FOCUS for Business Owners with ADHD

Laura Lang
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Running a business when you have ADHD means you have some distinct advantages and some unique challenges. In this podcast we explore these traits and the more common challenges that may slow your growth and cost you time money and missed opportunities. In each episode I will share with you step by step tools to manage these struggles, start taking meaningful action and build momentum in your work and life.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 23 - Giving yourself permission to bring your vision to life

    Episode Summary Last episode, we talked about why we overestimate what we can get done in a day or a week — and why cramming too much into a short window sends us straight into dysregulation and self-doubt. This week, we flip that idea on its head: we underestimate what's possible in the long run. Episode 23 is all about giving yourself permission to dream big, set impossible-feeling long-term goals, and actually believe you can get there — one small step at a time. What We Cover Why big, exciting, even scary, long-term goals matter — and why "good enough" keeps you stuckA story from Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory on how jealousy can show you what is possibleThe Roger Bannister sub-four-minute-mile story: what feels impossible today can become reality tomorrowWhy it's better to focus on one or two big goals (one business, one personal) instead of spreading yourself thinThe two fears that quietly stop most people from dreaming big: fear of failure and fear of successLaura's own story of giving up on coaching the first time — and what brought her back to itWhy goal-directed persistence is one of the hardest executive functions for ADHD brains, and why a compelling long-term vision helps carry you throughHow to start a big goal without knowing every step: focus on what's possible right now, not the whole staircaseThe "three tries" trick (borrowed from an origami lesson!) for pushing through something that scares youWhy excitement and fear feel the same in your body — and how to reframe one as the otherA personal goal Laura is working toward: donating $500,000 to a cause she cares about Memorable Quote "If you're shooting for the moon, just keep taking one step at a time in the right direction, and eventually you will land among the stars." Resources Mentioned The Let Them Theory by Mel RobbinsLaura's stress-free planner — free PDF https://www.lauraannlang.com/stress-free-plannerFOCUS coaching program — free consultation available  https://www.lauraannlang.com/business-analysis-call Connect & Take the Next Step Curious about the FOCUS program? Book a free consultation with Laura to start building your own big, meaningful goal.Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs permission to dream bigger, and follow the show so you don't miss what's next. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 4LWROXE1N0TRIOSP

    Episode 23 - Giving yourself permission to bring your vision to life

  2. Aug 17

    Episode 22 - Right here, Right now, is the perfect place to be

    Keywords ADHD, entrepreneurship, mindfulness, present moment, fear, anxiety, growth, mistakes, self-talk, personal development Summary In this episode, Laura discusses the importance of being present in the moment, especially for entrepreneurs with ADHD, as the best method for taking meaningful action and making a difference in the business. She shares practical strategies to overcome distractions from too much time spent in the past or the future, emphasizing the need to focus on small, actionable steps, that can be done, right here and right now. Laura encourages listeners to embrace trial and error as strategy for growth and to learn from past mistakes without letting them stall future progress. Ultimately, she highlights the significance of viewing today as a gift and taking proactive steps that lead to a fulfilling future.

    Episode 22 - Right here, Right now, is the perfect place to be

  3. Aug 3

    Episode 21 - The illusion of time: You can do more than you think you can, just not all of it today

    Episode Summary Most people overestimate what they can get done in the short term — and underestimate what's possible over the long term. For entrepreneurs with ADHD, this shows up as overstuffed to-do lists, a nagging fear of forgetting something important, and a nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight. In this episode, Laura unpacks why the ADHD brain gravitates toward urgency, why that pattern quietly leads to burnout, and how a classic time-management tool — used with some ADHD-specific awareness — can help you build a business on steady, sustainable progress instead of adrenaline and crash cycles. What You'll Learn Why ADHD brains tend to cram too much into "right now" and not enough into "someday"The three reasons we overload our short-term to-do lists — and the fear underneath all of themHow fight-or-flight shuts down your higher reasoning brain and drives the urge to "do it all, right now"An introduction to the Eisenhower Matrix (urgent/important) and how to sort your tasks into itWhy this matrix is harder to stick with when you have ADHD — and why it's still worth usingHow the "adrenaline and crash" pattern that got you through college finals can quietly sabotage business growthA simple, non-judgmental way to notice when you've slipped into scarcity thinkingKey Moments The weekend to-do list story — Laura shares how she used to measure her worth by how many items she checked off a self-imposed list, and what she learned looking back on itThe 3 reasons we overschedule the present — a busy, creative brain; strong multitasking awareness paired with weak prioritizing; and fear of forgetting something importantFear as the common thread — fear of forgetting, running out of time, missing an opportunity, or picking the "wrong" ideaThe Eisenhower Matrix, explained simply — the four quadrants (urgent/important, important/not urgent, urgent/not important, neither) and real examples of what lands in eachWhy ADHD makes the matrix harder — the pull toward treating everything like quadrant 1, and the burnout cycle that followsThe path back to regulation — recognizing scarcity thinking as it happens is often enough to interrupt the patternA Question to Sit With Does everything on your list really have to be done today? What's one task you could delegate, delay, or drop entirely? Resources Mentioned The Eisenhower Matrix (popularized by Stephen Covey)Laura's FOCUS coaching programConnect With Laura Ready to move from scarcity and rushing into steady, sustainable progress? Book a free strategy session and learn one thing you can start doing immediately to help. If this episode resonated, share it with a fellow entrepreneur who needs to hear it — and follow the show so you don't miss what's next.   Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: TWC5GY5QUANQSKMZ

