ADHD Entrepreneur Tips: 10 Time Management Hacks
As an ADHD entrepreneur, I spend time on the time management struggle bus. Getting stuck in paralysis mode because the list of things to do is so damn long, not to mention the pressure I put on myself to do everything perfectly before I feel like I’m done. This can lead to not getting anything done and burnout over the long haul. So, do we have any hope? What can we do to help keep ourselves moving forward in our businesses and lives? There is no magic bullet, but I’m here to share some things that help me grow my financial coaching business and help my fellow ADHD entrepreneurs gain confidence with their business and personal finances! 🤑
Use a Timer: A visual one is best. One that is NOT on your phone is even better. Because getting started can often be a big block, setting a timer for a short period of time and committing to focus on the thing you are avoiding until the timer runs out can be just what we need to see that it’s not that bad. After the time is up, we tend to keep going because we’re over the getting started hump. I also encourage you to check out the Pomodoro Technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes, work, then take a 5-minute break. It can keep us focused because we know there is always a break right around the corner.
Block Scheduling: Dedicate specific blocks of time for different tasks. Knowing when you’ll tackle certain activities can reduce anxiety and procrastination. This works best for me by breaking up the week. I don’t see clients on Mondays and Tuesdays. Typically, Monday is more for personal tasks and errands, and Tuesday is for the admin tasks in my business. I also look ahead to the days I see clients, and if I have days with bigger blocks of open time, I plan out the larger tasks I will work on each day. Try a few different things out and see what works for you. If you have a client-based business and don’t schedule a non-client day, I encourage you to try it.
Set Clear Deadlines: No deadlines can often mean shit doesn’t get done that we know we will move our businesses forward, so adding in deadlines, even self-imposed ones, can be a huge help. They create urgency and a sense of accomplishment when you meet them. If it’s a new product or service launch, share your deadline with loved ones, fellow entrepreneurs or even your social media audience. Write the deadlines down and add them to your calendar to help keep them visual.
Prioritize Tasks: ADHD entrepreneurs often live in a world where we only focus on the things that are urgent right now. This frequently leads to the more critical things getting skipped over, leading to a business that isn’t growing the way we want it to. To help you prioritize, check out the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks by urgency and importance. Then you can work on what truly matters first and maybe even realize that some things can come off of your to-do list.
Minimize Distractions: Squirrel! Yup, our ADHD brains can easily pull us away from essential tasks to clean out the fridge or doom scroll for hours. To help avoid this, find a quiet workspace, use noise-cancelling headphones, and limit phone notifications to avoid distractions. Better yet, don’t keep your phone within reach to help avoid the unconscious urge to pick it up, and use apps to help block out the apps that tend to be a time suck. I’ve been using BePresent for several months, which has been so helpful!
Automate Reminders: Wait, what? I missed an appointment or essential task?! To avoid this, use tools like reminders, alarms, or Google Calendar to remind yourself of important deadlines and tasks. I have an intricate list of reminders, from daily to annual, that help me and my ADHD brain function!
Batch Similar Tasks: Grouping similar tasks can save time and mental energy. For example, answer all emails at a few specific times each day rather than sporadically throughout the day. Because it takes our brains more time than others to switch between tasks and get back into a groove, answering each email as it comes means we lose a lot of time switching tasks.
Use Visual Aids: Sticky notes, whiteboards, or digital Kanban boards like Trello can help you keep track of tasks visually. When things are out of sight, they are often forgotten, so try out ways to make things visual and in your face. If you do prefer to use digital to-do lists, add in reminders to check your list. Having a list is great, but it's not very helpful if you create it and then forget about it!
Delegate: If possible, delegate tasks that aren’t your strong suit to free up your time for what you do best. This can lead to freeing up way more time than the task takes because we also get back the time we spend avoiding the tasks we hate. If you aren’t sure where to start, think about the tasks you avoid the most. A few popular ones to outsource first are bookkeeping and social media.
Regular Breaks: We aren’t machines, but our ADHD brains tend to make us work like we are. Try and take regular breaks and don’t remember to feed and water yourself. Skipping breaks and working for long periods of time without taking care of ourselves is a short path to needing to take days to rest and reboot. This is where the Pomodoro method can also be a big help!
So, my ADHD entrepreneur friend, being self-employed can be amazing, but it can also feel like a heavy weight and a cycle of a never-ending to-do list. But to stay in it for the long haul and take care of ourselves, it’s important to lean into the things that help us get things done and have time to rest!
