Unleashing the Power of ADHD: A Conversation with ADHD Coach Ryan Mayer
Check out this quick article before listening to our latest episode (below) of the Into The Storm Leaders podcast, where we were honored to host Ryan Mayer, an ADHD coach specializing in time management. Ryan’s unique expertise offers a refreshing perspective on how individuals with ADHD can navigate their challenges and turn them into strengths.
Ryan’s journey into coaching began with a personal connection to ADHD. As someone who lives with ADHD, he has an intimate understanding of the struggles and obstacles faced by individuals with this condition. This personal experience fuels his passion for helping others with ADHD overcome their challenges and thrive both personally and professionally.
Embrace and Understand Your ADHD
A key takeaway from our conversation with Ryan is the importance of understanding and embracing one’s ADHD. Emphasizing the need for individuals to recognize their strengths and weaknesses well enough to articulate them to others, and to lean into the areas of strength (even if you’ve been conditioned to see them as weaknesses) rather than trying to “fix” the way you naturally operate.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Ryan highlighted the necessity of creating a supportive environment, which includes setting realistic goals, establishing routines, and seeking support from friends, family, and professionals. By fostering a structured and supportive environment, individuals with ADHD can better manage their time and achieve their goals.
CultureShoc‘s Growth Leader and the host of Into The Storm Leaders, Joe Jurec, often talks about the 3 primary components of change being Pain (of your current reality becoming more than fear of the unknown), Knowledge (becoming so overwhelming that you can no longer see things how you had before), and Influence (from others who you don’t want to let down). While we hope the pain of your current situation isn’t the driving factor, our goal with this episode was to offer enough Knowledge through shared experiences and encourage listeners to seek Influence & accountability from their closest network, giving them a high probability of forming lasting change.
Advocate for Yourself
One of the most powerful messages from Ryan’s session was the importance of self-advocacy. He stressed that individuals with ADHD, or any invisible disability, hell…or without one, need to communicate their needs clearly and assertively. Self-advocacy is essential in leadership, career growth, and overall success. It’s about setting expectations, taking ownership of strengths and challenges, and communicating needs and preferences effectively.
We often find ourselves dissatisfied with a situation, putting blame on others or feeling it’s something that has been done to us rather than taking ownership for a different outcome. When we advocate for ourselves by setting better expectations up front, we generally have more control of the our environment than we realized.
Optimizing Workspaces for Productivity
Ryan also discussed practical tips for optimizing workspaces to enhance productivity. Small adjustments like moving away from distractions and investing in noise-canceling headphones can make a significant difference. Neurotypical leaders should be proactive in creating environments that support all team members’ productivity. This episode features a funny story about the EXTREME distractions Ryan was faced with in a corporate setting and the steps he took to position himself for productivity.
Community Coaching for Support
Recognizing that coaching can be financially out of reach for many, Ryan has initiated a movement for free support through platforms like Patreon. His community coaching sessions foster a sense of connection and understanding among individuals facing similar challenges, providing invaluable support and empowerment. During this episode, he shared tips, guides, and numerous resources both for those with ADHD and without.
Embrace Your Worth
Ryan’s inspiring message, “You are amazing just as you are,” reminds us of the importance of self-acceptance. Embracing one’s authentic self, including all strengths and challenges, fosters a sense of self-worth and confidence.
We’re all human. We all have flaws and vulnerabilities. At CultureShoc, we see a leader’s willingness to show vulnerability as a demonstration of their true strength, not a weakness. Our Into The Storm Leaders programs are crafted to develop the courage and confidence needed to accelerate trust and create cultures of positive accountability, a willingness to be vulnerability and find balance with humility & confidence is paramount.
Listen to the Full Episode
Ryan Mayer’s insights and expertise offer hope and inspiration to individuals with ADHD, showing that with the right tools and support, they can thrive and succeed. Tune in to this enlightening episode of the Into The Storm Leaders podcast to hear more about Ryan’s journey and his invaluable advice on managing ADHD and maximizing productivity.
Join us in embracing the Into The Storm mindset and empowering leaders to charge through their challenges and emerge stronger and more successful.
Stay connected with us for more episodes featuring inspiring leaders who share their journeys and insights into overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness.
Links & Resources
- https://ryanmayercoaching.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmayerpeopleconnector/
- https://www.instagram.com/adhd_coach_ryanmayer/
- https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_coach_ryan?lang=en
- www.cultureshoc.com
Quoteworthy Moments
- 00:02:29 – “We’re exactly where we are meant to be.”
- 00:04:17 – “I say to navigate the storms caused in their life by in this case, ADHD.”
- 00:08:21 – “Say it in a way of setting expectations. Not that I’m asking for anything different, but that as you put it all the time, I can advocate for myself.”
- 00:14:48-00:14:59 – “ADHD should be treated with the same respect and accommodations as someone with a physical disability.”
- 00:21:11 – “I like to say little hinges swing big doors. So once I was able to be turned around and I had noise-canceling headphones, it was way easier for me to concentrate.”
- 00:25:48 – “If I can do my job better by making the slight adjustment, why would we not do that?”
- 00:28:36 – “Which often could be just better use of your superpower, of your ideal working environment that you can now commit to this level of performance because you’re helping me create that space and opportunity for me to be my best.”
- 00:39:47-00:39:58 – “I try too hard. I, I’m too committed. I give 110% all that. Yeah. And that extra 10%, you know, it’s hard, but I make it happen.”
- 00:42:32-00:42:42 – “I’ll help you identify and set you up for success, give you opportunities to help you advocate. I feel like that’s something that isn’t necessarily talked about enough as the critical role of a leader.”
- 00:48:06-00:48:16 – “If you can make things better in the workplace, that’s going to spread to every other aspect of the person’s life.”
- 00:53:25 – “I am a firm believer that you’re supposed to be doing this because you’re helping people.”
- 00:55:16 – “ADHD isn’t an excuse, but it is a fact that it’s real.”
- 00:57:37 – 00:57:48 “What if we just had what I call T-U-A, total unconditional acceptance of like, This is just how we are?”
- 01:00:39-01:00:49 – “I want to become the help that I needed, but couldn’t find.”
- 01:02:47-01:02:57 – “One of my favorite quotes is money is an echo of value.”
- 01:06:27-01:06:37 – “If you’re watching this and you’re currently in a dark place, I want to let you know, you’re not alone. You’re not broken.”
Listen here or Watch below.