHD, but to use it as my strength. Every symptom is something I can work with, and creating an engaging environment allows me to thrive.

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My sister’s diagnosis four years ago helped me recognise patterns in myself. I started noticing ADHD symptoms when I launched Ball Management in 2020, but it was my sister’s diagnosis in the same year that made me more aware, and it really hit me when I was running a business. In a structured workplace, I could mask certain traits, but in talent management – where everything moves fast – I couldn’t ignore them. I became easily overwhelmed, even by small tasks. A colleague pointed out that when I got stressed, the intensity made it difficult for others to be around me. That’s when I realised ADHD wasn’t just a personality quirk – it was shaping how I worked and processed stress. 

I haven’t been officially diagnosed yet. The NHS waiting list is three years long, and despite multiple visits, I’ve been told my symptoms aren’t severe enough. But in my everyday life, I deal with burnout, fatigue, overwhelm and constant mental chatter. I hyper-focus on tasks at the last minute, avoid things that don’t engage me, and struggle with basic tasks like getting out of bed or tidying up. I’ve considered going private, but it’s expensive, and I’m wary of being rushed through the process without getting the right diagnosis and medication. 

Finding balance is a constant challenge. For me, ADHD feels like constant internal conflict – two voices arguing in my head while a crowd of others chat in the background. It’s exhausting. Some weeks, I’m on fire: sticking to routines, hitting the gym, keeping my flat tidy. Then my brain craves excitement, and I impulsively take on too much. I overreact at work and, after the chaos, I crash – mentally drained and unable to function. At work, I either hyper-focus and get a day’s worth of work done in an hour, or I can’t get anything done. It’s a rollercoaster. 

I’ve started setting boundaries. Hyper-focusing on Ball Management for three years led to success – but also burnout. ADHD makes me incredibly hard on myself – I’ll obsess over the smallest things for days. Now, I take WFH days when I need space and remind myself that rest isn’t lazy – it’s necessary. I also make a conscious effort to surround myself with positive, supportive people – negativity amplifies my inner critic, so protecting my energy is key.

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As a kid, ADHD made me stand out. I was diagnosed when I was ten, back when it was less understood. I was either hyper-focused or completely uninterested, which teachers found frustrating. I was often labelled as naughty, when in reality I was just engaged in what actually interested me. 

Now, in business, I see ADHD as an advantage. It’s helped me channel my energy into leadership, building a strong team, and thriving in fast-paced environments. I appreciate how ADHD helps me juggle multiple projects, think fast, and handle chaos without feeling overwhelmed. But my real strength lies in my team – where I bring big ideas, they bring execution. It’s not just me with a superpower; it’s the combination of our skills that makes it work.

Organisation isn’t my strength. I delegate finance, HR and admin to focus on the things I’m good at – sales, marketing and big-picture thinking. Meetings are another challenge – I struggle to stay engaged if I already grasp where the conversation is going. My brain moves on before others have finished their point, which isn’t arrogance – it’s just how I process information. That said, ADHD allows me to handle multiple tasks at once, react quickly, and stay calm under pressure.

For deadlines, I break tasks into short, high-energy sprints. If something excites me, I tackle it immediately. If it doesn’t, I either delegate or set a hard deadline so I’m forced to complete it. I work best in a reactive, fast-paced way rather than a rigid structure. I can easily get lost in work for hours without realising, but my one rule is no work on weekends. Monday to Friday, I go full throttle, but Saturdays and Sundays are sacred – no emails, no calls, just family time.

ADHD is my business superpower. My brain thrives on high energy, problem-solving and constant movement – perfect for business. One of the best lessons I’ve learned is that success isn’t about being perfect all the time. It’s about being right at the right time. ADHD helps me react quickly, adapt and keep moving – an invaluable skill in business. 

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