Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with ADHD, ADD

In this episode, Dave tackles the quiet struggle of adults with ADHD in demanding roles…from entrepreneurs to executives. While students often have built-in support systems, busy professionals are left to navigate their unique challenges alone.

Join Dave as we explore the importance of finding a community of like-minded peers who truly get it. We discuss the need for a confidential space where you can share your wins, challenges, and frustrations without judgment.

Busy professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners people in leadership, senior VP's with ADHD all welcome!

If you've ever felt isolated in your journey with ADHD, this episode is for you.

Tune in to hear about a potential solution for finding the support system you need.

Overcoming Distractions is THE podcast for the busy professional, executive, entrepreneur with ADHD.

In this episode, Dave reminds all of you (and himself…) that we need to hit the reset button and focus on the positive aspects of our ADHD brains, especially in a business environment.

Many of us got to where we are in business and career because we were able to think a little differently from others. But life and business happens and challenges and frustrations got in the way of us growing any further.

Sometimes in life and in business focusing on the positives is very difficult but we have to try a little differently to remind ourselves that we have strengths and those can overpower the negatives in many cases.

Life and industry don't just operate at an even pace. Industries change, family dynamics change, some of us become caregivers and some of us get to a point where work has become incredibly stressful and toxic.

Let's talk about how to incorporate some positivity into our ADHD world!

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

If you are a busy professional with ADHD and you have a demanding career, it is a critical mission to protect your time and energy. It is non-negotiable!

Boundaries, limitations, restrictions, limits, our professional safe zone…all protect us busy ADHDers from others and ourselves.

Whatever we call it, we must guard our time.

Boundaries are often the make-or-break factor for adults with ADHD in leadership roles. Without them, ADHD traits like distractibility, impulsivity, and overcommitment can quickly lead to burnout, poor decision-making, and loss of credibility.

If you are in a leadership position and have ADHD or think you have ADHD, join Dave as he discusses why boundaries and protecting your time and energy must be part of the way you operate.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Clarity is essential for executives with adult ADHD because it acts as an anchor in the midst of constant internal and external distractions. Without clear priorities, objectives, and next steps, the ADHD brain can easily become overwhelmed by competing demands, unfinished tasks, and shifting responsibilities, leading to paralysis or reactive decision-making.

Join Dave for this short and to the point podcast episode as he discusses why clarity needs to be part of your daily and long term game plan as a busy professional with ADHD.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Recently, Dave drove over 1600 miles to visit a long term client from his public relation days. He talks about how powerful long stretches of quiet time can be for busy professionals with ADHD.

There are clear and powerful benefits to shutting down and spending some time by ourselves to reflect on our thoughts and even slow our brains down. Those benefits include reducing our mental overload, boosting our clarity and focus and the ability to problem solve and create new visions for our lives.

Spend some time with Dave on this short episode and learn more about how powerful and impactful a large chunk of time can be for the ADHD brain.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

You're a busy professional with ADHD, and you feel like you're constantly fighting an uphill battle. But what if the problem isn't you….it's that you're using your brain's "operating manual" incorrectly?

This episode is about moving past the idea that you need to be "fixed" and instead learning to honor how your ADHD brain actually works. By understanding its wiring, you can stop fighting yourself and start creating a system that allows you to thrive.

Dave is an entrepreneur with ADHD, not a doctor. His advice comes from decades of executive and entrepreneurial experience as an adult with ADHD.

Actionable Advice for Honoring Your ADHD Brain

• Acknowledge Your Wiring: Accept that your brain is wired for interest, novelty, and urgency, not routine. Don't compare yourself to neurotypical standards.
• Optimize for Energy, Not Just Time: Ditch the idea of "I'll just stay late" and start scheduling around your energy levels.
• Use External Structures: Your brain isn't lazy; it's overloaded. Use external cues like visual boards, phone reminders, and a "home base" for important items. Don't complicate it…just get things out of your head every day.
• Build Momentum Over Perfection: Motivation comes from starting, not from waiting to "get it right."
• Design for Dopamine: Your ADHD brain craves dopamine. Build rewards into your workflow, like a coffee break after a difficult task, and rotate your environments to boost stimulation and engagement.
• Practice Self-Compassion: High-achievers with ADHD often carry hidden shame. When you find yourself being self-critical, stop and say, "Not today." Acknowledge your wins, no matter how small, and ask yourself what worked this week so you can do more of it.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

If you're a busy professional with ADHD, chances are you've stared at a long to-do list and thought, "Where do I even start?" In this episode, Dave will tackle one of the most overwhelming challenges for ADHD brains:

How to prioritize tasks and projects when everything feels equally important.

