As an entrepreneur with ADHD, I struggled for years with managing my time effectively and finding any semblance of work-life balance. Like many neurodivergent business owners, I was caught in a vicious cycle - attracting clients with ease, then quickly becoming overwhelmed and burning out from lack of structure. I'd overcommit, ignore my basic needs for breaks, and deprioritise my personal life. Ultimately, I realised the crux of the issue was my dysfunctional relationship with time itself. That's why I developed a framework for changing not just how I used my time, but my whole perception of it.

As an entrepreneur with ADHD, I struggled for years with managing my time effectively and finding any semblance of work-life balance. Like many neurodivergent business owners, I was caught in a vicious cycle - attracting clients with ease, then quickly becoming overwhelmed and burning out from lack of structure. I'd overcommit, ignore my basic needs for breaks, and deprioritise my personal life. Ultimately, I realised the crux of the issue was my dysfunctional relationship with time itself. That's why I developed a framework for changing not just how I used my time, but my whole perception of it.

In a world obsessed with the idea of perfection, many of us strive to become "perfect circles" – symbols of flawlessness in every aspect of our lives. This pursuit, however, often leaves us feeling inadequate, stressed, and disconnected from our true selves. The concept of the squiggle, as shared by business coach Katie Newman on the Unconventional Business Podcast, offers a refreshing perspective on embracing our authentic selves, complete with our unique strengths and quirks.

I've been pondering deeply about the discomfort many of us feel around selling and self-promotion in our businesses. This "ick" factor, as I've come to call it, seems to be a common thread among entrepreneurs, especially those of us who are neurodivergent. Our journey towards ethical and authentic sales is not just necessary; it's transformative. The "ick" in sales often stems from a mix of rejection sensitivity, justice sensitivity, and ingrained beliefs about sales practices. For those of us with a neurodivergent mindset, these feelings can be intensified, leading to a reluctance or outright avoidance of sales activities. But it's crucial to remember that selling and promoting our services is how we connect with those who need us most.

In this episode of the Unconventional Business Podcast, I'm thrilled to introduce Emily Doe, a movement and mindset coach renowned for her innovative approach to wellbeing. Emily and I delve into the transformative power of movement for individuals with ADHD, discussing how physical activity can significantly help foster a deeper connection with oneself. Emily offers invaluable insights into integrating movement into your daily life, ensuring it's a source of joy rather than a chore.

Running a business as someone with ADHD sure has its unique set of challenges and advantages! Did you know a significant percentage of entrepreneurs identify as ADHDers? This statistic really resonates with me and perhaps explains why we're drawn to the autonomy, flexibility, and creative problem-solving that entrepreneurship demands. From my own journey, I've found that the same qualities that make us great entrepreneurs—our ability to thrive under pressure, our pattern recognition skills, and our relentless quest for dopamine through multitasking—also present hurdles we must navigate carefully. The conventional 9-5 never suited me, with its endless meetings and rigid structures. It wasn't until I embraced my ADHD that I truly understood why I always felt like a square peg in a round hole!