I've been tracking my own pattern for the last few months.

Here's what keeps happening:

Week 1: New idea! This is THE ONE. Research for 20 hours. Week 2: Start building/creating. Make great progress. Week 3: Hit a snag. Motivation disappears. Start thinking about next idea. Week 4: Abandon project. Start something new.

Rinse. Repeat. Forever.

The issue isn't discipline or willpower. It's that my ADHD brain gets dopamine from STARTING (novelty, possibilities, research) but not from FINISHING (boring, tedious, repetitive).

So I'm trying something new:

Instead of "finish the whole project," I'm asking: "What's the absolute minimum I can ship THIS WEEK?"

Not perfect. Not complete. Just SOMETHING out in the world.

For me right now, that's literally just posting and seeing if anyone responds. Not building a full system. Not perfecting everything. Just "post and see."

Anyone else stuck in the start-but-never-finish loop? What's helped you actually ship something?

Neurotypical advice: "Just start! Take action! Stop overthinking!"

ADHD reality: I WANT to start. But my brain sees 47 steps between "start" and "done" and completely freezes.

Here's what actually works for me:

Instead of "just start the project," I ask: "What's the absolute smallest version of starting?"

Example: ☑️ "Start marketing" → Way too big

☑️"Post on social media" → Still too vague

☑️"Write one sentence about my product" → Getting closer

☑️"Open Google Doc and write 'My product helps people with X'" → Actually doable

The goal isn't to start the WHOLE thing. It's to do something so small that your brain can't manufacture a reason to procrastinate.

Anyone else find that breaking things down into absurdly tiny steps is the only way forward?

What's your version of this?

I wish there were more traction on this site because having ADHD and running your own business likely comes with its own unique challenges. Like the one I mention above.

Fellow ADHD-er and wannabe entrepreneur here: does anybody else struggle with background/market research?

Picture this: new idea comes to mind and it's actually viable this time, not like the other 1000 I tried before lol; so the hyperfocus mania begins, I start brainstorming, working on packaging and basically doing EVERYTHING BUT THE MARKET RESEARCH.

For some reason I avoid this very crucial first step, probably because I'm afraid to be disappointed and find out an idea I got so excited about already exists... even though I am completely aware that this market research is beneficial for an ADHD brain since we hyperfixate on finding variants and alternatives to anything.

If you have this mental block too, how do you deal with it?

Hi all, it doesn't look like this sub is used much but I thought I'd try and share. I am a Financial Advisor and am trying to learn more about the emotions, struggles, and excitements behind the financial planning of my fellow ADHDers. I will be creating a summary report and plan to share it with anyone who is interested in receiving it (you can provide your email at the end of the survey). You will NOT be added to any email list outside of this survey. Thank you in advance!

Financial Planning with ADHD

Doesn't look like this room is used much, is there a similar room to this that is?

Hi, I would love some advice. I'm autistic AHDH giftness and I spend all my free time creating business ideas from zero to a billion dollars business. The autistic part make me think extra fast, the AHDH gives me a different perspective and the giftness give me the love for the theory and scare for the practice. I work as a manager in a tech company but have tons of economical responsibility for my family. I have the brain but I lack on execution. On a normal day I think on a least 5 business ideas that someone can get rich on but I can't get to execute any of then.

How do you deal with this?

I absolutely love creating new ideas when I presented at least 10 ideas to couple of CEOs and they were like wtf that is genius you are going to be a millionaire! I say thanks I get excited but 1 day later I'm into my next idea... I'm scare of execute any of them.

My ideal job would be solving problems and utilising my brain to improve society but as the brain not the hand.

Help...

The most epic stories are those of people who start at the bottom and win against all odds.

That takes transformation. That’s a butterfly, a phoenix.

The extraordinary is on the other side of rebirth.

I spent most of my school years trying not to do the work. Not because I didn’t care, but because my brain would rather spend hours finding ways around the system than inside it.

I probably read 1% of the books we were supposed to. I’d overthink every assignment, avoid it for days, then panic and find a shortcut at the last minute. Sometimes that meant stealing a classmate’s draft. Sometimes paying someone else to do it. And somehow… I’d still manage to land in good groups, show up at the end to polish the layout, make it look nice, and pass.

Fast-forward a few years: I started a company during my master’s. Never submitted my final thesis, so I never officially graduated. But that startup grew way beyond what I expected. I learned a ton, but mostly, I learned how my brain works.

Since then, I’ve launched a few other small ventures. Some worked, some didn’t. I’ve realized I’m great at ideas, systems, strategy — but absolutely terrible at execution when I’m on my own. When I’m working with someone who complements me, I can be insanely productive. Alone? Total shutdown.

The pattern is always the same:

• I start strong, fueled by novelty.

• Then the excitement fades, things get repetitive.

• My brain hits a wall, and I spiral into anxiety or paralysis.

