Ask HN: Is it 'normal' to struggle so hard with work?
I can relate a lot. I&#x27;m still burning through self-motivation hacks at 35, some of which are helping while most don&#x27;t.<p>Eventually, the hack with by far the largest impact (which brought me to currently being cofounder and CTO of one of the more successful German startups) was realizing that while I simply suck at self-motivating, I never had a problem getting stuff done when working for others. I effortlessly produced two albums for other artists, while I still haven&#x27;t finished my own single release after 20 years. I tried to build my own company three times and failed miserably.<p>Eventually, I &quot;just&quot; found the right teams and eventually cofounders with a great vision and lots of focus who constantly pull and motivate me to do the stuff I&#x27;m really good at (which is building teams, sharing knowledge and architecturing systems).<p>So I&#x27;ve just made my peace with the fact that I need someone else to get me started every day and just stopped fussing around it. My talents are somewhere else and I&#x27;ve got lots of creativity and intelligence to make up for my lack of structure.<p>Stop focusing on your weaknesses. KNOW your weaknesses, but don&#x27;t beat yourself up for it. Also know your strengths (which is often times the other side of ADHD). Practice self-love every day. Don&#x27;t be afraid to ask for help.<p>Let me end with a quote of probably one of the greatest procrastinators out there:<p>&gt; &quot;I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.&quot; 
— Douglas Adams<p>You&#x27;re not alone. And it&#x27;s gonna be fine.