ADHD Paralysis Breakthrough: How Metaphor and Emotion Unlocked Client's Productivity | Rachel Walker Coaching
The Roadblock
One of my clients came to our weekly coaching session struggling with a familiar ADHD challenge - they knew exactly what they needed to do (an important business development outreach project), but felt completely unable to start.
This wasn't just procrastination. They described it as an "icky constricted feeling" - simultaneously wanting to move forward while feeling frozen in place.
Sound familiar? This kind of ADHD paralysis is incredibly common - especially when the stakes FEEL high.
The Metaphor That Unlocked a Solution
During our coaching conversation my client offered a powerful metaphor: "I feel like a bird that has forgotten how to fly." I love it when my clients do this, because coaching through metaphor is one of my FAVOURITE ways to coach.
We explored what this metaphor represented and it offered a lot of insight:
They recognized they had the capability once
They'd lost confidence in their own abilities
They felt trapped and unable to move
They believed they needed some external push to break free
They felt that once they’d been given a push, they’d remember how to fly again
Instead of dismissing this metaphor or trying to "fix" it with positivity, I chose to work directly within it. Often the way we naturally describe our struggles gives us the exact framework we need to solve them - especially if you are a visual or imaginative person.
Getting to the Core Issue
Through our conversation, we uncovered something crucial - my client wasn't actually afraid of the present-moment task. They were paralyzed by anxiety about potential future scenarios that might happen after taking action.
This distinction matters tremendously. When we focus on the weight of all possible future outcomes, the present moment becomes impossibly heavy. So rather than focus on strategies or tools to tackle the ‘practical’ aspects of getting started, such as breaking the task into smaller chunks or setting a timer, we instead focused on how to shift her emotions and overcome fear.
Finding the Real Motivation Source
When discussing emotional resources, my client recognised that rather than looking for the positives or finding inspiration through good ‘vibes’, it would be more helpful right now to channel an activated, constructive anger at the task.
This was a major breakthrough.
We often think we need to feel calm, or peaceful, to take action. Or to just remind ourselves of why the project is important and what the long term impact will be. But for many people with ADHD, these calm states and ‘thinking’ focused strategies can actually lack the necessary energy for overcoming inertia.
Creating a Tailored Strategy
Together, we developed an action plan that intentionally harnessed this constructive energy:
Reframing the project: Rather than focusing on "reaching out" to potential client leads (which felt vulnerable), we reframed it as "Project: Destroy" - channelling anger at the inner critic keeping them small into taking action to send the emails!
Environmental design: We planned what the environment needed to look and feel like to really embody this empowered anger.
Energizing music with intensity, like heavy metal or rock
Visual cues that sparked a sense of power, such as a red light and burning candle
A tea flavour that created a sense of fire and heart - ginger
Working with ADHD motivation: The plan incorporated novelty, stimulation and sensory aspects - essential elements for engaging ADHD brains.
The Results
My client left our session with:
A deeper understanding of what was stopping them taking action
An emotionally resonant strategy aligned with their natural tendencies
A concrete implementation plan with specific environmental components
Renewed confidence and enthusiasm for taking action
Their feedback captured the transformation:
“How can things go wrong if your plan is to destroy? This alleviates so much pressure. You’ve just helped me solve one of my biggest life problems outside of depression.”
My Coaching Approach
This case study demonstrates key principles in my coaching practice:
I meet you where you are - Working within your existing frameworks rather than imposing new ones
I recognize the value in all emotional states - Understanding that conventional "positive thinking" approaches aren't always effective, especially with ADHD
I create personalized implementation strategies - Designing specific environmental conditions that support your unique needs
I’m neurodiversity led - Adapting approaches to work with ADHD motivation patterns
I help transform resistance into resources - Finding ways to channel your strengths and ways of being at ease, into new strategies to take action
Is This Approach Right For You?
If you've tried traditional approaches to productivity and motivation without success, my coaching might be particularly valuable as I have a deep, experiential understanding of ADHD and specialize in helping adults who want to unleash their creative potential.
Together, we can discover your natural motivational patterns and create strategies that feel energizing rather than forced. The goal isn't to become someone you're not - it's to become more effectively yourself.