I recently read an article by Jake Chapman who wrote, “Garret LoPorto cites Fortune Magazine claiming that people with ADHD are three times more likely to start their own company than others.”
I had two thoughts. First, that makes sense. Folks with ADD are quite often, creative, socially engaging, curious, bright, highly energetic, enthusiastic risk takers who prefer to work out of the box.
And my second thought, Oh! Oh! There’s going to be a large portion of those adventurous souls who are going to struggle and possibly fail, because adults with ADHD can also be impulsive, perfectionistic, have difficulty prioritizing, and completing projects on time. They are easily bored and distracted, prone to overestimating their ability to achieve a goal, or underestimating the time and effort required to reach that goal. Stir in the additional burden of depression and anxiety that can tag along with ADHD and a mountain loom higher and higher.
An entrepreneur must wear many hats and face a wide array of challenges:
- Short and long-term goal planning
- Resources Identified and developed,
- Hire, mentor and supervise staff.
- Develop and implement business strategies.
- Develop and maintain critical community and business relationships.
- Fight daily fires.
How do you do all that and maintain value in personal relationships?
Life is a balancing act and ADHD is an unbalancing state.
ADHD can lead to new problems or aggravate existing ones. As a result, the entrepreneur may also experience emotional stress and discomfort.
There are many coping strategies that successful entrepreneurs employ. Some beneficial habits are:
- Utilizing planning schedulers to identify and manage critical priorities.
- Keeping a “to do” and task completion lists.
- Employing apps for organizing and time management.
- Delegating rather than overextending time and effort.
- Having trusted confidantes to rely on.
- Working with a coach or mentor.
- Developing and maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits.
- Scheduling breaks from a hectic work schedule.
- Nurturing special interests and relationships.
- Taking time to laugh, play and rest,
These are self-care strategies that are vital to creating and sustaining a thriving business and a healthy life.
On the flip side there are hazardous behaviors that may emerge. Some will choose to wing it rather than plan it. They may overextend time, focus and effort on stimulating or interesting tasks rather than on critical priorities, overestimating abilities and resources, and underestimating timelines and impulsive decision-making can be a killer. Some will self-sooth through over eating, substance abuse, gambling, or thrill seeking behaviors. I would note that many of these actions might produce negative and potentially dramatic consequences on relationships and personal lives
Are entrepreneurs with ADHD doomed to a failed effort? I say nay, nay! In fact, there are many successful entrepreneurs who have reportedly identified their struggles with ADHD: Richard Branson, Bill Gates, David Neeleman, (Jet Blue founder), Paul Orfalea, (Kinko’s founder) and Walt Disney, to name a few.
There is a fine line between the entrepreneur who succeeds with ADHD and the one who does not. I believe this also could also be true for entrepreneurs who do not have ADHD. The professional who succeeds will, acknowledge and accept the difficulties their actions, habits and emotions create, and they will develop a plan of action to correct or manage their problems.
If you struggle with the strain and stress of starting and effectively operating your own business, I say, Don’t Try To Do It Alone. You are much more likely to achieve your objectives and surpass your competition when you acquire the correct battle plan and the skills to put it into action.
I admit I have a bias and I believe a coach is the ideal person to assist with the typical ADHD traits that will inhibit effective and sustainable habits. A coach provides supportive assistance to help you develop strategies, enhance current skills and develop new skills and strategies and provide accountability to your plan of action.
If not a coach, then a mentor, trusted and objective friend or business partner.
Just don’t struggle/operate alone!
The easy part is knowing, or learning what to do. The hard part is doing it consistently and effectively.
Success always seems to come down to managing ourselves intentionally.
I partner with professional adults, together we highlight focused and intentional effort towards the changes and objectives that matter most to them.
All questions are valued as is the opportunity to schedule a time to chat if you are interested in learning more or know of someone who might be.
Jim Sobosan, Success and ADD Coaching
Phone: 708-526-8855
Web: addnolimitscoach.com