Podcast Summary
Enjoy high-end goods affordably and contribute to a cause: Quince offers luxury items at affordable prices, Bombas donates a pair of socks for every purchase, and UnitedHealthcare's Health ProtectorGuard plans prioritize health and well-being.
It's possible to enjoy high-end goods without breaking the bank, thanks to companies like Quince. At the same time, it's essential to prioritize our health and well-being, even if it means being a little extra, as UnitedHealthcare's Health ProtectorGuard plans demonstrate. Additionally, every purchase made from Bombas results in a donation to those in need, making shopping a meaningful experience. Sally Winter's story, as shared on ADHD Chatter, highlights the importance of managing one's ADHD and finding success on one's own terms. As a child, Sally was often described as a daydreamer, struggling with the traditional school curriculum. However, she excelled in areas that didn't require dedication and found a way to succeed despite her challenges. In her late teens and twenties, Sally started and sold a gin company for a significant profit but faced burnout, imposter syndrome, and low self-esteem in the process. Her story serves as a reminder that success comes with its own set of challenges and that managing ADHD is an ongoing process.
A creative mind's obsession with non-traditional subjects: Creativity, obsession, and a racing mind can be signs of ADHD, leading to deep connections with art and media.
The speaker's passion for non-traditional subjects, particularly art, English, and film, was a reflection of their creative and imaginative mind. They found themselves getting deeply obsessed with certain films and pieces of music, which they would listen to or watch repeatedly. This obsession was a form of instant escapism and a way to fully engage with their emotions. The speaker also mentioned that they never thought this behavior was abnormal until recently, when they learned about the potential connection between their symptoms and ADHD. The realization came relatively late in life, around 6 to 9 months ago, after a friend pointed it out. The speaker's experiences demonstrate how creativity, obsession, and a racing mind can be signs of ADHD, and how these traits can lead to a deep connection with art and media.
ADHD as a Strength in Entrepreneurship: Relentless determination, intensity, and hyperactivity can be strengths in entrepreneurship, turning perceived weaknesses into unique advantages
The qualities often associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be seen as strengths rather than weaknesses, particularly in entrepreneurial and business contexts. The speaker shares how their relentless determination, intensity, and hyperactivity have driven them to pursue their ideas and projects with unmatched focus and energy. These qualities, which were once perceived as negative, have been instrumental in their entrepreneurial journey, allowing them to turn an idea into a reality despite having no prior experience or influence in the field. The speaker emphasizes the importance of reframing the narrative around ADHD and recognizing the unique advantages it brings to the table.
From idea to success with determination: Determination, fueled by a lack of fear and self-doubt, can lead to success in a short time. Address underlying fears to maximize potential.
Intense energy and determination, fueled by a lack of fear and an inability to worry about failure, can propel individuals from idea to success in a relatively short time. This was the experience of the speaker, who found inspiration and validation among like-minded individuals at an arts center event, leading to a mentoring opportunity with a business leader. This obsession and compulsion to act, despite any self-doubt or low self-esteem, can be a powerful driving force. However, it's important to recognize and address any underlying fears that may be holding us back.
Fear and low self-esteem as obstacles to launching a project: Acknowledging the root causes of fear and low self-esteem can help individuals overcome these obstacles and take action towards their goals.
Fear of the unknown and low self-esteem can be major obstacles to starting a project, even when most of the work is already done. The speaker in this conversation shared her experience of launching a gin business, where she had completed most of the preparations but was hesitant to take the final step due to fear and self-doubt. She attributed her low self-esteem to growing up in a poor household, feeling isolated and bullied, and not wanting to fake relationships. The fear of committing to the project and spending money on labels was a significant hurdle for her. However, once she took that leap of faith and made the investment, she felt trapped into moving forward. Understanding and acknowledging the root causes of self-doubt and fear can help individuals overcome these obstacles and take action towards their goals.
