ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator

Your ADHD brain doesn't care about your money goals?

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/solo-monetary-goalsa-s-adhd-motivation-dilemma —------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) and Steve August Coaching, is an expert ADHD coach and productivity specialist, and shares insights on why money and revenue goals may not always motivate ADHD entrepreneurs. He explains that ADHD brains are driven by intense deadlines or interest in tasks, but struggle with longer-term rewards. Steve offers practical advice on how to stay consistent with weekly tasks, making activities more interesting, and using co-working to beat procrastination. This episode provides strategies to help ADHD entrepreneurs stay focused and avoid burnout. Steve shares a helpful strategy for ADHD entrepreneurs to stay motivated: instead of relying on big goals, focus on weekly progress. ADHD brains thrive on intense interest or urgent deadlines, but struggle with long-term goals. By setting weekly tasks and sticking to them, ADHD entrepreneurs can stay on track. Steve suggests finding ways to make tasks interesting and using co-working to stay focused. This approach helps reduce procrastination, build momentum, and keep ADHD minds engaged and productive. Key Takeaways: Interest-Driven Tasks: Focus on what excites you to stay motivated. ADHD Focus: Use weekly goals to avoid distractions and stay on track. Co-Working: Team up with others to beat procrastination and boost productivity. Additional Insights: Not Giving Up: Focusing on weekly tasks helps avoid overwhelm. ADHD Brain Reality: Long-term goals don’t motivate; interest does. Weekly Check-ins: Regular planning keeps you on track and reduces stress. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Focus on weekly progress, not distant goals.” - Steve August “ADHD brains thrive on short-term interest, not long-term rewards.” - Steve August “Co-working and interest can turn distractions into productivity.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he explains how focusing on weekly tasks helps ADHD entrepreneurs stay motivated, reduce stress, and avoid overwhelm. Learn practical tips to stay on track, make tasks interesting, and boost productivity with co-working. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [01:28] - The ADHD Money Motivation Paradox [02:54] - ADHD Motivation & Weekly Planning [06:25] - Making Tasks Engaging & Co-Working [08:24] - Reframing ADHD Entrepreneur Success FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

Twice Exceptional, Twice As Hard: ADHD and Business

Steve wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until 54, which means he's still running into terms he would have qualified for decades earlier. This week's term is "twice exceptional," and it explains something a lot of late-diagnosed ADHD entrepreneurs will recognize: the same brain that built your early success can quietly turn into your biggest obstacle. Steve unpacks a recent conversation with a late-diagnosed ADHD entrepreneur whose career followed a familiar arc: early success built on vision, connection-making, risk tolerance, and the ability to turn crisis into progress, followed by real struggle once the business (or the organization around them) matured and started demanding consistency, iteration, and operational discipline instead. Same brain, same skills, different container, and that's exactly where things started to break, a pattern Steve lived himself after taking a startup from idea to a multi-million dollar exit and then having to adapt to a 400-person corporate environment. That conversation introduced Steve to the term "twice exceptional" (2E): exceptional fluid intelligence and creativity, paired with exceptional neurodivergence, including the real executive function and working memory deficits that come with ADHD. Dr. Hallowell's description in ADHD 2.0 sums it up well: a Ferrari engine matched with bicycle brakes. Steve then walks through the framework he actually uses with clients, breaking execution down into three distinct skills (deciding, doing, and sustaining) and introducing the "dopamine desert," the space between intense interest and urgent consequence where good ideas quietly stall out. Key points: What "twice exceptional" (2E) means, and why it resonates so strongly with late-diagnosed ADHD entrepreneurs Why the same brain that fuels early-stage success can struggle once an environment matures and needs consistency instead of crisis-driven hustle The three separate skills that make up execution: deciding, doing, and sustaining What the "dopamine desert" is, and why "just try harder" isn't the fix Join Steve live: The ADHD Entrepreneur Game Plan Session is today, August 20th at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern. Sign up here: https://go.steveaugustcoaching.com/gameplan Resources mentioned: ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX): https://adhd-accelerator.com Free Weekly ADHD Dashboard: https://go.steveaugustcoaching.com/adhd-dashboard Contact Steve: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com

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The Project I Loved Is Dead to Me: An ADHD Entrepreneur's Guide Back In

You were all in on this project. Then life happened, and now your brain wants nothing to do with it. This week on ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator, Steve digs into a pattern he's heard from entrepreneur after entrepreneur lately: hyperfocused on a project, pulled away by a health crisis or a client emergency, and when they finally circle back, the excitement is just gone. Steve breaks down why that happens (it's dopamine and working memory, not a character flaw), why sustaining a project is one of the three core ADHD entrepreneur challenges, and three ways to find your way back into something you used to love - including how to tell when it's actually time to let one go. Sustaining is one of the three core ADHD entrepreneur challenges, alongside deciding and doing Why the "crush" on a project fades once it's out of sight Three ways back in: take the smallest slice, do it with someone else, revisit your Magnetic North Free Live ADHD Entrepreneur Gameplan Session, Thursday, August 20th, 10am PT / 1pm ET - register at go.steveaugustcoaching.com/gameplan Resources mentioned: ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX): https://adhd-accelerator.com Free Weekly ADHD Dashboard: https://go.steveaugustcoaching.com/adhd-dashboard Contact Steve: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com

