Confessions of an ADHD business owner
ADHD in business
How I stopped running from my ADHD & changed my business to work WITH my whizzy brain.
In true ADHD fashion, an overshare.
Adhd struggles in business
This month marks 2 years running my business.
I’ve gone from Tech Virtual Assistant to Online Business Manager this year and it has been my most challenging and confronting period yet. I would say, the year I finally accepted my ADHD - sort of. And have let this knowledge translate into my business set up.
I’m still awaiting an ‘official’ diagnosis but ADHD has been a shame monster weighing me down as far back as I can recall. ADHD is not new to me - but the acceptance is.
There is no hiding when running a personal brand. No security blanket, the balloon can only be held under the water for so long - it has to surface.
My ADHD has surfaced a LOT in 2022. It’s been an uncomfortable, messy and embarrassing path towards learning how I best serve others (and myself). I have delighted clients and I have perplexed others.
So let’s get into this confession blog.
A Virtual Assistant with ADHD? huh?
I see why I was drawn to being a Virtual Assistant.
I desperately needed one myself. Wounded healer and all that, not a bad thing. I knew the importance of this service, I really knew it.
But I could never understand the polarity between my systems & productivity obsession whilst being a naturally chaotic messy person - how is this co-existing in my brain please?!
In fact, I kind of felt like a fraud.
Aren’t VA’s meant to be type A? The ‘blue’ types, the monica’s with impeccable attention to detail & excellent administrative skills - gulp. The exact vices of ADHD and common ‘weaknesses’ of my ENFP personality type.
I was masquerading as a highly organised neurotypical.
ADHD feels like a walking talking contradiction but ultimately, I have an interest based brain and low dopamine which see me grasping at stimulation where I can. Like a toddler has ran off with the remote.
Chaos is my middle name (it’s actually Louise. Mum - you gave me ADHD AND a basic middle name?!)
Before I faced up to to the realities of what ADHD truly is and means for me, I was running my Virtual Assistant business masquerading as an organised neurotypical. Oh Charlotte.
A Virtual Assistant FFS.
You know, the thing that the government fund FOR people with ADHD (more here)
I have actually been obsessed with organisation tools, systems and tech since forever BECAUSE of my neurodivergence in a desperate attempt to sort my life out and reduce all possible admin from my life.
I thought it was because I was an actual organised person. I was wrong. I am just very resourceful and have learnt to hack my brain to function in society.
So after this illuminating process, how have I changed things in my business? Read on.
ADHD accommodations in business...
Bye bye VA
I personally am no longer doing much VA work in my VA business.
I am highly passionate about creating space for founders, lifting those niggly tasks.
But my team are the ones executing tasks (mainly) and they are working in their zone of genius. They are simply amazing and how they task switch to that level is phenomenal.
I am simply not suited to administrative or repetitive work. Problem solving yes, but no matter how much I try convince myself to ‘try harder’ it is just not sustainable energetically.
I’m the ideas person, the kickstarter, the project manager and I try stay in my lane now. It’s where I best serve clients.
2. Speedy Projects
Speaking of lanes, mine is 100m sprint.
As an OBM, I focus on systems set ups and fast turnaround projects.
A project that cannot be hyper focused and done in a day, is often a real challenge for me alongside project managing my retainer clients.
So I no longer do them because once I have lost steam with something, there is no coming back. RIP. So I don’t take on projects that cannot be completed in an intensive format.
I stopped trying to make larger project work a thing for me - so not fetch. Unless it’s something I can do in a day, or have my team pick up parts of, I don’t take the risk now.
All it takes is a child off nursery for the week and I am derailed with a big project on my hands. This has been my hardest lesson.
Never say never, perhaps I will find a way to make this work in the future but I have just had to let go for now and pass clients onto my trusty OBM & VA contacts.
3. Prioritising passion
Passion is key for ADHDers, and a huge motivator for me so I prioritise working with business owners I literally fan girl over and I can truly get behind their message.
Following gut instinct is quite helpful here. I know when my logical brain gets involved trying to ‘convince’ me of something, it’s probably not an ideal situation.
If you are a coach, therapist or work in the field of mental health I care DEEPLY about your work in the world.
I equally love working with real people - corporate lingo brings me out in hives. I haven’t the bandwidth for circling back, pointless corporate bureaucracy & meetings about meetings.
I enjoy working with CHANGE makers, feather rufflers and well, other ND people. And i’ve been told by clients, having a likeminded sidekick in their pocket who just gets it is so beneficial in the lonely world of online business.
(I still do some task execution and implementation BUT it’s in systems and tools that I am obsessed with or businesses that I am obsessed with.)
5. Doing it ‘there and then’
I strike whilst the iron is hot. I have a serious case of ‘out of sight out of mind’ it’s a common experience of those with ADHD - object impermanence. So I now ‘do’ in the moment as much as possible.
That might look like…
Sending links & resources live in our zoom call instead of ‘i’ll email you that’
Call notes done live on a call with a shared google doc.
Sending the scheduler link whilst I am in the DM chat with you.
It’s no surprise I rely a lot on tech - Iphone reminders, Dubsado as my automation software, 1 grouped calendar for family stuff, work, birthdays. That’s nothing new but reducing the ‘I will get it to you’ has helped immensely with mental load and subsequent guilt if I forgot.
6. ADHD friendly diary
I have moved all my client calls to Thursdays. Some exceptions for discovery calls but my regular calls - Thursdays only.
This means I only need to brush my hair and look respectable one day a week ;) Instagram story people - you are getting a filter or just my sleep deprived eye bags. I can also work from different locations easier when I don’t need to zoom proof.
I try not plan meetings before 10am - this is so I have time to do the nursery drop off, feed & water myself and do my dopamine inducing activities like a kitchen disco or kitchen karaoke. Highly recommend 10/10.
I am still trying to incorporate more movement into my work life. Manifesting that under desk treadmill.
A final note
Now my business is more ADHD proofed, it has capacity to energise not deplete.
Other things that have helped massivly. Coaching - I practice Nikki Cross Thrive First Method and self coaching has been amazing in building trust that I do indeed, have my own back and the inner tools to support myself.
Co-working with friends and ‘body doubling’ via ADHD communities - the accountability has helped greatly.
Joining communities and spaces with other neurospicy folk. Having masked a lifetime, being amongst likeminded people unmasked is so affirming and accepting.
I am so passionate about creating space for you feather ruffling founders because it’s in that space we get the zest & the juice that is the wisdom you have to share.
If you are interested in working with me and the VA team or looking for tech advice or implementation - hit me up!
Charlotte x