Eight tips to help you run a business with a supercharged ADHD brain
Running a business? It’s a beast. There, I said it. But if you’re rocking the ADHD life like I am, that beast can sometimes seem unbeatable, especially when paralysis decides to waltz in.
I dove into the agency gig because marketing gets my blood pumping. But here’s the kicker: running a business means you can’t just play in your happy place 24/7. Much as we wish, right?
So here’s the million-dollar question: How do you tackle those drag-your-feet, motivation-sucking tasks? And, how can we, as proud card-carrying members of the ADHD club, crush it as agency owners?
To help you, I have compiled eight tips to help you run a business with a supercharged ADHD brain.
1) Love thy routine
It sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. We ADHDers can actually thrive in a well-structured routine. Get a schedule. Make it your bible. And while you’re at it, plug into a task management system like Trello or Asana to keep your projects neat and tidy.
A well-placed alert is your friend, trust me. An email notification nudging me to a task? You bet it’s getting squashed!
2) Play to your strengths
Our ADHD brains are like creativity factories, cranking out out-of-the-box ideas and solutions. So, harness that power! Delegate the tasks that don’t light your fire to your team and focus on the tasks that do.
3) Create your dream team
If organisation isn’t your jam (it sure ain’t mine), get a teammate who has it in spades. Round out your team with skills that complement yours. It leaves you free to do what you do best.
4) Tech it up
Embrace the beauty of digital tools. They’re here to help you stay on track. There’s a universe of apps out there that can help you manage tasks, track time, and block distractions. Time for RescueTime, Asana, and Freedom to become your new BFFs.
5) Keep meetings snappy
Long meetings? Ugh. No thanks. Keep ’em short and sweet with a clear agenda. That way, everyone stays on track and you don’t lose your precious focus.
6) Take breaks and exercise
Your brain’s BFF? Physical activity. Regular breaks and movement are gold for managing ADHD symptoms. So stretch, take a walk, bust out a quick workout, and feel that focus dial up.
7) Remember that healthy habits rule
Sleep well, eat clean, move daily. It’s not just good life advice, it’s good ADHD advice. Prioritise your well-being and wave the banner for work-life balance in your agency.
8) Seek out support
Hey, we all need a helping hand sometimes. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Business coach, peer advice, ADHD counseling – there’s a world of resources out there. Remember, ADHD doesn;t always have to be a limitation. It’s a unique aspect of who you are, and it’s got nothing on your potential for running a kick-ass marketing agency.
Jade runs her own digital marketing agency, Rebellion. She has ADHD and feels in many ways, this has helped her think differently, problem solve and become the direct and bold entrepreneur she is today.
Jade has appeared in local newspapers, trade press articles, and hosted her own business show on Great British Radio, where she interviewed entrepreneurs about their journey into business. Rebellion also launched its own podcast ‘Rebel Reels’.
