Turning Doubt into Drive

All my life, people have underestimated me. Teachers, peers, even well-meaning family members—they all made assumptions about what I could or couldn't do because of my ADHD. I heard things like, "You're too scattered to finish big projects," or "Are you sure you can handle that? It might be too overwhelming." For years, these attitudes reinforced my doubts, but I eventually got sick of those moments holding me back and reinforcing my insecurities. I decided instead to reframe those moments as fuel, and when I caught myself telling myself I couldn't do it,

I decided to use every dismissive comment and microaggression I heard as a reason to push forward instead of letting those moments define me. This empowered me to turn those moments into steppingstones toward success.

From Doubt to Determination

When you grow up hearing people question your abilities, it's easy to internalize that doubt. For a long time, I believed the things they said. I thought I couldn't achieve big goals because I struggled with focus, organization, and impulsivity.

But something shifted when I realized that the problem wasn't my ADHD—it was the way people viewed it. They saw my challenges, but they didn't see my strengths. They saw distractions, but they didn't see creativity. They saw forgetfulness, but they didn't see problem-solving skills. Once I started recognizing those strengths within myself, I became determined to prove that I could succeed—not just to them but to myself.

For example, a teacher once told me I wasn't "cut out" for writing, working in mental health, and so on, and even though I struggled to find my place in my community and doubt filled my mind, I reframed those moments. I developed my strategies using timers, planners, and study techniques that worked for my brain and with my ADHD. It wasn't easy, but I proved I could do it. Now, I currently have a book for sale in the Harvard University medical school bookstore. I was also an accomplished athlete, and I have multiple degrees.

Using Challenges as Tools for Growth

Instead of seeing my ADHD challenges as barriers, I began seeing them as tools—things that, when managed correctly, could work in my favor. For example, I used those experiences to gain self-awareness and compassion and to view those moments as a way to empower myself and define how I approach them, allowing me to develop skills, make connections, and grow in ways that a more cautious approach wouldn't have.

Likewise, my hyperfocus—often dismissed as getting "too obsessed" with things—became one of my greatest strengths. (Even though our hyperfocus can also be sabotaging) I used it to learn everything I could and how to apply it to my personal development.

One major example was when I pursued a career in mental health. Some people doubted that I could handle the structure and responsibility of the field, assuming my ADHD would make it too difficult to stay on top of things. However, my experience and ability to connect with others uniquely suited me for this path. I embraced the challenge, developing systems to stay organized, using my energy to engage with people, and leveraging my ability to think outside the box to help those I worked with. What others saw as obstacles, I turned into advantages by balancing my education and lived experience to support and empower others in their journey.

Turning Proving Them Wrong into Proving Myself Right

For a long time, I was motivated by proving people wrong. Whenever someone doubted me, I used it to motivate me to push forward. But over time, my mindset shifted. I realized that proving others wrong wasn't enough—I had to prove to myself that I could succeed, regardless of external validation.

I stopped caring about whether people believed in me and started focusing on whether I believed in myself. I set goals based on what I wanted, not what others thought I couldn't do. I used my experiences with being underestimated as a foundation for resilience. Every challenge I faced became a reason for me to focus on something greater, and I became less focused on other people's limited opinions about what I could and could not do.

This mindset helped me achieve things I never thought possible. It gave me the courage to pursue opportunities despite self-doubt, take on leadership roles, advocate for myself and others, and carve out a path that felt right for me. My ADHD didn't hold me back—it pushed me forward.

Owning Your Story and Moving Forward

Being underestimated isn't the end of the story—it's the beginning of a new one. When people doubt you, you have two choices: let their words define you or use them as fuel to push forward. I chose the latter, and in doing so, I discovered that my greatest strengths were what others saw as weaknesses. ADHD didn't limit me—it taught me how to adapt, persevere, and succeed on my terms.

So, if you've ever been told you're not capable, that your challenges are too big, or that your dreams are unrealistic, let that be the spark, not the setback, that stops you from shining; instead, let it be the reason why you shine.