Navigating the marketing world with ADHD

I’m sure I have ADHD – I’m not formally diagnosed, BUT I fit most of the NHS criteria so I’m going with that…

Marketing is my ideal career, but it’s very fast-paced. That brings excitement and challenges – in equal measures.

I know I bring unique perspectives, creativity, and resilience to the marketing table. But I can also be impulsive. I get bored easily, I’m hyperactive, and I hyper-focus – but can also be frustratingly inattentive!

I went through a phase when I saw these traits as weaknesses but I now know how to work them to my own and my clients’ advantage.

In this blog, I explore the roller-coaster journey of working in marketing with an ADHD-like brain, highlighting the challenges and, more importantly, the strengths that can turn this neurological difference into a powerful asset.

1. Embracing creativity: ADHD often comes with a heightened sense of creativity, and I’ve been praised for this in every role. That’s because marketing, at its core, is about finding innovative ways to capture and retain attention. I excel in brainstorming sessions, often generating the most whacky ideas from which innovative concepts emerge. I embrace and harness this creativity to help me stand out in the marketing world.
2. Hyperfocus and productivity: So while I can be incredibly inattentive at times, I make up for this in abundance with hyper-focus – prolongued periods where I become deeply absorbed in a task. This leads to bursts of intense productivity, which, combined with my strategic approach to projects, means I excel at delivering high-quality work within tight deadlines.
3. Adaptability and flexibility: The world of marketing moves fast. Being able to adapt to change is a crucial skill. And I love change. It’s exciting and motivating. This means I’m not only flexible when it comes to navigating shifting priorities and unforeseen challenges, but I embrace them. This adaptability is a valuable asset in a field where trends and project parameters change rapidly, helping me to stay ahead of the curve.
4. Effective multitasking: My brain things at quadruple the speed to most people, which means I’m excellent at multitasking. And what better industry that marketing to exercise this skill – where juggling various projects, campaigns, and channels is the norm. With the ability to switch between tasks seamlessly, I’m a powerhouse of marketing efficiency and success.
5. Leveraging technology and tools: In today’s digital age, marketing heavily relies on technology and various tools. I pick things up quickly and am naturally tech-savvy, which makes it easy for me to make the most of new marketing technologies. From social media management systems and analytics dashboards to website and email software, my ability to adapt quickly to new technologies definitely gives me a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.

Conclusion

Working in marketing with an ADHD-like brain may present its own set of challenges, but it also opens doors to my unique strengths and perspectives. Creativity, hyperfocus, adaptability, effective multitasking, and a natural affinity for technology are just a few examples of the valuable contributions I make to the marketing world. By understanding and embracing these qualities, I’m able to drive productivity and produce impressive results – helping me to succeed in my freelance marketing career.