Overcoming the Wall of Awful with Brendan Mahan

Jul 30

The Wall of Awful: Why ADHD Makes Some Tasks Feel Impossible - ADHDtime on Air #18

Why can it be so difficult to do something you genuinely want to do?

In this episode of ADHDtime on Air, I sit down with ADHD coach, educator, and author Brendan Mahan to explore his well-known Wall of Awful™ model. Rather than seeing procrastination as laziness or a lack of motivation, Brendan explains how repeated struggles, failures, and difficult emotional experiences can build an invisible wall between us and the things we want to do.

We discuss why the goal isn't to eliminate the wall, but to learn different ways to get past it. Brendan shares practical strategies for "climbing" the wall, creating "doors" through it, using self-compassion instead of self-criticism, and understanding why change is rarely linear. We also explore how planning, problem-solving, supportive relationships, and realistic expectations can make lasting change more achievable.

Whether you have ADHD or you've ever struggled to follow through on something that mattered to you, this conversation offers a practical framework for understanding why action can feel so difficult and what can help.

Key Topics

Understanding the Wall of Awful and why emotions often get in the way of action.
Why procrastination is usually more complex than laziness or poor motivation.
Five ways to get past the Wall of Awful, including climbing the wall and creating emotional "doors."
Why compassion, planning, and supportive relationships are essential for lasting change.
Understanding change as a process that includes setbacks, learning, and growth.

Takeaways

The Wall of Awful grows from accumulated emotional experiences, not from laziness or a lack of willpower.
What looks like procrastination may actually be someone doing difficult emotional work before they can begin a task.
Self-compassion isn't a reward after success. It's often what makes action possible.
Change is rarely linear. Setbacks are part of the learning process, not evidence of failure.
Skills, planning, creativity, and support from other people can all make difficult tasks more manageable.

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