Burnout when you have adult ADHD is complex. It’s not as simple as social media makes it look. Sure, sometimes people walk away from a stressful job or career. But let’s be honest….that’s not always possible.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “People don’t leave jobs, they leave people.”
Well, that’s not always true. People do leave jobs.

But what happens when you can’t leave?
What if you’re running a business you own? Or working a job you depend on financially? Or caring for a loved one, a responsibility that’s not optional or short-term?

These are situations you can’t just walk away from. You have to find a way to make it work.

One of the biggest drivers of burnout is the feeling that your situation isn’t going to change anytime soon.

So in today’s episode, we’re talking about realistic, practical strategies for navigating burnout when you’re stuck in a situation that’s not easily changed.

If you take away just one thing from today’s episode, let it be this:

You have to become a problem solver.
Because when your circumstances can’t change, your approach has to.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

This week, Dave welcomes back his good friend Jeff Copper of DIG Coaching for a vital discussion tailored for the busy professional navigating life with ADHD.

Many with ADHD excel at problem-solving for others, but often struggle to implement those same solutions for themselves. This episode dives into the concept of executive function impairment and introduces a new approach.

Jeff shares how this model provides a simple, actionable, and universal accommodation to help mitigate the challenges of ADHD and burnout. Tune in to understand why direct communication is the most basic, yet often overlooked, tool for achieving clarity with Adult ADHD.

Key Discussion Points

• ADHD and Problem Solving: Individuals with ADHD are often excellent problem solvers and "connect the dots" better than others, but struggle to apply these skills to their own lives.
• The Role of Executive Functions: ADHD is defined as an executive function impairment, meaning the "mind tools" used for problem-solving (planning, organizing, decision-making) are less efficient, requiring much greater effort in some cases.
• Strategies vs. Execution: Having a plan or strategy isn't enough; the difficulty lies in the execution which requires intensive use of executive functions.
• Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out: Jeff Copper’s model posits that direct communication (talking things through in real-time) is a universal accommodation for ADHD.
• Communication as an Accommodation: Language evolved to solve shared problems, making direct, collaborative conversation the most fundamental form of problem-solving. People with ADHD simply need this accommodation more.
• The Power of Clarity: The majority of procrastination is rooted in ambiguity, which direct communication is designed to resolve.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

In this episode, Dave tackles the quiet struggle of adults with ADHD in demanding roles…from entrepreneurs to executives. While students often have built-in support systems, busy professionals are left to navigate their unique challenges alone.

Join Dave as we explore the importance of finding a community of like-minded peers who truly get it. We discuss the need for a confidential space where you can share your wins, challenges, and frustrations without judgment.

Busy professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners people in leadership, senior VP's with ADHD all welcome!

If you've ever felt isolated in your journey with ADHD, this episode is for you.

Tune in to hear about a potential solution for finding the support system you need.

Overcoming Distractions is THE podcast for the busy professional, executive, entrepreneur with ADHD.

In this episode, Dave reminds all of you (and himself…) that we need to hit the reset button and focus on the positive aspects of our ADHD brains, especially in a business environment.

Many of us got to where we are in business and career because we were able to think a little differently from others. But life and business happens and challenges and frustrations got in the way of us growing any further.

Sometimes in life and in business focusing on the positives is very difficult but we have to try a little differently to remind ourselves that we have strengths and those can overpower the negatives in many cases.

Life and industry don’t just operate at an even pace. Industries change, family dynamics change, some of us become caregivers and some of us get to a point where work has become incredibly stressful and toxic.

Let's talk about how to incorporate some positivity into our ADHD world!

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

If you are a busy professional with ADHD and you have a demanding career, it is a critical mission to protect your time and energy. It is non-negotiable!

Boundaries, limitations, restrictions, limits, our professional safe zone…all protect us busy ADHDers from others and ourselves.

Whatever we call it, we must guard our time.

Boundaries are often the make-or-break factor for adults with ADHD in leadership roles. Without them, ADHD traits like distractibility, impulsivity, and overcommitment can quickly lead to burnout, poor decision-making, and loss of credibility.

If you are in a leadership position and have ADHD or think you have ADHD, join Dave as he discusses why boundaries and protecting your time and energy must be part of the way you operate.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Clarity is essential for executives with adult ADHD because it acts as an anchor in the midst of constant internal and external distractions. Without clear priorities, objectives, and next steps, the ADHD brain can easily become overwhelmed by competing demands, unfinished tasks, and shifting responsibilities, leading to paralysis or reactive decision-making.

Join Dave for this short and to the point podcast episode as he discusses why clarity needs to be part of your daily and long term game plan as a busy professional with ADHD.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Recently, Dave drove over 1600 miles to visit a long term client from his public relation days. He talks about how powerful long stretches of quiet time can be for busy professionals with ADHD.

There are clear and powerful benefits to shutting down and spending some time by ourselves to reflect on our thoughts and even slow our brains down. Those benefits include reducing our mental overload, boosting our clarity and focus and the ability to problem solve and create new visions for our lives.

Spend some time with Dave on this short episode and learn more about how powerful and impactful a large chunk of time can be for the ADHD brain.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

You’re a busy professional with ADHD, and you feel like you’re constantly fighting an uphill battle. But what if the problem isn’t you….it's that you’re using your brain's "operating manual" incorrectly?

This episode is about moving past the idea that you need to be "fixed" and instead learning to honor how your ADHD brain actually works. By understanding its wiring, you can stop fighting yourself and start creating a system that allows you to thrive.

Dave is an entrepreneur with ADHD, not a doctor. His advice comes from decades of executive and entrepreneurial experience as an adult with ADHD.

Actionable Advice for Honoring Your ADHD Brain

• Acknowledge Your Wiring: Accept that your brain is wired for interest, novelty, and urgency, not routine. Don't compare yourself to neurotypical standards.
• Optimize for Energy, Not Just Time: Ditch the idea of "I'll just stay late" and start scheduling around your energy levels.
• Use External Structures: Your brain isn’t lazy; it’s overloaded. Use external cues like visual boards, phone reminders, and a “home base” for important items. Don’t complicate it…just get things out of your head every day.
• Build Momentum Over Perfection: Motivation comes from starting, not from waiting to "get it right."
• Design for Dopamine: Your ADHD brain craves dopamine. Build rewards into your workflow, like a coffee break after a difficult task, and rotate your environments to boost stimulation and engagement.
• Practice Self-Compassion: High-achievers with ADHD often carry hidden shame. When you find yourself being self-critical, stop and say, "Not today." Acknowledge your wins, no matter how small, and ask yourself what worked this week so you can do more of it.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min