Why 'Fixing' Yourself Isn't Working
Stop trying to "fix" your career
It's not that you're inconsistent—it's that you've been building in someone else's blueprint.
Most systems weren't made with ADHD brains in mind.
— Not hiring pipelines.
— Not everyday workplace routines.
— Not even the "expert" advice that floods your feed.
So when you're told to "stay consistent," "follow the plan," or "just pick a lane," it's easy to internalize failure when those things fall apart.
But what if the problem isn't your lack of follow-through?
What if it's the blueprint?
— The one-size-fits-all career path.
— The pressure to choose coherence over alignment.
— The productivity plans that demand grit instead of curiosity.
Here's what no one tells you:
❌ Cohesion isn't about forcing yourself to stay in line.
✅ It's about designing a system that moves like you do.
How ADHD brains do cohesion differently
Let's reframe the whole thing.
Forget trying to become more "disciplined."
Forget beating yourself up when you pivot again.
Cohesion—real cohesion—isn't about choosing one play.
It's about building a framework where patterns thrive.
Here's what that can look like:
1. Flexible anchors
You don't need rigid routines—you need return points.
Think of them like lighthouses. They don't control your route. They help you find your way back when the waves get rough.
Flexible anchors might be:
Weekly career "check-ins" instead of daily schedules.
A skills-based narrative you revisit, not a fixed job title.
A short list of values you can name when you feel lost.
These give you rhythm, not rules.
2. Identity loops
Ever notice how something only sticks once it feels like you?
That's the power of identity-based systems. Instead of trying to be consistent, you start to act in alignment with who you already are.
Try this:
When you job search, write from the future role you see yourself growing into.
When you network, show up as a curious collaborator, not a perfect professional.
When you build habits, link them to your self-concept ("I'm the kind of person who...”)
It's about reinforcing your evolution, not conforming to rigid goals.
3. Dopamine-driven design
Your motivation isn't broken. It's brilliantly wired for novelty, meaning, and feedback. Leaning into this isn't lazy—it's leverage.
Design your career like a dopamine map:
Chase roles that give you immediate impact, not just long-term potential.
Build a workweek that mixes deep focus with quick wins.
Follow your curiosity—then connect it to your value.
The more your system rewards your brain, the more your brain wants to show up.
The discipline myth is just that—a myth
You don't need to become more disciplined.
You need more alignment.
— A career that mirrors your movement.
— A system that celebrates every one of your shifts.
— A life that doesn't shame the loops: it actually learns from them.
You see, you're not flaky.
You're overdue for a redesign.