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ADHD Zen - The Teapot That Never Stops Pouring

This episode is a little different. There's an old Zen story about a professor who visits a Zen master to learn about Zen. The master pours him tea - and keeps pouring after the cup is full. "Your mind is like this cup," the master says. "How can I teach you unless you first empty it?" For ADHD entrepreneurs, Steve argues, the teapot never stops pouring. New ideas, shiny business models, worries, side quests - it just keeps coming, whether your cup is full, empty, or shattered on the floor. In this episode, Steve shares three practical moves for managing a pot that won't stop. Links: ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX): https://adhd-accelerator.com Free Weekly ADHD Dashboard: go.steveaugustcoaching.com/adhd-dashboard Contact: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com

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Quiet Quitting: Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Abandon What's Working

Steve unpacks "quiet quitting" — the ADHD habit of walking away from campaigns and systems that are actually working — and shares the ritual that fixes it. In this episode, Steve covers: Why ADHD brains mistake "not novel" for "not working," and how that costs consistency in a business that rewards repeating what works. How Inevitable Drift shows up — losing sight of your Magnetic North, getting knocked off course by life, and chasing shinier ideas instead of sticking with what's proven. Two practical fixes: tracking your numbers so the data (not your brain's story) tells you what's working, and the Monthly Quests ritual — a first-Thursday-of-the-month practice used inside AEX to revisit wins, reconnect to Magnetic North, and set focused quests for the month ahead. Want the community and ritual that keeps you from quietly drifting off course? Join AEX: https://adhd-accelerator.com?utm_source="rss" Grab my ADHD Weekly Dashboard: https://go.steveaugustcoaching.com/adhd-dashboard?utm_source="rss"

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The ADHD Business Time Trap Progress (And How to Escape It)

ADHD brains have four time zones: now, not now, never, and forever. That's time blindness - and it's why so many ADHD entrepreneurs struggle to turn big ideas into steady progress. In this episode, Steve shares Monthly Quests: the framework members of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) use to zoom out from the week, stay tied to their bigger vision, and build momentum that compounds every month. He covers how to pick a quest, the difference between result-oriented and action-oriented goals, and the two questions that make any quest concrete — plus a real member story of going from zero to three-plus paying clients in two months. Enjoying the show? A five-star rating or review helps other ADHD entrepreneurs find it. Learn more about AEX: adhd-accelerator.com Grab Steve's free ADHD Weekly Dashboard: http://go.steveaugustcoaching.com/adhd-dashboard?utm_source=rss

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The ADHD Procrastination Tax (And how to beat it)

In this episode, Steve breaks down the ADHD procrastination tax — the real cost, in money, time, and quality of life, of the shiny-object detours and distraction spirals that eat into work that should take a fraction of the time. Steve walks through a real example from his Focus Formula coaching cohort: a fractional consultant with three solid, well-paying clients whose work should only take 12 days a month — but procrastination was quietly filling all 20 working days. He unpacks why this happens (hello, dopamine desert), and the two tools that got her out of it: co-working/body doubling and quick emotional regulation techniques for when the nervous system gets dysregulated before a task even starts. In this episode: What the "ADHD procrastination tax" actually costs you in revenue, growth, and free time A real client example: how procrastination quietly filled every available working hour Why the "dopamine desert" (no urgent deadline, no intense interest) is where ADHD brains get stuck How co-working / body doubling breaks the cycle Quick emotional regulation techniques (tapping, breathing) to use before starting a hard task How working ahead builds self-trust — and why that becomes a virtuous cycle Free Masterclass — Thursday, July 16th, 10am PT / 1pm ET How to Cross the Dopamine Desert and Build Your Dream Business Even With ADHD Steve is teaching his most important lessons from four years since his ADHD diagnosis at age 54: the three real challenges ADHD entrepreneurs face, the real secret to time management with ADHD, and how to stop procrastinating and get the important things done. Free to attend, and replay available if you can't make it live. 👉 Register here: https://go.steveaugustcoaching.com/dopamine-desert?utm_source=rss Links: Join ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX): https://adhd-accelerator.com Grab the free Weekly ADHD Dashboard → https://go.steveaugustcoaching.com/adhd-dashboard If this episode was helpful, a five-star rating on your favorite podcast platform goes a long way. Thanks for listening!