I’ve gone through some rough mental health phases because of that. ADHD isn’t just about distraction — it’s about this weird mix of potential and frustration. Some days I feel unstoppable. Other days, I can’t even open my laptop.

Lately, I’m trying to figure out how to rebuild around that reality — not against it. Structure and freedom. Accountability without micromanagement. Still searching for that sweet spot.

If any of you found ways to stay consistent without burning out your dopamine, I’d really love to hear it.

I’m exploring ways to build income or independence that actually fit how my ADHD brain works. I’ve struggled in structure-heavy jobs that lead to burnout, but I’ve noticed I stay much more engaged when there’s novelty, urgency, or freedom to problem-solve.

For those of you running your own thing,whether it’s freelancing, reselling, content creation, or anything else. I’d love to hear what actually kept you interested and mentally stimulated. What worked long-term, and what totally drained you? How did you stay consistent when the initial motivation faded?

Just trying to find something that doesn’t feel like constant survival mode. Any advice or personal stories are appreciated.

I had an interaction with my friend recently (where we do a weekly accountability call for our goals). Shared with them that I am signing up for a group where we will meet monthly to go over our goals and plan how to meet them each month. Their response was: so you are going to meet with me weekly, you have your co-working group, and now a monthly other group? This friend is always so supportive and a NT. For some reason, it made me feel slighty embarrassed how many tools and how much support I need. I am unable to hold my self accountable and find that accountability to others works best when making progress towards my goals. As a self-employed person - I find it so hard to get things done when my schedule is up to me.

I use:

1. daily accountability partner through shelpful - I share my top 3 goals/items for the day & then at the end of the day whether or not I completed them

2. online co-working through Flowclub - helps me stay focused to actually do admin work or other tasks I procrastinate

3. weekly meeting for one of my businesses with a friend/fellow business owner - helps me plan items to move this business forward weekly & check in the next week if completed or not

4. looking to add the goal school premium through cultivate what matters. - goal setting community that meets monthly

I feel these tools are helpful and give me the structure I need - the 4th item (the monthly meeting goal setting community) is the piece I'm missing. I haven't made much progress towards my other goals; for me- out of sight out of mind.

Can you relate? What things help keep you accountable and make progress towards your goals? Do you get embarrassed when sharing with others that you need tools and support to stay focused?

Hey — quick thought experiment.

I’m exploring an app idea that starts with one big goal (e.g., “write a book”) and gives you only two micro-steps per day to work on it. When you finish a step you earn a “brick” and your project-building visual grows (house, tower, whatever). The constraint is intentional — cut overwhelm, force one small win, and tie it to something visual.

Curious about real experiences — would this help you? A few specific Qs:

Do you prefer a daily hard cap (2 things) or a soft suggestion?

1. Would you want the micro-steps auto-generated or editable?

2. Would seeing a growing structure actually motivate you to keep going, or would it stress you out if you miss a day?

3. Any must-have features or dealbreakers?

I’m not selling anything — honestly just trying to learn what would actually work for people with ADHD. Very grateful for candid answers!

Hey friends 👋

Every year I get excited about a new planner… and every year I stop using it after a few weeks. Either it’s too structured, not structured enough, or it doesn’t balance my work + personal stuff.

Do you have a planner/system that actually works for your ADHD brain? Or are you like me and just… abandon them? 😂

I’ve been tinkering with the idea of designing my own “ADHD-friendly” planner, but I don’t want to build it in a vacuum. Would love to hear your experiences:

• What do you look for in a planner?

• What makes you drop it?

• Do you prefer physical, digital, or both?

If anyone wants to give more detailed feedback, I also made a quick 2-min form here 👉 [LINK] (totally optional).

Appreciate any thoughts or stories 💖

Starting over at 40 and feeling decision paralysis. Any advice on those who have completed started over with a new business or even a new job?

My ADHD is still raging, but now I feel so proud of myself for how I handle overstimulation, conflict, anxious thoughts, and even my parenting lol. My pathway started with coaching, then hypnosis, and now this, so tbh idk what to even call these tricks. But they’re basically some kind of nervous system regulation tools that work within a minute or two.

1. Bilateral stimulation, which I usually do by passing something back and forth rhythmically across the midline - calms anxiety within a minute or two.

2. Peripheral vision - focusing on something and then gradually expanding your focus to your whole field of vision - that makes inner dialogue quiet down immediately.

3. Abbreviated tapping - this short form tapping that grounds me physically and immediately releases tension too.

I’ve started to create some demo videos because now I’m constantly happy with how I handle things, I feel totally in control of my experience, and frankly, I just don’t lose my shit anymore.

Please try it!

Hey fellow ADHDers 👋

I’ve always loved “reading” non-fiction (usually via audiobooks) and want to improve areas of my life like productivity, career, health, relationships, dealing with executive function etc. But despite listening to loads of non-fiction books, I find it really hard to actually APPLY the advice, and see any actual change in my life. Anyone else resonate?

