Artwork for podcast ADHD Powerful Possibilities: New and Late Diagnosis & Beyond
Thriving as an ADHD Entrepreneur: Surprising Priorities for Success with ADHD Rising
Episode 23 • 5th June 2024 • ADHD Powerful Possibilities: New and Late Diagnosis & Beyond • ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders
00:00:00 00:21:23

Share Episode

Shownotes

ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders

Wondering why the classic 'business advice' you've been following just turns your brain off? Let's go into the unique challenges and opportunities that ADHD entrepreneurs face.

You'll learn the surprising priorities that can transform procrastination and overwhelm into productivity and success, all through the lens of the ADHD Rising program. Whether you're newly diagnosed or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights to help you thrive.

Key Takeaways:

  • Katherine’s Journey: Learn about Katherine's diverse career path and how her ADHD and autism diagnosis in her early forties transformed her approach to business.
  • Common Challenges: Understand the typical struggles ADHD entrepreneurs face, such as procrastination, overwhelm, and lack of routine.
  • Real-Life Success Stories: Hear inspiring stories of clients like 'Monica' and 'Phoebe', who transformed their businesses by understanding and leveraging their ADHD.
  • ADHD Rising Framework: Explore the three-part framework—Foundations, Stretch and Grow, and Flourish—that Katherine uses to help entrepreneurs succeed.
  • Practical Tips: Gain actionable advice on developing personalized strategies, creating achievable goals, and incorporating fun and creativity into your routine.
  • Building a Supportive Environment: Discover the importance of community, coaching, and surrounding yourself with supportive people.

Quotes:

  • "Understanding your unique ADHD profile is crucial for building a business that truly works for you."
  • "With the right strategies and support, you can turn your ADHD challenges into strengths and thrive as an entrepreneur."

Resources Mentioned:

  • ADHD Rising Program: https://lightbulbadhd.com/group-coaching
  • Katherine's Website: https://lightbulbadhd.com
  • Book a Call with Katherine: Book Here

Action Steps:

  1. Identify Your Priorities: Reflect on the priorities that resonate with your unique ADHD profile.
  2. Join the Community: Consider joining a supportive community of ADHD entrepreneurs.
  3. Schedule a Call: Book a call with Katherine to discuss how the ADHD Rising program can help you.
  • Connect with Katherine: @adhd_coach_katherine on Instagram, Facebook & Tiktok
  • Subscribe: Don’t miss out on future episodes—subscribe to the podcast!
  • Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with others.
  • Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments or on social media using the hashtag #ADHDRising

rnRQbS0lDIH8nHw2pEvl

Connect with Katherine here:


Website

Instagram

Tiktok

Facebook

Youtube

LinkedIN

Threads 


Get the 'ADHD Entrepreneur's Procrastination Pivot' Ebook HERE.

Transcripts

Speaker:

What's up my friend it's

ADHD, coach Katherine.

2

:

And this week on ADHD,

powerful possibilities.

3

:

We are going to talk about how

you can structure your life.

4

:

And your business and all the

pieces that you need to do that.

5

:

Stick with me.

6

:

You are going to come

away from this episode.

7

:

With a list of things that you

may have been missing so far.

8

:

Can you imagine how it would feel to

wake up every morning with a clear plan?

9

:

Feeling excited.

10

:

In control of the day head.

11

:

And knowing that whatever you do

today is going to take you a step

12

:

closer to your big juicy vision.

13

:

If you have ADHD, that might

sound impossible, right?

14

:

And I know that for lots of people,

especially late diagnosed business owners.

15

:

It can feel like you are on

one of those gerbil wheels.

16

:

Or in one of those clear plastic hamster

balls, and you're just running around and

17

:

bouncing off of things left and right.

18

:

And you're still stuck inside

the clear plastic bowl.

19

:

It might sound impossible

but honestly, it's not.

20

:

You can make your ADHD challenges

shrivel up like the wicked witch

21

:

of the west with a big old glass of

water with just the right information.

