ADHD-ish™ ADHD Business Strategy for Busy Brains

Welcome to the seventh episode in the Entrepreneurs with ADHD series, an interview with my good friend, Cathy Rashidian, who is a corporate dropout turned ADHD coach and works with professionals and business owners. 

Cathy is one of my favorite thought partners and content collaborators (we have a monthly LinkedIn Live on ADHD-related topics like toxic resilience and later in life discover of neurodivergence. 

In this convo, Cathy and I dig into the weighty subject of decision making and the variety of challenges folks with ADHD have, from impulsive choices we didn’t think through all the way to overthinking to the point where we don’t decide at all.  No matter what your tendency,  there are actionable insights in this episode that you can begin using today. 

Here are some of the highlights: 

🌟 How to intentionally step into your thought processes to prevent ADHD from hijacking your decision-making.

💡 Deciding with your “3 Brains” by tapping into logical thinking, emotional awareness, and gut instincts to make balanced decisions.

💪 Embrace the importance of self-awareness and accepting imperfect decisions with grace, ultimately leading to more confident and intentional choices.

🧠 Strategies for reducing cognitive load, making repetitive choices, and prioritizing important decisions to balance rigidity and flexibility 

📘 Book Recommendation: Barbara Sher’s "Refuse to Choose" can revolutionize your approach to decision-making and provide the permission to not always choose, giving you the liberation you need.

Cathy mentioned during the interview:

• Thomas Brown, PhD
• Russel Barkley, PhD
• Bruce Schneider - Holographic Thinking

Do you like listening to Cathy and I dig into important ADHD-related topics like this one?  You won’t want to miss our next LinkedIn Live on July Sign Up Here. 

Grab your copy of the brand new “Master Your Entrepreneurial ADHD” Guide 

The same high level strategy that my coaching programs are based on plus a follow up series of emails on how to implement them FAST. 

If this conversation helped you recognize that you are ready for some decision support in your business?  I might be just the thought partner, brainstorm buddy and professional accountability partner you need.  The first step is to  book a free consultation here.  Let’s see if we’re a good fit.  

Want to connect with Cathy Rashidian of Ready Set Choose Coaching? 

Cathy’s free resources

Work with Cathy 

Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn 

Welcome back to The Driven Woman Entrepreneur podcast! I’m your host, Diann Wingert, and today we're diving into a topic that's crucial for many of us: managing boredom as an entrepreneur with ADHD. While ADHD fuels creativity and innovation, it also means a low threshold for mundane tasks, making boredom a significant challenge. 

In this solo episode, I'll break down the neurological factors behind ADHD-related boredom, delve into its connection with dopamine dysregulation and underarousal, and share actionable strategies to navigate these obstacles. You may have all the creativity, high energy and innovative ideas on the planet, but if you haven’t learned how to master the mundane,  your business is at risk. 

From embracing structured flexibility to leveraging hyperfocus and creating stimulating work environments, I'll provide you with practical insights and client case studies to help you maintain productivity and safeguard your business. 

🚀Listen for these boredom busters:

1. **Structured Flexibility:** How blending spontaneity with a dash of routine can be your secret weapon.

2. **Hyperfocus Hacks:** Turn this potential nemesis into your biggest ally with targeted sprints.

3. **Smart Delegation:** How to pinpoint your strengths and offload the mundane tasks.

4. **Diverse Project Engagement:** Keep your entrepreneurial journey exciting without spreading yourself too thin.

5. **Mindful Work Environment:** Create a stimulating yet uncluttered space to enhance creativity and productivity.

Mentioned in the episode:

Meditation & Mindfulness for the Busy Brain with Jude Star 

🤩 Fun Fact from the Episode:

Hear how my client Sophie, a jewelry artisan turned her chaotic studio into an organized and productive work environment. The transformation not only boosted Sophie's productivity, creativity and helped her streamline all areas of her business. 

Seriously, who knew cleaning up could feel so good?

