The ADD Business Owner

Join Me for a Free Teleclass: Unleash Your Inner Maverick

Did you hear about the free teleclass I'm hosting next week? It's called Unleash Your Inner Maverick: How to Be Happy and Successful by Breaking the Rules, and I want to personally invite you to attend. Here are the details:

Date: Wednesday February 17, 2010
Time: 8pm-9pm EST (Not on EST? Get your local time here.)
Note: Don't worry if you can't attend live. Everyone who is registered will receive an email with the teleclass recording.

To Register: Visit http://www.addmanagement.com/coaching/mavericks.html

While this teleclass is not specifically about business, I think you'll get a lot out of it that you can directly apply to your life both personally and professionally. Join me!

Turning Ideas Into Reality: Who's Your Opposite?

People, especially coaches, are fond of inspirational sayings like "You can do anything you set your mind to!" The sad truth, however, is that you can't change the world all by yourself. Not in business, anyway.

ADDers and entrepreneurs are "idea people" by nature. We have so many ideas that it's hard to keep track of them all. The ideas, the big picture, and the strategy are the fun parts of business. The follow-through and the details are boring and tedious. This is why so many of our great ideas never come to life. It's easy to succumb to burnout when you're the only person charged with making things happen.

Don't get me wrong, you can absolutely be successful by being the person who does everything, but your success will have a cap on it. One person can only handle so much, and your growth is limited if you insist on flying solo.

If you want to be successful without limits, then you've got to have a partner who is your polar opposite.

Now I know this sounds weird but, believe it or not, there are people in the world who enjoy the details. They also enjoy crazy things like managing projects and deadlines, working within budgets, and playing with spreadsheets. You don't have to feel bad about leaving the details to your business partner because, as hard as it is for you to imagine, they really enjoy that stuff!

Your partner need not be an equal owner of the business. Your partner can be a partial owner, an employee, or a contractor. As long as you are both passionate about what you're creating together, and you both feel appreciated and respected, your partnership will be fruitful.

And when you have a team that begins with two partners united behind a passion or cause and working in their individual strengths, you'll be amazed at what can actually happen. Of course, the bigger your business gets, the more people you'll need to make it work. But things will really start moving when the core team of opposites is in place.

Perfectionism: Are You Doing a Two-Ass Job?

In working with a client recently, we had a discussion about some tension with her non-ADD business partner. "It's just that she always does such a half-assed job," the client said. "I'm busting my butt and she's hardly trying."

In fact, this client does work really hard. Too hard. She gets caught up in perfectionism, works long hours, and is always stressed out.

"So she's doing a half-ass job," I said to the client, "and you're doing a two-ass job."

I have no idea where the term "half-ass" came from, but it certainly is an interesting way of describing a shoddy job, isn't it? And it stands to reason that if there is such a thing as a half-ass job, then there is also such a thing as a two-ass job.

While you might think that ADD would cause a business owner to do half-assed work, I find the opposite to be true. ADD business owners often get caught up in old patterns and belief systems, worrying about what others will think of their work and overcompensating as a result. They do two-assed work. This is a form of perfectionism, and it leads to overwhelm and, ultimately, burnout.

My client laughed and agreed. And the point became clear: the best work is done with one full ass. No more, no less.

Business Travel & ADD: Lessons Learned

I attended the AD/HD Coaches Organization annual conference last week and I thought it might be helpful to post my 'lessons learned,' especially as they relate to my earlier posts on 'business travel and ADD."

Lessons Learned:

1. Do NOT tell clients I'll be available via email. I had some problems with my Internet connection at the hotel and couldn't download a bunch of emails. This isn't the first time I've had this problem, either. (Solution: answer emails if possible, but don't commit to it.)
2. DO take the following day off. The conference was a Friday-Sunday, so I am now on my 8th straight working day, and have a full week ahead. A recharging day after returning home would have been helpful.

Lessons Reiterated:

1. DO plan ahead for self-care. One of the easiest things to "fall off track" with when traveling is food. I know that certain foods will screw with my energy and mood, and that includes hotel food. So the night of my arrival, I found a nearby Whole Foods and stocked up on the kinds of food I eat when I'm home. I felt much better at this conference than I did at the last one I attended, during which I ate a lot of hotel food.
   