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Diagnosed with ADHD at 54: What I Wish I'd Known Sooner

Late diagnosed ADHD entrepreneur? Steve shares his own diagnosis story — decades of unexplained struggle, a career that looked like chaos from the outside, and finally understanding his ADHD brain at age 54. In this episode, Steve goes back to the beginning of his own ADHD journey — from a career he used to joke had "career ADD," through a successful exit, corporate burnout, and building a coaching practice, all without knowing his brain was wired differently. He walks through the moment everything fell apart in 2023 despite his best year yet, what the diagnosis actually revealed (ADHD as a performance disorder, not an attention deficit), and the mindset shift that made the biggest difference: letting go of shame and treating ADHD as wiring to support, not a character flaw to fix. Also in this episode: Steve's free live masterclass, "How to Cross the Dopamine Desert and Build Your Dream Business Even With ADHD," happening July 16th at 10am PT / 1pm ET. It's free, and a replay will be available if you can't make it live. 👉 Register here: https://go.steveaugustcoaching.com/dopamine-desert?utm_source=rss Timestamps: 0:00 – Free masterclass announcement: Crossing the Dopamine Desert 1:00 – Revisiting Steve's own ADHD story 2:00 – "Career ADD" before diagnosis 3:00 – From startup exit to corporate burnout to coaching 4:00 – 2023: falling apart during his best year yet 5:00 – Getting diagnosed, and why meds alone weren't the answer 6:00 – ADHD as a performance disorder, not an attention disorder 7:00 – Why midlife diagnosis is so common (hormones, aging, lost coping capacity) 8:00 – The relief of finally understanding his brain 9:00 – Redefining what a "good week" looks like 10:00 – Letting go of shame and guilt 11:00 – "Make the important interesting" — building systems that evolve 12:00 – Closing thoughts and an invitation to share your story Resources: 🔗 Free Weekly ADHD Dashboard: go.steveaugustcoaching.com/adhd-dashboard 🔗 ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator: adhd-accelerator.com 📧 Contact: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com

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Your ADHD Brain Isn't Broken - Your Business Model Might Be

Is Your Business Model a Mismatch for Your ADHD Brain? Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator, helping late-diagnosed ADHD Entrepreneurs get out of overwhelm, reclaim their focus and build a business and life that feels free. In this episode, Steve explains that many ADHD entrepreneurs struggle not because their brains are broken but because their business model (or role within it) doesn’t fit how their brain works. He notes that high-touch, client-driven consulting, coaching, fractional, or agency models can pay well yet lead to fatigue, burnout, growth ceilings, and subtle self-sabotage as the brain resists more of the same. He recommends evaluating your “magnetic north” by separating mission (impact and who you help) from vision (how you want your days and weeks to feel, including time and money). He shares an example of shifting an e-commerce agency model toward coaching internal teams to reduce stress and ADHD-related challenges while serving the same mission. 00:00 Free Weekly ADHD Dashboard Get it here: //go.steveaugustcoaching.com/adhd-dashboard 00:35 Business Models and ADHD 02:24 When Consulting Hits a Ceiling 04:22 Magnetic North Mission Vision 06:31 Agency to Coaching Example 08:29 Choosing a Brain Fit Model 09:41 Scale Without Burning Out 10:04 Wrap Up and Call to Action 👉 Join the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator – the coworking community designed specifically for ADHD entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and creatives ready to make good on their brilliance AEX gives you the map, the system, and the support so you can look back at 6 months and say "I actually did it" - and feel like the entrepreneur your ideas and talents deserve. https://adhd-accelerator.com

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How The Four Agreements guide ADHD Brains to stop assumptions and reduce daily overwhelm

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/the-four-agreements-evenmore-so-for-adhd-brains —------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator and August & Wonder, is an expert ADHD coach and productivity specialist, and shares how “The Four Agreements” book can help ADHD minds. In this short solo episode, Steve explains each agreement and why they matter more when you have ADHD. He talks about being kind with your words, not taking things personally, asking questions instead of assuming, and doing your best. Steve links these ideas to common ADHD struggles like self-criticism, rejection, and overwhelm. It’s a powerful and helpful episode for anyone with an ADHD brain. Steve knows how tough it can be for ADHD minds to deal with daily thoughts and feelings. He learned that “The Four Agreements” can really help ADHD brains feel calmer and clearer. These four simple ideas, be kind with your words, don’t take things personally, don’t assume, and always try your best, can change how you think and act. Steve explains how each one helps with things like overthinking, feeling rejected, or being hard on yourself. These tools make it easier to handle life and work without feeling lost or overwhelmed. Steve used to believe “The Four Agreements” was a great book, but after learning he had ADHD, it hit even harder. He saw how ADHD made things like self-talk, rejection, and quick assumptions feel bigger. Now, he teaches ADHD entrepreneurs how these four simple rules can help calm the chaos. By using kindness, asking questions, and doing your best, it’s easier to handle life and work. These tools help ADHD minds feel steadier, clearer, and less overwhelmed each day. Key Takeaways: Power of Words: How self-talk shapes how we feel and act with ADHD. Don’t Take It Personally: Why other people’s actions aren’t always about you. Ask, Don’t Assume: ADHD minds often fill in gaps, asking clears things up. Do Your Best: Your best looks different every day, and that’s okay. Real-Life Tools: Simple ideas to handle stress, rejection, and overthinking. Additional Insights: Words Matter: Kind self-talk helps calm ADHD’s inner critic. It’s Not About You: Others act from their own stories, not yours. Ask First: Questions clear up the stories we make in our heads. Do What You Can: Your best changes day to day, meet your brain where it is. Simple Tools Help: These four ideas bring more peace, focus, and control. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Our words shape our world, especially the ones we tell ourselves.” - Steve August “Most of the time, it’s not about you, it’s their story, not yours.” - Steve August “Your best changes every day, and that’s totally okay.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he shares how “The Four Agreements” can help ADHD entrepreneurs handle self-talk, rejection, and overthinking, with simple rules that bring more calm, focus, and real ease to daily life and business. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [01:29] - Welcome Back: Steve Talks About His Vacation [02:04] -Why Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements Matters More with ADHD [03:41] - Be Impeccable with Your Word [05:04] - Don’t Take Things Personally & Don’t Make Assumptions [07:36] - Always Do Your Best FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

