Be the Hero in Your Story, Especially When You Have ADHD!

What story are you writing in life? Business coach and New York Times Best Selling author Donald Miller, who himself has ADHD, says that every story has four main characters. In his book, Hero on a Mission, he says that each of us experiences four main characters every day in our lives.

What are these characters?

These characters are the victim, the villain, the hero and the guide. He teaches us how to move from the victim and the villain to the hero and the guide.

In his 20’s, Donald Miller was lost. He was penniless and crashed on a friend’s coach. In his own words, he was allowing himself to be a victim of circumstance. Standing in front of a mirror, he decided to start taking responsibility for the choices he was making and crafted a life of meaning and purpose.

How do these four characters shape our decisions?

The victim feels as if there is no way out. He feels stuck and trapped in life. When we play the victim, we don’t take responsibility.

The villain makes others feel small. The villain shows up when people with ADHD beat themselves up and are self-critical.

The hero stands up to challenges and transforms themselves. We are the hero when we take a risk and step forward to do something difficult. We become stronger and more capable in the process.

The guide is the highest character in every story and helps the hero become his best. You can’t be the guide without having had a transformation of some sort as a hero. You have faced and overcome challenges, which qualifies you to be the guide.

Which character drives your story?

Early in the ADHD journey we can feel like a victim. We might be struggling and know something is wrong, but are unsure of what we need to do to move forward.

The villain can keep us from reaching out for help by convincing us to beat ourselves up. ADHD is not our fault, but it is our responsibility! I have had people say to me, “How smart can I be, I can’t even balance my own checkbook or get somewhere on time!” Don’t pin your worth on the traits of ADHD that get in the way. You have ADHD, you are not ADHD.

You engage your inner hero when you take a step forward into the unknown. You might feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. Most of us change when we are too miserable not to. Having courage is not the absence of fear. You take a risk!

The guide can support others because they have taken that journey. They live with ADHD, just as you do and can lead the way. Sharing their experience normalizes ADHD and can fast track you to finding solutions. Most of all, they bring partnership and hope for a better tomorrow!

Which character is running the show in your life? Once you get into action, you are the hero. Reach out today to work with a guide who has been there. Be the hero in your own life!

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Hero on a Mission: The Power of Finding Your Role in Life: The Path to a Meaningful Life- Donald Miller

“What is the essence of heroic energy? A hero wants something and is willing to accept the challenge in order to transform into the person capable of getting what they want.”

- Donald Miller

“ADHD is not your fault, but it is your responsibility.”

- Marcus Parks