22

:

The right.

23

:

Self-compassion.

24

:

And of course the right support.

25

:

today, we're going to look at ADHD

entrepreneurs, business owners.

26

:

Creative practitioners.

27

:

And frankly really busy people

at home because I think running

28

:

a house and a family is as

demanding is running a business.

29

:

Can learn to defeat procrastination.

30

:

Stay focused.

31

:

And build a business that

fits your brain like a glove.

32

:

You don't want to miss these strategies.

33

:

So stick around And I will give

you a rundown of what you can do

34

:

to build your own wonderful rising.

35

:

Business.

36

:

I want to give a warm

welcome to everybody.

37

:

discovering the podcast

for the first time.

38

:

But especially want to say thank you

to the people who have emailed me.

39

:

I know who you are.

40

:

I've read your emails.

41

:

I have replied or am about to reply

and honestly, It makes doing the

42

:

podcast so worthwhile, because I

know that it's helpful to people.

43

:

If you have a particular

topic you want me to cover?

44

:

And I haven't talked about

it for a while or not at all.

45

:

Just drop me a note

through their show notes.

46

:

There's a contact email there.

47

:

Or on my website.

48

:

And I also want to thank Menekse.

49

:

Stuart of Hey Menekse who is

the most phenomenal brain.

50

:

I've ever met.

51

:

for giving me some really great

advice on reorganizing the website.

52

:

So if it's looking a bit different,

That's thanks to Menekse.

53

:

Let's get straight into it, First

of all, I want to say this is for

54

:

people who are ready for growth.

55

:

People who are ready to move forward.

56

:

If you are a deep and

burnout and exhausted.

57

:

This podcast may be.

58

:

Another demand that you cannot

even imagine engaging with.

59

:

I will do an episode for

people who are burnt.

60

:

I also have one in the past, which I will

include a link to in the show notes and

61

:

on my social media, because what I have

recognized is that a lot of you are.

62

:

To burn out for this stage.

63

:

Many of you are not though.

64

:

And you are keen, eager, beavers,

ready to make progress and design a

65

:

business that works for you instead

of grinding you into the dirt.

66

:

Having tried to run a business books

ways I can tell you 100% that this

67

:

is the way you need to be thinking

about your longterm business plan.

68

:

Let's zip back 20, no 30 years

now when I was in my twenties,

69

:

I have my first major burnout.

70

:

And I decided I wanted to try

a different way of working.

71

:

I have tried.

72

:

At least four or five different

businesses, including making

73

:

children's clothes, custom

Victorian corsets wedding dresses.

74

:

stained glass design.

75

:

Website design.

76

:

admin support.

77

:

You name it?

78

:

I have tried it.

79

:

Been there done that.

80

:

The thing that makes coaching

and my other work of painting.

81

:

Long lasting.

82

:

Is that I have found a way

to work that suits my brain.

83

:

And I'm going to explain

how you can do that.

84

:

Starting.

85

:

Now.

86

:

Lots of you are going to be

in a position where you are

87

:

trying to make a business work.

88

:

And you are struggling each day.

89

:

You are procrastinating.

90

:

You are experiencing overwhelm.

91

:

You are.

92

:

Constantly attracted to shiny

objects, shiny platforms.

93

:

And you are listening to

productivity advice from people

94

:

who do not have your brain.

95

:

And who do not have your wonderfully

complicated, busy, rich lives.

96

:

You could be ending each day thinking.

97

:

Or what happened there no

further forward to your business

98

:

goals to your life vision.

99

:

And you're thinking I

can't even do basic things.

100

:

So why am I continuing to try?

101

:

And if you continue to do that, you will

end up in burnout because it's like trying

102

:

to get a supermarket trolley up from a.

103

:

Flat road onto a pavement.

104

:

And you're just bashing

it against the kerb.

105

:

Stop bashing your shopping

trolley against the curb.

