Why “Try Harder” Doesn’t Work: The Hidden Effort of Living with ADHD
If “try harder” worked, people with ADHD would already be Olympic champions in effort.
Living with ADHD isn’t about a lack of trying — it’s about having to try again and again, often in the face of challenges others don’t see. Every day requires enormous mental energy, persistence, and resilience just to navigate what others consider routine.
ADHD Brains Work Harder, Not Less
ADHD brains are constantly managing:
Distractions competing for attention
Executive functioning challenges like planning and time management
Emotional regulation in overstimulating environments
Self-doubt from years of misunderstanding or stigma
And yet, people with ADHD keep showing up. They adapt, problem-solve, and start again — sometimes dozens of times in a single day. That persistence is a form of strength that deserves recognition.
The Myth of “Not Trying Hard Enough”
One of the most damaging misconceptions about ADHD is that it’s a lack of willpower. This myth ignores the neuroscience: ADHD is a difference in how the brain regulates attention, motivation, and impulse control.
Effort isn’t the issue. The challenge lies in initiating, organising, and sustaining effort — especially when dopamine and motivation fluctuate. That’s why people with ADHD often end the day mentally exhausted, even when it doesn’t “look” like much got done. Their brains have been running a marathon behind the scenes.
Why Every Win Counts
Every small win — getting out the door, completing a project, remembering an appointment — reflects determination, not luck.
The truth is, ADHDers are champions. Not in spite of ADHD, but because they’ve learned to navigate a world not designed for their brains, and still find ways to thrive.
So the next time you catch yourself thinking you should “try harder,” remember: you already are.