By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – October 27, 2025
Motivation in the context of ADHD is often misunderstood. Today, we’re beginning with an important reflection on motivation. That is, when we talk about motivation, we’re often really talking about what we want those with ADHD to do—not what truly drives them.
I’m drawing from the insights of Dr. Roberto Olivardia to highlight two fundamental truths about motivation:
1. If you’re alive, you’re motivated. Motivation is necessary for survival.
2. Everything you do, you’re motivated to do. Likewise, if you’re not doing something, it’s because you’re not motivated to do it.
I think this reframing is essential, particularly when understanding individuals with ADHD. They’re not unmotivated; they’re just motivated to do something different, which probably does not align with what you expect of them. For instance, students playing Xbox instead of doing homework aren’t unmotivated; they’re simply more motivated to play Xbox in that moment.
The key takeaway? If you have ADHD and want to change what you’re motivated to do, you need to change your environment. Motivation isn’t something you “get”; it’s something you cultivate by making the task more interesting, more engaging, accessible, or aligned with your natural drives.
Let me use the example of exercise to illustrate this. Repetitive, boring tasks—like working out alone—are classic challenges for those with ADHD. But changing the environment (e.g., exercising with a friend) can completely shift motivation.
I encourage you to stop seeing motivation as a deficiency, especially in those with ADHD. Instead, understand that motivation is always present; it’s just a matter of aligning it with goals and adjust the surroundings. Please check out my video, ADHD and Motivation: What People Don’t Get, for more insights and to help you pay attention to motivation a little differently.