Word of mouth is still the very best way to get a podcast into the ears of the people who most want to hear it, so if this episode helped you recognize how boredom may be holding you back, I bet you know someone else who’s dealing with this too.  Be a pal and share the episode.  Here’s a link to make it easy: https://kite.link/managing-boredom-the-adhd-entrepreneurs-nemesis

If you are struggling with the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, especially getting through times of boredom without going completely off course,  book a free consultation here. Let’s talk about how I can help.

Welcome to the fifth episode of the Entrepreneurs with ADHD series on the podcast.

This week, I’m joined by my good friend, Dave Greenwood, a professional writer, author of two bestselling books on ADHD, podcaster,  and consultant on burnout in the workplace. 

In this conversation, Dave and I candidly share our own experiences as well as what we have learned from coaching other entrepreneurs with ADHD.

Here are some of the highlights:

- Understanding the critical differences between stress and burnout.

- Strategies to avoid overcommitment and prioritize what truly matters.

- Essential self-care practices every entrepreneur with ADHD can practice. 

- How systemic changes can reclaim your sense of clarity and control.

- Practical advice on balancing personal and business responsibilities

Mic drop moment:

“If you live in response mode day after day, week after week, year after year, you will not only burn out, you will also run your business into the ground.”  Dave Greenwood 

Mentioned in this episode:

Cait Donovan: keynote speaker on burnout

Dave’s books: Overcoming Distractions  and Overcoming Burnout 

Dave’s YouTube channel 

I have had the pleasure of being a guest on Dave’s podcast, Overcoming Distractions several times.  Here are a few of my favorites:

• Radical Self Acceptance with ADHD, Part 1
• Radical Self Acceptance with ADHD, Part 2
• How to Communicate Your Needs at Work Without Mentioning ADHD
• Relating to the Four Tendencies as an Adult with ADHD, Part 1
• Relating to the Four Tendencies as an Adult with ADHD, Part 2
• Overcoming Shame as an Adult with ADHD
• 
  

Please share this episode with your entrepreneurial friends with ADHD traits who talk about feeling burned out.  Here's a link to make it easy: https://bit.ly/episode-blog-214

If this conversation helped you recognize that you need to make some changes in your business and life so you can not only avoid burnout, but make your business more simple, streamlined and profitable,  book a free consultation here.  Let’s talk about how I can help. 

And if you want to chat with Dave about working with him, click here to book a free consultation. 

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Entrepreneurs with ADHD Series! In a world that often perceives ADHD solely through the lens of deficits and challenges, it's time to embrace a new perspective.  

In this solo episode, I will examine seven of the most common symptoms of ADHD, as listed in the DSM V (the current edition of the psychiatric manual) and then use examples of clients,  friends, and family members, as well as myself, to change the story from limitation to advantage.

Here are 5 key takeaways you can expect from this uplifting episode:

• Identify with individuals who have ADHD and excel at juggling diverse tasks with ease, turning distractibility into adaptability and spontaneity.
• Discover how ADHD forgetfulness can be a source of mindfulness and can lead to more honest and authentic relationships
• Recognize impulsivity as the source of spontaneity and adaptability, essential traits for navigating the uncertain waters of entrepreneurship.
• Find out how restlessness can be a reflection of curiosity and a thirst for exploration, driving individuals with ADHD towards exciting adventures and novel experiences.  
• Embrace inattentiveness as a gateway to creativity and original thinking, paving the way for innovative artistic endeavors and bold experimentation.

Mentioned in this episode:

Episode # 206_Meditation and Mindfulness for Busy Brains with Jude Star 

Episode #  How to Deal with Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD) 

Loved this episode? Word of mouth is still the very best way to help this podcast grow, so please share it with a newly diagnosed friend or one who has yet to see their ADHD traits as strengths.  Here’s a link to make it easy: https://kite.link/transforming-your-adhd-symptoms-into-strengths

If you’re ready to make your business more ADHD-friendly, especially if you struggle to see your ADHD traits as strengths,  book a free consultation here.  Let’s talk about how I can help.

