"I want to start two businesses at once."
If I had a dollar for every time I've heard this from an ADHD business owner, I'd be writing this from my private island. This issue recently came up again with a client who couldn't understand why they weren't making progress, so I thought I'd share it in case you need this message today.
The Uncomfortable Truth for ADHD Business Owners
Here it is: It's arrogant to believe you can successfully launch two businesses simultaneously when your competitors are dedicating their entire focus to beating you at just one.
Let that sink in.
The Divided Attention Trap
When you split your limited time, energy, FOCUS, and resources between multiple projects, you're handicapping yourself in every arena you enter. Your divided attention simply cannot compete with someone's undivided focus.
Why ADHD Makes Multi-Business Pursuits Even Harder
I know narrowing focus isn't easy for those of us with ADHD. We crave novelty and love to multitask. Our brains light up at new possibilities and get bored with implementation. But if those tendencies actually helped us build successful businesses, we'd all be rich by now, right?
The Hidden Fear Driving Multiple Ventures
What I've found is that wanting to start multiple ventures often stems from a lack of self-trust. We don't believe we can "pull it off," so we think more shots = better odds of success.
It never works.
The Liberation of Choosing One Path
If you're stuck between multiple business ideas, here's your permission slip:
Choose ONE. Just one.
How ADHD Business Owners Can Pick Their Best Idea
How to decide? If both genuinely excite you equally (be honest!), pick the one with the fastest path to revenue. Not because money is everything, but because:
- Revenue validates you're solving a real problem
- Income gives you runway to eventually explore other ventures
- Cash flow reduces the cognitive stress of financial uncertainty
- Early wins build momentum and confidence
The Courage Question That Changes Everything
Ask yourself: What are you avoiding by refusing to go all-in on just one business?
This isn't about which idea is better. It's about confronting what scares you about committing fully. Is it:
- The accountability of having no backup plan?
- The responsibility of truly owning your choice?
- The possibility of discovering your idea isn't as brilliant as you thought?
Why ADHD Business Owners Need Focused Structure
This is exactly why I created the Organized Business Notion Planner. When you're trying to focus on ONE business but your ADHD brain wants to run in multiple directions, you need a system that keeps you on track.
Instead of dividing your attention between multiple ventures, use a system that helps you channel your creativity and energy into making ONE business successful.
Your Business Focus Decision Point
So which will it be? The courage to focus deeply, or the comfort of dividing your attention thinly?
The choice is yours.