2. Do NOT plan to get work done. I broke my own rule on this one! I know better than to expect myself to get things crossed off my list while away on business. It creates too much stress and pressure, and it's often an unrealistic expectation. But I did it anyway this time, thinking I'd do some work on the plane. I might have, if I didn't have two screaming kids and their neurotic mother behind me. Better to not plan on getting work done, and consider it a bonus if I do.

For more posts on business travel and ADD, see:
ADD Business Travel Tip #1
ADD Business Travel Tip #2
ADD Business Travel Tip #3

Save the Drama for Your Mama

Adults with ADD crave stimulation. When we don't have enough stimulation in our work or home lives, we can easily get sucked into drama.

Think back to high school, when phrases like these dominated conversations:

• She told him and he told me that _____.
• I hear that he said _____.
• Did you hear what she did?
• I can't believe he _____!

Of course, many of these statements get spread, twisted, and overblown. Before you know it, the whole school hates some poor person who probably doesn't deserve it. That is, until the next target emerges.

As mature as we like to think we are, the drama doesn't stop in high school. Drama and gossip prevail throughout our lives, and only the most enlightened are able to detach from it. ADDers, in particular, can get wrapped up in drama because it's often much more interesting than the day-to-day stuff.

As business owners, however, we have to be extra careful about getting caught up in drama. For starters, YOU set the tone for your staff. If you devote lots of your time to gossip, you can expect that your staff will, too. Additionally, your conduct sets the tone for your brand. A business owner who gossips sends a message of being untrustworthy.

Perhaps the biggest danger of all when it comes to getting caught up in drama is that it can turn around and bite you in the ass. Just like in high school, those who participate in the drama will always end up as a target eventually. That can hurt your reputation, and thus hurt your business. And you probably won't even see it coming.

It's perfectly normal to get caught up in drama every once in a while, although it's no doubt better to avoid it altogether. If you do find yourself engaged in some drama, here are a few tips to keep it under control:

• Restrict gossip to a few people you know very well and trust whole-heartedly. Note that this does NOT mean your staff, clients, or customers!
• Don't believe everything you hear. There are three sides to every story: your's, mine, and the truth.
• Remain objective whenever possible and give people the benefit of the doubt. You'd want them to do the same for you.

What are your thoughts about drama at work? Have you or your business ever been the subject of drama? Please share your thoughts!

ADD-friendly Business Travel Tip #3: Be Yourself, ADD & All

When I asked business owners to tell us their biggest challenges when traveling on business, Coach V said:

The biggest challenge for me is to remember all the people I meet at events. Chamber meetings to conferences to consulting, there are so many people and I forget names. Its embarrassing and also stressful.

Poor working memory is is a common problem associated with adult ADD. This means that it can be easy to forgot the "little things," like where you put your keys. It also means you may have a tendency to forget names and/or faces. And if you fear this challenge from the start, your anxiety and stress may make your working memory even worse!

Despite our worries to the contrary, most people are not offended when you politely explain that you have a tendency to forget names (for example.) Try saying something like, "I'm so sorry, but would you tell me your name one more time? I have an awful time remembering names!"

Or, even better, "It's nice to meet you, Jane! And please forgive me if I need you to remind me of your name a few times. It's always been a challenge of mine."

Fortunately, this is one challenge that there's really no need to stress about. It's actually much better to just be yourself, forgetfulness and all. People will appreciate your honesty, and your authenticity.

More ADD-friendly business travel tips can be found here and here.

And don't forget that it's March mADDness over at Experiencing ADDvantages! You can win some great prizes just for commenting on a post!

ADD-friendly Business Travel Tip #2: Get What You Came For

In response to my earlier post on Business, Travel & ADD, tac anderson commented:

My biggest problem is actually getting any work done. I always plan to make the most of my down time or get some work done in the evenings (you'd think it would be easier w/ my wife and kids around) but it never works out that way.

It's a great point...and a trap that many of us fall into. We think, I'll be away from the office and all the distractions for a few days so I'll really be able to get some work done!

Of course, it's always a big plus if we can find some "extra time" to get more work done. But business trips can be so stressful and overwhelming to begin with that it doesn't always work in our favor to try to accomplish a lot while we're away. So when my clients ask me to help them prepare for a business trip, I always encourage them to stay focused on the reason for travel.

