What It’s Like Working With ADHD

Let me tell you something that not everyone will admit: ADHD is both my superpower and my weakness.

If I’m interested in something, I’ll hyperfocus and smash out what most people need a full day to do in just a couple of hours — and that’s no exaggeration. I do this almost daily. But flip the coin, and you’ll see the challenge. If I’m not interested in something? Forget it. I can’t retain it, can’t even get started. It’s like my brain throws up a wall and says, “Not today, mate.”

Luckily for me, I love my business. I’m addicted to progress. I thrive on positive energy and forward motion — and RMG gives me that. Without it, I honestly think a lot of things wouldn’t get done in my life. But this wasn’t always the case.

Growing up, school was a nightmare. I never got praise for trying hard or doing good work, because I struggled in areas where other kids breezed through — sitting still, concentrating, spelling. ADHD mixed with dyslexia is a brutal combo in the school system. Back then, it wasn’t recognised or supported like it is now. I was just labelled disruptive or slow.

But look at me now. I’m thriving in my industry. I absolutely love what I do — roofing, running a business, building a brand. I don’t think many people can match my passion or my drive. That fire comes from my ADHD. But here’s the twist — it also makes me impulsive. That can be brilliant when you’re making quick decisions and taking bold steps. But it can also burn you if you don’t rein it in.

That’s where my wife comes in. She’s the complete opposite of me — calm, grounded, methodical. She’s been my balance for 15 years and knows me inside out. Without her, I’d have crashed and burned more times than I can count.

These days, ADHD is finally being talked about. It’s all over social media, podcasts, schools, and TV. And that’s a good thing. Because undiagnosed ADHD can destroy confidence and create chaos in people’s lives. As an adult, I still deal with the same tendencies I had as a kid, but now I manage them differently.

I don’t take ADHD medication. I’ve thought about it a lot, but I know deep down it would dampen something in me — something raw and essential. Instead, I use activity as my medicine. Jiu-jitsu, boxing, cycling, running, even a PlayStation session here and there — that’s how I regulate myself.

The emotional side of ADHD is no joke either. When I’m happy, I’m flying. I feel unstoppable. But I’ve learned that the higher I go, the harder the drop. And that crash? It’s rough. So now, when I feel myself getting too high, I remind myself to slow down — to stay level.

These are the things I’ve learned over the years. And the reason I’m sharing all of this isn’t for sympathy or likes. It’s to help someone who might be going through the same thing and doesn’t know what’s going on. Someone who feels broken or different.

You’re not broken. You just work differently. And that can be a gift — if you learn how to manage it.

That’s what The Real McCoy is all about: being real, honest, and hopefully helping someone else along the way.

Until next time,

 Stay real,

Daryl Cooke

Director, RMG Roofing & Solar