Enough With the Productivity Porn: ADHD Brains Need Progress, Not Perfection

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/enough-witht-he-productivity-porn-Its-about-progress ------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator and August & Wonder, challenges the obsession with productivity and explains why progress is what truly matters for ADHD entrepreneurs. He breaks down the difference between being busy and actually moving toward meaningful goals, and shares how to shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one. Steve introduces the idea of finding your magnetic north, narrowing your focus to a weekly timeframe, and committing to decisions long enough to see real results. This episode offers practical guidance for building steady progress and avoiding distractions while growing a business with ADHD. Steve challenges ADHD entrepreneurs to rethink their focus on productivity and shift their attention toward progress. He explains that being busy and getting many tasks done does not always move you closer to your real goals. Instead, he encourages listeners to define their magnetic north by clarifying the impact they want to make and the life they want to build. Steve also suggests narrowing your focus to a weekly timeframe and choosing one key initiative to commit to. The goal is to make clear decisions, ignore distractions, and stay consistent long enough to see meaningful progress in your business. Key Takeaways: Focus on Progress: Being busy is not the same as moving forward. Think Weekly: Narrow your focus to what matters this week. Stick With It: Choose one path and ignore distractions long enough to see results. Additional Insights: Magnetic North Matters: Clear direction is required before real progress can happen. Limit Your Focus: A weekly view helps prevent everything from feeling urgent. Decision Builds Momentum: Choosing one path and staying with it creates steady progress. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Progress is about getting to where you want to go.” - Steve August “If you do not know where you are going, you are never going to get there.” - Steve August “Because I chose it, it was the right choice.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he challenges ADHD entrepreneurs to move beyond productivity and focus on real progress. Learn how defining your magnetic north and narrowing your focus to one week at a time can create clear direction. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - Progress Over Productivity [03:09] - Reactive vs. Proactive [05:28] - Finding Your Magnetic North [06:22] - Sequencing Your Path [08:36] - Why Choosing Matters More [11:01] - Measuring What Counts FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

ADHD Productivity System for Founders to Beat Overwhelm using the Only Tens with Mark J. Silverman

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/marks-ilverman —------------------------------------------------------------ In this episode of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast, host Steve August talks with Mark J. Silverman, an Executive Coach, Speaker, Podcaster, and Author at Mark J. Silverman and Associates LLC, to explore how ADHD has shaped his life, career, and coaching practice. From addiction recovery to high-level tech sales and then becoming a transformational coach, Mark shares the systems, insights, and mindset shifts that have allowed him to turn ADHD challenges into superpowers. They dive deep into productivity, authenticity, self-awareness, and how his "Only 10s" methodology helps people align actions with their values and capabilities. Mark isn’t just a coach; he’s helping ADHD leaders succeed by doing less, not more. His ADHD once made life hard, but now it’s his strength. After big wins in tech sales, he learned to trust what truly matters. With his “Only 10s” method, he teaches others to focus, say no, and build lives full of peace, not pressure. Mark spent years in tech sales before becoming a coach for leaders with ADHD. His late diagnosis helped him understand how his brain works. From big business deals to deep personal work, he’s learned to focus on what truly matters. Now, through writing and coaching, he helps others do less, trust themselves, and lead with clarity. Key Takeaways: ADHD Insight: Mark turned his ADHD into a tool for focus and success. Simple Tools: His “Only 10s” method helps people do what really matters. Big Shifts: He went from sales to coaching top leaders and changemakers. Know Yourself: He teaches how to spot the lies we tell ourselves and stay true. Lead with Peace: Mark shows ADHD minds how to thrive with less stress. Additional Insights: ADHD and Action: Mark’s ADHD taught him to work with his brain, not against it. Big Change: Coaching showed him how to stop people-pleasing and set limits. Focus Tools: Whiteboards, check-ins, and help from others keep him on track. Trust Yourself: He learned to listen to what he really wants, not just say yes. Share the Truth: Mark opens up about his path to help others feel less alone. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “I don’t think it’s that you can’t get things done, you just don’t want to.” - Mark J. Silverman “If I only do what I really want to, everything works better.” - Mark J. Silverman “I pay for help because I know I won’t do it myself.” - Mark J. Silverman Join Mark as he shares how ADHD shaped his path from burnout to balance. Learn how focus, honesty, and simple tools help ADHD minds lead with calm, do less, and still make a big impact. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [01:51] - Introduction to Mark Silverman: Coach, Author, and Leader [03:37] - How Mark Became a Key Influence in Steve’s Coaching Journey [05:02] - Mark on His ADHD Diagnosis and the Struggles Before Awareness [09:52] - Mark on How "Only 10s" Transformed His Productivity [14:02] - Mark on Prioritizing with "Only 10s" for ADHD Brains [21:07] - Mark on Paying for Support to Stay Productive [23:02] - Mark on Overcoming Fear, Setting Boundaries, and Saying No [27:45] - Mark’s Approach to Prioritizing Big Decisions [31:32] - True North & Legacy FOLLOW THE GUEST: LinkedIn Accounts: Mark J. Silverman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark22102/ Mark J. Silverman and Associates LLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-j-silverman-and-associates-llc/ Websites: https://markjsilverman.com/ FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

