How to Become the Hero of Your ADHD Story

By Alex Hey

 In the graphic novel Dark Night: A True Batman Story by Paul Dini, he encourages us “to be the hero of our own stories.” Saying that is fine and dandy, but how do we do it? Well, I have a few suggestions.

Make the Decision to Be a Hero

One of the keys to becoming a hero is deciding to become one. It is easy to say that you are a victim or just a minor character in the story of your life, but that is taking the easy way out and leads to mediocrity. Do not settle for mediocrity when you can choose magnificence. Create the mindset, “I will not stand back and let life happen to me. I will step out and take action.”

 Heroes take action. Bruce Wayne can put on the Batsuit as often as he likes, but he is not a hero until he leaves the Batcave and takes action. Batman must fight crime in Gotham City's streets to be a hero. Similarly, we must take action to be the hero in our story. We must undertake the difficult things we need to do. We must learn to eat frogs. Will it be hard? Of course, but that should not stop us. We can do hard things. 

Knowing how to start and proceed may be difficult, but you do not have to act alone.

Enlist a Sidekick or Superfriend

Superheroes do not work alone. Even those who claim to work alone (I’m looking at you, Batman) have help. Heroes have buddies. Batman has Robin and his butler Alfred to help him. Even Superman who may be one of the most powerful beings on earth has support. He teams up with the Justice League to save the world.

 Who can be your sidekick? Possibly a coach? 

 A coach is not a boss but a partner in your journey to be the hero of your story. A coach, unlike a general, does not command you to go into battle. A coach rides into battle beside you, helping you see what needs to be done and providing advice on how to proceed.

 While I am biased towards coaching, being a coach myself, a coach is not the only way to get support in your battle to manage ADHD. You can team up with other professionals, friends, family, or even online support groups. The point is: You do not have to go on your hero’s journey alone. Garnering support will make your journey easier and more likely successful.