106

:

Let's restructure.

107

:

How you think about

creating your business?

108

:

First of all, I want to tell you

briefly about two of my previous

109

:

clients, I'm going to change their

names and some of the details.

110

:

Let's think about Monica.

111

:

Monica is a disabled business

owner who is working.

112

:

Part-time raising neurodivergent family.

113

:

And she was working part time

in an office, but she'd set up

114

:

an amazing business strategy.

115

:

Company.

116

:

And instead of thinking, this is amazing.

117

:

I feel so liberated.

118

:

She actually ended up.

119

:

Feeling exhausted.

120

:

She thought this is terrible.

121

:

This is meant to bring me more freedom.

122

:

When we started working together, she

did not entirely believe that whatever

123

:

suggesting to her was going to work.

124

:

But after six months

she had managed to save.

125

:

Five figures.

126

:

And had clients on a waiting list.

127

:

She is booked out a year ahead.

128

:

And the difference is that she's no

working in a way that suits her brain.

129

:

And then clients pick up on that.

130

:

And recognize somebody who is for

want of a better word in alignment.

131

:

And they want more of that.

132

:

So that's Monica.

133

:

She is doing amazingly.

134

:

Then I'm going to tell you about Phoebe.

135

:

CP is a take genius.

136

:

There's literally nothing she cannot

learn to do, but when we began working

137

:

together, She was pretty close to

burnout again, she wasn't there yet.

138

:

So she still could make changes.

139

:

But she didn't understand

what she was doing wrong.

140

:

She had a color blocked diary.

141

:

She was working in, short

blocks throughout the day,

142

:

so she didn't get bored.

143

:

And yet she was also trained to bring up

her family and really starting to buckle.

144

:

No, that would be a disaster for her in

terms of her self belief, but also in her

145

:

family, she needed to bring in some money.

146

:

Most importantly, she has lost herself.

147

:

She no longer really

knew what gave her joy.

148

:

So the first thing that we had to

work on was what gives you joy?

149

:

What lights your brain up.

150

:

And then giving yourself permission

to work in a different way that

151

:

doesn't involve color blocking.

152

:

The first thing you need to do is

understand that your ADHD is unique.

153

:

Yes, there are common traits that we

all have an everyone will experience

154

:

them to agree to or lesser degree.

155

:

And it can change as you go through life.

156

:

As you go through a hormonal cycle,

whether you're having regular

157

:

periods or you're in menopause.

158

:

Your ADHD is unique

because you are unique.

159

:

You're a human being who

has a different brain.

160

:

And you need to understand

your character strengths.

161

:

As well as your executive functions.

162

:

Which ones are as the

most difficult for you.

163

:

And then you need to put that together

with your processing preferred modalities.

164

:

Everybody can use different ways to learn.

165

:

Get very clear on what

your brain map is like.

166

:

And then look at your plan.

167

:

Look at your day.

168

:

Are you using the those strengths?

169

:

Are you demanding that you use,

Visual calendar when actually

170

:

you prefer spreadsheets.

171

:

But.

172

:

be critical make a critical assessment

of how you're trying to do things.

173

:

Is there a demand or a stress there

that is already causing a problem?

174

:

especially think about how you're

emotionally regulating because executive

175

:

functions include emotional regulation.

176

:

If you are regularly stressed.

177

:

That is going to impact how

much of the other executive

178

:

functions you're able to access.

179

:

If you're stressed about deadlines,

you're stressed about money.

180

:

That's going to affect how

you can actually focus.

181

:

So one of the important things

you need to access is an emotional

182

:

regulation tool that works for you.

183

:

I've talked about this

at length journaling.

184

:

Self-compassion mindfulness exercise.

185

:

Get sweaty.

186

:

Get there, get in the garden,

whatever works for you.

187

:

Emotional regulation comes

before everything else.

188

:

The second thing you need to think

about is what strategies are you using?

