Ask HN: Is it 'normal' to struggle so hard with work?
I can relate a lot. I'm still burning through self-motivation hacks at 35, some of which are helping while most don'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't finished my own single release after 20 years. I tried to build my own company three times and failed miserably.<p>Eventually, I "just" 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'm really good at (which is building teams, sharing knowledge and architecturing systems).<p>So I'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'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'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't be afraid to ask for help.<p>Let me end with a quote of probably one of the greatest procrastinators out there:<p>> "I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." 
— Douglas Adams<p>You're not alone. And it's gonna be fine.