Overcoming imposter syndrome and fear of rejection in business: Determination, supportive feedback, and effective marketing strategies can help entrepreneurs overcome imposter syndrome and fear of rejection to launch successful businesses. Recognizing achievements and giving oneself credit for accomplishments is also important for building self-confidence.
Imposter syndrome and fear of rejection can be significant barriers to launching a new venture, but with determination, supportive feedback, and effective marketing strategies, these obstacles can be overcome. The speaker shared her experience of feeling isolated and unsatisfied in her past academic environment, leading to a fear of announcing her new CBD gin brand to the world due to imposter syndrome and fear of criticism. Despite her anxiety, she launched the brand on a small budget and received unexpected support and press coverage, which helped her overcome her fears and drive sales. The speaker also mentioned the importance of recognizing achievements and giving oneself credit for accomplishments, which can be a challenge for those with low self-esteem. Overall, her story highlights the importance of perseverance and the power of positive feedback in overcoming self-doubt and launching a successful business.
Dealing with imposter syndrome as a creative or entrepreneur: Imposter syndrome is common among creatives and entrepreneurs, but pushing through fear and building a network can lead to recognition and growth.
Imposter syndrome, the feeling of not deserving success or being undeserving of recognition, can be a major obstacle for creatives and entrepreneurs. The speaker shared their personal experience of dealing with imposter syndrome when they first started posting their work online and receiving feedback. Despite the initial fear of negative comments and criticism, they pushed through and eventually gained positive feedback and recognition. However, imposter syndrome did not completely disappear, and the speaker noted that it can be a recurring feeling that can be managed but not entirely eliminated. The speaker also highlighted the importance of building a network and gaining validation through platforms like LinkedIn and PR in growing their career. Behind the scenes, the journey was not always smooth, with peaks and troughs of intense ambition and self-doubt. It's important to remember that success stories often involve significant challenges and setbacks that are not always visible on the surface.
The entrepreneurial journey: a challenging and isolating experience: Entrepreneurship involves internal struggles, isolation, and financial stress, but having a support system and sharing the full story can help alleviate these challenges.
Starting and growing a business can be a challenging and isolating experience, filled with self-doubt, stress, and burnout. The journey from idea to launch can be longer than expected due to these internal struggles, which can be amplified when you're a solo entrepreneur without a support system. After launch, the lack of funding and resources can lead to even more stress and burnout. It's important to remember that the public perception of success may not reflect the reality of the ups and downs, struggles, and setbacks that entrepreneurs face behind the scenes. Sharing the full story, including the challenges, can help others relate and understand that success is not just about the positives, but also the negatives. Having a mentor or a support system can help alleviate some of the isolation and provide valuable guidance and encouragement during the entrepreneurial journey.
Self-compassion is vital for managing bad days with ADHD: Understand it's normal to have bad days, be kind to yourself, and recognize the natural ADHD energy to mitigate negative feelings and cope healthily.
Self-compassion is crucial during bad days, especially for those with ADHD. It's essential to understand that not every day will be good, and it's okay to have "shit days." Beating oneself up during these times can prolong the negative feelings and potentially lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Instead, being kind to oneself and acknowledging that everyone has bad days can help mitigate their impact and make them shorter in duration. It's also important to recognize the ADHD energy and understand that it's natural for it to crash, and there's no need to fight it. Practicing self-compassion and forgiveness can lead to increased self-esteem and a more manageable response to bad days. However, it's not always easy to implement, and some aspects, such as controlling and focusing during hyper-focused moments, still require work.
Managing ADHD without medication: Despite having ADHD, the speaker has learned to control symptoms without medication through exercise, running, and focusing on tasks. They are unsure if a formal diagnosis would benefit them, as they have found success in their business with their unique qualities.
