Running a Business with ADHD: The Challenges Nobody Talks About

One question I'm often asked is whether being self-employed suits someone with ADHD.

Speaking from my own experience, I'd say yes... but with warnings!

I genuinely wouldn't want to do anything else. I love meeting new people, delivering talks, coaching my clients, and having the freedom to shape my own working week. As a parent, that flexibility is invaluable and is one of the biggest benefits of running my own business.

However, there is another side to self-employment that people don't always see.

You're Wearing More Hats Than You Realise

For every coaching session or talk I deliver, there are notes to write up, invoices to send, emails to answer, social media posts to create, accounts to keep on top of, networking to do, and a never-ending list of admin building up in the background.

When you run your own business, you don't just do the job you love. You're also the receptionist, marketing department, finance team, IT support, customer service, and just about everything else you can think of.

For many people with ADHD, those behind-the-scenes jobs can often be the hardest part.

Knowing When to Ask for Help

When I first started my business, it was fairly easy to stay on top of everything because there simply wasn't as much to do.

As my business grew, so did the admin, and I reached a point where I realised I couldn't keep juggling everything on my own, and that is when I decided to hire a PA.

She now takes care of much of the administrative side of the business, which means I can spend more time doing what I do best: coaching clients, delivering talks, writing session notes, and creating content.

For me, it has been one of the best investments I've made.

If you're self-employed and your business is growing, it might be worth considering whether there are parts of your workload that someone else could take off your hands. It doesn't have to be everything. Even a few hours of support each week can free up time and mental energy for the work that really needs you.

Give Yourself More Credit

Running a business is demanding for anyone, but when you add ADHD into the mix, it can feel even more challenging because you're constantly balancing the work you enjoy with all the responsibilities that come with being your own boss.

Every so often, it's worth taking a step back and recognising just how many different hats you're wearing.

Building a business takes time, persistence, and resilience. If you're doing that while managing ADHD, give yourself credit for how far you've come.

Chances are, you're doing far better than you think.