How to find balance in your business as an ADHD business owner
As we step into 2024, did you know that January marks Get a Balanced Life Month?
It's the ideal time to strive for balance, especially for us ADHD business owners who often juggle between work and life.
So, what's the essence of a balanced life, and how does it relate to ADHD business owners like you and me? Well, balance is a subjective concept, varying from person to person. For those of us with ADHD, it means striking a harmony between our ambitions and necessities, a challenge uniquely tailored to our neurodivergent minds.
Let's dive into the world of business. We're passionate, driven, and sometimes, we feel the need to juggle ALL the things, ALL the time. However, here's a reminder – we must prioritise ourselves before becoming an effective support system for others. Think of it as the aeroplane rule: Put your mask on first!
Recently, I have felt all consumed by ADHD. I have ADHD, I am an ADHD coach and everything I was reading and seeing was ADHD. It was too much and I could feel I was putting off going on social media, for example, because of it. So - what did I do? Firstly, I decided that it was ok that sometimes ‘ADHD’ is too much. Secondly, I recognised that digitally it was affecting me most so I have implemented strategies to have a digital detox, whether that be unfollow other ADHD coaches or simply putting my phone down and stepping away! And, Oh boy, do I feel better for it!
What does a work-life balance look and feel like?
If your goal for this year includes attaining more balance in your life and business - it can be hard to know where to start. I always like to reflect first - how do you feel about your work/life balance currently? What do you think needs to change? How could you realistically make those changes?
I like to do an exercise where you can visualise your ideal day. If you head to my blog on Goal Setting it includes a visualisation which can help you get into the frame of mind of how you feel when your business and life are in a great flow.
Below are some practical tips tailored for ADHD business owners to help you take action on implementing more balance.
Practical tips for work-life balance:
1. Set boundaries and switch off:
Recognise that you're not on call 24/7. Establish clear boundaries for work and personal time. Read my blog on balancing flexibility and boundaries.
2. Block out YOU time:
Treat self-care like any other important meeting. Schedule it, honour it, and reap the benefits. Read my blog on strategies for self-care from other business owners.
3. Take regular breaks:
Embrace breaks as productivity boosters. Small pauses can make a big difference for ADHD brains.
4. It's ok to say no:
Acknowledge your limits. Saying no is not a weakness; it's a smart strategy for maintaining balance.
5. Digital detox:
Explore apps that can help you take intentional breaks from the digital world. Your focus will thank you.
6. Delegate or outsource tasks:
You don't have to carry the entire workload. Delegate or outsource to lighten the burden.
7. Automation is your friend:
Leverage tools to automate repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
8. Prioritise exercise, sleep, and healthy food:
Physical and mental well-being directly impact your ability to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
From the above list, you could block out time in your diary to make sure you allow for breaks, self-care and other things that are important to you.
Just remember to take small steps! Balance isn’t about trying to do it all, it’s about deciding what it is that matters most to us and what is deserving of our time, energy, and even money.
If you're struggling to find balance within your business and life but know that something has to change then why not check our my amazing Action Circle. A transformative unicorn experience that provides; ongoing group coaching, a supportive community that understands your unique challenges and brain, and a system that empowers you to take action!