While the speaker has been diagnosed with ADHD, they have not felt the need to medicate due to feeling in control of their symptoms. Crashes and difficulty filtering their thoughts have been the biggest challenges, but they have improved in managing these issues. The speaker is unsure if a formal diagnosis would benefit them, as they have learned to channel their qualities for business success. They have also self-medicated in unhealthy ways in the past, but exercise and running help them manage symptoms. The speaker expresses fear of how medication might change their identity.
Managing Distractions for Individuals with ADHD: Turning off notifications on social media and using focus mode on phones can help reduce distractions. Engaging in physical activities like cycling or running can also improve focus and productivity.
Individuals with ADHD can benefit greatly from implementing certain strategies to help manage distractions and improve focus. The speaker mentioned two effective methods: turning off notifications on social media platforms and using focus mode on their phone to minimize distractions. Additionally, engaging in physical activities like cycling or running was found to be helpful in quieting the mind and increasing productivity. Contrary to popular belief, meditation did not work for the speaker or the people they've spoken to, as the mind tends to become hyperactive when asked to focus on nothing. Instead, channeling energy into physical activities can help take the intensity out of the situation and allow for better focus and productivity.
Impostor syndrome: Feeling unworthy of success despite achievements: Impostor syndrome can linger even after accomplishments, leading individuals to attribute success to luck rather than hard work and preparation. Realizing that luck is the result of opportunity and preparation can help overcome feelings of unworthiness and boost confidence in entrepreneurial journey.
Impostor syndrome, or the feeling of not deserving success, can persist even after achieving significant accomplishments. The speaker, who sold a business and struggled to accept the success, shared how she kept attributing her achievements to luck rather than her hard work and preparation. She also discussed the long-lasting impact of low self-esteem on her entrepreneurial journey. After selling the business, she felt a sense of uncertainty and anticipation, as if she was waiting for the deal to be finalized. It took her a long time to acknowledge her accomplishments and feel worthy of her success. The quote "luck is when opportunity meets preparation" helped her realize that she had put herself in the right place at the right time through her hard work and visibility. Entrepreneurship, for her, was not just about the money, but also about growing in confidence and self-esteem.
Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of a Financial Windfall: Winning the lottery can bring unexpected emotions and spending urges, but focusing on projects and being grateful can lead to appreciation and satisfaction.
Winning the lottery or experiencing a significant financial windfall can bring about a rollercoaster of emotions, from excitement and anticipation to anxiety and uncertainty. The speaker shared her personal experience of going through this emotional turmoil, from the agonizing wait for the deal to close, to the unexpected feelings of separation anxiety and the sudden urge to spend money on luxuries like taxis and food delivery. Despite the initial disbelief and the high cost of living, she eventually came to appreciate the house she bought and the life she was living, feeling grateful for her background and the lessons she learned along the way. Now, she is focusing on her projects with her typical ADHD energy, going through major building works on her house and juggling multiple plates at once. The experience has taught her to be ambitioned, driven, and satisfied with what she has, and to never take life for granted.
Embracing Change: Lessons from a Successful Entrepreneur: Adaptability and resilience are crucial for entrepreneurs. Sally Eanes, a PR expert and serial entrepreneur, shares her experiences launching new startups and adapting to change. For health insurance needs, consider UnitedHealthcare Tri Term Medical Plans, and for gift-giving, explore Celebrations Passport from 1-800-Flowers.
Sally Eanes, a successful entrepreneur and PR expert, emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in business. She shares her experiences as a bootstrapper, constantly launching new startups and embracing change. For those interested in learning more about Sally or following her journey, she can be found on LinkedIn. Another constant in life, regardless of the changes that may come, is the need for health insurance. UnitedHealthcare Tri Term Medical Plans offer flexible, budget-friendly coverage for individuals in between jobs or who missed open enrollment. With access to a nationwide network of doctors and hospitals, these plans provide peace of mind for the unexpected. And for those who enjoy giving gifts, Celebrations Passport from 1-800-Flowers offers a one-stop shopping site for amazing gifts with free shipping and rewards. Regardless of the next three years may bring, these resources may prove invaluable.
