How to Grow a Business When You Have ADHD or Executive Dysfunction

Let’s be real: growing a business is already a wild ride. Add ADHD or executive dysfunction into the mix, and suddenly your to-do list feels like a personal attack. If you’ve ever stared at your laptop for 40 minutes before doing anything (hi, dopamine shortage), this post is for you.

The good news? You don’t need to change who you are to build a wildly successful business. You just need to learn how to work with your brain — not against it.

1. Break up big tasks (like, way more than you think)

ADHD brains struggle with task initiation — especially if it feels boring, overwhelming, or unclear. So instead of writing “Launch website,” break it down into tiny wins like:
✅ Choose brand colors
✅ Write 3 homepage headlines
✅ Ask one person for feedback

Celebrate each micro-task. Momentum is magic.

2. Create external structure (your brain will thank you)

Relying on memory and willpower alone? Chaos. Build external supports that reduce mental clutter:
– Use project management tools like Notion or Trello
– Time-block your calendar
– Set reminders with actual alarms (not just vibes)

You’re not lazy — your brain just needs scaffolding.

3. Prioritize body doubling + community

Sometimes, the only way to get started is to not do it alone. Try:
– Co-working sessions (IRL or virtual)
– “Work with me” YouTube videos
– Voice note accountability buddies

Being around others doing focused work helps your brain lock in. This is especially powerful for neurodivergent entrepreneurs.

4. Know your high-energy windows — and use them wisely

Track when you feel most clear and focused during the day (for real, write it down for a week). That’s when you should tackle the hard stuff.

Leave the admin stuff for your low-energy zones. No shame in knowing your rhythm — that’s strategy, not weakness.

5. Automate the hell out of the boring stuff

If it drains your energy, automate it.
– Set up canned email responses
– Use invoicing systems that send reminders automatically
– Schedule your content in advance with tools like Metricool or Planoly

Save your brain for the stuff that actually moves the needle.

6. Give yourself more grace than grit

ADHD and executive dysfunction aren’t flaws — they’re differences. You are not behind. You are not broken. You are a genius at seeing patterns others miss, creating ideas on the fly, and dreaming big.

Growing a business with a neurodivergent brain isn’t about doing it like everyone else. It’s about doing it in a way that actually works for you.

Growing A Business With ADHD

If you’ve been struggling to stay consistent, to focus, to “get your act together” — you’re not alone. And you’re not unqualified. You’re just wired differently. And in the world of entrepreneurship? That can be your greatest advantage.

Want more support from a community that gets it? Come join us inside the Beyond Boss Membership — where ambition and real-life chaos can coexist beautifully.