Letting Go of Productivity Shame in ADHD to Stop the Guilt and Start Getting Things Done

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/Solo-LettingGoOfProductivityShame –------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator and August & Wonder, is an expert ADHD coach and productivity specialist, and talks about “productivity shame,” the guilt ADHD entrepreneurs feel when they don’t get enough done. Steve explains why common systems don’t always work for ADHD brains and how accepting your brain’s unique way of working is key. He shares simple tips like using weekly plans, coworking, and loose time-blocks to make progress without burnout. This episode helps you feel less alone and more in control of how you work. Steve talks about how ADHD entrepreneurs often feel guilty for not getting enough done. He explains that this “productivity shame” comes from trying to use systems that don’t fit how ADHD brains work. Instead, he says to accept your brain and use simple tools like weekly planning, short work sessions, and co-working. These help make tasks easier to start and finish. Letting go of shame and working with your brain helps you stay focused, feel better, and get more done. Key Takeaways: Let Go of Shame: Accept how your ADHD brain works and stop feeling guilty. Work With Your Brain: Plan around your best focus times and energy levels. Simple Systems: Use easy tools like weekly planning and loose time-blocks to get things done. Additional Insights: Shame Is Common: Many with ADHD feel guilt when they can’t finish tasks. Know Your Brain: ADHD brains need support with planning and follow-through. Plan Smarter: Use simple tools and accept your brain to make real progress. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Let go of productivity shame and accept how your brain works.” - Steve August “Your brain isn’t broken, it just works differently.” - Steve August “Plan for when your brain works best, not when it should.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he talks about letting go of productivity shame and working with your ADHD brain. Discover how weekly planning, co-working, and self-acceptance can help you stay focused, feel better, and get more done without stress. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - Understanding Productivity Shame in ADHD [02:59] - Daily Struggles: Plans, Distractions & Guilt [04:29] - Accepting Your ADHD Brain and How It Works [06:55] - Tools, Systems & Mindset Shifts That Help FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

Visibility, Storytelling, and ADHD with Candice Smith, MEd

Big announcement! The next cohort of my life-changing Focus Formula program starts June 2nd. In 6 weeks, you’ll build a system that works with your ADHD brain so you can focus on what matters, follow through consistently, and create calmer, more sustainable growth. If you’re ready to turn your brilliant chaos into momentum and freedom, apply now. Get all the details here: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/focus ------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast, host Steve August talks with Candice Smith MEd, Founder of French Press Public Relations and a Consulting Member at The Upside. Candice shares how she helps mission-driven founders build visibility, authority, and trust through storytelling and strategic communication. She also opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, living with PMDD, managing pregnancy while running a business, and the systems and support that help her stay focused and avoid burnout. Candice shares how her early experiences with feeling invisible led her to focus on storytelling, education, and helping founders share their message. She explains how working with mission-driven entrepreneurs shaped her approach to visibility, public relations, and authority building. She also talks about her late ADHD diagnosis, living with PMDD, and how systems, structure, medication, and support tools help her stay focused while running her business. Key Takeaways: Visibility: Clear messaging and trust matter more than chasing big media features. ADHD Challenges: Brain fog and focus changes can affect work and communication. Support Systems: Structure, tools, and strong workflows help founders stay organised and focused. Additional Insights: Storytelling Matters: Clear and personal stories help founders build trust and connection. Visibility Takes Strategy: Different channels work for different stages of business growth. Support Makes a Difference: Systems, structure, and the right tools help founders stay focused and consistent. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “PR is really about connecting with the right people at the right time with the right story.” Candice Smith MEd “Visibility is the combination of PR and marketing together as a system.” Candice Smith MEd “AI amplifies what you give it.” Candice Smith MEd Join Candice Smith, MEd, as she shares how storytelling, visibility, and strong messaging help founders build trust and authority. She also discusses her experience with inattentive ADHD, PMDD, and the systems and support that help her stay focused while running a business. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [00:57] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [01:25] - Welcome: Candice Smith MEd [02:55] - Rejection sensitivity in PR: treating pitches as experiments [05:58] - Client example: pivoting from big media to podcasts → Ivy League success [08:06] - From feeling invisible as a child to founding an edtech company [11:45] - ADHD diagnosis at 30 (inattentive type) + PMDD’s impact on brain fog [16:33] - Childhood coping: drawing to listen (teacher called her out) [18:15] - Managing ADHD during pregnancy: medication, team systems, Otter.ai [21:59] - VIS Dev framework: visibility ≠ traditional PR [27:17] - MORAY acronym: 5 channels for building trust & authority [29:35] - “Window and mirror” storytelling: they see you and themselves [31:07] - Where to find Candice FOLLOW THE GUEST ON: Candice Smith MEd - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicecourtneysmith/ French Press Public Relations - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frenchpresspr/ The Upside - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betheupside/ Website: French Press Public Relations: https://frenchpresspr.com/ FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

