Marketing is my ideal career. It’s fast-paced, creative and always changing – which brings excitement and challenges in equal measure. And I’m pretty sure my brain is wired for it.
I’m not formally diagnosed with ADHD, but I recognise myself in most of the symptoms the NHS describes. I can be impulsive. I get bored easily. I’m restless, I hyperfocus – and I can also be frustratingly inattentive.
For a while, I saw these traits as weaknesses. Now I know how to make them work for me and for my clients. Here’s what that looks like day to day: the strengths, the challenges, and what helps.
The strengths
1. Creativity
A brain that jumps between ideas is a real asset in a job that’s all about capturing attention. I’ve been praised for my creativity in every role I’ve had. In brainstorms, I’m often the one with the wildest ideas – and that’s usually where the most original concepts start.
2. Hyperfocus
I can be inattentive at times, but I make up for it with hyperfocus: long stretches where I become completely absorbed in a task. Combined with a strategic approach to planning, those bursts of intense productivity mean I can deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines.
3. Adaptability
Marketing moves fast, and I love change. It energises me rather than throwing me off course. When priorities shift or a campaign needs rethinking overnight, I don’t just cope – I enjoy it. That makes it easier to stay ahead of trends and respond quickly when things don’t go to plan.
4. Juggling lots at once
My mind moves quickly, and marketing suits that. Most days involve several projects, campaigns and channels running side by side. Having lots of different things on the go keeps me motivated, and I’m good at keeping all the moving parts in view.
5. Picking up new tech quickly
Modern marketing runs on technology, and I learn new tools fast. From social media schedulers and analytics dashboards to website, email and AI tools, I’m usually one of the first to try something new and work out how it can make a campaign better.
The challenges
It isn’t all upside. These are the things I have to manage:
- Routine tasks: admin, reporting and repetitive work can feel like wading through treacle.
- Losing focus: long meetings and dense documents are hard work for my attention.
- Saying yes too quickly: new ideas are exciting, which means I can overcommit.
- Losing track of time: the flip side of hyperfocus is looking up and realising half the day has gone.
What helps me
Over the years, I’ve built a toolkit that keeps the strengths working and the challenges in check:
- Write everything down: one task list, kept up to date, so nothing relies on memory.
- Time-block my day: I give tasks a fixed slot and use a timer to keep hyperfocus in check.
- Do the dull bits first: I tackle routine tasks early, when my energy is highest, and save creative work as the reward.
- Break big projects down: small, visible steps are far easier to start than one huge task.
- Pause before saying yes: I check my capacity before committing to something new.
- Be open about how I work: telling clients and colleagues what helps me – a clear brief, an agenda, written follow-ups – makes working together better for everyone.
Different isn’t a deficit. With the right setup, an ADHD brain can be a real advantage in marketing.
Bringing it together
Working in marketing with an ADHD brain has its challenges, but it also brings strengths I wouldn’t trade: creativity, hyperfocus, adaptability, energy for juggling lots at once, and a natural feel for technology. Understanding how my brain works – and building habits around it – is what turns those traits into results for my clients.
If you’re neurodivergent and working in marketing, I’d love to hear what works for you.
Looking for a marketer who brings ideas, energy and focus to your projects? Find out more about me or get in touch.