Entrepreneurs frequently exhibit traits associated with ADHD, even if they haven’t been formally diagnosed. What advantages do these traits bring to their business ventures, and what obstacles might they encounter? You can assess your situation by taking the two quizzes provided.

ADHD Individuals Are Natural Experimenters: Embracing Business Ventures

People with ADHD often find a wide range of activities intriguing and are eager to explore new opportunities. While some may label this tendency as indecisiveness, it can actually be viewed as a commendable quality. It reflects a genuine curiosity about the world and a readiness to embrace novel experiences.

My career path has been varied, encompassing roles that range from newspaper delivery in Indiana and Colorado to transcribing interviews following an Alaskan earthquake. I’ve cleaned homes, maintained health records at a Denver hospital, taught kindergarten, edited for an academic publisher, ghostwrote a novel, cataloged resources at the Yale Divinity School Library, and even sold vitamins at a health food store. Additionally, I've contributed blog posts, newsletters, and various online content, managing multiple websites along the way.

After earning a Master’s Degree in Musicology, I impulsively discarded my completed thesis following a dispute with my advisor about footnote formatting. This led me to pivot fields, obtaining another Master’s in Western European History with a focus on Victorian Studies, and ultimately achieving a PhD in American History.

However, once I began teaching at a university, my focus shifted from music or historical studies to Women’s Studies. I briefly served as a counselor at a Colorado campus of a now-defunct for-profit college, which faced legal scrutiny for fraud. I cared deeply for the students but left when it became clear they were misled regarding the worth of their degrees.

Eventually, I realized that traditional employment wasn’t for me, and I dove headfirst into entrepreneurship, starting with freelance editing and writing, drawing upon my existing skills and experiences.

I invested in personal development classes and therapy, earning certifications in Brain Gym, NLP, and HeartMath, among other subjects. I immersed myself in literature covering everything from psychology to meditation techniques, akin to pursuing yet another PhD! This led me to conduct workshops for various groups, including entrepreneurs and parents.

At first, I didn’t grasp that entrepreneurs must maintain focus. My ADHD allowed me to easily connect with fellow business owners, educators, and parents of children with ADHD. I found myself “coaching” friends and acquaintances, unaware of what coaching truly entailed, but enjoying the process of helping them navigate their lives. With time, I learned to specialize, completed formal coach training, and began providing coaching services specifically for women entrepreneurs.

Now, with my hair graying and two great-grandchildren to cherish, I’m opting to concentrate solely on writing for myself. The joy of writing purely for personal fulfillment far outweighs the dissatisfaction of working for others without recognition.

In summary, writing brings me immense satisfaction compared to my previous endeavors. If you have ADHD, you might find resonance in this journey.

Reflecting on my experiences, they mirror the typical trajectory of many individuals with ADHD who become entrepreneurs after exploring a diverse range of jobs. This curiosity often leads to the pursuit of new skills and ventures.

However, entrepreneurship presents significant challenges for those with ADHD, demanding sustained focus, goal-setting, financial acumen, and effective time management. It also requires the patience to persevere until the business takes off and begins generating income.

Fortunately, ADHD also comes with strengths that can aid entrepreneurial success. Collectively, individuals with ADHD tend to be inventive, humorous, innovative, intelligent, passionate, and eager to learn—especially through hands-on experiences.

We are artistic, creative thinkers who can channel our attention toward topics we are passionate about. (Refer back to this paragraph when ADHD tendencies lead to frustration or self-doubt.)

While we lack definitive medical or psychological proof, it is widely believed that numerous influential figures—such as Einstein, Michelangelo, and Steve Jobs—exhibited ADHD traits.

ADHD certainly has its fair share of challenging aspects, but it also offers many positive attributes, particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs and digital marketers.

To gain deeper insights into your relationship with ADHD and your business, consider taking the two quizzes below. Start with “How ADHD Negatively Impacts My Business,” and then, before feeling disheartened by your results, take the quiz “How ADHD Positively Influences My Business.”

20 Questions: Assessing Negative Impacts of ADHD on My Business

For each statement, place a 1 next to those that apply occasionally and a 2 next to those that resonate strongly.

• _____ I often forget my priorities for the day or week and get sidetracked.
• _____ I’m unsure about my monthly income, often relying on an accountant to handle it.
• _____ I frequently misplace notes, handouts, or other important documents, resulting in cluttered workspaces.
• _____ Despite my intentions, I fail to follow up with contacts from networking events.
• _____ When I try to follow up from a networking event, I struggle to recall details about those I met.
• _____ I have numerous fantastic ideas for my business.
• _____ I often jump to new tasks before completing my current projects.
• _____ I tend to procrastinate, especially when deadlines approach.
• _____ I lack a clear business plan or financial goals.
• _____ I struggle to communicate how I can assist clients effectively.
• _____ I’ve launched several businesses but have not achieved significant success.
• _____ The demands of running my business often feel overwhelming.
• _____ My to-do list is extensive, making it hard to prioritize.
• _____ I combine personal tasks with business tasks on a single to-do list.
• _____ I often doubt the quality of my completed work.
• _____ I question my ability to run a business.
• _____ I don’t have support staff because I can’t delegate tasks.
• _____ I frequently spend more on my business than I earn, thinking new tools will boost profits.
• _____ I find it difficult to establish a consistent work schedule.
• _____ I’ve initiated various content projects but struggle to maintain consistency.

Scores: 10 or below: Consider if this post is relevant for you. 15–20: Seek guidance from an ADHD coach or counselor to help manage your business effectively. Finding an accountability partner and hiring part-time assistance could also be beneficial.

Assessing the Positive Impacts of ADHD on My Business

For each statement, place a 1 next to those that apply occasionally and a 2 next to those that resonate strongly.

• _____ I frequently generate creative ideas.
• _____ Friends seek my advice, appreciating my unconventional perspective.
• _____ I genuinely connect with my clients and feel empathy toward them.
• _____ I enjoy learning about my clients’ needs and experiences.
• _____ I often experience hyperfocus on projects I’m passionate about.
• _____ I embrace the risks of entrepreneurship, even after facing challenges.
• _____ I love discussing my business, regardless of my audience.
• _____ My enthusiasm is recognized by friends and family.
• _____ I feel elated when clients express satisfaction with my products or services.
• _____ I am inventive, generating new ideas for programs and products.
• _____ I appreciate the freedom to work alongside my dog.
• _____ Despite academic struggles, I was often seen as bright by my teachers.
• _____ I can clearly articulate the benefits of my products or services.
• _____ I started my own business as a child, such as a lemonade stand.
• _____ I cherish the autonomy of being my own boss.
• _____ Running my own business generally brings me joy and fulfillment.
• _____ I would decline a lucrative job offer from a former boss.
• _____ I understand that businesses fluctuate and remain calm during slow periods.
• _____ I had the courage to leave traditional employment to start my own venture, despite skepticism from loved ones.

How did you score? A score of 15 or higher suggests that you may be harnessing the benefits of ADHD in your entrepreneurial pursuits. Congratulations!

P.S. Individuals with entrepreneurial parents are statistically more likely to succeed in business than those from traditional employment backgrounds.