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ADHD and Dopamine: Why Every New Business Idea Feels Like “The One"

For ADHD entrepreneurs, every new business idea can feel like “the one,” igniting a rush of passion and possibility. Fueled by dopamine, this cycle of attraction, infatuation, honeymoon, and reality often leads to shiny object syndrome—abandoning projects once the excitement fades. But this isn’t a flaw; it’s how ADHD brains are wired. The key is learning when to channel that creative burst into meaningful progress and when to commit for the long haul. By “dating” your ideas, testing them as side projects, and integrating them into your existing work, you can capture the thrill of novelty while building sustainable, long-term success.

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Minimalist ADHD Business Plan: 4 Steps to Sustainable Success

For many entrepreneurs with ADHD, the word “business plan” brings up memories of 40-page documents, rigid structures, and endless details that feel more like homework than help. But building a business plan doesn’t have to be exhausting or overwhelming. In this episode of ADHD-ish, Diann Wingert introduces the Minimalist ADHD Business Plan, a flexible four-step framework designed to align with the way ADHD brains naturally work. Instead of long-term forecasting and jargon, this approach emphasizes clarity, focus, and sustainability, helping you move forward without burning out.

The plan rests on four simple pillars: your North Star (your guiding “why”), a Revenue Reality Check (understanding the numbers that actually matter), your Zone of Genius (focusing on strengths while minimizing energy drains), and your Next Three Moves (actionable steps that keep momentum going without overwhelming you). By making your plan visual, flexible, and imperfect, you create a living tool that supports your creativity while giving you enough structure to stay on track.

Diann also emphasizes the importance of working with your brain instead of against it: short planning sprints, visual dashboards, and regular reviews make the process doable and even energizing. This is planning reimagined—not about controlling your every move, but about creating a compass to guide your decisions. For ADHD entrepreneurs, this means less burnout, more intentional growth, and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re moving toward your goals with clarity.

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Duct Tape & Dopamine: ADHD Entrepreneurs & Business Chaos, The Real Story

Running a business with ADHD can feel like a rollercoaster—thrilling highs, sudden pivots, and moments of burnout that leave you scrambling to catch up. In this ADHD-ish Podcast episode, Diann Wingert and guest Diane Mayor dive deep into how neurodivergent traits show up in business models, from dopamine-driven decision-making to executive dysfunction and open loops. Together, they unpack why traditional business advice often fails ADHD entrepreneurs and share practical tools like idea parking lots, structured flexibility, and “sandbox time” to balance creativity with consistency. More than a conversation about impulsivity, this episode offers a roadmap to build ADHD-friendly systems that fuel growth while honoring your unique brain. If you’ve ever felt like your business was built with duct tape and dopamine, this is your reminder that resilience, adaptability, and grit are your superpowers.

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Is It Time to Rethink That Decision? How Cognitive Bias Shapes the ADHD Entrepreneur’s Choices

In this episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert breaks down how cognitive biases—like optimism bias, fundamental attribution error, and the sunk cost fallacy—shape the way ADHD entrepreneurs make decisions. With insights from Vicky Tan’s Ask This Book a Question, Diann offers a practical framework to spot these sneaky patterns, rethink your choices, and build a business that’s both bold and intentional. If your big ideas often outpace your outcomes, this episode will help you pause, pivot, and reframe with clarity.

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Why “Fitting In” Keeps You Stuck And Embracing Your ADHD Sets You Free

This episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast dives deep into what it really means to stop masking and start embracing your ADHD—especially as a female entrepreneur. Through the powerful metaphor of Wicked's Elphaba, we explore the stages of trying to “fix” and “fit in” before finally breaking free and building a business that honors your neurodivergent brain. If you’ve ever felt like success demands pretending to be someone else, this conversation will remind you: you were never meant to blend in—you were meant to fly.

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How to Master Task Initiation and Quit Paying the ADHD Tax Forever

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.

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Designing for the Edges: How Inclusivity Can Revolutionize Your Business

Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. In my conversation with Meg Brunson, we explored the power of “designing for the edges,” a principle that prioritizes accessibility for those who need it most while benefiting a broader audience. Meg shared her journey from Facebook ads to a more holistic and ethical marketing approach, emphasizing the importance of aligning business practices with personal values.

We discussed practical strategies for making digital content more accessible, like using Camel Case in hashtags, ensuring large and accurate captions, and leveraging color contrast checkers. Meg also touched on the ethical challenges of marketing, including the importance of transparency and the delicate balance of expanding accessibility without unintentionally misleading audiences.

Her entrepreneurial journey—shaped by her experiences living in an RV, working with the deaf community, and navigating business with ADHD—offered powerful insights into the intersection of inclusivity and business success. For female entrepreneurs, Meg’s approach is a reminder that true impact comes from creating spaces where everyone can engage fully.

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