189

:

Are you using neuro-typical productivity

strategies such as time blocking and

190

:

chunking things down into smaller steps,

but not in a way that works for you.

191

:

Are you trying to spread things out?

192

:

Assess what strategies and tools you're

using in light of the information, you

193

:

now have about your executive functions

processing, and of course your strengths.

194

:

Those have to come really high

up and how you work every day.

195

:

I've mentioned it before I have an

ebook that explains how you can get

196

:

stuff done and stop procrastinating.

197

:

I'll include a link in the show notes.

198

:

But it's really important that

you personalize these tools.

199

:

There's no cookie cutter system that

is going to work perfectly for you.

200

:

And once you've got your unique

brain understanding together.

201

:

You're working that properly.

202

:

You're accepting it.

203

:

Giving yourself permission to meet

those executive function needs.

204

:

Instead of feeling bad about it or

thinking I should be doing it this way.

205

:

Once you're doing that.

206

:

You step into the final stage,

which is what I call the flourish.

207

:

Where you are adding

things like sparkling.

208

:

Tools.

209

:

Sparkling tools are things that allow

you to switch up your routine quickly.

210

:

The LOE to revitalize a routine

or a habit that's got boring

211

:

or that you're not working with

anymore because you don't see it.

212

:

But you need to not just maintain the

changes you need to anticipate and accept

213

:

that you want to refresh things regularly.

214

:

And all of it has to be aligned with

your values and your longterm vision.

215

:

What are your values?

216

:

Well, we have personal values

and then we have business values.

217

:

And if you're not clear on both of

them, It can get muddy very quickly and

218

:

you could end up designing a business

that does not suit you in the long run.

219

:

For example, here are my business values.

220

:

Just three of them for no.

221

:

I believe in simple data.

222

:

Honesty.

223

:

I do not believe in adding

disinformation about ADHD.

224

:

I don't do woo.

225

:

Unless there is good data

and research to support it.

226

:

And there is for some things.

227

:

I don't talk down to people because I

believe that the clients I work with are

228

:

whole resourceful, creative, and capable.

229

:

And your presentation of ADHD

is different to everybody.

230

:

Else's.

231

:

My second value is the

power of possibility.

232

:

I believe that the thing that

holds us back are our beliefs.

233

:

I believe in what is possible.

234

:

What's impossible.

235

:

And I want to make space for other

human beings to experience the power.

236

:

Of standing and possibility.

237

:

And I do that through

coaching communication.

238

:

And love.

239

:

Because what we need is to

challenge the social norms that

240

:

focus on measurement scarcity.

241

:

Competition.

242

:

And rules that don't suit our brains.

243

:

I also believe this is

my last value for NY.

244

:

That variety flow and change.

245

:

Are essential for us as human beings

and especially for people with ADHD.

246

:

I believe that you will change quickly

and change slowly depending on your

247

:

season, your stage and your needs.

248

:

And when we push against

that, we end up in burnout.

249

:

I believe that your business should

work and support you and your brain.

250

:

Rather than us.

251

:

Challenging our values and

compromising our wellbeing to

252

:

fit an idea that isn't for us.

253

:

And I believe that neurodivergence

is not a fixed thing, but it

254

:

is a whole of life experience.

255

:

It affects our energy.

256

:

Oh work or love or play

all of these things.

257

:

And we need to make

that the essential core.

258

:

Of our business and our lives.

259

:

Instead of making them

inconveniences that we work around.

260

:

And ignore.

261

:

So far are the practical tips

that you can take away today.

262

:

And start to implement

whether you're in business.

263

:

Not happy.

264

:

Wanting to start a business, or

you're just thinking about it.

265

:

Number one.

266

:

Use what works for you?

267

:

Quite often.

268

:

I hear people thinking they're

a waste at the should work.

269

:

Things they.

270

:

should do or that the things

they need are not acceptable.

271

:

Here's the thing.

272

:

Everything is invented.

273

:

Everything.