Dave gives tips on using visual tools, scheduling thinking time, And why a good old fashioned brain dump may be your first priority. Whether you're drowning in work tasks, personal responsibilities, or both, Dave will help you regain control and move forward with clarity.

Key takeaways: – Why ADHD brains struggle with prioritization – Simple, flexible systems that actually stick – How to re-prioritize based on energy and urgency – Tools and routines to stay on track

Tune in and give your brain the structure it craves!

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

On this episode of Overcoming Distractions, Dave welcomes back Rand Selig, author of Thriving: How to Create a Healthier, Happier, and More Prosperous Life. They dive deep into what it truly means to define personal success and the often-elusive concept of "enough."

This conversation is especially relevant for busy professionals, particularly those with ADHD or who identify as neurodivergent, who often push themselves to the brink of burnout.

Rand shares insights on shifting away from external markers of achievement to cultivate a more integrated and fulfilling life.

Episode Highlights:

• Defining Your Own Success: The discussion emphasizes that success is deeply personal and should be defined internally, not by societal expectations, parental influence, or external markers like money, status, or titles.
• Beyond Work-Life Balance: Rand suggests moving past the idea of "work-life balance" as a teeter-totter, instead advocating for the integration of various life components. This helps combat the guilt many feel when dedicating time to one area over another.
• The "Being" vs. "Doing" Paradigm: Success isn't just about accomplishments (doing); it also involves feelings and internal states (being). A healthy, successful life combines both in a proportion that works for you and can evolve with different life stages.
• Discovering "Enough": The journey to understanding what "enough" means for you requires courage and honesty. It involves regularly checking in with yourself about choices and whether they align with your values and desired life.
• Rebuilding After Burnout: For those feeling burnt out or at a turning point, the initial step is self-care and self-compassion, including adequate rest. Seeking support is crucial, and it's important to articulate the specific kind of support you need from others.
• Rand's 14 Elements of Success: Rand shares his personal framework for success. You'll have to listen to get them!

Find Rand Selig at his website: https://www.randselig.com/

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

In this episode of Overcoming Distractions, we explore the powerful impact of creating a physical "home base" which is a designated spot in your house where essential daily items live. For busy professionals with ADHD, staying organized can feel overwhelming. A home base helps by reducing the chaos of misplacing things like keys, medications, to-do lists, and chargers.

It also supports executive function by making important items visible and accessible, which boosts follow-through and lowers stress.

This isn't about creating a perfect space. It's about designing a reliable system that works with your brain, not against it.

If you're tired of mornings filled with frustration and forgetfulness, this episode offers a small change with big impact.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

This episode of Overcoming Distractions features a conversation with Kat O'Sullivan, author of From Doubt to Do: Navigating Your Path to Possibility. Dave and Kat explore how individuals, especially those with ADHD, can overcome self-doubt and embrace significant life changes.

Kat shares her personal journey of moving to Mexico during the pandemic, highlighting the critical steps and mindset shifts needed to transform seemingly impossible goals into tangible realities. This discussion will resonate with anyone looking to make bold moves and leverage their adult ADHD.

Here's some important advice from the episode:

• Embrace Your "Positives": For individuals with ADHD, what might be labeled as "negative traits" like hyperactivity or hyperfocus can actually be powerful assets in the right environment. Reframe these characteristics as strengths that offer unique advantages, such as excelling in sales or problem-solving.
• Challenge Doubt with Questions: When faced with a big decision or feeling stuck, ask yourself, "What if it is possible?" and "What am I not seeing yet?" The word "yet" is particularly powerful, as it acknowledges current limitations while opening the door to future possibilities and solutions.
• The Four C's: Kat introduces a framework of four critical "C's" to navigate change:
• Courage: Have the courage to confront your situation and your mindset head-on.
• Clarity: Get clear on what you truly want and, more importantly, why it matters to you. This "why" provides the conviction needed to push through challenges.
• Commitment: Make a "hell yes" commitment to your decision. This unwavering resolve is what propels you forward when obstacles arise.
• Capacity: Build your capacity by learning what you need to get things done, and practice self-compassion. This involves understanding your personal working style and identifying the support you need.
• Be Methodical, Not Just Impulsive: While embracing opportunity is key, especially for those prone to impulsivity, major life changes require a methodical approach. Conduct thorough research, create detailed checklists, and break down large goals into manageable, step-by-step processes.
• Address External Doubts: Be prepared for skepticism from others, and don't let their fears derail your plans. Re-ground yourself by focusing on "what's at stake if I don't do it," rather than solely on the risks of taking action.
• Expect and Adapt to Hiccups: It's normal to encounter unforeseen challenges, especially when embarking on something new. Don't beat yourself up when things don't go as planned. Instead, return to your "what" and "why," and figure out the next step.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave's calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min