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After 3+ years of running my current business (and after 5 failed businesses in the past), there is SO much I could say about running a successful business with ADHD. But I’m going to start with the most important elements that I see so many clients overlooking, and ending up starting something they never follow through on, or worse – they launch a business they absolutely hate running.
If you fall in either camp, ADHD or not, keep reading.
The ADHD Entrepreneur’s Dilemma: External Validation vs. True Alignment
As ADHD entrepreneurs, we’re often caught between two worlds: the traditional business advice that everyone preaches, and the reality of how our brains actually work. We try to force ourselves into neurotypical systems, wondering why we can’t just “get it together” like everyone else seems to.
I know this first hand as I have tried (and failed) at so many business models that just didn’t jive for me. But, when I finally realized that I could ditch the mainstream advice and do things my way, everything changed.
Why Traditional Business Advice Fails ADHD Entrepreneurs
Like I said, the standard business playbook wasn’t written with our brains in mind. When we try to follow it, we’re setting ourselves up for burnout and the shame of (once again) not following through.
Common advice sounds like:
- Stick to strict routines
- Follow linear growth strategies
- Maintain consistent daily habits
- Plan months in advance
Sounds simple enough, right? But it rarely works for most ADHD brains.
Rewriting the Rules: Building for Your ADHD Brain
Here’s the game-changer: Your ADHD traits can be your secret weapon when you build around them instead of fighting them. Here’s how to do that.
Leverage Hyperfocus
Consider looking past conventional business rhythms that feel stifling to you. Instead of forcing yourself into the expectation of consistent daily work, structure your business around what works best for your energy. For me, that’s periods of intense hyperfocus, followed by lighter periods where I don’t expect myself to show up much.
That’s why I stick to creating courses and templates rather than relying on 1-1 coaching – a model that just doesn’t work for my energy or personality.
Embrace Flexibility
Create systems that adapt to your energy levels rather than rigid schedules that fight against them. I have learned through intentional experimentation that a routine workflow works better for me than a routine schedule.
What’s the difference? A workflow is doing things in a specific order, but it’s done on your own time (to a degree). A schedule is doing things based on time rather than steps. I’m just not a time-driven person and most ADHD’ers are the same.
Use Your Creative Problem-Solving
That unique ADHD way of connecting dots? It’s your innovation engine. Use it to create unique solutions for your offers.
But it starts by asking the right strategic questions, like, what is it my ideal customer struggles with the most, and how can I help them in a way that works for both of us? That’s a broad question, but if you can bring it into specific terms, you can get your brain focused on problem-solving rather than unhelpful thought loops that focus on panic and fear.
Treat “Should” Like a Vulgar Swear Word
The biggest trap for ADHD entrepreneurs? Getting caught up in how others think we “should” run our businesses. Let’s be clear: There’s no single right way to build a business, especially with an ADHD brain.
But because our brains are trained to pause and think about things differently (yet), we have a tendency to assume what we hear is just the way things are. But they aren’t!!!
So if you’re thinking you “should” post on Instagram because that’s what the gurus say you should do, but you hate everything about that platform, then ask yourself – why am I swearing that hateful word at myself????
There is no room for “shoulds” in your business building activities. There is only “I can try this and see what happens” or, “I hate that and I know I’ll never stick with it, so it’s a hard pass”.
Your Action Plan: Building an ADHD-Aligned Business
- Identify your natural work patterns
- Design your business model around your strengths
- Create systems that support your brain, not fight it
- Let go of traditional advice that doesn’t serve you
Ready to Build Your Way?
If you’re tired of forcing your ADHD brain into neurotypical business models, it’s time for a different approach. This is exactly why I created the ADHD Entrepreneur Roadmap. To show you exactly how to build a business that works with your brain’s natural strengths.
It’s honestly, everything I wish I knew before I started. Because once you know better, you do better. And THAT’s what brings results.
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