Have you ever felt that quiet nudge to do things differently in your business, but pushed it aside because "that's not how successful people do it"? As an ADHD coach and entrepreneur, I've learned that those intuitive signals are often precisely what we need to listen to—especially for those of us with neurodivergent minds.
The Problem with Following the Herd
We've all been there—watching successful entrepreneurs and trying to replicate their exact formulas. They're consistent, disciplined, and seemingly have everything mapped out months in advance. And while these business owners might be brilliant at what they do, trying to copy their methods exactly is often a recipe for failure if your brain works differently.
I'll be honest: I can't maintain perfect consistency on social media. I can't always be camera-ready. And I certainly can't plan months of content in advance—these traditional approaches overwhelm me rather than help me succeed.
Why Your "Weird" Way Might Be the Right Way
The beauty of modern entrepreneurship is that there are countless paths to success. Here's what I've learned works better than forcing yourself into someone else's mold:
1. Prioritize Authenticity Over Consistency
While showing up regularly matters, authenticity matters more. Your audience connects with real, genuine content—even if it's not posted at the same time every day. It's better to show up energetically when you're truly inspired than to force lackluster content just to maintain a schedule.
2. Embrace the Mess
In an era of AI-perfect content and polished social media, there's something refreshingly relatable about embracing imperfection. When you show up as your genuine self—messy parts and all—you create deeper connections with your audience. They see themselves in your journey and trust you more because of your humanity.
3. Design Systems That Work for Your Brain
Instead of forcing yourself into traditional business planning methods:
- Audio record your ideas during walks instead of writing formal plans
- Use mind maps and sticky notes rather than linear planning tools
- Batch create content when your energy is high
- Structure your workday around your natural energy patterns
The Freedom of Doing Business Your Way
The real power of entrepreneurship for ADHD individuals isn't just about being your own boss—it's about creating an environment that truly works for you. This means:- Working in spaces that energize you
- Wearing what makes you comfortable
- Structuring your time in ways that optimize your focus
- Choosing projects and clients that align with your strengths
At the same time, we also need to ensure that we're creating structure and systems to support our business growth, so that we're not wasting time searching for things, or forgetting our processes.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
- If you already have a business, download my Business Organization Checklist to start implementing ADHD-friendly systems in your business today.
- Examine any areas where you're struggling in your business and ask yourself: "Is there a way to do this that better aligns with my natural strengths?"
- Check out the ADHD Entrepreneur Roadmap for a complete framework to build a business that works with your brain, not against it.
Success leaves clues, but that doesn't mean you need to follow someone else's path exactly. Take inspiration from others, but always filter it through the lens of what works for your unique brain and business style.
