New Year’s Resolutions That Actually Work

How ADHD Entrepreneurs Can Set (and Keep) New Year’s Resolutions That Actually Work

The New Year is here, and for ADHD entrepreneurs, it’s often a time of big ideas, high energy, and... let’s be honest, a bit of fear. You’ve been here before—pumped to take your business to the next level but secretly afraid this year’s resolutions will end up like last year’s: abandoned somewhere between January and February. This time, let’s do it differently. Let’s focus on creating resolutions that not only inspire you but are actually sustainable for the long haul.

Here are five tips to help you set and stick to business goals that work with your ADHD brain—not against it.

1. Start Small and Specific

Grand resolutions like “Grow my business to six figures” or “Be more productive” sound impressive, but they’re vague and overwhelming. Instead, break it down into bite-sized, actionable steps. For example:

• Instead of “Grow my business,” try “Sign one new client per month.”
• Instead of “Be more productive,” try “Dedicate 20 minutes a day to social media marketing.”

ADHD entrepreneurs thrive on clarity and manageable tasks, so the more specific, the better. These small steps are the foundation of effective ADHD entrepreneur coaching strategies.

2. Leverage Your Energy Cycles

One of the most frustrating aspects of ADHD is the inconsistency in energy and focus. Some days you’re a productivity powerhouse; other days, it’s like moving through molasses. Instead of fighting it, work with it:

• Batch tasks: Group similar tasks together on high-energy days, like brainstorming all your blog topics or planning your social media calendar. Alternatively, I like to keep a list of tasks to do when I am absolutely braindead, like cleaning my office or going through and batch erasing emails and unsubscribing from junk mail.
• Automate and delegate: For low-energy days, lean on tools or a virtual assistant to handle repetitive tasks.

Recognizing and honoring your natural rhythms can help you sustain momentum. ADHD-friendly productivity tips like these can make your workday more manageable and enjoyable.

3. Build Accountability into Your Plan

ADHD often comes with a “now-or-not-now” sense of time, which makes it hard to stay on track without external checkpoints. Create accountability systems that keep you engaged:

• Join a Flanagan Leadership coaching group to inspire and be inspired by other ADHD entrepreneurs.
• Use apps like Trello or Asana to track progress and celebrate wins, or tweak your own brand of strategies that kind of already work a little. You don’t have to go by anyone else’s book of what works for them. We are creative people and with a little playfulness we can leverage that innovative spirit to outsmart ourselves into being more productive.
• Schedule weekly check-ins with yourself, a colleague, or a coach to review intentions and celebrate what went right, even if everything feels wrong.

These systems are core elements of ADHD-friendly business strategies and help you stay on track without the overwhelm.

4. Embrace Imperfection

Let’s face it: you’re going to have off days. The key is not letting one missed task spiral into a full-on abandonment of your goals. Give yourself permission to fail—then get back on track:

• Focus on progress, not perfection: Small wins add up over time.
• Redefine success: Even if you don’t hit every target, showing up consistently is still a victory. Ultimately, being present to what is and adjusting expectations to fit reality is going to lead to perhaps slower, but more sustainable progress.

When you’re kind to yourself, you’re more likely to keep moving forward. People in our lives have already tried yelling at us to get us to do better. It didn’t work for them, either. We need to try some kinder tactics with ourselves and offer ourselves some kindness and grace.

5. Make It Fun

ADHD brains are driven by novelty, so if your resolutions feel boring, you’ll probably naturally lose interest. Find ways to make the process enjoyable:

• Turn mundane tasks into party time. I’ve been known to throw on some high energy EDM bangers and work standing up so I can dance while going through boring emails.
• Reward yourself for productivity bursts. I like to treat myself with a few squares of my favorite Chocolove Almonds and Sea Salt bar when I have a little productivity burst. I like to spoil myself a little sometimes.
• Mix it up: I sometimes like to use an alternative workspace just to light up my dopamine and wake up my brain.

When your goals feel exciting, you’re far more likely to stick with them. Business coaching for ADHD entrepreneurs often emphasizes fun and creativity as key components for success.

This Year Is Different—Because You Are

As an ADHD entrepreneur, you bring creativity, passion, and innovation to the table. But to unlock your full potential, you need systems and strategies that align with how your brain works. This year, ditch the all-or-nothing approach and focus on small, sustainable changes that build over time. Remember: progress is better than perfection, and consistency beats intensity every time.

Ready to make 2024 your breakthrough year? Let’s talk about how you can turn these resolutions into real, sustainable growth. Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation on ADHD entrepreneur coaching with Flanagan Leadership Group to explore strategies tailored to your unique challenges and goals. Visit flanaganleadership.com to book your session today!