ADHD VIRTUAL ENTREPRENEUR

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston Churchill

 Life whizzes by at an alarming rate and being distracted by ADHD symptoms makes it seem to go all that much faster.  Here are a few ideas on how to keep yourself motivated and on task.

Know what’s important and keep that front and center.

I’m a lover of daily reminders of why you make the tough choices.  Running your own business is rewarding, but hard.  Remember why you chose it.  Post it on the fridge, alarm clock, your screen saver; whatever it is that brings your focus back on what it is that makes it all worthwhile.

Have a plan and stick to it.

You know the old adage, people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.  Well, it’s true.  With ADHD, it can be tough to plan and tougher to stick with it, but that’s what makes the difference.  Find systems that work for you, people who can help you stay accountable to your dream. 

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Living outside your comfort zone can be difficult and scary.  If you wait for the fear to pass, you’ll wait your whole life.  Learn to acknowledge your fear and find ways to take action in spite of it. 

Reward yourself frequently.

Behavior that is reinforced continues, behavior that is ignored, stops.  Find ways to make unpleasant tasks more pleasant by rewarding yourself on a regular basis.  It doesn’t have to cost money or take a lot of time; it just has to acknowledge your accomplishment.

Remember doubt is part of life and you don’t have to buy into it!

It would be great if doubt were an infrequent guest.  When you challenge yourself to do more, chances are doubt will come a knocking.  Don’t be surprised when it shows up, but don’t be seduced by it either.  Take it as a confirmation that you are taking up the challenge to live bigger.

Surround yourself with people who believe in you.

With ADHD, this is crucial.   Think of them as a finally honed pit crew that can help you refuel, refocus and get back on the road quickly.  They are your cheerleaders, your advisors, and your supporters.

Give back by sharing what you know.

In medicine training they say see one, do one, teach one.  There is nothing like teaching or sharing something that solidifies knowledge and rekindles your passion.  Find some way to get involved in the bigger picture; join an industry group, mentor another entrepreneur. 

Motivation is a commitment you make to yourself everyday and finding ways to keep passion for your business strong will pay dividends over and over again.

Does it feel like it’s harder to focus at the end of the day for you?  For many folks with ADHD, particularly if you are on medication, the end of the day signals a decline in your ability to stay tuned into the task at hand.   There is nothing so frustrating as losing the momentum of the day to the downward spiral of disorganization and endless unfinished tasks.  One of my favorite strategies that can unlock the potential of increased focus is exercise.  Read the rest of this entry »

I had just seen my daughter off to Girl Scout camp for a week and was kicking back with a little non-animated television.  I had finished my weekly dose of George Stephanopoulos (man, I love that guy) when on came an infomercial for Tony Robbins.  Star after star extolled his virtues and how Tony Robbins had helped them reach inside and confront their fears so they could live life larger.  Famous people,  wealthy entrepreneurs,  and ordinary Joes like me, talked about how they found, within themselves, a drive to stay the path, to push themselves to live their dreams.

So it got me thinking.  Where’s my Tony Robbins?   Read the rest of this entry »