Simplified Business Strategy Foundations: ADHD Style!
A business strategy is made up of various parts including one of my favourite loves - goal setting and action planning! But a big part of a business strategy the first part is setting out your business foundations, almost like guiding principles for your business. (this also connects to your brand strategy)
For ADHD and neurodivergent business owners, connecting with your vision, mission, values, passions and purpose is like having a personalised roadmap for your business journey.
These key principles can empower you with the focus, motivation and resilience needed to work with the unique challenges that ADHD can bring when running a business.
This connection can also fuel your creativity, help you build essential relationships and boost your self-confidence, making your business journey more rewarding and successful.
For me personally, I can struggle with making decisions and it has always been helpful to connect back to my foundations to know whether I am heading in the right direction.
This blog therefore will help equip you with a clear understanding of why these foundational elements matter and how this information should be accessible to all, especially those who, like me, value simplicity in communication.
Keep reading for a FREE workbook!
To break it down simply, here’s what I believe to be your guiding principles in your business strategy:
Vision: Your vision is like a roadmap, showing where your business aims to be in the future. It provides a clear destination for your journey.
Mission: Your mission defines what your business does and who it serves. It's the "how" of your vision.
Values: Values are the guiding principles that shape your business culture and decision-making. They set the tone for how you operate.
Why: Your why is what gets you out of bed in the morning. This will help keep you determined throughout your journey.
Passions: Identifying your passions helps you align your business with what genuinely excites you. This enthusiasm can be a powerful motivator.
Purpose: Your purpose is the deeper "why" behind your business. It reflects your core beliefs and the positive impact you aim to make in the world. I always say to my clients (hopefully not in a morbid way) what do you want to be remembered for when you die?
These elements not only provide clarity for you as a business owner but also resonate with your clients and connections. Keep your message simple and clear, and it will be more accessible to a wider audience, including those of you, like me, who may prefer straightforward and easy-to-understand content due to dyslexia or other learning difficulties.
If you’re still with me - let’s dive a little deeper.
Painting Your Vision:
Let’s start at the end with your vision. (I’ve always worked backwards, it comes from my event management background, having an event date and then figuring out all the bits before.) Your vision is going to be the end destination. Imagine a vivid picture (if you can - I’ve just learnt about aphantasia) of the future you want to create through your business. Your vision outlines your long-term aspirations and acts as a guiding light for your journey. When you connect with your vision, you can tap into ambition and determination. It fuels your drive to overcome obstacles and keeps you moving forward, even during challenging times.
You can create a vision statement like big brands:
1. ADHD Foundation, The Neurodiversity Charity: A world that views neurodiversity and ‘thinking differently’ as a strength, whilst acknowledging and understanding the difficulties associated with lifespan neurodevelopmental conditions.
2. LinkedIn: Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.
Or keep it simple which I find more neurodivergent friendly. Think about what you want and how you see your future whether it be for you or your business. It’s ok that it adapts and changes. My vision is twofold - firstly, it’s about having freedom and flexibility for myself. Secondly, it’s about having a world where neurodivergent people are not only accepted and embraced more but where there is no need for labels because we are all recognised for our individuality.
Crafting Your Mission:
Your mission should you choose to accept it (I can’t help that - sorry!) is HOW you are going to achieve your vision. When you connect with your mission, it becomes a source of inspiration and motivation. It helps you stay focused and reminds you of the value you bring to your customers and the wider community. It doesn't always have to be a boring statement; you can jazz it up with visuals, like an infographic or video!
For more information on how to devise a great vision and mission statement, I recommend reading Hubspot’s blog on it.
Embracing Your Values:
Your values define the principles and beliefs that guide your business. They serve as the compass that directs your actions and shapes your company culture. Connecting with your values ensures that your business operates with integrity and authenticity. When your values align with your day-to-day operations, you cultivate trust, both within your team and with your clients. Your values become the foundation of strong relationships and sustainable growth. Like the other parts we’ve discussed here, they can also change and adapt as you go through your business journey. I started with flexibility, passion and connection and now I have added impact, inclusivity and empowerment.
Reconnecting with Your ‘Why’:
Ever find yourself juggling so many things that you forget why you started this business journey? Or find yourself questioning what’s the point of all this - perhaps daily? Take a moment to connect back to your why. It may have been blurred, forgotten or even changed. I started my business journey to have flexibility around having a baby BUT I soon realised I NEEDED the flexibility for myself and how I work. This is why I need to run my own business and be my own boss. So, why did you dive into this adventure in the first place? What gets you out of bed in the morning and what keeps driving you to move forward?
Igniting Your Passion:
Passion is the fuel that propels you forward. It's the fire that keeps you going when things get tough. Connecting with your passion means identifying what truly excites and energises you in your business. Passion is at the heart of what I do. It drives me in my personal life and business. It’s my passion for planning, processes and helping others that have led me down the path I am on.
What sparks joy for you? When you align your work with your passion, you'll find joy and fulfilment in what you do. Your enthusiasm will radiate to those around you, attracting loyal customers and inspiring others to join your journey.
However, passion can be a bit like kryptonite for ADHDers. Let’s face it we love new shiny things that we can get fixated on or even obsessed with. It can be hard for us to determine between what a true passion is and something that’s a temporary fix. It’s dopamine that’s leading us into a false sense of security. This is where working with a coach can help determine what those are and the difference between them. If you need further help I would love for you to book a discovery call with me.
Finding your purpose:
Your purpose is like your superhero mission – it's what you want to change in the world. No need to stress about having your whole life figured out (who does, right?). Just think, what do you want to be known for? and you don’t have to decide right now. It’s something to bear in mind. But when you do connect with your purpose is like setting your business GPS to 'meaningful.' I have now met many neurodivergent business owners and we are often extremely passionate about something and want to do good in the world. Understanding your purpose can give you that sense of excitement and dopamine that’s needed to keep us going.
Implement your Foundations
Now you’ve covered the basics of your business and brand foundations it’s time to start implementing them. This is what starts to form your business strategy.
If you want a space to help you create these foundations I would love for you to download my FREE workbook which will help guide you through it. You can download it here.
Secondly, It’s then time to start working on your goals and mapping out what an action plan may look like. Have a read of my blog here about Setting ADHD-friendly goals.
Keep it simple, keep it clear, and keep it to what suits you. With these building blocks in place, you'll be on your way to creating a business that's not just successful, but also meaningful.
If you want to explore your business strategy in more detail, let's schedule a call to discuss how I can support you.
*This blog has been written with the help of Jenny Palmer from JPcontentandcopy
