You’re a busy professional with ADHD, and you feel like you’re constantly fighting an uphill battle. But what if the problem isn’t you….it's that you’re using your brain's "operating manual" incorrectly?
This episode is about moving past the idea that you need to be "fixed" and instead learning to honor how your ADHD brain actually works. By understanding its wiring, you can stop fighting yourself and start creating a system that allows you to thrive.
Dave is an entrepreneur with ADHD, not a doctor. His advice comes from decades of executive and entrepreneurial experience as an adult with ADHD.
Actionable Advice for Honoring Your ADHD Brain
- Acknowledge Your Wiring: Accept that your brain is wired for interest, novelty, and urgency, not routine. Don't compare yourself to neurotypical standards.
- Optimize for Energy, Not Just Time: Ditch the idea of "I'll just stay late" and start scheduling around your energy levels.
- Use External Structures: Your brain isn’t lazy; it’s overloaded. Use external cues like visual boards, phone reminders, and a “home base” for important items. Don’t complicate it…just get things out of your head every day.
- Build Momentum Over Perfection: Motivation comes from starting, not from waiting to "get it right."
- Design for Dopamine: Your ADHD brain craves dopamine. Build rewards into your workflow, like a coffee break after a difficult task, and rotate your environments to boost stimulation and engagement.
- Practice Self-Compassion: High-achievers with ADHD often carry hidden shame. When you find yourself being self-critical, stop and say, "Not today." Acknowledge your wins, no matter how small, and ask yourself what worked this week so you can do more of it.
**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min