ADHD-ish

How often do you find yourself agreeing to something and later regretting it? Yeah, me too.  In fact, the majority of adults with ADHD identify as people pleasers, but there’s more to this knee-jerk reflex than meets the eye. This solo episode is packed with actionable tips for unlearning the Default Yes, starting with identifying the role of our unique neurological wiring in this dynamic. With insights into the "reciprocity myth" and the emotional aftermath of asserting oneself, this episode is packed with valuable tools for anyone seeking to say a purposeful yes to the things that truly matter. Let’s get started!🔑 Key Takeaways:The Default Yes: Why impulsively saying yes is more than just people pleasing and how it ties to ADHD brain wiring.Deer in the Headlights Effect: Unexpected requests often leave individuals with ADHD feeling frozen and overwhelmed.The Reciprocity Myth: The misconception that saying yes will always lead to reciprocal benefits in a professional setting.Setting Boundaries as a Muscle: Strengthen your ability to say no with practice, patience, and a bit of training.Practical Techniques: The buffer phrase technique, physical resets, and guilt-free language patterns to help you say no and not feel bad about it.Handling Emotional Aftermath: Insight into managing the guilt and anxiety that can follow after setting boundaries.Forgiveness and Progress: Shifting away from the default yes with self-compassion and patience.Mic drop moment:  "People who consistently get what they want are often those who clearly communicate boundaries, not those who say yes to everything."Start here:Physical Reset Technique: Practice taking a deep breath, pressing your feet into the ground, and rolling your shoulders back when under social pressure to help redirect your focus (and buy a little time before answering.) Climb the No Ladder: Start by saying no to small, low-stakes requests, gradually moving to more significant ones as you gain confidence.What’s next?  In order to rewire your brain from the default yes to more intentional answers takes practice, so be sure to grab my free worksheet that combines all the strategies shared in this episode, including practice scripts with guilt-free responses. Good intentions will not change the situation, but a handy guide that reminds you exactly what to do will. Click here to get your copy. © 2024 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

Evan Sargent, founder of Leap_Year Branding and co-author of a book on the U.S. Constitution, shares her journey of embracing ADHD in the entrepreneurial space. She discusses her transition from advertising to entrepreneurship, highlighting the freedom it brought. Evan reveals her innovative sprint days approach, designed for efficiency while respecting her ADHD traits. The conversation also explores the challenges of balancing ambition with well-being and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for neurodivergent individuals.

Discover the concept of the 'ADHD tax' and how it impacts solopreneurs, from financial strains to relationship challenges. Learn practical strategies to mitigate these invisible costs through improved organization and task initiation. Uncover techniques to harness ADHD's unique traits for creativity while also protecting your well-being. With relatable metaphors and actionable advice, this discussion provides essential tips for thriving in both business and life.

Mina Raver, an inspiring developer and creator of the Better CEO app, shares her unique journey from being diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and ODD to becoming a self-taught tech innovator. She discusses the inadequacies of existing productivity tools for neurodivergent individuals and the importance of personalized solutions. Listeners will discover how Better CEO leverages neuroscience and machine learning to transform productivity for ADHD entrepreneurs. Mina emphasizes the need for feedback from users to create an app that truly meets their needs.

