11 Good Habits to Have as an Entrepreneur with ADHD
It took me a while to get comfortable talking about my journey in dealing with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). I was diagnosed when I was still in high school, and, like many of us, I struggled to learn in the classes I didn’t have a high interest in, no matter how hard I tried to be a good student. As we grow, things are supposed to get easier since we pick the field we work in, especially as entrepreneurs. You build a company motivated by your biggest passion, right? I don’t want to crush any dreams, but it gets much more challenging. The saying “work on something you love, and you won’t work a day in your life” is BS, especially when hyper-focus goes away.
In a world where we usually only hear about the negative aspects of having ADHD, the good news is: ADHD is actually considered to be part of the DNA of an entrepreneur. Some even call it “the entrepreneurial superpower.” According to The Da Vinci Method, by Garret Loporto, “adults with ADHD are 300% more likely to start their own business.”. Many highly successful founders and CEOs have ADHD, and not only are they able to be monumentally successful despite their ADHD, but because of it.
“Adults with ADHD are 300% more likely to start their own business.”
The Da Vinci Method, by Garret Loporto.
We know that the list of adversities we get as neurodivergents can be long, and sometimes it can really crush us. However, we also know that creativity, multi-tasking, risk-taking, high energy and resilience are part of the list of ADHD symptoms. That sounds like a founder’s list of skills, right? Not to mention, we usually shine in “crisis mode.”
I started The Hair Routine (my second venture) in 2017 — during what for sure was hyper-focus, not gonna lie. Since then, I’ve faced the downs of simply not being able to get the important things done, and these are the mechanics that helped me get myself together to grow my business:
This one can sound the hardest, but have strong discipline with your routine. If you have to pick one thing to prioritize, this should be it: a solid routine that evolves the small daily actions that are important for your business growth. Everything else is secondary;
Take advantage of organizing online tools to be your “assistant.” Use the “hey Siri, remind me to call Tash later” and Google Calendar as your time management tool;
Post-its are best friends. It can be frustrating to make to-do lists and not accomplish them. Post-its are made to be quick notes to remind you what to do next, without the pressure and frustrations of a to-do list that we tend to overload;
Brain dump journal: a way to quiet the overspeaking mind and to organize unstructured ideas. I basically force myself to write anything, even if it is a few pages of “I have no idea what to write about.” Eventually, the internal voice comes up, and the words show up;
Workout. The ADHD brain has a higher tendency to lack dopamine. Dopamine is key to many body functions, including mood and motivation! Exercising is a great way to build brain muscles, bust mental well-being, and increase the release of dopamine;
Meditate, even if it’s hard, even if it’s only 5 minutes. Meditation is a skill that comes with practice, and it will help maintain focus or bring back the focus we lose;
Don’t be ashamed to build a support system of mentors, advisors, and entrepreneurs. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is real and makes us sometimes feel unwanted, get us overthinking about what others think of us, or makes us feel overwhelmed and rejected. Big news: this is only in our heads. Overcoming it starts with understanding this is not reality, even if we might feel this way sometimes. Go and build your connections; they will be helpful on your journey! By the way, many entrepreneurs have ADHD; you’re not alone!
Therapy. Not only for ADHDers but for everyone. This might be a privilege in some countries since it can get expensive. But if you can afford it, go for it!
Daily reading helps to not get lost in other ways of entertainment that might be way more distracting, like binge-watching a series. Instead of watching episode after episode before going to bed, reading a few pages helps to have a better sleep;
This may be controversial, and each person has their take on it. It can help to take your prescribed meds. Open up with your doctor, make sure the doses work for you, and it doesn’t limit your creativity;
I will repeat this one because it’s by far the most important: ROUTINE. Routine leads to repetitions, and repetitions lead to habits. Having all the above as a habit is the easiest way to not slack on them. Build your routine and be pragmatic about it.
Update November 19, 2024: Two years after writing this article, I’ve discovered even more habits that have transformed how I manage ADHD as an entrepreneur. Check out: “11 Good Habits to Have as an Entrepreneur with ADHD — Part 2” for an updated list of habits and actionable tips that have helped me stay productive and balanced.
Article originally published on Medium on Oct 5, 2022.
