"" Tired of focusing on the challenges? Eli and Stephanie reveal how to leverage your unique ADHD abilities for success in life and business.

Ever feel like you're trying to fit a square peg in a round hole? That's a feeling Eli Dervonté knows all too well.

For years, he masked his difficulties with memory and writing, feeling "sick" when faced with letters on a page. It wasn't until later in life that he truly accepted his ADHD, a turning point that came from being "sick to death" of other people's expectations.

This journey of self-acceptance is a key starting point, as Eli and Stephanie Camilleri, The ADHD Advocate, discuss in their podcast conversations. They both firmly believe in a strength-based approach to ADHD.

Stephanie's coaching is built on this "strength space", and Eli advises everyone to "use your strengths to your strengths and don't get hooked on your weaknesses". In the business world and in life, it’s your strengths that will shine.

Stephanie’s own journey involved a slow but steady increase in awareness and acceptance of ADHD. Starting her coaching business nearly seven years ago felt a bit "out there", with significant pushback initially.

This highlights how understanding, or the lack thereof, deeply impacts the experience of ADHD. In families, a lack of understanding can even create "toxic" environments, as Stephanie experienced before diagnosis brought a crucial "relevant lens" through which to understand each other.

But understanding isn't just about diagnosis; it's about leveraging interdependence and collaboration. Eli stresses that "networking is very important not just for business but for personal growth, allowing individuals to use others to complement their weaknesses".

Learning and progress happen much faster through working together. He even pushed himself to overcome his tendency to isolate because he recognised the value of external perspectives.

Today Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful ally. Eli sees AI as a "virtual assistant" that can handle tasks like writing, where individuals with ADHD might struggle.

This frees them up to focus on their inherent strengths, like creativity and problem-solving. Stephanie is a "big proponent of AI", seeing it as the "ultimate body double".

Throughout their conversations, the concept of "going with the flow" comes up frequently. While this can represent adaptability, Stephanie points out it doesn't suit everyone, especially those with co-occurring autism who might need more structure.

However, Eli also believes that their ability to uniquely understand what people need, rather than sticking to rigid structures, is a "greater gift".

Ultimately, the journey with ADHD is unique to each individual. But by embracing self-acceptance, focusing on strengths, building supportive networks, and utilising available tools like AI, individuals with ADHD can not only navigate challenges but truly thrive in both life and business.

As Eli passionately states, "We're great leaders and we're great leaders because we quite we're from the point of view we're quite creative". It’s about seeing your neurodiversity not as a deficit, but as a unique set of abilities waiting to be unleashed.

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S5 EP13: The ADHD Flow: Mastering Flexible Strategies with Stephanie Camilleri