FOCUS for Business Owners with ADHD

Why do ADHD entrepreneurs often feel trapped by the challenges of running a business? I will discuss the reasons we are so good at what we do, but still struggle to get ahead. With the introduction of the FOCUS Program, I will address these challenges and review how building effective systems can get you over these hurdles.

The conversation explores the impact of neurodiversity in business and offers insights on overcoming ADHD challenges through system improvements.

This is part 1 of a 5 part series.

Takeaways

• ADHD entrepreneurs have advantages as business owners and also face unique challenges
• Building effective systems can help overcome the biggest struggles

Laura opens with a personal story about forgetting to arrange a dinner delivery for a couple in need at her church — and the shame spiral that followed. This relatable moment sets up a deeper conversation about working memory: what it is, why it's harder for people with ADHD, and how to build practical workarounds.

Working memory is the ability to hold multiple pieces of information in your mind while actively using that information to complete a task. Think of it as your brain's processor — sorting incoming thoughts and deciding what to act on now, save for later, or let go.

ADHD makes the brain more susceptible to distraction — a phone call, a new thought, an interruption — which can knock important information right out of working memory at the worst moments.

1. Build Habits & Routines — Recurring tasks (invoicing, follow-ups, analytics) become automatic when turned into habits, removing the need to rely on working memory at all.
2. Write It Down — Use paper notebooks, desk calendars, whiteboards, and digital tools like Google/Outlook calendar with alerts. Offloading thoughts frees up mental bandwidth.
3. One Thing at a Time — Resist the urge to chase new thoughts mid-task. Capture them in a note and return to what you were doing.
4. Use Visual Cues — Leave physical reminders in your path (items you need to bring, things to reorder, tools you want to use).
5. Be Where You Are — Staying present reduces rumination, shame, and anxiety. Mindfulness practices like body scanning, guided meditation, or journaling can help.

Poor working memory isn't a character flaw — it's a wiring difference. Accepting that is the first step. Try one strategy at a time, and don't be discouraged if something doesn't click right away.

Book a free call with Laura or check out her free masterclass at lauraannlang.com.

In this episode of Slay ADHD, Laura discusses the challenges of time management faced by individuals with ADHD, particularly entrepreneurs. She explores the concept of time as a symphony, the issues of time blindness, hyper-focus, and the importance of planning and prioritizing tasks. Laura provides practical tips for improving time management skills and emphasizes the need for self-compassion in the face of these challenges. The episode concludes with an offer of a free ADHD planner for business owners.

takeaways

• Struggling with time management is a common challenge for those with ADHD.
• Time can be viewed as a symphony, with its ebbs and flows.
• Time blindness affects the ability to estimate how long tasks will take.
• Hyper-focus can lead to losing track of time and missing deadlines.
• Planning and prioritizing are crucial for project success.
• Imagination can help in visualizing successful outcomes.
• Using analog clocks can provide a better sense of time passing.
• Setting alarms for important tasks can aid in time management.
• Recognizing the reasons behind time management struggles is important.
• Self-compassion is key when dealing with time management issues.

To help get better organized and have a better grip on your scheduling and time management, I’m giving you a copy of my ADHD planner for Business Owners.  Along with the planner, there will be follow up emails, with descriptions of how to use the different parts of the planner.  You can get the planner here.

https://www.adhdentrecoach.com/planner

And if your ready to get some custom business help, schedule a free consultation here. https://www.adhdentrecoach.com/calendar

What if instead of being overwhelmed by all the responsibilities in your life, you could see them each as a part of the whole beautiful life, like the branches of a tree?

In this episode of Slay ADHD, Laura discusses the challenges faced by entrepreneurs with ADHD, particularly the feelings of overwhelm and stress-induced dysregulation. She introduces the concept of the ADHD Mind Balance Tree as a creative organizational tool to visualize and manage various responsibilities in life. This method emphasizes the importance of seeing life as a whole rather than a series of tasks, helping individuals to feel more balanced and less overwhelmed. Laura also provides insights on how to break down responsibilities into manageable parts and encourages listeners to embrace creativity in their organization process.

takeaways

• ADHD can lead to feelings of overwhelm and confusion.
• Stress-induced dysregulation affects decision-making abilities.
• The ADHD Mind Balance Tree helps visualize life responsibilities.
• Each limb of the tree represents different life roles.
• Breaking down responsibilities into branches and twigs aids clarity.
• This system is not about productivity but about balance.
• Seeing responsibilities as part of a living thing reduces anxiety.
• Creative expression can be a powerful organizational tool.
• The Balance Tree can be customized to fit individual needs.

If you would like a free copy of the ADHD Mind Balance Tree to write on and make it your own, come claim it at this link.

In this episode, Laura discusses the importance of creating balanced habits for entrepreneurs, as a way to create a sense of balance and ease in life and in business. We all need self-care to prevent burnout and improve productivity, but it's hard to find the time.

Laura shares her personal experiences and introduces four key balanced habits that can help individuals manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. The conversation highlights the significance of recognizing stress, setting up evening rituals for better sleep, and the overall impact of self-care on business success.

If you'd like to learn more, check out my free masterclass here.

In this episode, Laura discusses the challenges of goal setting for individuals with ADHD and introduces a unique system designed to align with their thought processes. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on manageable steps rather than overwhelming oneself with rigid structures. By sharing her personal experiences and successes, Laura illustrates how this system can lead to significant achievements while maintaining a sense of enjoyment and control over one's goals.

If you would like to see the video version of this podcast, use this link. It may help to visualize the goal chart referenced in the message.

If you’d like to find out more about how ADHD shows up in business and how to work around the frustrations, check out my free master class here.   

In this episode of Slay ADHD, Laura Lang discusses the process of turning dreams and wants into actionable goals for entrepreneurs with ADHD. She emphasizes the importance of starting with wishes rather than demands, focusing on a few key goals, and balancing personal health and relationships to prevent burnout. The conversation highlights the unique challenges faced by those with ADHD in goal setting and offers strategies for achieving meaningful progress.

Takeaways

The word 'want' can feel overwhelming for those with ADHD.

It's important to approach goal setting with a gentle mindset.

Narrowing focus to three goals can prevent overwhelm.

Personal health is crucial for achieving business goals.

Relationships play a significant role in long-term success.

Self-care is not selfish; it's necessary for productivity.

Creating stability is essential while pursuing growth.

Trusting the process can lead to better outcomes.

Taking one step at a time is key to progress.

Goal setting for ADHD differs from traditional methods.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goal Setting for ADHD Entrepreneurs

02:48 Transforming Wants into Goals

05:20 The Importance of Focus and Simplicity

08:01 Three Key Goal Categories

10:56 The Role of Relationships in Goal Achievement

13:26 Balancing Goals to Prevent Burnout

If you're ready to take meaningful action to help you grow your business, you're welcome to book a complimentary coaching session with Laura and start making consistent progress today. Book Here.

As we head into a new year, a lot of us naturally start looking back.
We analyze the past year. We judge it. Sometimes we judge ourselves.
And then we start thinking about how we want the next year to be different.

It makes sense that this is the time of year when we start talking about goals and resolutions.

As you probably already know… most resolutions don’t actually stick.

In this episode, I want to talk about something much more important than resolutions — getting clear on what you actually want.
Not what you should want.
Not what other people say you should want.
But what you want.

Because if you skip that step, even the best plans and systems can leave you feeling frustrated or burned out.

This episode is really about giving yourself permission to want what you want — and learning how to listen to yourself again.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How we often look outside ourselves for permission or validation
• The difference between survival-mode wants and deeper, meaningful desires
• Why “I don’t know what I want” is often your brain trying to keep you safe
• How fear, risk, and effort can quietly shut down dreaming
• Why your wants are allowed to change — and why nothing you’ve pursued was wasted

I also walk you through a simple exercise to help you start uncovering what you really want — without pressure to commit or figure it all out right now.

A simple exercise to try after listening:

Start by writing down what you already know you want — for your life, your business, and your future.

Then let yourself go a little deeper. Ask yourself what you would want:

• If you had more time
• If money wasn’t an issue
• If you were younger… or older
• If you had more support
• If no one would judge you
• If you knew you couldn’t fail
• If it had never been done before
• If you had permission to want it

This isn’t about making decisions yet.
You’re not committing to anything.
This is just about letting yourself dream and seeing what comes up.

Why this matters:

When you ignore your own wants, it can slowly drain the joy out of your life and your business.
And sometimes, by not allowing yourself to want something, you may actually be holding back something meaningful you were meant to give.

Your desires aren’t selfish.
They’re often clues.

What’s coming next:

This episode kicks off a January series where we’ll talk about reconnecting with what you really want, giving yourself permission to dream, and then turning those dreams into goals that actually make a difference.

Next week, we’ll talk about where to go after you’ve identified your wants — and how to take the next step toward a future that feels more aligned and meaningful.

Want some support with this?

If you’d like help sorting through what you want and creating a path forward that feels right for you, I’d love to help.
Book a complimentary coaching strategy session here

Or you can watch a free masterclass recording to get more insights into ADHD challenges in business and how to work around them.

When you have a long list of important tasks, and your getting some big things completed, but somehow the simplest ones keep getting pushed aside, it can start to feel personal. Like you’re the one who is failing. Like you should be able to do all of the things.

But what if the issue isn’t a lack of effort?

In this episode, we’re unpacking demand avoidance—a common but misunderstood ADHD experience where anything that feels like a demand (even one you put on yourself) triggers resistance, distraction, or avoidance.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why being “really busy” can still come with missed deadlines
• How demand avoidance is different from procrastination or stubbornness
• The subtle ways it shows up in business (forgotten admin tasks, missed deadlines, neglecting your finances)
• Why your brain may be trying to protect you from stress, uncertainty, or overwhelm
• How ADHD motivators like urgency, novelty, and interest affect task initiation
• Why this pattern is not a character flaw—and absolutely not a sign that you’re not enough

You’ll also hear a couple of personal stories about how demand avoidance has shown up in my life.

This episode isn’t about forcing yourself to work harder. It’s about supporting yourself and the way you think, by understanding how your brain works—so you can stop carrying unnecessary guilt and start creating momentum in a way that works for you.

✨ If you’re ready to stop worrying about the things that didn’t get done—and start building a business that works with your ADHD brain—I’d love to help.  I invite you to consider two options. You can watch my free masterclass, a short video to help you with the basics to get focused and make progress. Or if your ready for some individual help with your business, schedule a call directly with me so we can talk about what you need to get unstuck and get to where you want to be in your business.

Free masterclass - https://www.adhdentrecoach.com/free_video

Book a call - https://www.adhdentrecoach.com/schedulecall

This time of year can feel really stressful, and it's really easy to let your business goals slide, when you trying to meet all of the expectations. Whether it is coming from you or from people you know and care about.

In this episode we will talk about protecting your time and energy while also caring for people and relationships that matter so much, especially this time of year.

I'll also teach you how to create a peace and connection list, so you can make sure the most important things to you get top priority during the busiest month of the year.