If you are a neurodivergent business owner, one of the biggest challenges can be leading a team, especially if you lead an all-female team in a female-dominated industry like occupational therapy.  Today’s Client Success Story features Kirsten Beukes, who is the owner of an OT group practice in South Africa. Through our work together, Kirsten came to understand how her ADHD affects her business and her team, what her business needs from her, and how to reduce burnout and increase joy through doing less, not more.  Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:Leadership Mindset Shift: Transitioning from a practice owner to a business owner mindset allowed Kirsten to differentiate her personal identity from the needs of the business. This distinction has been crucial in making decisions that benefit long-term success, not just immediate needs.Using Owner Days to Create Boundaries & Perspective: By designating one day a week away from the practice for strategic planning and decision-making, Kirsten was able to focus on bigger-picture issues, and reclaim her time. This shift allowed for better work-life integration and also empowered her team to step up and grow.The Power of Self-Acceptance: Recognizing and accepting how her giftedness and ADHD were affecting her business has been a game-changer. This self-awareness has made Kirsten a more effective leader and manager.Fun Fact from the Episode: Due to her change in perspective and shift in priorities, Kirsten recently adopted a puppy named Lemon. Not only is Lemon an adorable new addition to her life, but she’s also training to be a therapy dog for her practice! 🐾❤️Want to connect with Kirsten? Website -  LinkedInAre you ready to become one of my Client Success Stories?  Let’s connect and see if now is the time.  Click here to schedule a free consultation. Are you Going to Neurodiversion 2025 in Austin, TX March 27-29th? I’ll be there too, and hosting a Meetup for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs and Business Owners.  DM me on LinkedIn or send me an email to let me know. I’d love to meet you there! © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

Iris Goldfeder, a marketing strategist and owner of Gas Stove Creative, shines a light on how neurodivergent business owners can leverage their ADHD strengths. She discusses the power of systems thinking and how it can enhance team dynamics. Iris emphasizes empathy as a tool for deeper client connections and authentic marketing. Furthermore, she advocates for embracing radical authenticity rather than falling into people-pleasing habits, ensuring that true self-expression invites the right clients.

In today's fast-paced world, email management is a critical skill, but for those with ADHD,  constantly checking email can become an addictive habit and the source of our greatest distraction. Email acts as a digital slot machine for those with ADHD, creating a dopamine-driven cycle of constant checking in search of novelty and stimulation. This behavior is about immediate gratification and coping with executive function challenges like task initiation and priority setting. By understanding how your brain responds to these stimuli, you can begin to develop more intentional habits.The cost of this unconscious compulsion is a lot higher than you realize because compulsive email checking acts as a crutch for avoiding more significant tasks. The perceived productivity of responding to emails is misleading and can detract from meaningful work. The worst part?  Email-induced task-switching destroys focus. It takes up to 23 minutes for neurotypical brains to refocus after a switch, and for ADHD brains, it’s even longer. A key takeaway from the episode is that being constantly available via email is often unnecessary and can be counterproductive. Setting specific email hours can actually enhance client perceptions of professionalism. Shared in this Episode: Dedicated Email Blocks Start by setting two defined email blocks per day. This limits distractions and prevents email from dictating your schedule. Use autoresponders to set client expectations and provide alternative contact methods for emergencies.The 3-Folders SystemSimplify your inbox with three primary folders — “Action Required,” “Waiting For,” and “Archive.” This method streamlines email management, reducing the clutter and stress of a crowded inbox.Leveraging Email Templates:Create templates for routine responses. This reduces cognitive load and enhances efficiency. Customize these for common client questions, project updates, and scheduling queries.Ultimately, email management is not merely about efficiency but about owning your worth as an entrepreneur. Running a business should offer freedom, not bind you to other people's priorities. By fostering better boundaries, entrepreneurs can build better work habits, which in turn boosts confidence and productivity. It's essential to remember that you are not always at others' beck and call. Your time and attention are invaluable, so it’s time to let your inbox serve you, not the other way around.Mentioned in this episode:TidyCal - the online calendar that prevents me from overscheduling & sends reminders to my clients so I don’t have to Now What?  Ready to start dealing with your Inbox? Be sure to grab my free worksheet that combines all the strategies shared in this episode. It’s a simple to implement, step by step approach that will begin to free up time and attention for what matters most, which is not going to be found in your Inbox. Click here to get your copy.  © 2024 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

In this insightful chat, Rochelle Moulton, a brand strategist and advocate for soloist consultants, dives into the concept of revolutionizing business with purpose. She challenges conventional views by defining revolution as a means to drive meaningful change through mission-driven work. Rochelle emphasizes the importance of identifying personal missions, building supportive networks, and taking incremental steps to create impact. She also touches on the unique strengths and challenges of the ADHD community, advocating for inclusivity and collaborative efforts in business.