The Emotional Profit of Celebrating Wins

Big announcement! The next cohort of my life-changing Focus Formula program starts June 2nd. In 6 weeks, you’ll build a system that works with your ADHD brain so you can focus on what matters, follow through consistently, and create calmer, more sustainable growth. If you’re ready to turn your brilliant chaos into momentum and freedom, apply now. Get all the details here: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/focus ---------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) and Steve August Coaching, shares a solo episode on why ADHD entrepreneurs often forget their progress and minimise their wins. He explains how working memory challenges can make it hard to remember accomplishments, even after putting in consistent effort. Steve talks about the importance of reviewing past weeks and months, celebrating progress, and taking what he calls “emotional profit” from showing up and getting things done. This episode highlights how recognising small and big wins can help ADHD entrepreneurs stay motivated, build confidence, and keep moving forward in business and life. Steve shares why many ADHD entrepreneurs struggle to recognise their progress and often forget the wins they have achieved. He explains how working memory challenges can make accomplishments feel invisible, even after weeks of hard work and consistency. Steve talks about the value of reviewing past weeks or months, celebrating both small and large wins, and taking what he calls “emotional profit” from showing up and completing meaningful work. He also highlights how acknowledging progress can improve motivation, reduce discouragement, and help ADHD entrepreneurs build more confidence and steady momentum over time. Key Takeaways: Celebrate Your Wins: ADHD brains can easily forget progress and accomplishments. Review Your Progress: Looking back at past weeks or months helps you see how much you have done. Take Emotional Profit: Acknowledging your effort and progress can improve motivation and build confidence. Additional Insights: ADHD brains can forget progress easily. Reviewing past work helps reveal wins. Celebrating progress builds motivation and confidence. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “We may have been working really hard, but we don’t remember what we did.” - Steve August “Celebrating the wins is taking the emotional profit for showing up and doing what we needed to do.” - Steve August “If we don’t take it, it gets really discouraging.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he explains why ADHD entrepreneurs often forget their progress and struggle to recognise their wins. Learn how working memory challenges can make accomplishments feel invisible, why reviewing past work helps reveal progress, and how taking “emotional profit” can improve motivation, confidence, and steady growth over time. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Introduction to Focus Formula & ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) [00:29] - Why ADHD brains forget their wins [03:46] - What "emotional profit" means [04:53] - Step 1: Review your calendar to uncover wins [05:47] - Step 2: Stop moving the goalposts, use "good, better, best" FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

Why Your ADHD Brain Crashes After Big Wins (And What to Do About It)

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/Why-Your-ADHD-BrainCr-ashes-After-Big-Wins-And-What-to-Do-About-It ------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) and Steve August Coaching, shares a solo episode on why ADHD entrepreneurs often feel a crash after reaching a big milestone. He explains how hyperfocus, dopamine, and executive function work together during intense build periods and why motivation can suddenly drop once the work is finished. Steve talks about the importance of planning for recovery after major deadlines and avoiding burnout from extreme productivity cycles. This episode highlights how creating a steadier and more sustainable workflow can help ADHD entrepreneurs make consistent progress in business and life. Steve shares his experience of finishing a major update for the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator community and the mental dip that followed after reaching the milestone. He explains how ADHD brains use a lot of dopamine and executive function during intense work periods, which can lead to lower motivation once the goal is complete. Steve highlights the importance of expecting this recovery phase, adjusting workloads, and giving the brain time to restore. He also emphasizes creating a steadier workflow instead of relying on stressful deadline cycles. The focus is on understanding ADHD patterns, preventing burnout, and building sustainable progress over time. Key Takeaways: Expect the Post Milestone Dip: Recovery after intense work is normal. Protect Your Energy: Plan lighter workloads after major deadlines. Build Steady Progress: Consistent work helps prevent burnout. Additional Insights: Big Milestones Use Mental Energy: ADHD brains can feel drained after intense focus periods. Plan for Recovery Time: Lighter schedules after deadlines help restore energy and focus. Steady Work Prevents Burnout: Smaller and more consistent progress is easier to sustain long-term. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “We’ve expended a lot of dopamine. We’ve used up a lot of executive function to get to this point.” - Steve August “There’s going to be a dip after the milestone.” - Steve August “The game with business and life is that steady progress over time.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he explains why ADHD entrepreneurs often feel a mental crash after reaching a big milestone. Learn how dopamine and executive function affect focus and motivation, why recovery time matters after intense work periods, and how steady progress can help prevent burnout and support long-term success. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - The Post-Milestone Crash [02:38] - Why ADHD Brains Don't Celebrate [04:22] - Schedule Less After a Win [05:15] - Prepare for the Recovery Side FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

