Craig

When Craig began coaching with 3SC, he was facing a number of challenges that are familiar to many neurodivergent professionals. Living and working with ADHD meant that he often operated at high speed, constantly moving from one task to the next without the structure and focus needed to manage demands effectively. While this fast-paced approach helped him achieve a great deal, it was also creating difficulties with executive functioning, stress management, and maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Craig recognised that he had developed habits that were no longer serving him well. He frequently prioritised the needs of others above his own and found himself focused on “keeping everyone else happy” rather than taking time for himself. He also noticed a tendency to mask his difficulties, presenting as though everything was fine even when he was struggling internally. Alongside this, motivation and maintaining long-term engagement at work could sometimes fluctuate, impacting both his professional performance and home life.

The coaching journey began with a focus on helping Craig better understand these patterns, increase his self-awareness, and develop practical strategies that would enable him to work and live in a more sustainable and balanced way.

Building Awareness and Developing New Strategies

One of the most significant outcomes of coaching has been Craig’s improved ability to recognise and manage stress. Where stress had previously been a recurring challenge, he now feels much more in control of his wellbeing.

Reflecting on his current situation, Craig shared:

“I haven’t really had any stress at the minute, it’s been good.”

This change did not happen overnight. Through coaching, Craig developed a deeper understanding of his stress triggers and learned techniques that allowed him to respond more effectively when challenges arose. As a result, he has become calmer, more resilient, and better equipped to manage the demands of both work and everyday life.

Alongside this, Craig has strengthened his executive functioning skills. He now approaches priorities, workload management, and decision-making with greater structure and consistency, enabling him to stay focused and productive without becoming overwhelmed.

Growing Confidence at Work

As Craig’s confidence increased, so did his willingness to step outside his comfort zone. Rather than avoiding more challenging situations, he actively sought opportunities to learn and contribute.

A key example of this was his involvement in major trigger events within the workplace. By engaging directly with these high-pressure situations, Craig was able to gain valuable insight into how complex incidents are managed while bringing his own perspective and ideas to the table.

What stood out most for him was the opportunity to support colleagues and contribute different ways of thinking. The experience reinforced his strengths, increased his professional confidence, and helped him realise the value he brings to a team.

His growing self-belief has also strengthened his relationships at work. As a newer member of the team, Craig found that his approachable nature encouraged open conversations with colleagues. This helped build stronger connections and created opportunities for others to share their experiences more openly.

Creating a Healthier Work-Life Balance

Perhaps one of the most transformative changes for Craig has been his relationship with work outside working hours.

Before coaching, it was common for him to continue working long after the day had ended. Work regularly followed him home, leaving little opportunity to fully switch off and recharge.

Today, that picture looks very different.

As Craig explained:

“I used to constantly work, even after finishing for the day, I’d stay on my laptop and carry on. Now I find it harder to do that at home and would rather spend time with my wife and kids or just switch off.”

This shift represents far more than simply working fewer hours. It reflects healthier boundaries, better self-care, improved recovery time, and a greater appreciation of the importance of family and personal wellbeing. Learning how to switch off has enabled Craig to return to work feeling fresher, more focused, and more engaged.

A Strong and Positive Position

Today, Craig describes himself as being in a positive and stable place both professionally and personally.

He feels capable of managing his workload, is actively contributing to his team, and continues to take on increasingly complex responsibilities. Importantly, he no longer feels that significant barriers are holding him back.

The strategies he has developed through coaching are supporting him daily, helping him manage priorities effectively while maintaining the balance that has become so important to his wellbeing.

His improved decision-making, reduced tendency to overthink, and stronger routines have all contributed to a greater sense of control and confidence.

Looking to the Future with Optimism

When discussing the future, Craig speaks with enthusiasm and optimism. Rather than feeling uncertain or overwhelmed by possibilities, he now sees opportunity.

In his words:

“There’s so many different opportunities and stuff… so it’s really good.”

While he is not focused on one specific career path at this stage, he is excited about continuing to develop, explore new opportunities, and build upon the progress he has made.

Just as importantly, he remains committed to maintaining the healthy habits, boundaries, and strategies that have helped him reach this point.

A Life-Changing Experience

Craig’s feedback about the coaching experience highlights the profound impact it has had on both his professional and personal life.

He described receiving support at a time when he was “struggling to stay afloat” and spoke about his coach being “a consistent source of positivity and support” throughout that period. He particularly valued the personalised approach, which enabled sessions to be delivered in a way that worked for his individual needs and learning style.

Perhaps most powerfully, Craig described the coaching as being, at times, “truly life-changing.”

Through the process, he has developed greater confidence, stronger self-awareness, and a renewed sense of pride in his achievements. What began as a journey to improve executive functioning and manage stress evolved into something much broader: a transformation in the way he views himself, approaches challenges, and balances the different areas of his life.

Craig’s story demonstrates the significant impact that tailored neurodiversity coaching can have. By developing practical strategies, building self-awareness, and creating healthier habits, he has moved from simply coping with daily demands to genuinely thriving both at work and at home.

If you have a disability, neurodivergent condition or mental health challenge that impacts your ability to work, Access to Work funding can provide free, personalised support – and you get to choose who delivers it.

How we help:

• Specialist Neurodiversity Coaching (e.g. for ADHD, autism, dyslexia)
• Mental health and resilience support
• Job coaching and strategy-building
• Support inside and outside the workplace

Our coaches work with you on the things that matter confidence, communication, focus, executive functioning, stress management and workplace relationships.

Feel free to get in touch: Contact us – 3SC