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Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a huge milestone - so first off, congratulations! Being newly diagnosed with ADHD might feel overwhelming, but this is the start of a journey that can unlock a deeper understanding of who you are and how you work best. It’s more than just a label; it's a chance to align your life and business with your unique strengths.
I’m Mina Raver, and I know firsthand how life-changing an ADHD diagnosis can be. After years of fighting my own brain and battling through challenges in both business and life, I finally realized the key wasn’t in trying to “fix” myself—but in embracing what makes me different.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the first three things you should do after receiving your ADHD diagnosis. These steps helped me move from frustration to freedom, and they can help you start building a life and business that work for you, not against you.
1. How to block out the unhelpful advice from helpers, bullies, and limiters.
2. The power of writing a love letter to yourself to appreciate your ADHD strengths.
3. Why your diagnosis gives you permission to approach life and business your way.
When you’re newly diagnosed with ADHD, the first thing you’ll want to do is shut out the noise—because trust me, there’s going to be a lot of it. The moment you start sharing your diagnosis, you’ll run into three types of people who can throw you off course: the helpers, the bullies, and the limiters.
These well-meaning folks will try to “help” by giving you advice on how they stay productive, focused, or organized. But here’s the thing—they don’t have ADHD, so their advice might be completely irrelevant. Instead of genuinely understanding your experience, they’ll treat your diagnosis as an excuse, assuming you’re just looking for a way out of hard work. Spoiler alert: they’re not really helping.
Bullies are a little more obvious. These are the people who will flat-out diminish you because of your ADHD. Whether it’s a boss who treats you like you’re less capable or someone in your personal life who sees your diagnosis as a flaw, these people can make you feel “less than” for having ADHD. The good news? They’re usually the least common group.
Then, there are the limiters. These are the people who think they know what ADHD is, and they’ll limit your potential based on their own understanding—or lack thereof. They might have ADHD themselves or know someone who does, but they’ll still underestimate what you’re capable of, projecting their own insecurities or misconceptions onto you.
So, how do you handle these groups? Simple: stop listening to them. For years, you’ve probably been taking advice and criticism from people who didn’t truly understand your brain or your ambition—and where has that gotten you? Nowhere you want to be.
It’s time to shift your focus and surround yourself with people who get it, who support you, and who believe in your unique journey. Build a network of allies who cheer you on, not hold you back. The sooner you stop trying to fit into their expectations, the faster you’ll start creating success on your own terms.
Now, this next step might sound a little cheesy, but trust me—it’s a game-changer. After you shut out all the external noise, it’s time to turn inward and write a love letter to yourself. Yep, you heard that right. You’re probably used to thinking of ADHD as a challenge, but what if you flipped the script and focused on how it makes you awesome?
Chances are, frustration is what led you to seek out a diagnosis in the first place. Maybe you’ve been hard on yourself for things like losing focus, missing deadlines, or struggling to stay organized. But here’s the thing: those same traits that frustrate you also contribute to your greatest strengths.
ADHD isn’t just about the challenges—it’s about the unique strengths you bring to the table. Maybe your ADHD makes you creative, a master of thinking outside the box, or gives you endless passion for projects that light you up. These qualities are what set you apart, and they’re the exact reasons why you’ll succeed, not in spite of ADHD, but because of it.
Start by thanking your mind and body for the things you love about yourself. What have you achieved because of your ADHD? Think about your ability to hyperfocus, your spontaneous bursts of creativity, or the way you can spot connections that others might miss. Everything you struggle with has an upside, so take a moment to appreciate the gifts that come with your ADHD.
Writing a love letter to yourself isn’t just a feel-good exercise. It’s a way to build self-compassion and flip your mindset from frustration to empowerment. Instead of fighting against who you are, learn to work with yourself. This shift in perspective will help you move forward with more confidence and positivity as you navigate your business and life.
Actionable Tip:
"Write down at least three ways your ADHD has contributed to your success. Is it your creativity? Your drive? Make peace with your challenges, and appreciate the upside they bring."
This love letter is more than just words on a page—it’s a reminder that you’re not broken, and you don’t need to fix yourself. You’re already equipped with everything you need to thrive.
Now that you’ve shut out the noise and embraced your strengths, it’s time to get excited about what comes next! A diagnosis of ADHD isn’t just a label—it’s permission to operate differently, to throw out the rules that never worked for you in the first place, and to design a life that fits you. This is your opportunity to completely reframe how you approach both life and business.
For so long, you may have been trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t made for you. You’ve probably struggled with out-of-the-box expectations and rigid boundaries that made things harder, not easier. But guess what? You don’t have to play by those rules anymore. With ADHD, you have the freedom to create custom solutions that actually work with your brain, not against it.
This is your chance to rewrite the rules of how you work, live, and succeed. ADHD gives you the flexibility to think creatively, to embrace the unconventional, and to lean into your strengths rather than trying to conform to someone else’s idea of productivity.
Your diagnosis is more than just a list of symptoms—it’s an invitation to innovate. You now have the awareness to say, “Okay, I know how I work best, and I’m going to structure my life around that.” This is where the fun begins! Start thinking about how you can build systems that energize you, strategies that make sense for your ADHD brain, and projects that excite you instead of draining you.
You’re not just surviving anymore—you’re thriving. ADHD isn’t a limitation; it’s your secret weapon.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is the beginning of something powerful. You now have the tools to approach your goals in a way that aligns with who you really are. No more squeezing yourself into systems that weren’t built for you. You’re free to create, experiment, and flourish on your own terms.
Lean into the excitement of this new chapter. You’ve gained a fresh perspective and the permission to build a business—and a life—that works for you. This is just the beginning of something amazing, and I’m so excited for the journey ahead.
You’ve just been diagnosed with ADHD, and while that can feel like a lot to take in, it’s also the start of something incredibly exciting. By shutting out the noise of unhelpful opinions, embracing your strengths, and getting excited about your future, you’re setting the stage for success that’s built around you.
Remember, ADHD doesn’t have to hold you back, it’s an opportunity to thrive in ways you never thought possible. You’re not broken, and you don’t need to be “fixed.” You’ve got a unique set of skills and strengths that can help you achieve everything you’ve dreamed of, both in life and business.
So, what’s next? Start putting these steps into action! Reflect on the positive aspects of your ADHD, build a supportive community, and lean into this new chapter with excitement and determination.
To help you fast-track your success and make the most of your ADHD, download the BetterCEO app. It’s designed for entrepreneurs with ADHD to help you manage your time, organize your tasks, and build a business that works for you—on your terms. You don’t have to do this alone, and BetterCEO gives you the tools to thrive.
You’ve got this, and I’m rooting for you every step of the way!
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