Leaning Into Success (3 Stories)

Do you ever catch yourself playing small when you know you’re capable of more? I used to do that a lot. This podcast episode explores how to break out of that pattern and create real progress, especially when juggling dyslexia and ADHD. We touch on how to shift our mindset, use our strengths, and keep ourselves from sinking into self-doubt.

In this episode, I share how I learned to accept my own brain wiring and start taking bolder steps forward. You’ll hear what helped me finally embrace my dyslexia and ADHD challenges, and how that acceptance gave me the courage to leave my comfort zone. It’s about leaping from fear into growth. But it’s also about staying practical, building daily habits, and keeping things fun and flexible.

Recognising Limiting Patterns

We often underestimate ourselves by falling into certain patterns. Maybe we hold back, thinking our best days are behind us or that we’re not skilled enough to shine.

I discovered I was doing this when I’d talk about new projects or work ideas. I’d get excited first, then the negative voice would creep in: “What if I fail? Am I ready? Is my ADHD going to trip me up?” Those thoughts can derail us before we even start.

I found one quick remedy was to notice when these doubts appeared and ask myself, “What if this goes better than I expect?” That single question shifted my brain from self-defeat to curious possibility.

Empowering Yourself With Self-Awareness

Sometimes we view dyslexia or ADHD as obstacles. In reality, they can be our strengths if we see them the right way. By learning how my mind works, I quit forcing myself into boxes that never fit. I started leaning into the energetic, creative, and intuitive side of my brain.

In the episode, I mention a key moment when I realised my struggles weren’t all in my head. There was a reason behind my reading mix-ups, my endless tangents, and my difficulty with certain mundane tasks. Awareness helped me find ways to grow instead of feeling stuck or embarrassed.

You’ll hear about how small habit tweaks and environment changes kept me functioning at my best. Light exercise in the morning. Short bursts of creative work. Breaking tasks into smaller steps. It’s not rocket science, but it works.

Navigating Your Unique Path

So how do we move from playing small to living bigger? First, we stop comparing ourselves to others. Then we keep experimenting until we find what feels natural. I replaced a few old routines with new approaches that finally made sense for my ADHD brain. Less overthinking, more action.

Throughout the episode, I share strategies that helped me:

• Give myself permission to do things differently
• Ask for feedback from friends and mentors
• Set tiny goals that build momentum
• Embrace mini-breaks to reset a wandering mind
• Take each failure as a lesson, not a verdict

This might sound easy, but it takes trial and error to see what actually sticks. It’s okay to faceplant on Monday if you learn something that changes how you approach Tuesday.

Building a Growth Mindset

Many times, we hear “growth mindset” and assume it’s just positive thinking. But it’s deeper. It’s about deciding that we can learn new skills and adapt as needed. We accept that mistakes will happen. We refuse to interpret them as proof we aren’t good enough.

There was a quote in this episode that stood out for me:

“Progress rarely comes from perfection. It comes from practicing belief in yourself when it’s hardest to do so.”

I love this because it reminds us to keep trusting our potential, even on days we feel like impostors. If we believe we can figure it out eventually, we won’t stop at the first or tenth hurdle. We keep going, and that’s exactly how we move from small to big possibilities.

Taking Action in Small Sprints

My personal experiment in working with dyslexia and ADHD has been about frequent resets and sprints. Instead of sitting down for three hours, I go for 30 minutes of focused work, a short break, then another sprint. If my brain is all over the place, I’ll shift tasks. This approach keeps me energised, and it respects the natural ebb and flow of my concentration.

In the podcast, I suggest creating a simple plan using post-it notes or a phone reminder. Write down short tasks that move you closer to a goal. Tick them off when done. Keep them visible. Don’t overcomplicate it. The point is to get active and see progress.

Here’s a small reminder: it’s not about perfect planning or forcing yourself to to-do list success. It’s about noticing what’s not working and being kind enough to try something fresh. If you stumble, who cares? At least you tried, and you can always refine tomorrow.

• Accepting your unique strengths frees you to experiment
• Small changes to daily routines can make a big impact
• Ask for help or feedback when you feel stuck
• Remember that growth mindedness is a practice, not a badge

Ready to break free from old constraints? This episode shares my honest journey of navigating dyslexia and ADHD while building a life that feels genuine and fulfilling. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to expand and step into a bigger version of yourself, this might be it.

Curious to hear the full conversation? Have a listen to the podcast above. You’ll pick up even more insights and practical tips for embracing your strengths and moving toward a brighter future.