From Stuck to Started: Executive Function & ADHD Coaching to Take Action

Sarah Lovell - Executive Function & ADHD Coach
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Welcome to From Stuck to Started, the podcast for ambitious ADHDers, perfectionists, and over-thinkers who are ready to achieve their goals without burning out. Join your host, Sarah Lovell, an executive function and ADHD coach, as she shares strategies to help you understand your brain, break down big tasks, and build systems that work for you. Each episode is packed with actionable tips and real-life inspiration to help you tackle hard things and make progress that feels good.

  1. 3D AGO

    069: 5 Tips from an Executive Function Coach to Create Simple ADHD Systems That Fit Your Brain & Life

    How do you create simple systems to make life less overwhelming? I’m breaking down 5 simple, realistic ways to create systems that actually fit your brain, your life, and your current season without forcing yourself into something that was never designed for you in the first place. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why your systems need to feel enjoyable (or at least not painful) to actually stickHow to treat systems like experiments so you can stop blaming yourself when they don’t workThe importance of building systems that fit your brain—not someone else’sHow to reuse and adapt systems that are already working in other areas of your lifeWhy giving yourself credit for trying is the key to creating systems Resources: Stop Doomscrolling & autopiloting to your phone with Brick -get 10% off when you purchase with this link! Get your Free ADHD Action Plan Connect with Sarah Lovell: Get on my email list! Website: Executive Functioning FirstInstagram: @executivefunctioningfirst Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    24 min

  2. MAR 25

    068: Overwhelmed by Digital Clutter? Simple Digital Organizing Systems with Professional Organizer JoAnn Krall

    Feeling buried under emails, endless files, and a million tabs? In this episode, I chat with Professional Organizer JoAnn Krall about digital clutter, why it feels so overwhelming, and how to create simple systems that actually work for your brain. If you’ve been stuck wondering where to even start, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to take inventory of your digital life without getting stuck in overwhelm.Simple ways to reduce incoming digital clutter and prevent it from piling up.Why letting go of unnecessary files is the first step before creating a system.How to design a digital organization system that fits your brain, not someone else’s.Tips for keeping your system sustainable as your life and technology evolve. About JoAnn Krall: JoAnn Krall is a Professional Organizer who helps business owners move through overwhelm and create organization that supports their real life at home and at work. She founded The Sensible Organizer in 2006 and has a gift for seeing what’s underneath the clutter. With a background in accounting and entrepreneurship, JoAnn helps people create clarity, reduce stress, and build systems that truly fit their lives. Connect with JoAnn Krall: Everything from free to VIP: https://joannkrall.com/learn-with-me Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach Connect with Sarah Lovell: Get your Free ADHD Action Plan Website: Executive Functioning FirstInstagram: @executivefunctioningfirst Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    40 min

  3. MAR 18

    064: Why Executive Function Strategies Don’t Work as Well When You’re Overwhelmed: Nervous System Regulation for ADHD Brains

    If you’ve ever sat down to work and suddenly felt the urge to do literally anything else, you’re not lazy, your nervous system might be trying to protect you. In this episode, I’m sharing why nervous system regulation is one of the most overlooked systems in executive functioning. Because even the best ADHD productivity tools, planners, or time management strategies won’t work if your brain doesn’t feel safe enough to use them. We’ll talk about the connection between ADHD, executive functioning, and the nervous system, why emails and to-do lists can trigger fight, flight, or freeze, and simple nervous system regulation strategies you can use to get out of overwhelm and take action. If you’ve ever experienced ADHD task paralysis, avoidance, or shutdown, this episode will help you understand what’s happening in your brain and what you can do about it. What you’ll learn in this episodeWhy nervous system regulation is a foundational system for executive functioningHow fight, flight, and freeze responses show up in everyday ADHD situations like emails, to-do lists, and work tasksSimple nervous system regulation strategies to help you move out of anxiety or shutdownWhy practicing ADHD coping tools before you need them makes it easier to use them when you’re overwhelmed Resources: Stop Doomscrolling & autopiloting to your phone with Brick -get 10% off when you purchase with this link! Get your Free ADHD Action Plan Connect with Sarah Lovell: Website: Executive Functioning FirstInstagram: @executivefunctioningfirst Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    25 min

  4. MAR 11

    066: Simple Systems for ADHD: Reduce Overwhelm and Create Systems That Actually Work

    I’m kicking off a new series all about creating simple systems for ADHD brains. If you’ve ever tried to start a new routine, productivity tool, or planning system and it didn’t work for you - it probably wasn’t the right system for you (and that’s okay!). I’ll walk you through how to rethink systems, why the wrong systems create frustration for ADHD and neurodivergent brains, and how to start experimenting with simple, flexible systems that support your executive functioning. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why you already have systems in your life—even if you feel like you don’tHow the wrong systems (not your brain) often cause ADHD overwhelm and frustrationA simple way to think about executive function systems in everyday lifeWhy ADHD brains need a balance of structure and flexibility to make systems sustainableReflection questions to help you identify systems that are working—and where you might want to experiment with something new Resources: Stop Doomscrolling & autopiloting to your phone with Brick -get 10% off when you purchase with this link! Get your Free ADHD Action Plan Connect with Sarah Lovell: Website: Executive Functioning FirstInstagram: @executivefunctioningfirst Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    23 min

  5. MAR 4

    065: What to do when you feel like you’re “wasting time:” When overwhelm, analysis paralysis, decision fatigue keep you stuck

