Living with ADHD as a solopreneur often comes with what’s called the “ADHD Tax”—those hidden costs in time, money, and energy caused by missed deadlines, late fees, or overlooked opportunities. For years, I thought these mistakes reflected personal failings, but what I’ve learned is that they’re tied to how the ADHD brain approaches task initiation. Instead of fighting against it, I discovered how to design systems that work with my wiring, allowing me to show up with more clarity, creativity, and confidence.

Through intentional rituals, cues, and calendar blocking, task initiation stopped being a roadblock and became a launchpad for meaningful progress. Scheduling well-being blocks and recovery runways not only preserved my energy but also created natural transition points that made starting tasks far less overwhelming. By reframing ADHD task initiation as a neurological challenge instead of a flaw, I built strategies that support my strengths while honoring the ebb and flow of focus.

This shift hasn’t just saved me from paying the ADHD Tax—it’s given me a framework for sustainable entrepreneurship and self-compassion. And I’ve learned that connection is just as important as systems; being part of a community of ADHD entrepreneurs offers solidarity, encouragement, and collective wisdom. With the right tools and mindset, task initiation doesn’t have to drain your energy or your wallet—it can become the foundation for a thriving business built on your unique strengths.

Entrepreneurs with ADHD and executive functioning challenges often find that traditional productivity tools fall short. That’s why Mina Raver, a self-taught coder and Techstars 2024 participant, created the Better CEO app—the first individually adaptive productivity software designed with neurodivergent entrepreneurs in mind. Inspired by her own lived experiences with ADHD, Autism, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Mina is on a mission to redefine what productivity looks like for those of us who don’t fit the mold.

In this episode, Mina shares how she turned her unconventional path into fuel for innovation, choosing passion over profit and building technology that adapts to the way our brains work—not the other way around. Better CEO is more than an app; it’s a movement toward solutions that empower neurodivergent entrepreneurs to plan, prioritize, and thrive. If you’ve ever felt like productivity tools weren’t built for you, this conversation is the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.

For ADHD solopreneurs and small business owners, the inbox can quickly become a trap—a place where urgency and novelty hijack focus and derail productivity. Emails feel important, but in reality, they’re often just other people’s priorities. With ADHD, the brain craves stimulation, making constant email checking a hard-to-break cycle that drains energy and executive functioning.

In this post, I share simple, ADHD-friendly inbox organization strategies that shift your relationship with email from reactive to intentional. From scheduling specific check-in times, to using folders, templates, and autoresponders, these strategies help you set boundaries, protect deep work time, and reduce task-switching fatigue. The goal isn’t just inbox zero—it’s reclaiming your time, focus, and confidence as a business owner. Because when you stop letting emails run your day, you finally create the space to focus on what matters most.

Email can feel like a never-ending slot machine for the ADHD brain—offering constant novelty, dopamine hits, and distraction at the expense of meaningful work. In this episode, we unpack why inbox management is one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs with ADHD and share actionable strategies to take back control. From setting dedicated email blocks to creating a simple 3-folder system and using templates for repetitive responses, these tools work with your brain rather than against it.

The truth is, compulsive email checking isn’t productivity—it’s avoidance dressed up as busyness. Every distraction eats away at your focus and drains executive function, leaving less energy for the projects and priorities that actually grow your business. By building healthy boundaries and streamlining how you handle your inbox, you can shift from reactive responding to intentional action. These strategies don’t just improve efficiency—they give you back ownership of your time, energy, and confidence as a business owner.

If you're waiting for motivation to strike before taking action, you might be stuck in a self-sabotaging cycle. In my conversation with Risa Williams, psychotherapist and productivity expert, we explored how procrastination sneaks into our lives—whether through "halfway drift" or the illusion that we need to feel motivated before we begin. Risa's "task intensity meter" offers a fresh approach to managing energy and avoiding burnout, challenging the toxic hustle culture that keeps so many entrepreneurs overwhelmed. By breaking tasks into small, manageable steps and celebrating progress, we can cultivate sustainable success without sacrificing well-being.

Traditional resolutions often fail because they rely on rigid methods that don't align with the ADHD brain. Instead, consider ADHD-friendly alternatives like theming your year or incorporating gentle nudges. Theming offers flexibility and meaningful direction, while nudges act as supportive reminders to maintain balance and prevent burnout. These adaptable strategies prioritize progress over perfection, helping you live a life that feels authentic and aligned. Whether it's through embracing a yearly theme or setting up small reminders, 2025 can be a year of intentional living and sustainable growth.