ADHD in Entrepreneurs

It has been studied that about 30% of entrepreneurs have ADHD or some other neurodiversity disorder. This is not surprising, as entrepreneurship requires ADHD-related traits, such as speed, risk-taking, innovation, and inspiring energy. These traits turn negative assets if they exceed realistic functioning, i.e. if rapid decision-making is driven by reckless impulsiveness, or if focus frequently gets lost and goals are not achieved.

Many entrepreneurs identify with this group but continue in the same old pattern and don't seek help or don't feel they need help because things seem to be going well. But what they don’t realize is that due to difficulty in concentrating and lapses in focus, a lot of time, energy and money is wasted. But this has become a new normal and all the waste is accepted as business as usual.

However, procrastination, impulsive decisions, or getting stuck prevents revenue growth. Due to lack of concentration, newly invented ideas are implemented without thinking, without market research or familiarization with the matter. “Methinks” guides all decision-making until the interest in it diminishes and disappears, and without realizing it a couple of weeks of work time and X amount of money were wasted on a completely useless activity.

The entrepreneur's impulsive behavior and concentration problems also affect the way the entrepreneur handles financial matters. People suffering from ADHD easily get into financial difficulties, bills may not be paid even if there is money in the account, or bills, payment reminders and collection letters accumulate, and the overall situation can no longer be controlled. In the mind of an ADHD person, stress, emotional turmoil and enormous pressure create a pressure cooker-like situation from which there is no way out. Feelings of shame guide them to remain silent.

Even more successful entrepreneurs could succeed better if they understood how to operate more efficiently or, simply, how to save their own energy, time and money. This would also leave more time for leisure and family.

If you are also interested in how clarity of mind leads to clarity of action, join the free introductory webinar of the NGT coaching program.

Register here.

Tuija Kauppinen, Solution-focused business mindset coach, ADHD Specialist