If you’re great at ideas but struggle to turn them into something sustainable, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I share a personal reflection on discovering I have ADHD and how that reshaped the way I understand entrepreneurship, focus, and follow-through.

Drawing on research into ADHD and entrepreneurial passion, we explore why many ADHD entrepreneurs thrive in the idea and creation phase, yet feel stuck when it comes to building, maintaining, or growing a business. It’s not a lack of motivation or discipline — it’s often a mismatch between where our passion sits and what the business actually requires to move forward.

This episode breaks down the three types of entrepreneurial passion (inventing, founding, and developing), explains why relying solely on ideas can lead to stalled progress, and offers a more compassionate, practical way to think about growth without self-blame.

Key Talking Points

• Why ADHD entrepreneurs often excel in the idea phase
• The difference between inventing, founding, and developing in business
• How over-reliance on ideas can quietly stall progress
• Why getting stuck isn’t a personal failure
• How understanding your passion patterns can change how you build your business

Studies Referenced

Primary study (main focus):
Hatak, F., Harms, R., & Fink, M. (2021)
ADHD symptoms, entrepreneurial passion, and entrepreneurial performance
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2020.106017

Supporting research mentioned in the episode:

Wiklund, J., Yu, W., Tucker, R., & Marino, L. (2017)
ADHD, impulsivity, and entrepreneurship
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2016.07.002

Lerner, D. A., Verheul, I., & Thurik, R. (2019)
Entrepreneurship and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-018-0061-1

Cardon, M. S., Wincent, J., Singh, J., & Drnovsek, M. (2009)
The nature and experience of entrepreneurial passion
https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2009.40633190

Listener Reflection Prompts

• Where do I spend most of my energy in my business — ideas or execution?
• Do I tend to start things easily but struggle to finish them?
• What parts of my business feel heavier than they should?

Who This Episode Is For

• Entrepreneurs with ADHD or ADHD traits
• Creatives and idea-driven business owners
• Anyone who feels stuck between having great ideas and building something sustainable

Key Takeaway

Being stuck in the idea phase doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It often means you’re brilliant at inventing — and need more support around building and growing.

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