Welcome to the third episode in Entrepreneurs with ADHD series.  In this  solo episode, I address the all too common challenge of having trouble getting our brain to focus on the task at hand and initiate taking action on it. 

The secret is understanding that there are really only four things that stimulate focus and action for the ADHD brain,  called drivers, and they are interest, challenge, novelty, and urgency. 

Each of us responds to these drivers in unique ways, but with just a little effort, we can create an effective strategy for how to use each of them to create and sustain momentum in our business, on demand. 

Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll learn:

1. **Interest Driver**: Discover how to tap into activities that genuinely excite you and how this can jump-start your productivity.

2. **Challenge Driver**: Learn to set personal milestones that push your limits and keep you engaged.

3. **Novelty Driver**: Implement new and novel changes to keep your ADHD brain stimulated and avoid boredom.

4. **Urgency Driver**: Understand how to harness the power of deadlines and time constraints for last-minute productivity pushes.  I explain the downside of overutilizing this one and why you want to avoid it. 

This episode is full of real-life examples from my coaching business, as well as practical tips on how to implement these strategies yourself.

Mic drop moment:

"It's a really bad idea to only use urgency to get things done. Like anything else that becomes habitual, it’s a lot less effective over time while still doing plenty of damage to our bodies, minds and brains, and probably to our business and our relationships as well."  

Mentioned in this episode:

• Front Row VIP Accountability Challenges 
• SMART Goals 
• Pomodoro Timer 

Companion episodes from the Entrepreneurs with ADHD series to check out::

Ep # 210 What the Research Has to Say About ADHD and Entrepreneurship with Johan Wiklund PhD

Ep #211 Do All Entrepreneurs Have ADHD? - a solo episode with Diann Wingert 

Word of mouth is still the very best way to get a podcast into the ears of the people who most want to hear it, so if this episode gave you an “ah ha” moment,  please share it with your entrepreneurial friends who struggle with to focus and take action. 

If you’re ready to make your business more ADHD-friendly, especially if you struggle to be consistent, tend to procrastinate or have trouble getting into and staying in momentum,  book a free consultation here.  Let’s talk about how I can help.

Welcome to the second episode in Entrepreneurs with ADHD series.  In this solo episode, I address common misconceptions about ADHD and whether traits associated with ADHD offer advantages or pose challenges in the entrepreneurial landscape. 

Drawing on my extensive background as a psychotherapist and business coach, I challenge listeners to consider how ADHD manifests differently across various types of entrepreneurs and discuss the validity and limitations of self and formal diagnoses.

Prepare to challenge your assumptions and enhance your understanding of ADHD in the entrepreneurial world.

Highlights of this must-hear episode include:

Discover the six dominant characterizations of entrepreneurs by Forbes and how these relate to ADHD.

We talk about the diagnosis, the varied traits, and most importantly, the impact of ADHD on individuals and their entrepreneurial journeys. 

How the timing of diagnosis and gender influence the type of entrepreneurs individuals might become.

Learn why broad claims about ADHD and entrepreneurship can be harmful and discover the importance of a tailored approach.

**This episode is not just an exploration; it’s designed to equip you with a nuanced understanding to better support your journey, both in business and in personal growth.**

Mic drop moment:

"Some of the traits of ADHD can be a distinct advantage for entrepreneurs under certain conditions, while the same traits can be absolutely devastating and destructive under other conditions. It's so much more complicated and nuances than these slogans make it seem."

Mentioned in this episode:

• Interview with Johan Wiklund on ADHD, entrepreneurship & gender differences
• Forbes article with different types of entrepreneurs 
• Harvard Medical School quote on the benefits of the placebo effect 

Companion episodes to check out::

• Short & Sassy episodes for the ADHD entrepreneur
• Full-length episodes for the ADHD entrepreneur

If you loved this episode,  please do me a solid and share it with your friends who are entrepreneurs who identify with ADHD traits.  Thank you! 

And if you’re interested in finding out whether I’m the right coach to help you with your entrepreneurial journey with ADHD,  book a free consultation here. 

Today we are kicking off a shiny new series for Entrepreneurs with ADHD. 