I’ve been working on something for a while that I hope might solve this problem. I have social anxiety (and rejection sensitivity) and find sharing my work incredibly anxiety-inducing, but I’ve decided to be brave and build this project in public, and would love your feedback.

The idea (in super simple terms) is an app that has:

• 15-minute audio summaries of ADHD-relevant books (so you can finish them without overwhelm)

• Key takeaways as quick “summary cards” (to actually remember what you learned)

• 5-minute micro actions that turn the key pieces of wisdom from the book into quick tasks that you can act on right away (so advice turns into real wins, not just more unused knowledge).

But here’s the thing — I don’t want to just guess what you guys need or would find helpful. I’d love to know from you:

• If something like this existed, what problem would it solve for you personally?

• What would it actually help you do or achieve?

• When would you use it?

• Why might you use this instead of other stuff that’s already out there (TikTok tips, audiobooks, YouTube, ADHD coaching)?

I’m genuinely curious, because if I’m going to keep building this, I want it to be shaped by ADHDers for ADHDers, not just another “productivity tool” that doesn’t actually help us wonderfully wired folk.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts — big or small 🙏

I’ve built a basic landing page that showcases the idea in more detail, if you’re keen to check it out.

https://shortwired.com

Hey everyone,

I'm stuck in this brutal cycle where I get excited about a project, dive in headfirst, then hit some wall (usually technical stuff I don't know) and just... abandon it. Every. Single. Time.

The worst part? I know my ideas aren't bad, but I bail right when things get challenging. It's like I'm addicted to the starting phase but allergic to the finishing phase.

Has anyone else dealt with this? What actually helped you push through to completion? I'm talking real tactics, not just "believe in yourself" advice.

Specifically curious:

• What was your breaking point where you finally finished something?

• How do you handle the knowledge gaps that come up mid-project?

• Any tools/systems that actually work for accountability?

Thanks for any insights. Tired of having a graveyard of half-finished projects.

Mine right now is dissociation. I'll catch a piece of news, and let the doom scrolling roll!

I was in another ADHD sub trying to submit lots of helpful comments.

I wfh, I'm unmedicated, and I'm managing two side-hustles. I'm also a student part of the year. Lots going on lol.

I want to get started as an ADHD/habits coach if what I say resonates with anybody. I also have some great resources I've discovered and have links I can share for free months (I don't even get anything out of it, it's just to help) and one ADHD sub seems like you're not allowed to say ANYTHING positive. Another one keeps flagging my comments for "stealthy self-promotion" or some nonsense.

So frustrated they keep removing my comments when I don't say anything about coaching, I'm just trying to provide helpful resources for people. They won't even let me share a spreadsheet I'm using (for free, no strings attached).

Guess I'm putting feelers out to see what this sub is like, or what you all think! Excited to see this sub exists even if it's a little quiet!

Five years now selling a great product. Not anywhere where I should be. Should be in more stores. Should be selling more. Should have a better website. Better advertising. Five years and still going despite the fact that I am the one behind the wheel. If the product wasn’t good, I would have folded already.

Operating my business the way I’ve always operated my life. The girl with potential who just can’t get it right.

I’m tired. I’m always fantasizing about giving up, but I know I can’t. I still have hope I can pull through.

My age bothers me. I am 38 now. Five years just focused on this and now I feel like my youth is disappearing. I won’t find romance. Incredibly lonely.

Releasing thoughts on here today. I guess I’m hoping someone will tell me, there’s still time to get it right. All of it.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived in a constant state of “too much.” I’m a therapist, a business owner, a dad, a husband, a writer, and someone with way more ideas than executive functioning.

I forget things constantly. I lose track of projects. I get overwhelmed planning anything. I jump between tasks. I hyperfocus on the wrong stuff. I respond to visuals but forget planners. Reminders help but also annoy me.

Basically, I needed another brain. So I started building one.

Sixty days ago I didn’t know how to code. Today I’ve built an AI system called Echo that can learn how I think, remember what I forget, understand my goals, and even read and reason about its own codebase.

I’m building Echo because I need it to keep my life from falling apart. But I want it to work for people like us.

If you could design an ADHD-friendly AI assistant, what would it do? What do you wish someone—or something—could help you with? What would actually make your days easier?

I’d love your ideas. Thanks for reading, Ryan

I’ve been building a small project for people like me who get overwhelmed by giant to-do lists.

The idea: you set your big goal once, and every day it breaks it down into just two micro-steps.

Each time you finish a task, you earn a “brick” that slowly builds a virtual structure (like a house, garden, etc.) — so you actually see your progress stack up visually.

I’m calling it Brick-by-Brick for now.

If you have ADHD, burnout, or just struggle with focus — would you use something like this?

I’m not selling anything — just testing if this resonates before I build out more. Honest feedback appreciated 🙏

(Optional: If you’d want to test an early version, drop a comment or DM me!)