    Episode 21 - The illusion of time: You can do more than you think you can, just not all of it today

  4. Jul 15

    Episode 20 - Feeling Time Scarcity? Why It's Not About Time Management

    Episode Summary If you've ever felt like you have too much to do and not enough time to do it in, this episode is for you. I'm calling out a thought I've battled most of my adult life — “time scarcity” — and unpacking why the usual fix (hustle harder, rush faster) actually makes it worse. Poor time management isn't a math problem or an intelligence problem. For a lot of us with ADHD, it's a nervous system problem. And once you see that, everything about how you plan your day can change. What You'll Learn •  Why the fear behind time scarcity pushes you into fight or flight — and why that state makes time management harder, not easier •  What “magical thinking” is, and how it shows up in small everyday decisions (yes, including my own doctor's-appointment story) •  Why “give 150% up front and 100% later” is a burnout recipe, not a growth strategy •  Why the “window of opportunity” you're afraid of missing is mostly an illusion — and what to focus on instead •  How to recognize dysregulation in your body before it derails your whole day •  A simple, repeatable practice for choosing your next right step when everything feels urgent Key Moments •  The thought that started it all: “I have too much to do and not enough time to do it in” •  What I really wanted from my coach (a time-turner) vs. what she actually gave me (patience) •  The traffic, the parking, the walk I didn't account for — magical thinking in action •  Why rushing sometimes “works,” and why that's exactly the trap •  Patience as a business strategy, not an excuse to stop trying •  The body check-in: racing heart, tense shoulders, tight chest — how to name it without judging yourself for it •  The one question to ask yourself instead of “what do I have to do right now” A Quote From This Episode “Any actual window of opportunity that you do miss, is just a window you weren't supposed to go through.” Something to Sit With What if a successful day isn't ten or twenty things checked off your list — but just one step closer to your goal? Where in your business this week could you trade rushing for one intentional step? Connect & Keep Going If this episode hit home, you're not alone — and you don't have to figure it out by yourself. Book a free strategy call with me, and let’s find one thing you can start doing today to take control of your time and your business.

    Episode 20 - Feeling Time Scarcity? Why It's Not About Time Management

  5. Jun 22

    Episode 19 - Learning to Trust Yourself, even with ADHD

    Learning to Trust Yourself, Even with ADHD Slay ADHD | Focus for Business Owners with ADHD   Episode SummaryIn this episode, Laura unpacks the worry-stress-forget cycle that so many ADHD entrepreneurs get stuck in, and shares three practical, ADHD-friendly practices for rebuilding self-trust after mistakes, missed deadlines, or hard days — without waiting for perfection first.   What You'll Learn•       Why the brain's stress response actually makes you more likely to forget the things you're most worried about •       How the "worry – stress – forget" cycle reinforces itself, and how to interrupt it •       Why traditional productivity tools (long lists, sticky notes, visible reminders) often backfire for ADHD brains •       How self-talk trains your brain to look for evidence that confirms what you already believe about yourself •       The 3 C's framework — Curiosity, Challenge, and Competition — for making self-trust and follow-through feel like a game instead of a chore •       Why waiting for "proof" before you trust yourself keeps you stuck, and what to do instead   Key Moments•       The meltdown: two reschedules, a shut-down ad, and a rejection sensitivity spiral •       The question that started it all: a friend's reaction to Laura's post about trusting yourself •       Practice 1 — Look at your past with intention: brainstorming your wins, what you've overcome, and the mistakes you've survived •       Practice 2 — Watch how you talk to yourself: the "yellow car" game and why your brain finds what it's told to look for •       Practice 3 — The 3 C's: Curiosity ("I wonder what would happen if..."), Challenge (turning tasks into a dare), and Competition (body doubling with a friend) •       The choir music story: how curiosity (not pressure) helped Laura remember something she usually forgets •       A quote from Simon Sinek on embracing uncertainty as an entrepreneur   Memorable Quotes"Trusting yourself does mean believing that even if you forget something important, or get a customer order wrong, or get it to them late, you will recover and do what's needed to make it right." "Don't wait for perfection before you choose to trust yourself." "Your struggles don't define you. They are just a part of living with an ADHD brain."   The 3 Practices for Building Self-Trust1.     Look at your past with intention — use it as proof of what you can accomplish, not just proof of where you fell short. 2.     Pay attention to how you talk to yourself — your brain works to confirm whatever you tell it is true. 3.     Play with Curiosity, Challenge, and Competition — lighten the pressure and gamify follow-through.   Resources Mentioned•       Free master class: how ADHD shows up in business and what to do about it. Sign up here