Despite the growing number of entrepreneurs who identify with ADHD, there’s still a great deal of confusion and controversy.

I turned to an expert in the field who is a professor of entrepreneurship who researches the impact of ADHD on entrepreneurship and also has ADHD himself.  

In fact, his own diagnosis in 2012 was a pivotal moment in his career path.  I’ve been following Professor Johan Wiklund of Syracuse University for the past few years and was thrilled that he was willing to chat with me. 

We have a wide-ranging conversation (in true ADHD style) about the research on gender differences in entrepreneurship with ADHD, building a business with ADHD in mind, and his own experiences being diagnosed later in life. 

Here's a sneak peek at what to expect: 

🚀 Turning ADHD Traits into Assets: Impulsivity isn't always a setback! Dr. Wiklund shares how traits commonly associated with ADHD can propel entrepreneurs to act on opportunities with a sense of immediacy and innovation.

🤝 The Perfect Team Formula: Find out why the best entrepreneurial teams are often a balanced mix of those with ADHD traits and those without, fostering an environment where strengths are maximized and struggles are expertly managed.

🧘‍♀️ Practical Mindfulness: Both Dr Wiklund and I take a pragmatic approach to meditation, and integrate mindfulness into our daily routines

📈 ADHD and the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Dr. Wiklund discusses how ADHD informs the traits of successful entrepreneurs – like hyperfocus and high work capacity – while acknowledging the necessity of support for areas like inattentiveness and procrastination.

✨ Special Advice for Women Entrepreneurs with ADHD: Overcome stereotypes, employ self-care, outsource the mundane, and maintain your entrepreneurial spark.

Mic Drop Moment:

"Am I being successful despite all these problems the doctors have identified? Or could it be that I've been able to use some of these traits to my advantage?"

— Johan Wiklund, Ph.D. 

Want to connect with Professor Wiklund? 

I asked if he had any social media accounts.  His answer: “No, I value my mental health.” 

So, you can only contact him through Syracuse University 

Read this article on ADHD and entrepreneurship by Dr Wiklund

The fellow professor and ADHD researcher he spoke about is Dr Kevin Antshel 

Companion episodes to check out:

• Short & Sassy episodes for the ADHD entrepreneur: https://bit.ly/4dbyXM3
• Full-length episodes for the ADHD entrepreneur: https://bit.ly/3UJJnLP

If you loved this episode,  please do me a solid and share it with your friends who are entrepreneurs who identify with ADHD traits. https://kite.link/what-the-research-has-to-say-about-adhd-and-entrepreneurship

Thank you! 

Are you ready to embrace your “you-ness” and let your unique brilliance shine in your entrepreneurial journey?

Today we are joined by returning guests Annie P Ruggles & Deanna Seymour, two of the most creative fun, and original entrepreneurs I know to talk about finding inspiration in unexpected places, converting your quirks into cash, and why being you is the best business strategy. 

Annie P Ruggles is the beauty and brains behind Quirk Works Consulting, the Non-Sleazy Sales Academy, and mistress of The Too Legitimate to Quit Podcast. 

Deanna (aka DD) Seymour is a creative unicorn whose Branding, Content Strategy & wildly colorful Graphic Design have captured the hearts of countless cool people.  

I promise not to spoil it, but here are a couple of sneak peeks: 

• Discover how being authentically you, regardless of how unconventional it may seem, attracts the exact right audience for your business.
• Deanna shares her vibrant journey of finding her brand's voice through color and fun, proving that personality is key to resonating with your clientele.
• Annie dishes on how she evolved beyond restrictive brand identities to embrace a more inclusive business model that still aligns with her core values.

Are you harnessing your uniqueness in your business?

This episode is not just a conversation but a call to action to step into your authenticity to make your business a true reflection of you.

Connect with Annie: https://www.anniepruggles.com/ 

Connect with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com/ 

Mentioned during our convo:

• Liz Wilcox: https://lizwilcox.com/
• Kathleen Oh:  https://coachkathleenoh.com/
• Marie Forleo: https://www.marieforleo.com/
• Voxer:  https://www.voxer.com/

Hey, you can’t stand out from the crowd if your business looks and feels like everybody else, but it’s pretty hard to figure out what to double down on and what to let go of all by yourself. 

