In this insightful interview, Stephanie Scheller, the entrepreneurial powerhouse behind Grow Disrupt, shares her personal strategies and tools for conquering ADHD overwhelm in the business world. As a successful entrepreneur who doubled her business during a pandemic, Stephanie's journey is a testament to the effectiveness of these tools. She emphasizes that while she's not a psychologist or therapist, her experiences offer valuable insights for fellow entrepreneurs dealing with ADHD. Let's dive into the three essential tools she relies on to thrive.
Tool 1: Stream of Conscious Journaling
When the whirlwind of ideas and tasks leaves you feeling overwhelmed, Stephanie suggests starting with a practice called "stream of conscious journaling." It's as simple as setting a timer (usually around 15 minutes) and writing whatever comes to mind. During this time, avoid distractions like your phone and focus solely on the journaling process.
Stephanie emphasizes that the goal isn't to produce perfectly structured sentences, but to unload the thoughts cluttering your mind. It's a safe space to express feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, and the sheer weight of your responsibilities. This messy, unfiltered process allows you to externalize your thoughts for further examination.
Tool 2: Project Management Software
For entrepreneurs with ADHD, a reliable project management software is a game-changer. Stephanie encourages entrepreneurs to pick the one that suits them best. The key here is to create a dedicated section for ideas within the software. Whenever inspiration strikes, create a new section for that idea, providing a clear space for development.
Moreover, Stephanie shares a valuable tip: document your ideas throughout the day, then transfer them into your project management software as an end-of-day routine. This approach ensures that your brilliant ideas don't get lost in the shuffle of everyday tasks.
Project management software also helps break down overwhelming projects into manageable, step-by-step tasks. It's especially useful when you're unsure about the next steps or when a single step turns out to be more complex than initially thought.
Tool 3: Goblin Tools for Automated Project Plans
Stephanie introduces us to her newfound gem: Goblin Tools. This online platform creates project plans for you, complete with tasks and checklists. It takes the guesswork out of project management and allows you to focus on execution.
What makes Goblin Tools stand out is its adaptability. You can choose your "spiciness level," determining the level of detail and complexity in your project plan. This feature ensures that you have the right amount of guidance without feeling overwhelmed by unnecessary details.
Stephanie personally finds Goblin Tools immensely helpful for identifying any missed steps in her project management plans. It streamlines the process and offers a visual representation of all the necessary tasks required to achieve your goals.
The Wrap
As we wrap up this enlightening interview, it's clear that Stephanie's journey as an entrepreneur with ADHD is a testament to the power of these three tools. Stream of conscious journaling allows you to externalize and analyze your thoughts, project management software organizes your ideas and tasks, and Goblin Tools automates project plans with precision.