Two Origin Tracks: Overachiever vs. Compensator

No one launches their own business in search of exhaustion. But for so many of us with ADHD-ish tendencies, overworking, over-delivering, and over-researching often become our default—especially when our own sense of “enough” is broken or never got calibrated in the first place.

This episode goes deeper than productivity advice; it’s about safety, self-worth, and learning what sustainability truly requires.

I share the real reason our inner “enoughness meter” is so hard to find—and how you can start recalibrating it for sustainability (not burnout).

Sometimes, the pursuit of “above and beyond” is really about chasing safety, not satisfaction.

What you’ll learn:

1. Why your “enoughness meter” is so damn hard to read.

Diann Wingert explains how, for entrepreneurs with ADHD, it’s not about laziness or lacking motivation—a lot of us just genuinely can’t judge when a task is finished.

2. The two main tracks that shaped your patterns:

Are you the “overachiever” always collecting gold stars, or the “compensator” trying to cover every base (and then some) out of fear of dropping the ball? Maybe both? You’ll discover your origin story—and why it matters.

3. The “Enough Already” Framework (it has five parts!).

Get real, actionable tools—like calibration questions and the Enough Algorithm—to help you finally stop overdoing and start celebrating what’s truly “good enough.”

4. How to tell the difference between flow state and fear state.

If you keep working because you’re energized, great! If you’re pushing through out of anxiety or fear, Diann Wingert shares how to spot the signs and what to do instead.

5. How to set micro-commitments and collect EVIDENCE that enough really is enough.

Try out the practical scripts and journaling prompts, and learn to recalibrate that internal workload meter (it CAN be done!)

Mic Drop Moment:

"Enough isn't about lowering your standards. It's not about doing mediocre work, striving for the bare minimum, or simply not caring enough to do better. It is about directing your excellence strategically instead of indiscriminately."

Try It With Me

Pick your area. Make a micro commitment. Collect your evidence. And then—here’s my ask—email me and tell me what happened when you stopped at enough. I want to hear where you struggled, what surprised you, and how it felt when it finally got easier.

We’ve run past the finish line for too long, measuring our value by exhaustion instead of impact. Now’s the time to recalibrate.

And if you want the full road map, join me on ADHD-ish—I’m here every week, sharing the hard-earned lessons I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way), and cheering on every step you take towards “enough.”

Ready to try? I’d love to hear your story. Email me at diann@diannwingertcoaching.com or DM me on LinkedIn

About the Host:

Diann Wingert (she/her) is a seasoned coach, consultant, and the creator/host of ADHD-ish. Drawing from her many years of experience as a former psychotherapist, business owner, and someone who thinks "outside the box," Diann is known for her straight-talking, no-nonsense approach to the intersection of neurodiversity and business ownership.

© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.