Rocket Speed Thinking, Grounded in Faith
Charmain Faith Tan is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honouree, tech entrepreneur, and faith-driven innovator. She is Chief Steward of Engages.ai, owner of QD Academy, and director at Vector – AI Digital Workers. Dedicated to integrating faith, AI, and authenticity, she champions a vision where innovation uplifts purpose and transforms how the world works, leads, and lives.
Quotes
“ADHD is like having rocket fuel in your brain – if you learn how to steer, you can go further and faster than you ever imagined.”
“Knowing I have ADHD showed me I’m not weird. I’m just different. That truth freed me to embrace who I am.”
Awareness about ADHD
I first heard about ADHD in adults in 2019 when Moonlake Lee invited me to a talk. I didn’t think much of it at first. I was there more out of curiosity than anything. But as the speaker described the traits and challenges, I sat there thinking, That’s me. That’s me. That’s also me.
Later, I took an online ADHD test. I scored very high. The result didn’t shock me as much as the relief that came with it. For the first time, my life made sense. I wasn’t lazy, careless, or strange – I was wired differently. Knowing I have ADHD showed me I’m not weird – I’m just different. That truth freed me to embrace who I am.
School and Early Clues
Looking back, the signs were obvious. In school, I excelled in maths and science but struggled with English. I could spend hours working through equations but would completely lose focus trying to read long passages in a quiet library. My emotions ran deep and fast – either I was filled with energy and joy, or I was consumed by frustration and restlessness.
I was also easily bored. If something didn’t challenge or excite me, I’d lose interest almost immediately. But if it did? I could work at lightning speed, pulling connections together in ways other people didn’t see.
Faith as My Anchor
In my twenties, I went through some very dark seasons. I’m talking about moments when the challenges felt like too much, and I wondered if I could keep going. What kept me here, what kept me moving, was my faith. Because I knew God, I could hold on to light and hope, trusting that all things work for good.
I genuinely believe God used those seasons to prepare me for the work I do now. Faith didn’t take away the challenges, but it gave me the perspective and strength to face them.
Rocket Fuel Thinking
One of the best parts of ADHD is how quickly my brain can connect dots. During a National University of Singapore (NUS) exchange program in a cold country, I realised I couldn’t use my iPhone while wearing gloves. I remembered that iPhones work with conductivity, so I designed touchscreen gloves that could work in the cold. We launched and sold them successfully. That’s ADHD at its best – spotting a gap, moving fast, and making it happen.
ADHD is like having rocket fuel in your brain. If you learn how to steer, you can go further and faster than you ever imagined. But rocket fuel can be dangerous if it’s not controlled. I’ve learned that the same energy that drives me can also scatter me. I need to constantly remind myself to prioritise, slow down, and finish what I start.
Song Kids and Social Impact
One of my proudest chapters was working with Song Kids, a missions organisation in Myanmar serving disadvantaged communities. We focused on giving children access to education, creative arts, and safe spaces to learn. We also worked with families to create opportunities that could break the cycle of poverty.
Seeing children light up because they could now read or watching a community rally around education – those moments stay with me. That’s when I realised my ADHD wasn’t just a “work thing.” The creativity, energy, and ability to adapt quickly were just as important in social impact work.
ADHD and AI: Building Purposeful Technology
After missions work, I moved fully into tech, where my ADHD became an asset. Today, I run Engages.ai, a conversational AI platform that helps businesses build deeper, more authentic connections with their audiences.
I also own QD Academy, an adult learning institute in Singapore focused on equipping professionals with AI skills for career transformation and lifelong learning. And as director at Vector – AI Digital Workers, I help create scalable, intelligent virtual employees that free up workers to focus on higher-value, purpose-driven work.
To me, AI isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about how technology can uplift people and give them the space to do work that matters. I want AI to be used in a way that’s smart and sacred.
Managing the Double-Edged Sword
The beauty of ADHD is that I can handle multiple things at the same time. The challenge is… I can handle multiple things at the same time. My to-do list is never in a straight line; I’m jumping between projects, phone calls, and new ideas constantly.
I’ve had to learn strategies that keep me grounded – setting clear daily priorities, using reminders for even small tasks, and knowing when to take a step back before burnout hits. I’ve also learned the importance of surrounding myself with people who complement my skills.
Living Authentically
I used to think life was unfair – how could I be so strong in certain areas yet feel so behind in others? Now I see that this is just how I’m made, and that’s not a flaw.
In a world that rewards conformity, being authentic can feel risky. But the more I leaned into my quirks, the more opportunities came my way. ADHD has taught me to stop apologising for how I work and instead find the environments where my style is a strength, not a weakness.
Advice to My Younger Self
If you suspect you have ADHD, don’t be afraid to explore it. Getting clarity changed my life. You’re not broken. You’re not a mistake. You just have a brain that works differently — and when you understand it, you can work with it instead of against it.
For me, that means accepting that I’ll always have a million ideas running in my head, that I’ll talk faster when I’m excited, and that I’ll occasionally forget where I put my phone… even if it’s in my hand. And that’s okay.
Because when ADHD is harnessed, it’s not just a challenge — it’s a gift.
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