This weekend, while watching College Game Day at Penn State (We Are!), I saw a moment that had me thinking about ADHD success in a whole new way.
A student, William, had the chance to kick a field goal for $100,000.
He paused, looked at the crowd, and made a bold decision: instead of taking the shot himself, he called in his friend Carson — a soccer player — to do it.
The two agreed to split the prize. College Game Day sweetened the deal to $300,000 so each would walk away with $150,000.
The fans were chanting “Carson! Carson!”
The ball soared through the uprights.
The cheers erupted.
It was electric.
Why This Matters for ADHD
So often with ADHD, we think we have to do it all ourselve.
We put pressure on ourselves to push harder, be better, get it right without help.
But success doesn’t always come from being the kicker. Sometimes it comes from knowing when to call in support.
That’s where the real shift happens:
- Knowing your strengths.
- Admitting where you need help.
- Building systems that make the game easier instead of harder.
The Power of Support and Systems
The young man could have forced himself to take the kick and maybe walked away with nothing.
Instead, he shifted the play.
He stopped forcing what didn’t work, started a new plan, and repeated what his friend was already great at.
With ADHD, that’s exactly how habits and systems stick.
Not by willpower alone — but by structure, support, and a willingness to let go of “should.”
Your Takeaway
Where in your life are you trying to be the kicker, when you could call in a Carson?
When you stop forcing what doesn’t work, and repeat what does, that’s when the game really changes.
Want to go deeper?
Join me Monday, September 29 at 5pm ET for the Start. Stop. Repeat. Masterclass.
You’ll learn how to break the cycle of trying harder, quitting, and starting over — and discover systems that actually fit your ADHD brain.