    Episode 19 - Learning to Trust Yourself, even with ADHD

  6. Jun 8 ·  Bonus

    FOCUS for better business growth. Final episode of the FOCUS Bonus series

    Episode Summary Planners, apps, and quick fixes can only take you so far. In this final episode of the FOCUS series, Laura breaks down exactly what the FOCUS program is, who it's for, and what it looks like to do this work together — so you can decide if you're ready to take the next step. What You'll Hear (0:00) Why another program? Why off-the-shelf solutions don't work for ADHD entrepreneurs, and what makes individualized support different. (2:23) The Three Roadblocks If your business feels stuck, one of these is likely why: No reliable planning system — starting every day in reactive, frantic modeProjects that never quite finish — the excitement of new ideas pulling you away from completion of existing projectsInconsistent revenue — good work, but broken back-end systems holding cash flow back(7:43) Inside the FOCUS Program An 8-week, fully customized program built around your brain and your business — not a course, not a template. Week by week, you'll work through discovery, identifying your biggest executive function challenges, building core systems, testing and refining, and finally embedding what works. You leave with a system that keeps working long after the program ends. (10:10) The Beta Opportunity FOCUS is opening to its very first cohort. That means founding-member pricing (the lowest it will ever be), a small group of just 4 members for maximum personal attention, and direct input into shaping the program. (11:05) Is This for You? This IS for you if you're an ADHD entrepreneur tired of pushing through stress, ready for consistent cash flow, and willing to commit 8 weeks to real change. This is NOT for you if you want a quick fix or a hand-me-down template. (12:40) How to Join Ready to Join the Beta Cohort? 👉 Claim your founding member spot → Or reply to any email from Laura and say "I'm in" or "I want to know more." She'll personally follow up within one business day. Spots are limited to 4 members. When they're filled, the beta closes. Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers.

  7. May 25 ·  Bonus

    Bonus 4 of 5 FOCUS: Stop the Bleed: How Better Focus Puts More Money in Your Pocket

    What if the reason you're not making more money isn't that you're not working hard enough — it's that you have a leak in your system you haven't found yet? What this episode is about You're putting in the hours. You believe in what you do. So why isn't the revenue reflecting that? In this episode, Laura digs into the hidden money leaks that quietly drain ADHD entrepreneurs — missed invoices, slow follow-up, perfectionism, and ideas that never get off the ground. More importantly, she maps out exactly how fixing your focus systems closes those leaks and creates steady, predictable income — without adding a single extra hour to your day. In this episode you'll learn The invoicing trap Why the longer you wait to bill, the less likely you are to get paid — and how to fix it. Perfectionism is costing you How chasing perfect projects slows delivery, kills referrals, and quietly caps your income. Leads going cold The simple systems that stop potential customers from walking out the door before you call back. Steady income vs. income bursts What sustainable revenue actually looks like for an ADHD entrepreneur — and how to build it. Love your business again How getting your systems right brings back the joy and excitement you felt when you first started. Your worth vs. your price Why undercharging is a mindset problem — and small steps to start asking for what you deserve. 🎯 Ready to close the leaks and grow your income?The FOCUS beta program is open now for a small founding group — at a fraction of the full price. Laura is also offering one free spot to a qualifying applicant. Apply, schedule a free call, and find out if it's yours. Apply at LauraAnnLang.com → Connect Questions? Reach Laura Ann at laura@lauraannlang.com Tags ADHD entrepreneurs, business systems, cash flow, invoicing, focus, productivity, ADHD business coach, revenue growth, executive function

    Bonus 4 of 5 FOCUS: Stop the Bleed: How Better Focus Puts More Money in Your Pocket

  8. May 11 ·  Bonus

    Bonus 3 of 5 Focus: Custom Systems: The Key to ADHD Productivity

    In this episode, Laura discusses the unique challenges faced by ADHD entrepreneurs regarding focus and productivity. She emphasizes the importance of creating customized systems that align with the ADHD brain's functioning, rather than relying on generic productivity methods. By redefining focus and implementing tailored strategies, ADHD entrepreneurs can enhance their productivity, reduce overwhelm, and achieve their business goals more effectively.   Takeaways Real focus for ADHD entrepreneurs is not about discipline. ADHD brains require customized systems for productivity. Focus means knowing what to work on and when. Creating a system can alleviate emotional distractions. Slowing down can lead to greater productivity. Trusting yourself and your team is essential. Custom systems should reflect individual strengths and challenges. Efficiency leads to better business outcomes. Building systems with personal input increases effectiveness.

    Bonus 3 of 5 Focus: Custom Systems: The Key to ADHD Productivity
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Running a business when you have ADHD means you have some distinct advantages and some unique challenges. In this podcast we explore these traits and the more common challenges that may slow your growth and cost you time money and missed opportunities. In each episode I will share with you step by step tools to manage these struggles, start taking meaningful action and build momentum in your work and life.

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