Balancing in Business: Managing ADHD Symptoms while nurturing ventures

Today, let's dive into the world of entrepreneurship, exploring how to navigate the seas of business while managing ADHD symptoms. As a serial entrepreneur myself, ignoring the "bees in my head" and finding the focus can be SO HARD sometimes. 

Before we dive into strategies, let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible entrepreneurial spirit that drives us forward. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just getting started, your passion and dedication are the catalysts for growth and innovation. Did you know that people with ADHD are 500% more likely to be business owners? Our minds are just BUILT for it! 

Finding Focus Amidst the Storm
ADHD brings its own set of challenges, but it's also accompanied by a unique set of strengths: creativity, adaptability, and resilience. It's about finding ways to harness those strengths while managing the challenges.
Here's how: 

1. Prioritize with Purpose

• Create a daily task list with CLEAR priorities (and don't be afraid to break it down!)
• Focus on tasks that align with your long-term business goals. I pick 3 per business per day. 
• Use task management apps to keep things organized - there are many ADHD-friendly apps out there! I live through a combination of Microsoft To-Do's Google Calendar, Trello, Routinery App, and Evernote. Find what works for you.

2. Embrace Routine & Rituals (I know...BORING...but, trust me, it works)

• Establish a daily routine to create structure.
• Implement rituals that help you transition between tasks. 
• Personally, I have a morning, afternoon, and night ritual. I balance each ritual with a mix of things I know I love doing and things that must get done each day. This way, even on a bad mental health day, if all I accomplish is my three rituals, then I know I have still succeeded at my goals. 
• How do you manage these, Francie? Well, glad you asked! Some days, Routinery App is better - because I am held to time constraints. Other days, I utilize Microsoft To-Do's where I have each Routine as the main To-Do, with the items listed as steps. I have each To-Do set to repeat daily. If I end up using the Routinery App to complete the steps, then I just check the main To-Do on Microsoft To-Do's. If I end up working through them at my own pace, then I check the steps off working my way to complete. See, an example of that you know you, and how your brain works. We all have good days & bad days, it's just all about how you handle them!
• What does your typical routine look like? Personally, some of the items on my routines are:
  • Do Dishes
  • Get Eggs
  • Water Plants
  • Sweep
  • Load of Laundry
  • Check Bank Accounts
  • Categorize Quickbooks Transactions
  • Check Emails 
  • Listen to At Least 1 Podcast 
  • 10 Min Engagement on Instagram
  • 10 Min Engagement on Facebook
  • 10 Min Engagement on TikTok
  • 10 Min Engagement on LinkedIn
  • Network with 5 New People 
  • Meditate
  • Go for a Walk
  • Guitar Lesson
• Make them concise. Make them actionable. I started with a big, giant brainstorm list that I whittled down from there to a reasonable schedule. I went as far as highlighting things in a color code of importance to help with prioritizing items before making my final decision. Go crazy with it! 

3. Manage Distractions Mindfully

• Identify your common distractions and minimize them. Save your favorite game distraction for your 10 minute break while using the Pomodoro method. Or perhaps hide all your social apps in a group on the far back menu of your phone. Try your best to set yourself up for success! 
• Consider noise-cancelling headphones or calming music to stay in the zone. 
• Personally, when I'm deep in a project or needing to trigger a hyperfocus, I love playing trip-hop or other instrumental music with a good beat in the background. There are all kinds of playlists for every musical style on Spotify that are specifically curated for Focus. Explore & find what works for you! 

Nurturing Your Ventures and Your Well-Being 
Your business ventures are a reflection of your passion and dreams. Don't forget to take care of yourself in the process. 

1. Self Care is Non-Negotiable 

• Schedule regular breaks for a walk, deep breathing, or stretching. Non-negotiable! You owe it to yourself! 
• Ensure that you get enough sleep and maintain a balanced diet. 
• I learned the hard way that neglecting self-care can (quickly) lead to burnout. Now, I prioritize my well-being as a fundamental part of my business strategy because your business only produces as much as you put into it. 
• Remind yourself you are worthy of self care & self love. Personally, I try to implement the Pomodoro method of 20-25 minute focus blocks followed by 5-10 minute rest sessions. It can be hard to break away if you are in the middle or feel the overwhelm of a deadline just to go for "a dumb walk around the yard for my mental health". However, it's SO important. Remind yourself you are worthy & deserve to be the best you can be, and taking a break is a big part of that. 

2. Seek Support and Connection 

• Join support groups or networking groups of fellow entrepreneurs. 
• Share your experiences and learn from others. 
• There are a lot more people out there like you than you think, and networking groups are a great way to connect & learn. 

3. Celebrate Your Wins

• Celebrate ALL of your wins. No matter how big or small. You did it, baby! Don't you ever forget how far you have come. 

Balancing ADHD symptoms and nurturing your business ventures is a journey filled with ups and downs. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity for growth, every distraction is a chance to refocus. 

I encourage you to embrace your entrepreneurial spirit with open arms. Your unique perspective and creativity can be powerful forces for success. Together, let's celebrate the steps we take, both big and small, towards balance and well-being in business.