The Shame-Free Way for ADHD Entrepreneurs to Delegate with Avy Schondorf

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/Avi-gailSchon-dorf --------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast, host Steve August talks with Avigail Schondorf, Founder and CEO at Alisto and Show Host at AvyHD. Avigail shares how she built a team-based virtual assistant model to support neurodivergent founders, with a focus on delegation, systems, and executive function support. She also talks about her ADHD journey, the challenges of running a business, and how the right support can improve focus, reduce burnout, and help entrepreneurs grow. Avigail Schondorf shares how moving to the United States during COVID led her to rethink her career and build her own business. She explains how working with virtual assistants revealed gaps in systems, communication, and delegation for founders. She also talks about her ADHD journey, how it shaped the way she builds teams, and why structured support, clear communication, and human connection are key to staying focused and getting work done. Key Takeaways: Delegation Gaps: Founders struggle to manage tasks and extract clear information. ADHD Challenges: Executive function makes planning, follow-through, and organisation harder. Practical Support: Clear systems, strong communication, and team-based support improve focus and execution. Additional Insights: Team Approach Matters: Working with a team of assistants helps manage multiple tasks at once. Clear Communication Helps: Focused and direct messages improve clarity and execution. Human Support Counts: Ongoing guidance and accountability help founders stay on track and follow through. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Clarity is kindness. Do not say yes unless you know how you will deliver.” Avigail Schondorf “I solve your problem by mapping what you have and what you do not have.” Avigail Schondorf “Your problem is not tools. It is extracting the right information.” Avigail Schondorf Join Avigail Schondorf as she shares how moving to the United States during COVID led her to build Alisto, a virtual assistant company designed for neurodivergent founders. She explains how working with teams revealed challenges with delegation and communication, and how clear systems, structured support, and strong human connection can improve focus, reduce overwhelm, and help business owners follow through more consistently. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [01:03] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [01:31] - Meet Avi Schondorf: social worker turned entrepreneur [02:53] - Moving from Israel to the US with no work permit [04:13] - Managing Filipino VAs during COVID’s chaos [06:37] - How ADHD showed up (kids, self-diagnosis, reparenting) [09:22] - Why she built Alisto: the agency she needed [13:26] - Executive assistants as support for your executive function [16:44] - Three pillars: communication, decision support, operations [20:02] - What to look for in a great assistant (neurotypical + smart) [22:59] - Building systems and handing them off (shame-free) [27:41] - Where to find Avi & closing thoughts FOLLOW THE GUEST ON: Avigail Schondorf - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avy-schondorf/ Alisto - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alistova/ AvyHD - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avyhd/ AvyHD - YT Profile: https://www.youtube.com/@avy-hd Website: Alisto: https://alistova.com/ FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

Build Mode vs. Sell Mode: The ADHD Cave Problem

ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/build-modevs-se-ll-mode-the-adhd-cave-problem ------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) and Steve August Coaching, shares a solo episode on the challenge of balancing build mode and sell mode as an ADHD entrepreneur. He explains how getting deep into creation can lead to going quiet on marketing and outreach. Steve talks about all-or-nothing thinking, how it affects consistency, and why it is important to challenge that mindset. He introduces a simple, good, better, best approach to stay visible while building. This episode highlights the importance of setting timeframes, doing minimal actions, and working with your brain to stay consistent. Steve shares a personal experience of being deep in build mode while working on his program and how it affected his ability to stay consistent with marketing and outreach. He explains that ADHD can lead to all-or-nothing thinking, which makes it harder to balance creating and selling at the same time. Steve highlights the importance of questioning these thoughts, adjusting expectations, and focusing on small, consistent actions. He also emphasizes setting clear timeframes and doing minimal outreach to stay visible. The focus is on self-awareness, simple systems, and maintaining progress while building. Key Takeaways: Balance Build and Sell: Stay visible with simple actions. Challenge All or Nothing Thinking: Progress still counts. Take Small Actions: Focus on good enough output. Additional Insights: Build Mode Pulls Focus: Deep creation can reduce time spent on marketing and outreach. Set Clear Limits: Having a timeframe helps you avoid staying in cave mode too long. Minimum Effort Matters: Small actions keep you visible even during busy build phases. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “It’s really easy for ADHD brains to go into a little bit of their cave and just create.” - Steve August “Anything that’s put out there is by default good.” - Steve August “Give yourself a timeframe for when you’re going to come out.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he shares how being deep in build mode affected his focus on marketing and outreach as an ADHD entrepreneur. Learn how to stay visible with simple actions, challenge all-or-nothing thinking, and set clear timeframes while building. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Hide in "Cave Mode" [01:47] - The Danger of Going Dark on Marketing & Selling [02:36] - Stop All-or-Nothing Thinking (You're Doing More Than You Think) [04:00] - Use "Good, Better, Best" Instead of Chasing Perfection [05:30] - Give Yourself a Deadline & a Minimum to Stay Visible FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

