ADHD Teacherpreneur: Challenges and Coping Strategies

Am I the only teacher with ADHD struggling to build a business? Why does it look so easy for others when it is hard for me?

I ask myself these questions all too often. As a teacherpreneur with ADHD, starting a business can (and usually does) feel like trying to “juggle glitter while riding a unicycle” (when I saw this, I laughed, but it was an accurate depiction). My brain is a constant stream of ideas (I mean CONSTANT) and the desire to create quality resources is great—wonderful event. However, the ADHD symptoms of paralysis and perfectionism often throw a wrench in my progression.  With that said, everyone feels these challenges when starting a business, right?!. Yes and no. The ADHD brain can present unique challenges and obstacles that most neurotypical brains do not encounter. The good news is that success is possible and absolutely within our reach with the right strategies.

Let’s not skip to the good part just yet. First, we must explore some of these challenges our neurodivergent brains encounter and some effective management strategies.

Challenges of Growing a Business with ADHD

1. Task Initiation and Completion: Remember, our brains are a constant stream of ideas, right? That’s honestly the easy part. Starting and finishing tasks can be a significant hurdle. ADHD often leads to procrastination, delaying important activities like product creation, marketing, and customer service. (We are on that unicycle, going in circles covered in glitter.) Task paralysis can be so overwhelming.
2. Perfectionism at its Worst: Research indicates that up to 30% of individuals with ADHD exhibit significant perfectionistic tendencies, which is notably higher than the general population. We tend to be (are) perfectionists who overthink (everything) and get hyper-focused on every detail. (Can anyone else relate? Just me?) These traits make completing products difficult because they NEVER seem good enough.
3. Consistency: In order to grow a successful business, you need to maintain a consistent output, from resource creation to blogging to social media to all the things. However, ADHD can cause fluctuations in productivity, leading to periods of high output and productivity followed by burnout or inactivity. Those of us with ADHD can be (absolutely are) workaholics and burn ourselves out quickly. You can spend days working nonstop on a product/ project and be so exhausted that you need a week to recover. As a result, the ADHD burnout is real!
4. Attention to Detail: Creating high-quality teacher resources requires attention to detail, which can be challenging for those with ADHD. Mistakes can slip through, affecting the quality of the resources and customer satisfaction. Or, as I mentioned earlier, we focus too closely on each detail, trying to make everything perfect. (Did that cause some whiplash?) Yes, both can and are accurate. (Guys, the ADHD brain is fascinating.)

Okay, enough about the challenges. It’s time to focus on some solutions. 

Strategies for Success

Productivity & Tools

1. Utilize Strengths and Outsource Weaknesses: Focus on your strengths and consider outsourcing tasks that you find particularly challenging. (Girl, delegate!!) For example, if you’re great at creating content but need help with marketing, hire someone to handle your social media or manage your advertisements. Websites like Fiverr or Upwork can connect you with freelancers who can perform specific tasks. This strategy is helpful in all areas of your life. (Note to self: I need to call someone to clean my house.)
2. Set Up Systems and Routines: Systems and routines can provide the necessary structure to manage your business (and life) more effectively. Project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday can help you keep track of tasks, deadlines, and progress. Creating a daily or weekly schedule that allocates specific times for content creation, marketing, and other business activities is essential. Now, this sounds like a no-brainer, but scheduling and planning are difficult for those of us with ADHD. Refrain from beating yourself up if you try several tools before finding the best one.
3. Embrace Automation: Utilize tools and software to automate repetitive tasks, such as social media scheduling or email marketing. If you are like me, these tasks can be overwhelming. Use tools like Airtable to plan and TailWind, Buffer, HootSuite, CloudCampaign, and Meta Business Suite to schedule social media posts. ManyChat is an engagement tool that is used for Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. (I suggest you do some research and see what works best for you.)

Practices & Supports

1. Break Down Projects: Large projects can feel overwhelming, leading to procrastination. Break down each project into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, if you’re creating a new teacher resource, break it down into research, planning, creating, editing, and uploading stages. Set small, achievable goals for each stage. Set a timer and work consistently for that period. Once it goes off, get up and stretch your legs or get some water. Then repeat. Celebrate your progress. Try Batching: Group similar tasks together to maximize productivity and minimize the mental energy required to switch between activities. For example, record multiple social media videos or create lesson plans in one sitting.
2. Embrace the Hyperfocus: One of the unique aspects of ADHD in women is the ability to hyperfocus on tasks of interest. Use this to your advantage by dedicating focused work sessions to your business. Identify times of the day when you are most likely to experience hyperfocus and schedule important tasks during these periods. Be careful not to burn out. (Refer to the 3rd strategy)
3. Create a Distraction-Free Work Environment: Minimize distractions to maintain focus (easier said than done, I know). Create a dedicated workspace free from unnecessary clutter (again, easier said than done). Use noise-canceling headphones or play background music that helps you concentrate. Apps like Freedom or StayFocusd can block distracting websites during work hours. Now, ADHDers are not one-size-fits-all. I, for one, need background noise to focus. Noise-canceling headphones would not work for me. (My background noise of choice is Harry Potter (the movies or audio). Find what works for you.
4. Practice Self-Care: Managing ADHD symtoms and running a business can be exhausting. Prioritizing self-care will help prevent burnout. (As I write this, I realize self-care is a weakness of mine. So in the words of our parents, do as I say not as I do.)  Some examples of self-care are ensuring you get enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and taking breaks throughout the day. Mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga can also help manage stress and improve focus. (Did you giggle at meditation? As I said, we are not one-size-fits-all.) Traditional meditation does NOT work for me. My mind turns to what kind of peanut butter I like best, if I turn off my curling iron, what the person next to me is thinking about, and so on. Tracy Otsuka, the author of “ADHD for Smart Ass Women”, has created a 10 minutes (or less) mindfulness (and more) called Blends. It is specifically for those of us with ADHD. Check it out!
5. Seek Support and Accountability: Connect with other teacherpreneurs or ADHD support groups. Having a community can provide valuable support, encouragement, and accountability. Joining the CEO Teacher Membership has given me an amazing community of support. Consider finding an accountability partner who can help you stay on track with your business goals. Have those people be your eyes when your perfectionist tendencies run high. For example, my daughter looks at my products and gives me feedback. She will be honest about what needs to be changed and when I need to stop trying to fix what isn’t broken.

Final Thoughts

Growing a business while managing ADHD symptoms is challenging, but it’s also gratifying. By embracing your strengths, creating effective systems, and practicing self-care, you can overcome the obstacles and build a successful business. Remember, progress may be slow sometimes, but every small step forward is a step toward your goal.

Please do NOT compare yourself to someone else (I am guilty of this one). Social media can be the most significant contributing factor in the comparison game. Please do your best not to let it (easier said than done).

Remember, celebrate your achievements, learn from setbacks, and adapt your strategies as you grow. Your unique perspective and creativity are valuable assets in the education community. As Kayse Morris says often, “No one has seen you do it yet!”