What would your business look like if you were working in your zone of genius and creating offers that are magnetic to the people you’d love to work with? 

Want to know more?  Schedule a free consultation here by clicking here. 

In the field of business coaching, conventional wisdom dictates that success depends on choosing a target market niche and working exclusively with clients who fit the criteria so you can become known as a specialist.

But what if a potential client wants to hire you, not for your expertise but for the qualities and skills you possess, not your niche?

Jen Liddy knew she was looking for a collaborator who could match her intellectual pace, acting not as a coach, but as a creative catalyst, unlocking the potential she knew she had, but wasn’t able to access through a course or group program, or on her own.

She hired me for my creativity, intuition, insight, and no-nonsense directness, gifts I attribute to my ADHD, even though she doesn’t have ADHD herself, as most of my other clients do.

This engagement is an excellent example of what’s possible when we trust ourselves to know what we need and where we can find it, instead of buying into somebody’s “proven process” or “step-by-step system.”

Who is Jen Liddy?

Jen is known for her innovative approach to content strategy and marketing, helping fellow business professionals articulate their expertise and master their messaging through strategies tailored to introverts and those seeking quieter, but deeply impactful, influence.

Connect with Jen Liddy:

• Website
• Linked In
• Podcast

As mentioned by Jen during our conversation:

Justin Blackman Pretty Fly Copywriting

What about you?

This might be the perfect time to partner with a business coach who is also a licensed therapist, serial entrepreneur and collaborative thought partner to reinvent your business. The combination is uniquely powerful in going from stuck to unstoppable.

I work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time, so I can customize our partnership to exactly what you need, no more, no less.

Am I the right person, for the right reason, at the right time? There’s only one way to find out. Schedule a free consultation by clicking here.

Maybe you’ll be my next Client Success Story!

I just couldn’t wrap up the Self Care series without talking about neurodiversity, masking, and mental health, and the perfect person for conversation is fellow therapist, coach, podcaster, speaker and advocate, Pasha Marlowe. 

In this vulnerable episode, you'll hear about the challenges and advantages of masking, understand the emotions of being neurodivergent in a world that is built by and for neurotypicals, and discover ways to foster radical self-acceptance, wherever you are. 

We're unpacking a variety of insections - from growing up with unidentified ADHD and autism,  attempting to hide emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity, a later-in-life recognition of queer identity, and the power of language in creating an inclusive society. 

Mic Drop Moment: 

 "It takes a physical and emotional toll to mask, to hide, to conceal anything or suppress any of our tendencies or identities or truths. It also feels, I think quite misaligned and lonely, but both are painful. Like it's painful to be judged and rejected and unsafe, and it's terribly painful to not be respected or seen and known."  Pasha Marlowe 

Mentioned during our convo:

• Brene Brown quote (in purple, scroll down) 
• Anais Nin quote
• Jamie Shields 
• Eric Maisel’s book “When Smart People Hurt”

Connect with Pasha Marlowe:

• Website
• Linked In
• TikTok 

Have you loved the Self-Care Series?  Want to hear more content like this on the podcast?  I need to hear from you!

Leave a review 

DM me on Linked In 

Did you build your business with your neurodivergent traits and tendencies in mind? If not, you aren’t alone. 

Most of us have no idea how because our educational and workplace environments teach us conformity and masking, not radical self-acceptance and doing what actually works for us.  

This might be the perfect time to partner with a business coach who is also a licensed therapist and entrepreneur with ADHD (me) to reinvent your business with YOU in mind. 

I choose to work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time, so I can customize our coaching engagement to be exactly what you need, no more, no less.   

It starts with a no-obligation free consultation to help you figure out why your business is not yet where you want it to be, and create a plan that takes mental wellness and energetic capacity into account. 

Want to know more?  Schedule a free consultation here by clicking here. 

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