For example, when attending a conference, determine your primary objective. Is it to present to an audience, sell your products and services, learn new things, or network and forge relationships? The vast majority of your focus and energy need to be directed towards your primary objective. 

If you have the energy and brain power to accomplish more, then that's a happy bonus...and I stress the word bonus. When you have adult ADD, sometimes that "free time" during travel is best spent recharging. 

When you have a tendency to become easily stressed, distracted, overwhelmed, and burnt out, it's best to set realistic expectations of what you can accomplish when you travel for business, and then plan accordingly.

More business travel tips are on the way, stay tuned! If you'd like to tell us about your biggest challenge when traveling for business, then I might just craft an ADD-friendly business travel tip with you in mind!

And in the meantime, jump over to my main blog, Experiencing ADDvantages, for some March mADDness giveaways!

 

ADD-friendly Business Travel Tip #1: Coming & Going

One of the most stressful things about business travel is an intense schedule. Business travel is hectic to begin with, and it can be incredibly overwhelming for adults with ADD.

You fly in, get to where you need to be, and are expected to be alert, focused, and ready to work. Then you spend a few days getting up early, possibly adhering to someone else's schedule, and often spend your evenings socializing or networking. Before you know it, you're leaving. Even when it's enjoyable, travel is still stressful.

So here's my first travel tip for adults with ADD: Arrive at your destination a day early and leave a day late.

If you can't arrive early and leave late, then try to do either/or. Padding your schedule with some down time allows you to adjust to the change of structure without getting too stressed.

By the way, I'd still like to know, what is your biggest ADD challenge when traveling for business?

The Key To Achieving Short Term Goals

In my weekly Mastermind Group meeting, we check in with each other, ask questions, and set the goals we'd like to be held accountable for. Last week I complained that I was once again setting the same goal for myself that I had set the week before, because I just couldn't find the time to complete it.

That's when fellow Masterminder Doug asked one of the best business coaching questions I've ever heard:

In order to reach your goal this week, what won't you do?

He knows me well...and I think he's gotten to know ADD well, too!

Asking me that one little question forced me to articulate exactly what was getting in the way of my progress. It will come as no surprise that I was allowing myself to follow distractions that were new and more interesting than my original goal. A great example of this is that I got caught up playing around with new software. Getting to know this software is something I will have to do, but in the present time it's not more important than the original goal.

Simply articulating this problem forced me to be aware of it, which allowed me to consciously avoid the distraction.

If your short term business goals aren't being achieved on time, ask yourself what you won't do in order to make them happen.

Do You Embrace Your ADD?

There's a debate that's been going on in the ADD world for as long as I can remember. It centers around whether or not Attention Deficit Disorder is a gift or a curse. My personal opinion is that ADD offers some specific challenges and some specific advantages. It is what it is, and your life is what you make of it.

I've worked with clients who struggled in school so much that they dropped out, but followed their passions into successful business and art careers. Their perseverance and maverick style proved more useful than a high school diploma.

And I've worked with clients who had to study twice as hard and twice as long as their peers, yet still received advanced degrees--many of them now carrying a proud "Esq.," "M.D.," or "Ph.D" after their names.

I've also worked with clients who rose to the top of their companies by making their own rules. They "paid their dues" by working longer hours and suffering through their challenges in the early years. Little by little they used their people skills to get help where it was needed and weren't afraid to boast about their accomplishments. Eventually, these men and women reached executive positions where they could hire people to take care of all the details, and they happily delegated all they could.

And, of course, I've worked with business owners who sucked at following the rules, but excelled when making them. These are people who experience great success, but often struggle with hyperfocus, poor time management, unrealistic personal standards, and pissed off families who want more time and attention. These are the people who credit their ADD-wiring as a key to their success, and wouldn't trade it for anything. I am one of them.

The clients that I work with tend to be high achievers who are chronically overwhelmed. Many of them are business owners, like you. They've chosen to gracefully accept their ADD, with all it's challenges and advantages. And oftentimes, these ADDers need just a little bit of help breaking the cycle of overwhelm and creating structure before they find themselves living not just successfully, but happily, with Adult ADD.

If you're a successful business owner, but not necessarily a happy one, then 2008 can be your year to change that. You might want to consider coaching with me (for both personal and business issues unique to adults with ADD), or at least pick up my book Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD. After all, it takes one to know one...

Happy New Year!