Running a business with ADHD? It’s a JOY, a BREEZE, absolutely NOTHING could possibly go wrong! (Why yes, that is sarcasm you sense...)
Managing your own business with a brain wired for spontaneous bursts of creativity and short spans of attention can feel like trying to herd runaway sheep. Using a cat. While juggling sixteen flaming swords. But don't worry, you're not alone, and more importantly, you're not doomed.
By taking an honest look at how ADHD affects the six core areas of business, you can adapt and adjust to make your business work with your ADHD brain, and not against it.
Strategy: the dopamine desert
Ah, strategy - the art of thinking long-term, delaying gratification, and playing the slow game. Sounds like fun, right?! (Spoiler: no, the answer is probably no.)
For ADHDers, long-term planning can feel like trekking through a dopamine desert. No quick wins, no instant feedback, just a lot of thinking about things that won't pay off for ages.
If strategic planning makes your brain deactivate don't worry; you're not missing some magical planning gene. It's just your brain asking, "where’s the fun in that?" And that can be the key to making strategic planning work with your ADHD: find ways to make it feel more nice:
Add NOVELTY
Splice in INTEREST – a passion or hyperfocus
Get COMPETITIVE – even with yourself!
Wait ‘til it’s EXTREMELY URGENT – not just ‘has to be done today’, more ‘has to be done in an hour and it takes 59 minutes to do it’.
You could turn planning into a game by giving yourself points or rewards for completing certain milestones. And instead of thinking of strategy as one big, daunting task, breaking it down into smaller, actionable steps means more regular hits of dopamine as you tick things off.
Finance: the battle of the budget
Managing your finances with ADHD can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. Attention to detail? Sustained effort? Pffft.
Meanwhile, impulsivity is always lurking in the background, ready to nudge you into a spontaneous shopping spree or an "investment" in something shiny that you definitely don’t need.
If your financial decisions aren’t feeling like they’re doing what you need them to, it might be time to call in some backup - or hide your credit card (literally what I do).
Marketing: the consistency conundrum
Marketing is one of the parts of business that benefits from consistency - posting regularly, following up with leads, tracking analytics. It’s like being on a treadmill that never stops. For ADHDers, this can sound like torture.
The enthusiasm at the start of a new campaign? Sure, we’ve got that in buckets. But maintaining that energy when the dopamine wears off? Yeah, not so much. Before you know it, you’re chasing new ideas while last month’s marketing plan gathers dust.
The good news is that some of the less fun parts of marketing can be automated – often cheaply and easily. Choose a scheduler that lets you create posts once a month instead of every day or use Canva’s ‘bulk create’ feature to create several posts at once. Batching your content or focusing on mini-campaigns that have a clear end date can help too. Automate some of your process using a CRM or email software. Just try not to take out eleventy paid subscriptions in the process!
Sales: The emotional rollercoaster
Sales can feel like an emotional minefield, especially when ADHD throws in a dash of rejection sensitivity. One lukewarm response to your pitch and suddenly you're spiralling into thoughts like "maybe I’m just not cut out for this." (Newsflash: you are!)
Managing sales with ADHD means learning how to ride the highs without crashing into lows. It’s all about balancing the emotional rollercoaster.
Keeping your RSD in check means remembering that a “no” isn’t personal. Most of the time, it’s just about timing, budget, or the client’s needs. Every response, even a lukewarm one, is a step toward the right sale. But also: you aren’t going to be for everyone, and that’s okay, I promise!
Instead of obsessing over how many deals you close, try setting goals around actions you can control, like the number of follow-ups or pitches you send. Every follow-up is a win, every tough call you get through is a victory, and celebrating those small wins can keep the motivation flowing even when the deals don’t.
Operations: the activation agony
Getting stuff done - the bread and butter of any business. But for ADHDers, "activation" can feel more like trying to start a car with a dead battery. You know what needs to be done, you want to do it, but actually doing it? That’s a whole other story.
If your to-do list keeps growing while your motivation keeps shrinking, remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your business. Focus on taking small steps, one task at a time, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly you can get through your to-dos.
People: the relationship riddle
People - can’t live with ‘em, can’t build a business without ‘em. Whether it’s managing a team, networking, or just trying to maintain professional relationships, ADHD can make it tricky. Emotional regulation and social interactions can feel like walking a tightrope, especially on days when your brain just isn't cooperating.
The key? Communication, honesty, and the occasional deep breath. Also, it’s okay to skip that networking event if it’s going to cause sensory overload - online communities (like Spark, wink wink) can be equally as fabulous.
So, while ADHD might throw some curveballs (to put it mildly) into your business plans, it also brings creativity, passion, and a unique perspective. With the right strategies, you can turn those ADHD quirks into nothing more than a mild annoyance.
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