274

:

Around you.

275

:

All of our ideas are invented.

276

:

There's nothing surely.

277

:

Guaranteed.

278

:

Apart from Texas death and money.

279

:

If you don't want to meet

clients after six o'clock.

280

:

You don't work with

clients after six o'clock.

281

:

If you only want to

work three days a week.

282

:

You set those three days a week.

283

:

You don't have to do anything

284

:

you don't want to do.

285

:

And if you have ADHD, that's

exceptionally important.

286

:

Because when you force yourself to

do things you don't want to do your

287

:

habenula, the motivation to dopamine.

288

:

Is going to disappear.

289

:

So work in a way that works for you.

290

:

And let go of the shoulds and

expectations of other people.

291

:

Make up and enjoy making up.

292

:

The second is to think

about what are your goals?

293

:

If you're trying to replace

a full-time permanent income.

294

:

Is that income actually essential.

295

:

Would it be nice to have a bit more.

296

:

And then dream about how

you're going to get there.

297

:

What would it feel like

to reach your new goal?

298

:

Is it to have a hundred.

299

:

articles published.

300

:

Think about what your goals are.

301

:

And then add in some flexibility.

302

:

And a bit of possibility.

303

:

There are different ways to do that.

304

:

But you need to have

that big vision first.

305

:

Before you start to add in

things like productivity and anti

306

:

procrastination and all of that stuff.

307

:

Think about what you would

like to do and how you want to

308

:

work and then everything else.

309

:

You can fit around it.

310

:

The third essential.

311

:

Fun and creativity.

312

:

Many people I've spoken to, are burnt

out because they stopped having fun or

313

:

they haven't given themselves permission.

314

:

To have fun.

315

:

It's not just an optional, extra,

you need some fun or creativity.

316

:

Every day.

317

:

What you find fun.

318

:

I will look different

from somebody else's and

319

:

You'll know I'm pretty old fashioned.

320

:

like knitting gardening dogs.

321

:

Oh, so like trashy novels.

322

:

That kind of thing.

323

:

That is fun.

324

:

And it's achievable for

me pretty much every day.

325

:

And if I don't have enough of

it, I start to procrastinate.

326

:

So that could be something

that is holding you back.

327

:

And you need to give yourself permission.

328

:

To have fun creativity every day.

329

:

The next thing is to think about

routines in a different way.

330

:

Quite often, we feel

like routines are boring.

331

:

Routines are dull.

332

:

Routines are hard.

333

:

All of these words create

a value in your head.

334

:

Routines are simply patterns of

behavior or actions are repeated.

335

:

And they are convenient.

336

:

They reduce the cognitive load.

337

:

They reduced the task switching.

338

:

And both of those things.

339

:

I more energized, more competent,

and to have space, to do

340

:

the fun and creative things.

341

:

So think of routines as your friend.

342

:

Adapt them to work for you.

343

:

Build flexibility and it's, essential.

344

:

You need to be able to adapt.

345

:

Not just because life happens

and life's all over your routine

346

:

when you're least expecting it.

347

:

we need that flexibility

because we're humans.

348

:

The great Jimmy Reed once said.

349

:

The rat race isn't for us

because we're not rats.

350

:

We're humans.

351

:

And you are not a robot.

352

:

You're not going to have the

same energy or focus every day.

353

:

Because you're human.

354

:

And quite often, I feel

like we have exceptional.

355

:

Expectations.

356

:

Because we feel like we're

somehow less to begin with.

357

:

But you're not, you're a human.

358

:

Not a machine.

359

:

Things will vary.

360

:

Make sure that there's

room for flexibility.

361

:

Nothing is going to stay the same forever.

362

:

And you want to freshen things up.

363

:

So anticipate that.

364

:

And accept it when it happens.

365

:

Finally think about your environment.

366

:

I look for people who are

on a similar path to you.

367

:

They don't have to be

in the same type of job.

368

:

Look for people with the same values.

