Every December, I feel pulled in two very different directions. Part of me wants to cozy up with a notebook and plan out my entire life. And the other part of me is like, absolutely not. If you've ever felt the same, excited about a fresh start, and overwhelmed at the thought of doing anything about it, you're in the right place.

This isn’t about goal setting, it’s about giving yourself credit and noticing what matters most to you.

I’m also sharing an exciting announcement for women business owners who are looking for executive function coaching & community in 2026! 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to create a simple reflection practice that fits your energy, mood, and brain
• Reflection questions to help you celebrate wins, notice unexpected joys, and learn from challenges
• How to identify habits or activities that no longer serve you and make space for what energizes you
• Why reflection doesn’t have to be tied to the calendar or to “doing more”—it’s about giving yourself credit and staying curious.
• How I used reflection to navigate challenges in my business and make aligned decisions for the year ahead

Resources Mentioned:

• Stop Doomscrolling: Get Brick 10% off when you purchase with this link! 
• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 

Other episodes you might enjoy: 

• 009: Why Your Goals Don’t Stick (And How to Set Goals and Achieve Them)
• 010: Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions: A Gentler Approach for Setting Goals &  Identity Based Goals for ADHD

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

If overwhelm feels like your default setting—too much to do, not enough time, and everything piling up faster than you can catch it—this episode is for you. 

I’m breaking down why you get stuck in that cycle of paralysis, frantic last-minute action, and burnout, and what you can actually do to interrupt it. 

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of the type of overwhelm you’re experiencing and a toolbox of realistic, actionable strategies to help you reset, reduce pressure, and get unstuck.

P.S. If your phone and doomscrolling is overwhelming you, get 10% off when you purchase with this link!

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why overwhelm happens in the first place (and why it’s not a personal flaw)
• How to regulate your nervous system before you try to get things done
• The role of self-talk in either easing or amplifying overwhelm

Resources Mentioned:

• Brick -get 10% off when you purchase with this link! 
• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 

Other Episodes You Might Find Helpful (no pressure or rush!): 

• 012: For Overwhelmed People Pleasers: How to Set Boundaries, Advocate for Yourself, and Reclaim Your Time
• 019: How to Take Action When You’re Overwhelmed & Don’t Know Where to Start
• 026: How to keep track of everything on your plate: A simple strategy to make to-do lists less overwhelming
• 039: How to Be More Efficient When You Feel Overwhelmed
• 051: Letting Go of “Shoulds”: Adjusting Expectations to Overcome Overwhelm
• 054: How to Stop Doomscrolling with ADHD: A Simple 3-Step Formula to Have a Healthier Relationship with your Phone

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I should be able to stop scrolling,” while still somehow glued to your phone… this episode is for you. 

I’m going to walk you through a simple 3-step formula to have a healthier relationship with your phone. 

By the end of this episode you’ll build your own personalized toolbox of strategies to help you stop doomscrolling & use your phone in a way that actually feels good for you. Because that’s the whole point, right? 

Brick -get 10% off when you purchase with this link! 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to stop doomscrolling even when you feel “stuck” in the habit
• Why ADHD brains are more vulnerable to doom scrolling — and how to work with your brain instead of fighting it
• How to identify the self-talk that keeps you scrolling
• A practical Brick App review, including what the Brick App is and how Brick can help you be more mindful of your phone use 

Resources Mentioned:

• Brick -get 10% off when you purchase with this link! 
• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

If you’ve ever picked up your phone to respond to a text or Google something quick, but accidentally found yourself down an unintentional doomscroll rabbit hole… or found yourself paralyzed, mindlessly scrolling while simultaneously telling yourself “you should stop” but feeling incapable of putting the phone down — this episode is for you.

If you want to be more mindful of how you use your phone and you’ve tried to break the habit of doomscrolling but keep going back — you’re not alone.

Today we’re digging into why it’s so hard to stop doomscrolling — especially for ADHD brains — and what’s actually happening beneath that autopilot urge to reach for your phone.

My favorite tool to stop doomscrolling:

• Brick (get 10% off Brick with this link!)

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The role of anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional dysregulation in keeping you stuck scrolling
• The hidden cues and triggers that send you reaching for your phone without realizing it
• What your brain is actually looking for when you scroll
• The first steps toward building a healthier, more intentional relationship with your phone so you can stop doomscrolling 

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 9: How to Set Goals that Stick
• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you

As the days get shorter and darker, it’s completely normal to notice changes in your energy, focus, and motivation — but most of us forget to adjust our expectations to match what’s actually going on. In this episode, I’m talking about how seasonal shifts impact your brain and your executive functioning skills, and how you can work with the season instead of pushing against it.

Whether you love or hate winter (or live somewhere warm), this episode will help you understand why things might feel harder right now — and what you can do to make things feel easier.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why your energy, motivation, and focus naturally shift during seasonal changes
• How winter affects executive functioning and what that might look like day to day
• Common areas where you may need to adjust expectations (like mornings, routines, and “productivity”)
• Simple ways to create “winter versions” of your routines and self-care habits
• How to practice self-compassion and redefine productivity during slower seasons

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• You can find the Big Blanket Co Hoodie I mentioned here. This is my FAVORITE thing to wear in the winter when I want to be cozy! 
• Episode 33: How to create routines that you actually stick to: Morning routines for ADHD
• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How often do you catch yourself thinking, “I should be doing more,” “I should have finished that by now,” or “I should be able to handle this”? 

Maybe you feel like those “shoulds” *SHOULD* motivate you, but they often create unrealistic expectations that lead straight to overwhelm. 

In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to adjust your expectations to match your reality—so you can feel less overwhelmed, be kinder to yourself, and still forward on projects & to-dos without the constant pressure. Let’s talk about how letting go of “shoulds” can help you get unstuck.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to notice the “shoulds” in your self-talk and where they come from.
• How to check in with your reality—including energy, mood, sleep, and external factors—to adjust expectations.
• Practical ways to reprioritize, delegate, or shift your plan without guilt.
• Why practicing self-compassion is essential for managing overwhelm and supporting your executive functioning.

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

If you’ve ever felt guilty for setting boundaries, said “yes” when you really meant “no,” or replayed past mistakes on a loop—you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by therapist Laura Sgro, LCSW for an honest conversation about shame, guilt, and people-pleasing, especially for adults with ADHD. We talk about why these patterns show up and how to practice self-compassion, especially when shame, guilt, and “shoulds” are popping up. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between guilt and shame
• Why people-pleasing can feel like safety for ADHD brains
• How shame, guilt, and self-criticism keep you stuck in cycles of burnout and overwhelm
• How to practice self-compassion in real, actionable ways
• Small mindset shifts that can help you build self-trust and set healthy boundaries 

About the guest 

Laura Sgro, LCSW is a licensed therapist and speaker dedicated to making mental health education accessible and engaging. With years of clinical experience informing her work, she translates complex topics like stress and anxiety, the nervous system, and trauma into practical, relatable insights folks can actually use in everyday life. Especially passionate about supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities, Laura brings an inclusive, down-to-earth style to sessions, panels, and stages. Whether she’s teaching tools to regulate stress, sharing strategies to build confidence, or exploring ways to break free from dysfunctional patterns, her mission remains the same: to help people feel more connected — to themselves, to others, and to what truly matters.

Connect with Laura: 

Website: www.laurasgrolcsw.com

IG: @laurasgrolcsw

Get Laura’s FREE Reroute Your Thoughts PDF guide to decrease negative thinking: https://laura-sgro-lcsw.myflodesk.com/reroute-your-thoughts

About the host Sarah Lovell: 

Sarah is an executive function and ADHD coach who helps college students, professionals, and perfectionists get unstuck and take action in a way that works with their brains. With 12 years of coaching experience and a background in social work, she combines practical tools with compassionate support so her clients can stop burning out, start making progress, and feel good taking action. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Sign up for the FREE ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Today’s episode of From Stuck to Started is a little different. I’m sharing some personal reflections from my own life and business about growth mindset, asking for help, and navigating perfectionism, fear, and discomfort. Through a story about hiking—and a few winding but connected reflections—you’ll hear what I’ve learned from one year of podcasting and what it really means to give yourself credit for the climb, not just the summit.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why growth mindset is less about reaching the top and more about how you handle the climb
• How fear, perfectionism, and all-or-nothing thinking can quietly keep you stuck
• The power of being “seen trying” and why it’s a skill worth practicing
• What I’ve learned in my first year of podcasting—and how I’ve learned to adapt my own expectations along the way
• How to reflect on your own goals, challenges, and wins (and actually give yourself credit for them)

If you’ve ever felt scared to start, afraid to be seen trying, or unsure if you’re “doing it right,” this episode is for you.

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 
• Read the Blog here (and see photos from the hike I talk about!) 

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Delegating sounds simple; just hand something off and check it off your list, right? But if you have ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or a touch of perfectionism, it’s rarely that straightforward. In this episode, I’m breaking down why delegating can feel so complicated, sharing a few real-life examples, and giving you practical strategies to make it a little easier. 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why delegating requires all of your executive functioning skills
• The most common reasons it’s hard to delegate — from time blindness to people-pleasing
• How to separate planning from action so you can actually pass things off
• Simple check-in questions to help you decide what’s worth keeping and what to delegate
• How to reframe delegation as an act of trust, not control

Resources Mentioned:

• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 
• Read the Blog here 

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy: 

• Episode 45: How to stop being a people pleaser: 5 traps to watch out for
• Episode 46: Why Asking for Help Feels So Hard (and How to Make It Easier)
• Episode 47: Why “Just Ask for Help” Isn’t Actually That Simple (& how to practice asking for help)

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background

Chapters

05:13 Five Reasons Delegation is Difficult

07:51 Strategies for Effective Delegation

10:43 The Role of Time Management in Delegation

13:16 Prioritizing Tasks for Better Delegation

15:49 Overcoming People-Pleasing in Delegation

18:38 Communication Challenges in Delegation

21:34 Reflection and Practice in Delegation

Sometimes being stuck asking for help isn’t about fear or shame—it’s about not knowing what to ask, who to ask, or how to ask for help. That uncertainty can leave you spinning your wheels, overthinking, and feeling even more overwhelmed. In this episode, I’m breaking down the practical side of asking for help—the executive functioning skills it takes, why it can feel so complicated, and what to do when you don’t even know where to start.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why asking for help uses every single executive functioning skill (and why that’s part of what makes it so hard)
• A real-life example of how to ask for help, even when you don’t have a clear question yet
• How to figure out who to ask for help and when to ask so it’s actually useful
• A simple script you can use when you’re stuck and don’t know what to say
• Ways to give yourself credit for every small step of the process (even when it feels uncomfortable)

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 46: Why Asking for Help Feels So Hard (and How to Make It Easier)
• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan 
• Read the Blog here 

Connect with Sarah Lovell: 

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background