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It's ADHD Friendly - ADHD Business Coaching

Coaching for ADHD Business Owners

  • BLOG
    • ADHD Money
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    • Minimalism for ADHD Adults
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ADHD Time + Energy

ADHD Business Owner? How to Create Systems That Actually Stick

Caren Magill, MA, ACC, AACC,, MA, AACC, ACC
April 10, 2025

Head's up, there could be affiliate links ahead!


It’s Sunday night. You’re feeling motivated, optimistic, even a little invincible. This week will be different. You’ve got your new planner, color-coded pens, and a pristine to-do list that would make any productivity guru proud.

Fast forward to Tuesday afternoon: your planner is buried under a pile of notes from the brilliant idea you had at 2 AM, you’ve missed a client call because you fell down a research rabbit hole, and that meticulously planned schedule? It might as well be written in hieroglyphics.

The ADHD Entrepreneur’s Dilemma

As entrepreneurs with ADHD, we’re caught in a frustrating paradox. We chose entrepreneurship for the freedom and autonomy it provides, yet we struggle with the very self-structure that freedom requires. We’re visionaries trapped in a business world designed for linear thinkers.

According to research, entrepreneurs are 300% more likely to have ADHD than the general population. There’s a reason for this: our ability to hyperfocus, think differently, and connect seemingly unrelated dots makes us natural innovators and problem-solvers.

But these same traits can make the day-to-day running of a business feel like trying to herd cats while blindfolded.

The Myth of “Just Try Harder”

“You just need more discipline.” “Have you tried using a planner?” “Successful people stick to their routines.”

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard these phrases, I’d have enough to hire a full-time assistant to manage my calendar.

Here’s the truth: neurotypical solutions don’t solve neurodivergent problems. It’s not about trying harder; it’s about trying differently.

Rethinking Business Structure for the ADHD Brain

After years of struggling with my own business and coaching other neurodivergent entrepreneurs, I’ve discovered that successful ADHD business owners don’t force themselves into conventional structures—they build systems that leverage their unique wiring.

The Minimum Viable Structure Approach

Inside the ADHD Biz Hub program, I teach an adhd-friendly approach to business planning I call the “Minimum Viable Structure.” It’s the sweet spot between too rigid (which we rebel against) and too flexible (which leads to chaos).

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Identify Your Revenue Rhythm

Most businesses have a natural rhythm to their revenue generation:

  • Client acquisition
  • Delivery of services
  • Follow-up and nurturing

For an ADHD brain, attaching your structure to revenue—the lifeblood of your business—creates natural dopamine hits that keep you engaged.

Step 2: Create Contextual Boundaries

Rather than scheduling every hour (which we know doesn’t work for us), create defined contexts for different types of work:

  • Physical contexts: Designating specific locations for specific types of work
  • Time contexts: Broad time blocks like “morning” instead of “9:00-9:45 AM”
  • Energy contexts: Matching tasks to your natural energy fluctuations

In the ADHD Biz Hub, we guide you through mapping these contexts to create a flexible framework that feels supportive rather than constrictive.

Step 3: Implement Momentum Triggers

ADHD brains struggle with transitions and initiation. Momentum triggers are personalized cues that bypass the executive function requirements of starting tasks.

These might include:

  • A specific playlist that signals “writing time”
  • A pre-work ritual that primes your brain for focused work
  • Environmental adjustments that reduce friction

Step 4: Build in Recovery and Reset Protocols

Perhaps the most crucial element of the ADHD Biz Hub methodology is acknowledging that we will have days when everything falls apart. Instead of this derailing our entire week, we build in specific protocols for:

  • Quick system resets
  • Prioritization during overwhelm
  • Guilt-free recovery periods

The Neurospicy Advantage

What if the very traits that make traditional planning difficult could become your secret weapon?

  • Your hyperfocus becomes your superpower when channeled toward high-impact activities
  • Your divergent thinking creates innovative solutions your competitors would never consider
  • Your sensitivity to environment helps you create optimal working conditions

In the ADHD Biz Hub, we don’t just help you “manage” your ADHD—we help you leverage it as your competitive advantage.

From Chaos to Controlled Creativity

Let me be clear: this isn’t about becoming a different person or suddenly developing neurotypical executive function. It’s about creating a business ecosystem where your brain can thrive exactly as it is.

One ADHD Biz Hub member put it perfectly: “For the first time, I don’t feel like I’m constantly fighting my own brain just to get work done. My business finally feels like it’s working with me instead of against me.” And that, was music to my ears.


The ADHD Biz Hub is now welcoming new members! Join our community of neurodivergent entrepreneurs who are building successful businesses by working with their brains, not against them.

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About the Author

Caren Magill, MA, ACC, AACC,

Caren Magill is a Certified ADHD Coach. She works with ADHD business owners and fellow ADHD Coaches to create businesses that support their neurodiversity while making an impact.

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Hi, I’m Caren

I'm a fellow ADHDer with a mind that works faster than a quick-dry nail polish. I have figured out how to master my ADHD brain through self-care, intentional productivity and simple lifestyle adjustments and I'm here to help you do the same.

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