Does disappointment seem to follow you at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey? In this episode, I’ll be sharing why running your own business can set the stage for letting yourself and others down, especially when ADHD is in the mix. In this episode, I share common triggers for disappointment, from overloading yourself with too many clients to underestimating how long things will take. When every missed deadline or forgotten email feels like a tidal wave of emotion, it’s well worth the effort to figure out how to reduce their frequency. This episode is filled with actionable solutions to help you craft systems that suit your ADHD brain, and after listening, don’t forget to grab your copy of my free handout so you can begin to implement them in your business. Here's what you'll learn:The Emotional Amplifier Effect: Discover why disappointments hit us harder and how to manage them.The Time Blindness Tax: Understand our unique perception of time and how it impacts our ability to get things done. The Interest Intensity Paradox: Learn to navigate the highs and lows of hyper-focus, so you don’t get hijacked and disappoint yourself & others. Common Disappointment Triggers: Identifying the usual suspects to avoid being tripped up or caught off guard. Disappointment Prevention Protocols: Practical strategies to sidestep common traps, bolster resilience, and bounce back faster and stronger.Fun Fact: Berkeley Robotics & Lockheed Martin developed an exoskeleton called the HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) for the US military that boosts speed and endurance while reducing injury — a metaphor for the business system scaffolding I teach in this episode (unlike the one that had to be surgically attached to Matt Damon’s character in Elysium. )  Mentioned in this episode:ADHD-Friendly visual platforms:TrelloMonday.comG-QueuesSunsama TidyCal - the online calendar I use that prevents me from overscheduling & sends reminders to my clients so I don’t have to Episode #241 - Quit Overcommitting by Stretching Your Time HorizonNow What?  Ready to make a change in your business routine? Be sure to grab our free worksheet that combines all the strategies shared in this episode. You'll find valuable tools to uplevel your systems, prevent disappointments, and manage your energy effectively. Grab it here.Know you won’t do it on your own or don’t know where to start?  I work 1:1 with ADHD-ish entrepreneurs and creatives to make their businesses more ADHD-friendly.  Click here to book a free consultation to see if we’re a fit and if the timing is right.  © 2024 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved. 

Brittany grew up in a family with a history of entrepreneurship. Both grandfather and father were small business owners, but, after witnessing the instability and uncertainty of self-employment firsthand, Brittany shied away from entrepreneurship, at least at first.  Over time, and by allowing herself to follow her curiosity and pivoting in response to changing market conditions, Brittany was able to create a business that is as unique as she is, forming authentic connections in the often impersonal online world. Brittany has not been diagnosed, but in this conversation,  we highlight several of her traits that are very ADHD-ish. Listen for how many you identify with, too. 5  Things You'll Learn in This Episode:Ikigai + Market Demand: It's not enough to just be passionate! Learn why it's crucial to align your passion with market demand for true success.Optimizing Instead of Creating: Discover how tweaking and optimizing your existing digital profiles can be more beneficial—and less exhausting—than constantly creating new content.SEO as an Ecosystem: Britney deconstructs SEO into simple, actionable steps, turning what many consider a daunting task into a fun and easy process.Using Case Studies to Build Trust: Understand the power of testimonials in building trust and expediting your clients' decision-making process.Managing ADHD-ish Tendencies for Business Success: Learn strategies for managing the flood of ideas and maintaining focus, a must-know for anyone entrepreneurial with ADHD-ish tendencies. Relatable Fact From Brittany’s Journey:Did you know it took a persistent nudge from a retired businessman client to kick start Brittany on her entrepreneurial journey?Mentioned in this Episode:Ikigai in Business Wicked Peloton rideStrengths Finder Want More Brittany? The Basic B Podcast with Brittany HerzbergSEO & Grow, a Private Podcast The Business Owners Guide to Blogging If you’ve noticed that you remember things better when you hear them and read them,  Did you know you can sign up for the ADHD-ish LinkedIn newsletter and get episode highlights in writing?  Just click here and they’re all yours.  © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops  / Outro music by Vladimir /  Bobi Music / All rights reserved.