The ADHD Founder Survival Guide

I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until I was 28. By then, I'd already spent years thinking I was lazy, undisciplined, or just not cut out for "normal" work.

Turns out my brain just works differently. And once I stopped fighting that, everything changed.

The Novelty Problem

ADHD brains crave novelty. We're energized by new projects, new ideas, new possibilities. But building a company requires doing the same things over and over again — often the boring things.

The trick is finding ways to inject novelty into routine. I change my work location regularly. I batch similar tasks into themed days. I let myself explore tangents, but within time-boxed windows.

Energy Management Over Time Management

Traditional productivity advice doesn't work for me. I can't just "plan my day" and expect my brain to comply. Instead, I've learned to manage my energy, not my time.

I protect my mornings for creative work when my focus is sharpest. I schedule meetings in the afternoon when I need external stimulation to stay engaged. I give myself permission to take breaks when my brain needs reset.

The Acceptance Part

The biggest shift wasn't tactical — it was emotional. I stopped apologizing for how my brain works and started designing my life around it. That's not weakness. That's wisdom.