Courage in Action
Lim Kai Ning was diagnosed with ADHD only recently, but she has long sensed its presence in her life. After years in the corporate world, she found her true calling in The Courage Chapter, a social enterprise dedicated to purposeful work, personal growth, and social impact. Embracing her ADHD traits as strengths, Kai Ning has built a platform that empowers others while allowing her to flourish on her own terms.
Quotes
“My journey with ADHD is still unfolding, but I’ve learned that acceptance and courage are the keys to thriving.”
“I realised my strengths – my ability to see patterns, to connect ideas, to focus on meaningful work rather than short-term gain have propelled my company forward and given me the courage to walk a difficult entrepreneurial path”
Early Awareness
I was formally diagnosed with ADHD only a few months ago, and I’m still at the start of my journey learning to live with it. But looking back, there were inklings throughout my life. My brain often goes a mile an hour, jumping from topic to topic. I’ve always felt like my mind was “elsewhere,” and I usually need to do two things at once just to focus.
When I was younger, the thought of ADHD occasionally crossed my mind, but I never dwelled on it. I felt like I could cope in my own ways. Still, the constant effort to keep up with expectations often left me self-critical and drained.
Turning Points
I did relatively okay in the corporate workforce, but my true deep happiness came when I launched my social enterprise, The Courage Chapter. We wanted to change the narrative of ageing to be an uplifting process filled with possibilities, not a slow decline. Seniors have a wealth of experience from a lifetime of work that they can impart to younger professionals and help companies professionalise.
It is core to human nature to have a purpose to wake up to every morning. It is much healthier for the mind, body and spirit to be engaged in meaningful contribution, doing things that one is good at and enjoys. Our vision is for all seniors to have a choice to work, a choice of work, and when to work.
The Courage Chapter is about empowering people to write their “second chap ter” in life with courage and intention. We focus on meaningful experiences, purpose-driven work, and social good. To me, this resonates deeply with ADHD strengths including curiosity, risk-taking, the ability to see patterns, and the drive to act on values rather than short-term gain. My fast-moving mind finds a natural home in entrepreneurship, where new challenges are constant and energy can be channelled into impact.
Strategies for Focus
To manage my daily life, I’ve developed practical tools. I read out loud when I need to study intensively, because silent reading is difficult for me. I calendar every meeting and keep task lists, even if they end up scattered across multiple locations. I’ve learned not to beat myself up for inconsistency and to just go with the flow.
Sometimes I ask a friend or teammate to help me structure my thoughts and jot down to-dos. I delegate administrative tasks where possible, or time block to ensure they get done before I forget.
In the past I was very self-critical about my lack of focus. Now, I try to accept how my brain works. For example, I often have several books open at once. That used to frustrate me, but I’ve come to see it differently: better to read in my own way than not to read at all.
Strengths and Achievements
I’ve come to a stage where I love the bulk of who I am. In the past, this wasn’t the case, but gradually I realised my strengths – my ability to see patterns, to connect ideas, to focus on meaningful work rather than short-term gain. These traits have propelled my company forward and given me the courage to walk a difficult entrepreneurial path.
Because my mind moves quickly, I can be very efficient when a focused timeline is set. I know how to activate things, and my excitement often spurs people around me into action. These are not weaknesses but gifts when used with purpose.
Reflections
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be this: Have courage, always seek growth, and be compassionate to yourself and others.
The Courage Chapter continues to be my platform for impact and growth. It allows me to weave my ADHD traits into strengths – embracing novelty, building connections, and creating social change. My journey with ADHD is still unfolding, but I’ve learned that acceptance and courage are the keys to thriving.
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