I’m drowning in brilliant ideas. Becoming a motivational speaker? It’s right there, shimmering in my mind like a golden ticket. But here’s the catch: my ADHD brain and a hefty dose of self-doubt keep me stuck at the starting line. I’m not alone in this—maybe you’ve felt it too. That nagging voice whispering, “What if I’m not good enough?” or “Where do I even begin?” It’s exhausting, paralyzing, and oh-so-familiar. But I’m in the process of clawing my way out, and I want you to know it’s possible—to quiet the doubt, harness the chaos, and become the best version of yourself. Let’s unpack this mess together and figure out how to turn “what if” into “watch me.”

If you’ve got big dreams and a bigger inner critic, you’re in good company. – Shaun Norton

The Brilliant Idea Trap

Picture this: I’ve got a vision of standing on a stage, inspiring people with words that spark change. It’s vivid, exciting, and… terrifying. My ADHD brain loves the brainstorming part—ideas ping around like popcorn in a microwave—but when it’s time to start, it’s radio silence. Task paralysis kicks in, and then the self-doubt swoops down like a vulture: “What if I’m not good enough? How do I even start?” Suddenly, I’m not a motivational speaker—I’m a professional overthinker, frozen by the weight of my own potential. Sound familiar? If you’ve got big dreams and a bigger inner critic, you’re in good company.

The Vicious Cycle of Doubt and Delay

Here’s how it plays out: I decide to take a step—any step—toward this dream. Maybe it’s writing a speech or booking a tiny gig. But before I can even open my laptop, my brain’s off to the races. “You? A speaker? You’ll stumble over your words. No one will listen. Where do you even start—Google? A YouTube tutorial? A prayer?” My ADHD amplifies it, scattering my focus across a dozen “what ifs” instead of one “here’s how.” It’s a cycle: doubt breeds inaction, inaction feeds doubt, and I’m left wondering if I’m destined to be a dreamer who never does.

A Glimmer of Proof: The Website Win

But here’s the thing—I’ve had breakthroughs. Small ones, but they count. I started a website to house my thoughts and future speaking content. It’s a platform, a foundation, something tangible I can point to and say, “I did that.” The process? Messy. My ADHD brain fought me every click of the way, and self-doubt loomed, muttering, “It’s not good enough yet.” I haven’t shared it with anyone—still too empty, still too raw—but finishing those first posts felt like a quiet victory. A spark of “maybe I can.” It’s proof that progress is possible, even if it’s imperfect and unglamorous.

The Tools to Fight Back

So, how do we break this cycle and become the best versions of ourselves? I’m no expert (yet), but I’m learning—and here’s what’s starting to work for me. Steal these if they resonate:

1. Start Tiny, Like Ridiculously Tiny 

Forget “write a speech.” My first step was “open a blank document and type one sentence.” ADHD thrives on overwhelm, so shrinking the task tricks my brain into cooperating. One sentence becomes three, then a paragraph. Progress sneaks up on you.

2. Borrow Belief When Yours Is MIA 

I crave hearing, “You’ll crush it. You’ll be brilliant.” Since I struggle to tell myself that, I lean on others. Find a cheerleader—a friend, a mentor, even a random hype comment online—and let their faith carry you until yours kicks in.

3. Set a “Good Enough” Bar

Perfectionism is self-doubt’s best friend. My website? It’s not polished or packed with content, but it’s *something*. Decide what “good enough” looks like for your first draft, first try, first anything—and release it into the wild. Done beats perfect every time.

4. Ride the ADHD Wave 

My brain’s chaos isn’t all bad. When I’m buzzing with ideas, I jot them down—messy, unfiltered, brilliant. Later, I pick one and ride that hyperfocus wave. Pair it with psytrance (my ADHD hack—see my last post), and I’m unstoppable for 20 minutes. Capitalize on your quirks.

5. Celebrate the Wins, Even the Small Ones

Built a website? Wrote a sentence? Didn’t abandon your idea entirely? That’s a win. I’m learning to high-five myself for these, because every step forward is a middle finger to doubt.

Becoming the Best Version of You

This isn’t just about motivational speaking—it’s about stepping into who you’re meant to be. For me, that’s someone who inspires, who turns chaos into connection. The best version of myself isn’t flawless; it’s fearless. It’s the me who shares that “not good enough” website anyway, who stumbles through a first speech and keeps going. You’ve got your own version waiting—maybe it’s the artist who finally paints, the writer who publishes, the dreamer who does. Self-doubt and ADHD don’t disqualify us; they challenge us to fight harder.

It’s Possible—Here’s How

Overcoming this isn’t a straight line—it’s a scribble, and that’s okay. Start with one tiny action: a note, a sketch, a “hello” to someone who believes in you. Build a toolkit—mine’s got psytrance and cheerleaders; yours might have coffee and deadlines. Test your limits: I’ll share my site soon (gulp), and maybe I’ll book a small talk. You can too—push that edge a little further each time. And when doubt creeps in, remind yourself: “I’m not starting from zero. I’ve already begun.” My website’s proof. Your proof’s out there too—go find it.

The Finish Line That Isn’t

There’s no “done” with self-doubt—it’s a pesky roommate, not a houseguest. But you can turn down its volume and turn up your own. I’m not a motivational speaker yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday. You’re closer too—to whatever your “best self” looks like. We’re not broken; we’re building. And with every shaky step, we prove it’s possible. So, to myself and to you: You’ll crush it. You’ll be brilliant. Let’s start believing it, one tiny, messy win at a time.