369

:

Are they inspired by growth.

370

:

Do they enjoy the idea of possibility?

371

:

Do they understand the value

of coaching flexibility?

372

:

Whatever it is.

373

:

Look for a community that lifts you up.

374

:

And not one where it's

just a misery competition.

375

:

Now,, that doesn't mean you don't

get to share the challenges as

376

:

well as the wins and the fun.

377

:

But generally I find people with ADHD are

more receptive to other people's pain.

378

:

Because we're empathetic.

379

:

Not everyone.

380

:

That's a massive generalization.

381

:

But the people that I've

met tend to pick up.

382

:

And identify with other people's pain.

383

:

And we feel it.

384

:

We should be able to fix it.

385

:

Often,.

386

:

That's been our role is to

fix things for other people.

387

:

And the hardest thing

about being a grownup.

388

:

Is accepting.

389

:

We can't fix everything.

390

:

But we can do.

391

:

Is offer space.

392

:

We can hear people.

393

:

We can let them know that they are loved.

394

:

They are more as on the current

problem that they find themselves in.

395

:

And that this will pass.

396

:

That is the kind of community

and group that you want to be

397

:

looking for, especially for

when you're building a business.

398

:

That is going to look different.

399

:

And you don't want people

who are going to nitpick.

400

:

And criticize.

401

:

Obviously, I'm an ADHD

coach, so I'm biased.

402

:

And I think that coaching

is incredibly valuable.

403

:

If you want to work with a coach.

404

:

I might have one space.

405

:

Left for a one-to-one client right.

406

:

Now, but I'm focusing, on my new

group program over the summer, and

407

:

I want to make space for my own fun.

408

:

Because if I'm not looking

after myself, And looking after

409

:

all of these essential things.

410

:

I'm not going to do a good job as a coach.

411

:

Look for coaches who are living the

life that they're talking to you about.

412

:

Look for coaches, with a growth

mindset who focus on your strengths.

413

:

And aren't just all about teaching

you hacks and tips and strategies.

414

:

That's education.

415

:

It's not coaching.

416

:

But remember you're not alone.

417

:

You're a human being.

418

:

And a world full of human beings.

419

:

And if you haven't found

your people yet, They are.

420

:

There.

421

:

And just holding that intention lately.

422

:

could mean that you are closer

to them than you imagine.

423

:

I'm going to wrap up

this super short episode.

424

:

Because I am about to launch

the ADHD Rising group program.

425

:

It is a 90 day program where I go through

all of these foundations in detail.

426

:

I share all the information

that I know helps clients.

427

:

You get to use what works for you.

428

:

you get my support to adapt it.

429

:

And over the course of 90 days.

430

:

You get a coaching call

with me once a month.

431

:

You get weekly office hours

where we do co-working together.

432

:

Weekly group coaching.

433

:

As well as access to all the information.

434

:

in video, audio and text formats.

435

:

If you would like to know more about

it, you can have a look at my website

436

:

and you can book a call with me to

discuss and see if you are the right fit.

437

:

I want this to be.

438

:

The kind of place where people come in.

439

:

Relax and then grow

because it's all about.

440

:

Rising.

441

:

And growing, moving forward.

442

:

If you want to know more.

443

:

Have a look at the show notes, check

my website, group coaching, and let's

444

:

talk if it's the right fit for you.

445

:

If not, don't worry.

446

:

I'm going to be back next

week with another podcast.

447

:

And I will be sharing useful

information as well as.

448

:

Insights and strategies that

you can use every single day,

449

:

whether we work together or not.

450

:

Get in touch and let me know what

you are taken away from today.

451

:

Is there a piece of the puzzle

that you haven't addressed before?

452

:

Or is there something new that

you hadn't really thought about

453

:

in connection with your ADHD?

454

:

This is ADHD coach Katherine

of light bulb ADHD.

455

:

And I can't wait to see you next week.

456

:

Take care.

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube