Why Your ADHD Brain Has Been Filing Success In the Wrong Drawer

Why Your ADHD Brain Has Been Filing Success in the Wrong Drawer

And how to finally see the achievements you've been stepping over

When I completed my first Strength Profile assessment years ago, something extraordinary happened. For the first time in my life, I could see myself clearly. But it wasn't just the assessment that changed everything, it was what I did next.

As part of my Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, I decided to dig deeper. I reached out to 25-30 people I trusted - family, colleagues, direct reports, clients - and asked them for three examples of when they saw me doing my best work.

What came back absolutely floored me.

Stories of impact I'd completely forgotten. Moments of leadership I'd dismissed as "just doing my job." Evidence of strength and capability that I'd somehow never filed away in my memory.

That's when I realised: my ADHD brain had been using the wrong filing system my entire life.

The ADHD Filing Cabinet Problem

Picture your brain as a filing cabinet. Every day, feedback, compliments, and evidence of your capabilities flow across your desk. Most neurotypical brains automatically file positive evidence in the "I'm good at this" drawer and negative feedback in a much smaller "areas for improvement" folder.

But ADHD brains? We do something completely different.

We file achievements in the "lucky break" drawer. We file compliments in the "they're just being nice" section. We file success in the "anyone could have done that" folder.

Meanwhile, criticism gets prime real estate in a massive drawer labeled "proof I'm not enough" - meticulously organised, colour-coded, and easily accessible.

Why ADHD Brains Can't File Compliments

This isn't about low self-esteem or lack of confidence. It's about neurology.

The Dopamine Chase: When you complete something successfully, your ADHD brain gets a hit of dopamine and immediately starts scanning for the next challenge. There's no pause to file the win - the achievement gets left scattered on the floor while you chase the next dopamine hit.

The Hypervigilant Nervous System: Years of feeling "different" or "wrong" has trained your nervous system to stay alert for problems. Slowing down to celebrate feels dangerous when your brain thinks it needs to keep scanning for threats.

The Novelty Bias: ADHD brains crave novelty and new information. Yesterday's success feels old and boring compared to today's exciting challenge. So we literally forget our wins in favor of focusing on what's next.

The Negative Filing Marathon: We've spent decades collecting evidence that we're not good enough. Our brains have become experts at filing criticism, storing every mistake, and building airtight cases against ourselves.

The Cost of the Wrong Filing System

When successful ADHD women can't see their own achievements, several things happen:

• Imposter Syndrome Thrives: If you can't access evidence of your capability, every success feels fraudulent.
• Decision-Making Suffers: Without a clear picture of your strengths, you second-guess every choice.
• Burnout Accelerates: You keep pushing harder, trying to prove yourself, because you can't see proof you're already succeeding.
• Opportunities Get Missed: You don't pursue roles, projects, or recognition you've already earned.

The Evidence Collection Solution

Here's what I learned from asking 30 people for feedback: the evidence of your success exists - you've just been stepping over it for years.

The solution isn't positive thinking or fake confidence. It's systematic evidence collection.

Start With External Validation: Your brain can't argue with other people's experiences of your impact. Ask trusted colleagues, friends, or family for specific examples of your strengths in action.

Create a Success Archive: Start filing wins in real-time. Set a phone reminder to capture one achievement each day, no matter how small.

Challenge the Filing System: When you catch yourself dismissing a compliment, pause and ask: "What if this feedback is accurate? Where would I file this if I believed it?"

Use the Learning Loop: After every project or interaction, ask: "What did I do well? What impact did I have? What would others say about my contribution?"

Your Brain Can Learn New Filing Habits

Here's the incredible news: neuroplasticity means your filing system can change. Every time you consciously file a win in the "success" drawer instead of the "luck" folder, you reinforce new neural pathways.

It takes practice. It feels awkward at first. But gradually, your brain learns to automatically save evidence of your capability where you can actually access it.

The Filing Cabinet Challenge

This week, I challenge you to conduct your own evidence audit:

1. Ask three people for specific examples of your strengths in action
2. Write down one achievement from each day, no matter how small
3. Notice when you dismiss positive feedback and consciously file it properly instead

Remember: you're not trying to succeed. You're trying to see the success that's already there.

The achievements are real. The impact is documented. The evidence exists.

You've just been filing it in the wrong drawer.

Download my Free ADHD Achievement Audit: A step-by-step guide to discovering why other people see your success so clearly, while you've been missing it. Let's change that.