Running a business with ADHD is like herding cats. But here’s the kicker: the cats are on a sugar high, juggling flaming swords, and have the attention span of a goldfish. Welcome to my world! Hi, I’m Chris Edwards, and I’ve known I’ve had ADHD since I was a young boy but more recently spent over 15 years battling the beast called ADHD while running a digital marketing business. Now, I’ve started a new venture, “Adapt,” to help fellow entrepreneurs and business owners with ADHD navigate these turbulent waters and adapt their businesses to work with their ADHD.
Today, let’s dive into one of our biggest nemeses: procrastination. Why do we procrastinate, and how can we outsmart our own brains to get stuff done?
Why Do We Procrastinate?
ADHD and procrastination go together like peanut butter and jelly for you Americans, and for the UK readers, banana and chocolate spread. Ohhh, it’s been so long since I last had banana and chocolate spread.
I’m hungry now.
Here’s a video while I go and make a sandwidge.
Ok, back now. Where was I.
ADHD and procrastination go together like a banana and chocolate spread, if chocolate spread was an evil trickster making you miss deadlines and lose focus.
Here’s a breakdown of why we, ADHD warriors, find it so challenging to stay on track.
1. Overwhelm
Picture this: It’s a Monday morning, and your to-do list looks like a novel. The sheer volume of tasks makes you want to crawl back into bed. Overwhelm is a major procrastination trigger. The mountain of tasks can paralyse us, making it seem impossible to start.
2. Boredom
Oh, boredom, my old foe. We ADHD folks crave constant stimulation. The moment a task becomes monotonous, our brains switch off faster than a toddler in a boring lecture. Exciting new ideas lure us away from the mundane, leaving projects half-finished.
It’s said that typical people need to find something estimating in what the read or do every 7 seconds, ADHD is a lot shorter than that. In fact, if you do have ADHD, I’m surprised your even still reading. But I thank you that you are.
3. Lack of Structure
Without structure, our minds are like a browser with 50 tabs open. Or a desktop with 200 files and no folder structure, and we all know those people. Planning and organisation feel like trying to tame chaos. Even tools like Trello or Asana can become overwhelming and, let’s be honest, though amazing a little boring.
4. Seeking the Dopamine Hit
We chase dopamine hits like treasure hunters. This means we often prioritise tasks that provide instant gratification over important but less stimulating ones. It’s why we might start 10 different projects and finish none.
How to Avoid Procrastination
So, let’s talk solutions. After years of trial and error (and a lot of coffee), I’ve discovered some strategies to keep procrastination at bay.
1. Write Cool Lists
Traditional to-do lists can be daunting. Instead, break tasks down into micro-tasks. For example, instead of “Finish project A,” write “Draft email for project A,” “Research topic X for project A,” etc. This makes each task manageable and gives you a little dopamine boost with every item you check off. And if you’re like me and struggle with project management tools, consider hiring a virtual assistant to manage them for you. Access to work, over in the UK can help. The waiting list to get assessed is long, but once accepted the government will fund you to have a virtual assistant. Message me if you want to find out more.
2. Set External Deadlines
Never trust yourself to set your own deadlines. They’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot. In fact while writing this blog, I’m meant to be editing some YouTube content for a client. Even though I need the income, my mind has chosen to go for the dopamine hit instead of the boring sensible route. Instead, have someone else hold you accountable. My wife and clients set my deadlines, ensuring they’re more concrete and less likely to slip. I like to be set manageable deadlines, such as for work that will only take me a few hours to complete as I know it will get left to the last minute, and it’s easier to compete a 2 hour project the night before than a 5 day project.
3. Use Alarms
Time management is crucial. Set alarms for short intervals (like 5 or 10 minutes) to keep you focused. This method helps prevent doom scrolling or getting lost in unrelated tasks. When the alarm goes off, reassess and refocus.
4. Get Support
Recognise when you’re likely to get bored within a project, both a work project and home project and plan accordingly. I have freelancers ready to take over tasks when I lose steam. It ensures the job gets done instead of me having uncomfortable conversations with clients when I’ve missed a deadline.
Conclusion
Living and working with ADHD is a daily adventure filled with challenges and triumphs. Procrastination is just one of the many hurdles, but with the right strategies, you can navigate it successfully. Remember, breaking tasks into bite-sized pieces, setting external deadlines, using alarms, and getting support are your best allies. And most importantly, be kind to yourself. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on managing ADHD in business, and feel free to share your experiences and strategies. Let’s support each other on this journey.
Thanks for reading! Keep adapting, keep thriving.
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