06: Squirrel’s Guide to Business: Tips For Working With ADHD

My time-tested, squirrel-friendly hacks for running a business with ADHD

Jan 30, 2025

Listen, being a squirrel in business is not for the faint of heart (or brain). ADHD comes with a unique set of challenges, but it also makes us creative problem-solvers and chaotic geniuses in our own way. In this guide, I’m sharing all my go-to ADHD survival hacks, daily routines, and business tricks that keep my squirrel brain from lighting everything on fire.

Whether you’ve been officially diagnosed, think you might have a squirrel in your brain, or you’re just here for the productivity hacks, there’s something in here for you.

Let’s get into it!

BTL-ISMS

Aka my two claims to fame as a squirrel on the internet — people tag me in these alllll the time, and I love seeing you all use these methods! So, let’s break them down:

1. Tiny Tasks ‘Til 10

This is the hack that saves me from spiraling into procrastination mode first thing in the morning. Between school drop-off and diving into deep work, I knock out quick tasks that take less than 10 minutes — emails, paying bills, or setting up my day. Clearing the little stuff clears my mind.

2. Phone in a Ditch

It’s exactly what it sounds like: when I need deep focus, the phone goes in a metaphorical (or literal) ditch. I put it in another room, on Do Not Disturb, or even hand it to a trusted friend if I’m really struggling. Out of sight, out of mind — and my brain finally gets some peace.

Daily Life Tips

1. Set Everything Out the Night Before

Your future self will thank you. Decision fatigue is real, and if I don’t plan ahead, breakfast turns into an existential crisis. (Do I want it sweet? Savory? Hot? Cold? Should I make banana bread? Wait — do I even have bananas?)

Here’s what I do the night before:

Plan my daily to-do list and open tabs on my laptop for tomorrow’s work.
Lay out clothes for myself and for Woo.
Prep his lunch and backpack, so we’re not scrambling in the morning.

2. Don’t Put It Down — Put It Away

This one hurts, I know. But ADHD brains will leave something “temporarily” on a counter for three months like it’s a decorative vase.

Here’s the twist: The “putting away” spot needs to be easy to find. Over-organizing or hiding things will backfire when you inevitably forget your genius system. (Looking at you, scrapbook supplies that I still can’t find.)

3. 10-Minute Tidy

Set a timer, blast your favorite hype song, and tidy up for just 10 minutes. Whether it’s clearing off your desk, picking up random socks from the floor, or attacking that pile of dishes — this mini cleaning sprint can do wonders for your environment and your mental clarity. Think of it as your squirrel brain’s version of hitting refresh.

Business Tips for Squirrels

1. Sticky Notes on the Wall

To-do lists? Lost by lunchtime. Sticky notes? Life-changing. I write down each task on a sticky note, stick it on my office wall, and don’t take it down until it’s 100% done. It’s wildly satisfying to peel them off the wall.

2. Set Fake Deadlines

I give myself two deadlines: one for me and one for my client. For example, if I tell my client their project is due January 31, I’ll set my own deadline for January 29. It keeps me accountable and avoids last-minute panic.

3. Templates Are Your Best Friend

I’ve created templates for literally everything: sales pages, client emails, newsletters, onboarding workflows — you name it. Templates save my brain from decision overload and make everything feel easier.

4. Schedule Everything on the Calendar

Every task, meeting, or errand gets a spot on the calendar. If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t exist. I use time blocking to make sure I’m not overbooking myself and to give my squirrel brain clear direction. Color coding makes it look pretty and helps me know exactly what kind of task I’m looking at with just a glance.

5. Stick to the Same Schedule Each Week

Routines are your BFF when you’ve got ADHD. I try to keep my weekly schedule as predictable as possible — specific days for client work, meetings, admin tasks, and creative projects. That way, I don’t waste precious brainpower deciding what to tackle each day — it’s already planned for me. Right now, my weekly schedule looks like this:

Monday: BTL work
Tuesday: social media & student feedback in AM, anything outstanding in afternoon (client work, student work, etc.)
Wednesday: client work & discovery calls
Thursday: client work & client calls (longer work day because I have a babysitter)
Friday: podcast, anything left over (usually a chill day because I take my time at the gym in the AM, and then every other afternoon I volunteer at Woo’s school library)

Tech Tools I Swear By

1. Toggl for Time-Tracking

This app helps me track every second of work. It’s like a little accountability buddy that keeps me on track (and helps me figure out if my rates need adjusting).

2. Toby for Browser Tabs

If you’re a tab-hoarding squirrel like me, Toby is a game-changer. It organizes all your tabs by project so you can find everything instantly.

3. Google Calendar

If it’s not in Google Calendar, it doesn’t exist. I have different colors for everything: client work, personal tasks, calls, gym time... Bonus: I schedule projects months in advance, so I never have to decide “what should I do today?”

Hacks

1. Email Yourself Everything

Need a reminder? Email it to yourself! I even schedule emails to land in my inbox exactly when I know I’ll need them — like a little digital Post-it note from past me to future me.

2. Siri Reminders for EVERYTHING

I probably say, “Hey Siri, remind me to…” about 30 times a day. Whether it’s a client call, taking out the trash, or remembering to eat lunch — it’s all in Siri’s hands (or, uh, algorithms?).

3. Change Your Scenery

Not feeling it? Move. A new environment, like a different room, a coffee shop, or even just a new spot on the couch, can make all the difference in snapping out of a slump.

4. Work with Your Shoes On

There’s something magical about putting on shoes — even if you’re working from home. Better yet? Full outfit and a full face of makeup. It’s like a little mind trick that screams, "We’re in boss mode now."

Reminders

Not everything is an emergency, even if it feels like one. Sometimes, the thing you’ve been hyperfixating on isn’t actually important (gasp). Practice letting go of just ONE thing a week, until you realize the sky won’t fall without it.
Didn’t get off to a good start? Not an issue. All-or-nothing thinking is not the vibe. Restart your day at 10 AM, or 3 PM, or heck, 8 PM if you need to. A new day can start whenever you decide it does.
Ask for grace when you need it. Be honest about what’s going on in your squirrel brain—whether it’s with friends, clients, or coworkers. I’ve asked for extra time more times than I can count (single mom squirrel here!), and guess what? People are almost always kind about it.
Get others involved — but not too involved. I tell Woo to ask me twice if I don’t get him something on time, and I give my friends the green light to double text me. But here’s the deal: It’s not their job to keep track of your to-dos, just like it’s not your job to remember everything all the time. Mutual understanding, people!
Pay attention to what feels hard. If something consistently feels like pulling teeth, find ways to make it easier:
- Use autopay where you can.
- Dedicate one day a month for all those “frog swallowing” tasks (aka the boring-but-crucial stuff).
- Or, my personal fave: Just do it right now before you have time to talk yourself out of it.

Point of the Story

ADHD can make life and business chaotic, but with the right strategies (and a little grace), you can make it your secret weapon.

What’s your favorite ADHD hack? Comment below — I’d love to hear!

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