    Do you ever feel stuck in that in-between where you’re not getting anything done—but you’re not actually resting either? I call this limbo, and it’s often driven by overthinking, decision fatigue, and overwhelm. In this episode, I walk you through why this happens and how to gently get yourself out of that stuck state without adding more pressure. What you’ll learn in this episode: What “limbo” actually is (and how to recognize it in your daily life)How overthinking, decision fatigue, and overwhelm keep you stuck and feeling like you’re “wasting time”The most common reasons you end up in limbo (including lack of structure and unclear plans)A simple check-in question to help you decide between rest vs. actionHow to take the smallest, most realistic step forward to build momentum without burnout Resources: Stop Doomscrolling & autopiloting to your phone with Brick -get 10% off when you purchase with this link! Get your Free ADHD Action Plan Connect with Sarah Lovell: Website: Executive Functioning FirstInstagram: @executivefunctioningfirst Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    24 min

  6. FEB 25

    064: You’re Not Alone with ADHD Overwhelm: Feeling seen, understood, and supported with ADHD Weasel

    ADHD overwhelm can feel incredibly isolating—like everyone else has life figured out and you’re the only one struggling to keep up. In this episode, I’m joined by Ammaar Khan and Esteban Perez from ADHD Weasel for a thoughtful conversation about why ADHD overwhelm feels so heavy, why validation matters so much, and how feeling truly understood can change everything. We talk about the power of community and gentle strategies that actually work in real life. If you’ve ever thought “is it just me?”—this conversation is for you. What you’ll learn in this episode:Why ADHD overwhelm often comes with shame and a sense of feeling aloneHow feeling seen and understood can reduce ADHD overwhelm before any strategy is appliedWhy validation is a crucial (and often missing) part of ADHD supportHow ADHD Weasel helps adults with ADHD move from overwhelm to clarity with actionable strategiesA gentler way to navigate ADHD overwhelm without trying to overhaul your entire life About ADHD Weasel: The ADHD Weasel is a newsletter for adults who spent decades thinking they were broken. Started by two ADHDers, Ammaar Khan and Esteban Perez, ADHD Weasel delivers validation and helpful strategies to over 19,000 subscribers. With signature "Apply It" worksheets that turn insight into action, The ADHD Weasel bridges the gap between clinical diagnosis and daily life. Subscribe today at www.adhdweasel.com/subscribe Connect with ADHD Weasel: Website: https://www.adhdweasel.com/ Threads: @theadhdweasel Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach Connect with Sarah Lovell: Get your Free ADHD Action Plan Website: Executive Functioning FirstInstagram: @executivefunctioningfirst Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    35 min

  7. FEB 18

    063: How Women Business Owners with ADHD Can Save 10+ Hours Per Week (Without Working Harder)

    Learn more about Ideas to Action: A 12-Week Executive Function Group Coaching Program for Women Business Owners - We Start March 2nd, 2026! Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to apply! Have you ever finished a full workday feeling busy but wondering where your time actually went? In this episode, I’m breaking down the hidden ways women business owners — especially those with ADHD or overwhelmed brains — lose hours every week, and why it’s not a willpower or discipline problem. If you want more ease, energy, and realistic time management for women business owners, this episode will help you start seeing your time differently. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The 5 most common “time leaks” impacting time management for women business ownersWhy decision fatigue, perfectionism, and overthinking quietly drain your time and energyHow ADHD brains experience task switching and why it can cost you hours each weekHow to create realistic, brain-friendly systems that actually work for a women business owner lifestyleSimple ways to start reclaiming time without working harder or pushing yourself toward burnout Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach Connect with Sarah Lovell: Apply for Ideas to Action: A 12-Week Executive Function Group Coaching Program for Women Business Owners Get your Free ADHD Action Plan Website: Executive Functioning FirstInstagram: @executivefunctioningfirst Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    24 min

  8. FEB 11

    062: Overwhelmed and Waiting for the “Perfect Time” To Start? A Better Way for Women Entrepreneurs to Take Action in Your Business

    Learn more about Ideas to Action: A 12-Week Executive Function Group Coaching Program for Women Business Owners - We Start March 2nd, 2026! Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to apply! If you’re a woman business owner with ADHD who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in procrastination, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down why so many women entrepreneurs wait for the “perfect time” to take action and why it’s rarely just perfectionism. We’ll talk about executive functioning, burnout, and how to move forward in a way that actually feels supportive and sustainable in your business. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why women business owners with ADHD procrastinate—even when they’re motivated and excitedHow self-talk, fear of failure or success, and past burnout keep you stuckThe executive functioning challenges (like time blindness and prioritizing) that make starting feel so hardWhy “someday goals” are especially tricky for ADHD entrepreneursPractical strategies to take aligned action in your business without burning out Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach Connect with Sarah Lovell: Apply for Ideas to Action: A 12-Week Executive Function Group Coaching Program for Women Business Owners Get your Free ADHD Action Plan Website: Executive Functioning FirstInstagram: @executivefunctioningfirst Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background I use affiliate links for my fave products that I use and trust. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    21 min
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Welcome to From Stuck to Started, the podcast for ambitious ADHDers, perfectionists, and over-thinkers who are ready to achieve their goals without burning out. Join your host, Sarah Lovell, an executive function and ADHD coach, as she shares strategies to help you understand your brain, break down big tasks, and build systems that work for you. Each episode is packed with actionable tips and real-life inspiration to help you tackle hard things and make progress that feels good.

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