In my previous post I shared how being neurodivergent might affect you as a solo or indie business owner. In this post I share simple, practical strategies to help you succeed and thrive. It’s about finding approaches that play to your strengths, make daily tasks easier, and help you build a business that actually works for you.
Mentoring
A mentor can be your trusted adviser, helping you plan your week by breaking down tasks or information that seems overwhelming into smaller chunks, building on strategies to help you stay on task or make sure you get enough rest if you’re prone to working for longer than is healthy, or recommending tools to make life easier. We can also help you prepare and practice what you might say in an otherwise stressful situation such as a presentation or asking for reasonable adjustments from a potential client. (There’s more on how I can help here.)
Technology
There are many tech tools that can help such as speech recognition software and screen readers, coloured overlays, audio books and productivity tools such as calendars that send notifications, or planning apps. Of course there’s nothing wrong with a paper planner if that works best for you. There are also apps to help with mental health such as meditation apps or apps to reduce anxiety.
Automation is something you might want to explore, too. For example, setting up a booking app that adds appointments to your calendar, then automatically schedules a Zoom meeting and sends out the meeting link. Or you could set up your emails to be automatically filed into folders so they are easy to find later. There are many more automation possibilities.
Business partners
Many neurodivergent people are very capable in some areas but struggle in others. This can be true for anyone – we all have our strengths and weaknesses, but neurodivergent people can have a ‘spiky profile’, which is a more uneven distribution of skills and abilities than a neurotypical person. In this case it might be helpful to find a business partner with strengths that are the opposite or complement yours.
Body doubling
Body doubling is where you work alongside another person, either in-person or virtually, to improve focus and motivation. This gives accountability and can help stop you from getting distracted, even though they are not necessarily working on the same task as you. Often used by people with ADHD but can be helpful for anyone.
Outsourcing
You don’t have to do everything yourself in your small business, you can work with a bookkeeper, virtual assistants or any other service provider, leaving you to focus on what you are best at.
Reasonable adjustments
You may have heard that employers must make reasonable adjustments for employees, but the Equality Act 2010 says that employers must make reasonable adjustments for contractors and self employed people as well as employees.
Environment
The environment can have a big impact on how effective you are. Factors such as noise, lighting, clutter, and interruptions can either support focus or create overwhelming distractions. For example, a calm, organised workspace with clear routines might boost productivity and reduce stress, while a noisy, chaotic setting could lead to sensory overload and burnout. Flexible working patterns can also be a big help.
Access to Work
Access to Work is a UK government scheme that helps people with a health condition or disability get or stay in work. You might be eligible for a grant to help pay for practical support. More info here: Access to work.
If you’d like to have a chat about using any of these strategies in your business, please send me a message here.