Many entrepreneurs face challenges in staying focused and productive. For those with ADHD, these struggles can be even harder. ADHD affects how people process information, which can make everyday tasks overwhelming. 

However, understanding how ADHD works can help turn these challenges into opportunities for success. With the right tools and mindset, ADHD entrepreneurs can use their unique traits to their advantage.

Steve August, Founder of ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator and August & Wonder, is a renowned ADHD coach and productivity specialist. He is also the founder, coach, and leader of The Focus Formula ADHD Coworking Community and the creator of the 2X Accelerator. Steve specializes in helping ADHD entrepreneurs tackle challenges such as time blindness, lack of focus, and difficulties with prioritizing tasks.

He helps other entrepreneurs understand how ADHD affects their work and how they can use their strengths to boost productivity. His own ADHD diagnosis at age 54 helped him see how it had impacted his career.

In this article, we will explore Steve's journey and the impact ADHD has had on his productivity. We will also look at practical tips and strategies for managing ADHD, so you can work with your brain rather than against it.

ADHD and Entrepreneurship: When Productivity Feels Just Out of Reach

If you’re an entrepreneur with ADHD, you’ve probably felt it: the frustration of wanting to get things done, but somehow feeling stuck. Ideas are never the problem. It’s turning them into action that gets tricky. The focus slips. The day disappears. The to-do list multiplies while progress… doesn’t.

I know that feeling all too well. For years, I ran successful companies. I built a startup and sold it. Later, I worked as a CMO for a private equity-backed company. From the outside, it looked like I had it all together.

But inside, it was a different story.

Image Credits: Photo by The Coach Space on Pexels

When Everything Got Harder

In 2017, I stepped away from the startup world to recharge. I started coaching founders. Launched a creative side project that blended art, tech, and finance. Then COVID hit. Life slowed down. My family faced a health crisis. And when the dust started to settle… I couldn’t seem to get back on track.

Even simple things—writing an email, following through on ideas—started to feel strangely hard. I’d sit down to work and just… drift.

At first, I thought it was burnout. Or maybe just a rough patch.

But the struggle persisted, even when life was relatively calm. That’s when I started to consider something I’d never thought about before: ADHD.

The Late Diagnosis That Made Everything Click

I was 54 when I got diagnosed. Growing up, ADHD wasn’t even on the radar—especially if you weren’t bouncing off the walls. But when I started digging into adult ADHD, so much clicked:

• Having tons of ideas, but trouble executing

• Days slipping by with nothing to show

• Focus evaporating with no warning

• Feeling wired and tired all at once

Getting the diagnosis didn’t magically fix things—but it gave me a starting point. I finally had language for the patterns I’d been living with for decades.

Image Credits: Photo by fauxels on Pexels

ADHD Isn’t Always What You Think

When people hear “ADHD,” they often picture a hyperactive kid bouncing in a classroom. But many adults with ADHD are the opposite. On the outside, they’re calm, driven, even high-achieving. On the inside? Chaos.

Interrupting others. Zoning out mid-conversation. Struggling to finish anything. Feeling exhausted after even small wins. These are all signs, but they’re easy to miss—especially if you’ve built systems to compensate.

That’s part of why adult ADHD so often flies under the radar. You look functional. But inside, it’s a daily battle with your brain.

The Real Shift: Learning to Work With Your Brain

Once you understand how your brain works, everything changes. You stop trying to force yourself into systems that don’t fit. You build ones that do.

That’s what led me to create the Focus Formula, the ADHD Coworking Community, and the Weekly OS—a simple framework to help ADHD entrepreneurs build momentum, reduce overwhelm, and stay on track.

When you use tools designed for how your brain actually works, you stop feeling broken—and start feeling focused, clear, and capable again.

What ADHD Feels Like Behind the Scenes

Here’s what it’s really like for many ADHD entrepreneurs:

• You’re busy all day, but it feels like nothing got done.

• You end the day more tired than you should be.

• You can’t rest, because your brain never stops.

• Even the small stuff feels strangely hard.

And yet… you’re probably harder on yourself than anyone else ever could be.

But here’s the truth: You’re not lazy. You’re not undisciplined. You’re not broken.

You just have a different brain. And when you learn how to work with it, you can unlock incredible creativity, resilience, and momentum.

Image Credits: Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels

Two Levers That Change Everything

If you’re trying to grow a business with ADHD, you need to work on two levels:

1. ADHD Management: Know your energy patterns. Use tools that reduce friction. Keep it simple.

2. Business Strategy: Focus only on the few things that move the needle. Say no to the rest.

When these two align, everything starts to feel a little easier—and a lot more possible.

The Power of the Weekly Dashboard

One of the simplest, most effective tools I use (and teach) is the Weekly Dashboard.

Unlike a packed calendar, the dashboard helps you:

• Focus on what truly matters

• Make space for both action and rest

• End the week with a sense of completion

That’s the real win: not just making progress, but feeling good about it. Finishing your day with a clear mind. Closing your laptop without guilt. Actually enjoying your weekend.

Image Credits: Photo by Elevate Digital on Pexels

Think You Might Have ADHD? Start Here

If you’ve been wondering whether ADHD might be in the mix for you, take the free ADHD Entrepreneur Quiz. It’s a quick way to see if your experience lines up with common ADHD traits - and it might explain more than you realize.

You Don’t Need Fixing. You Need Fit.

ADHD isn’t a flaw - it’s a different operating system. And it comes with some real advantages: curiosity, creativity, energy, and drive.

But only when it’s managed with care.

You don’t need to work harder. You need the right support, tools, and systems to work smarter - with your brain, not against it.

And when you do, you’ll finally start to feel what steady progress actually looks like.

FAQs

How does ADHD affect productivity in entrepreneurs?

ADHD and productivity challenges make it difficult for entrepreneurs to stay focused and complete tasks, slowing progress.

How can understanding ADHD and productivity improve work habits?

Understanding ADHD and productivity helps entrepreneurs find strategies to stay focused, reduce stress, and boost efficiency.

What are the common signs of ADHD and productivity issues in adults?

Adults with ADHD may struggle with focus, completing tasks, and feeling mentally drained, which affects their productivity.

How can entrepreneurs manage ADHD and productivity?

Entrepreneurs can manage ADHD and productivity by using tools like weekly dashboards and setting clear goals.

Why is ADHD and productivity often misunderstood in adults?

ADHD and productivity issues are often misunderstood because adults don't show typical hyperactive behavior, masking their struggles.