How I Crafted an Intentional Career Roadmap While Embracing My ADHD – and How You Can Do the Same

Imagine setting out on a cross-country road trip with no map, no GPS, and no clear destination in mind. The road stretches endlessly, the turns come unexpectedly, and every detour feels like a misstep. That’s exactly how my career felt before I learned to create an intentional roadmap for success while fully embracing my ADHD.

Like many professionals with ADHD, I spent years feeling like I was searching for a path that didn’t seem to exist. I tried moving faster, pushing harder, but I constantly ended up at dead ends. It wasn’t until I learned to work with my ADHD, rather than against it, that I found my footing. That shift didn’t just help me succeed—it unlocked possibilities I hadn’t even considered.

These days, my career feels more aligned, although I still experience my ups and downs. The difference now is that I have tools to reset and find my way when things feel off. In this article, my goal is to share a vision of what this roadmap could look like and inspire you to create one for yourself.

A Journey Through Foggy Roads

I remember a particularly challenging period early in my career. I had just been promoted, which should have felt like a massive win, but instead left me overwhelmed and doubting myself. My to-do list stretched endlessly, meetings drained my energy, and I couldn’t seem to stay organized. Every day, it felt like I was driving through thick fog, without even a landmark to guide my way.

That fog wasn’t the promotion itself; it was the strategies I was using to approach my work. I was trying to follow the same roadmaps that worked for my colleagues, but those strategies didn’t account for my ADHD. Instead of clarity, they led me deeper into frustration. What I needed was an entirely new approach, one tailored to how I think and work. It wasn’t easy, but turning that realization into action gave me the confidence to rewrite my narrative.

ADHD as Your Compass

Here’s something I wish I had understood earlier: ADHD isn’t a roadblock—it’s a compass. Sure, that compass can spin wildly at times, making it hard to find your direction. But once you learn how to read it, it becomes a powerful tool that can guide you to incredible places.

I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until my early 40s. Before that, I spent years navigating my career by either forcing myself to use tools that worked for others or cycling through burnout, resetting, and starting over. My breakthrough didn’t come from fighting against my ADHD—it came from building a system that works with my brain.

ADHD brings unique strengths: incredible creativity, hyperfocus when we’re passionate, and the ability to think outside the box. The key is learning how to harness those strengths. That’s how you unlock your path forward.

And like any good roadmap, the journey isn’t rigid. It adapts. It accounts for unexpected turns and celebrates milestones along the way. The best roadmaps are created with the right thinking partners who help you harness your strengths, navigate detours, and provide guidance along the way. With the right support, you can approach your journey with purpose and clarity, staying focused on your goals while enjoying the path on your own terms.

Charting Your Career Roadmap

How do you begin to create a career roadmap that fits your brain and your goals? It starts with a few key steps. These aren’t just theoretical ideas—I’ve used them myself, and I’ve seen them work for my clients time and again.

1. Define Your Destination

Clarity starts with knowing where you want to go. For someone with ADHD, this doesn’t mean committing to a rigid destination but identifying guiding goals. For me, this meant asking myself not just what I wanted to achieve but why it mattered to me. I realized I craved a career that aligned with my values, where I could authentically thrive instead of simply surviving.

Practical step: Take a moment to reflect. What sparks your interest? What does an ideal workday look like for you? Write down three potential career goals that feel meaningful—no matter how big or small.

2. Pack the Right Tools

Imagine embarking on a road trip without a map, snacks, or fuel—you wouldn’t get very far. The same applies to navigating your career with ADHD. Traditional strategies often fall short. Instead, it's essential to use tools designed to complement the way your brain works. For me, these tools have been transformative, providing a clear view of all my projects in one place and keeping me on track.

Allow yourself the freedom to change tools as needed. You don’t need a one-size-fits-all system; you need a system that suits the project and moment at hand. Let go of the expectation that any tool must be your “forever” solution. Focus instead on finding what works best for now.

Practical step: Test out ADHD-friendly tools like task management apps, time-blocking methods, or visual planners. Experiment until you find what clicks.

3. Celebrate Your Checkpoints

When every mile feels like a struggle, it’s easy to focus on what’s left and forget how far you’ve come. This was one of the biggest mental shifts for me. Instead of waiting to celebrate big promotions or huge wins, I started recognizing smaller victories. Whether it was tackling my inbox or having a productive one-on-one with a team member, those wins reminded me that I was making progress.

Practical step: At the end of every week, write down one thing you’re proud of achieving, no matter how small it seems. Over time, these checkpoints become the fuel you need to keep going.

4. Stay Flexible in the Face of Detours

No trip goes perfectly, and neither does any career. With ADHD, there will be days when the wheels come off, when overwhelm takes over, or when plans go sideways. The key is to expect those moments and practice self-compassion. For me, learning to see detours as opportunities rather than failures was a turning point.

Practical step: Build buffer zones into your deadlines and daily schedule. Allowing for flexibility ensures that setbacks don’t derail your progress entirely.

5. Work with a Guide Who Knows the Road

The most significant shift in my career came when I stopped trying to figure it all out on my own. I sought out a coach who not only understood ADHD but also provided strategies tailored to my specific challenges. Simply having someone to listen, strategize, and encourage me made all the difference. Working with a guide isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of commitment to growth.

Practical step: Whether through coaching, mentoring, or peer support, find someone who sees your potential and can help you chart your course.

The Road Ahead

Today, I look back at that foggy path I once traveled, and I’m grateful for every twist, turn, and lesson along the way. I crafted a roadmap that not only aligns with my goals but also honors my ADHD. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.

If you’re standing at the edge of your own unmarked path, I want you to know this:

• Your ADHD isn’t a flaw. It’s part of the engine driving your success.
• You’re capable of creating a roadmap that works for you.
• You don’t have to take this journey alone.

Creating a roadmap won’t solve every challenge, but it can help you see the path ahead more clearly. If you’re ready to gain some direction and take meaningful steps forward, I’d love to support you. I work with a small number of clients through my private coaching program, and a few spots are currently available. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to have a conversation about how we can work together. 

Schedule a call using this link.

About Cathy Rashidian, PCC, PCAC, ACCG: 

Cathy Rashidian is an ICF-certified ADHD and executive coach with advanced credentials from the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) and iPEC. With over 2,000 coaching hours focused on professionals with ADHD, she is also a faculty member, lead trainer, and mentor at ADDCA. Specializing in leadership development, Cathy helps high-performing professionals leverage their ADHD strengths, align with their values, and lead with confidence. Additionally, she conducts workshops for organizations, offering training on ADHD-informed leadership to promote understanding and effective management strategies.

• Host of Refined Leadership - ADHD Lens Podcast
• Creator of Refined Leadership - ADHD Lab
• Founder and Facilitator of - Quantum Thinkers ADHD Community
• Schedule a call using this link