When Life Hits Hard: Grief, ADHD, and the Systems That Held Me Together

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/when-life-hits-hard-grief-AD-HD-andthe-systems-that-held-me-together ------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast. Host Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (AEX) and Steve August Coaching, shares a personal episode about dealing with grief after the loss of a close college friend and how it impacted his focus and emotions. He explains how ADHD can make emotional regulation and executive function more challenging during difficult moments. Steve talks about adjusting expectations, doing lighter tasks, and giving yourself grace instead of forcing deep work. This episode highlights the importance of self-awareness, building a supportive system, and creating a buffer so you can handle life’s unexpected challenges without losing progress. Steve shares a personal experience of losing a close college friend and how it affected his focus, emotions, and ability to work. He explains that grief can disrupt executive function and emotional regulation, especially for ADHD entrepreneurs. Steve highlights the importance of recognizing your limits, adjusting your workload, and focusing on simpler tasks during difficult moments. He also emphasizes building consistent systems and creating a buffer so you can handle unexpected challenges. The focus is on self-awareness, giving yourself grace, and maintaining progress even during hard times. Key Takeaways: Adjust Your Expectations: Accept that focus and productivity will drop during emotional challenges. Do What You Can: Shift to simpler, low-effort tasks instead of forcing deep work. Build a Buffer: Consistent systems help you handle unexpected events without losing progress. Additional Insights: Grief Affects Focus: Emotional stress can disrupt attention, memory, and productivity. Give Yourself Grace: Allow space to process without forcing high-level work. Awareness Helps You Adjust: Understanding your ADHD patterns makes it easier to respond and adapt. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “I knew right from the get-go that I was not going to be able to focus.” - Steve August “I just did the easy stuff, the stuff that did not require a ton of executive function.” - Steve August “Give yourself some grace.” - Steve August Join Steve August as he shares a personal experience of loss and how it impacted his focus, emotions, and daily work as an ADHD entrepreneur. Learn how to adjust your workload, focus on simple tasks, and give yourself space during difficult moments. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [00:28] - Losing a Close Friend at 57 [02:55] - Why Grief Hits ADHD Brains, Harder [03:58] - Giving Yourself Grace & Doing Easy Work [06:30] - The Key: Building a Buffer Before Life Happens FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ August & Wonder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustandwonder/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035

ADHD Changed My Whole Approach to Leadership with Heather Gunnell

🔥 ADHD making business harder than it needs to be? Try these free resources: 🧠 Start with my free Weekly ADHD Dashboard – The “Brain-first” system I use to plan my week and make consistent progress. 👉 https://bit.ly/Heath-erFarr-Gunnell --------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator Podcast, host Steve August talks with Heather Gunnell, an executive coach and leadership consultant, Co-Founder, and the Culture Champion of LumenusWorks. With more than 20 years of experience across nonprofit, healthcare, and leadership development, Heather shares insights on building healthy team culture, improving communication and trust, and turning self-awareness into real change. She also discusses her recent ADHD journey, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how structure and support can improve focus and productivity. Heather shares how her career across nonprofit and healthcare led her to notice burnout, communication gaps, and leadership challenges in teams and herself. She explains how ADHD traits became more visible when she started her own business, making it harder to stay organised, follow through on ideas, and create structure. Drawing from her experience, she highlights the value of simple routines, coworking support, and practical tools to build focus, consistency, and steady progress in business and daily work. Key Takeaways: Leadership Gaps: Poor communication and low trust hold teams back. ADHD Challenges: Lack of structure makes focus and follow-through harder. Simple Solutions: Routines and coworking help improve consistency and progress. Additional Insights: Naming Issues Helps: Addressing hard topics directly improves team communication and trust. External Perspective Matters: Outside support helps teams see problems clearly and take action. Small Structure Changes: Simple routines and support systems can drive steady progress over time. Here are a few quotes from the episode: “Most people want to do the right thing. They just do not quite know how.” Heather Gunnell “The best way to push through it is to name it.” Heather Gunnell “I feel like I am getting off the hamster wheel.” Heather Gunnell Join Heather Gunnell as she shares how her journey through nonprofit and healthcare work led her to build a leadership consulting business focused on team culture and communication. She explains how starting her own business revealed challenges with focus and structure, and how simple routines, coworking support, and practical tools can help improve consistency, build momentum, and create more sustainable success. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser [01:04] - Grab Your Free ADHD Dashboard to Master Your Week! [01:32] - Introducing Heather Gunnell [03:45] - Heather’s meandering career journey [06:10] - What Luminous Works does (leadership & team dynamics) [08:00] - Handling cynicism and uncomfortable conversations [11:49] - Trust as the foundation of team cohesion [14:03] - How ADHD got on Heather’s radar [18:20] - What works in the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator (coworking) [22:25] - “Low trauma deadlines” and planning months ahead FOLLOW THE GUEST: LinkedIn Profiles: Heather Gunnell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathergunnell/ LumenusWorks: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumenusworks/ Website: LumenusWorks: https://lumenusworks.com/ FOLLOW THE HOST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-august-b2b-adhd-business-founder-coach/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-entrepreneur-accelerator/ Website: https://steveaugustcoaching.com/ Email: steve@steveaugustcoaching.com X: https://x.com/steveaugust?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaugustpdx/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocket-ship-founder/id1659287071 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ADHDEntrepreneurAccelerator Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rQhk7bt3ZriSNfeVLxBj9?si=10ec3f4b0a374035