Lissy Donovan | Beyond Busy Brains

A screenshot essay titled 'Top 3 Most Important Habits for High Performing Perfectionists with Busy Brains.' The text discusses how late-diagnosed ADHD adults often identify as high-performing perfectionists, sometimes recognizing their symptoms through personal experiences such as family diagnosis or health challenges. The author shares three key habits for preventing burnout: 1) Time Blocking, emphasizing the importance of scheduling joy and rest; 2) Walking as a mindfulness practice to help with reflection and creative problem-solving; and 3) Practicing Self-Compassion to counteract inner criticism and promote resilience against rejection. The piece highlights these habits as essential for attaining a balanced, fulfilling life.

If you've built your success on anxiety & perfectionism, you are burning out. You need new habits that support you being a high achiever, in a sustainable way.

Click to read the 3 Most Important Habits for High Performing Perfectionists with Busy Brains

Screenshot essay titled 'The 2-Minute Grounding Hack to Stop an ADHD Spiral in Its Tracks'. The content explains a technique to help manage ADHD spirals by focusing on one's environment. It includes three steps: 'Zoom In' where you pick a spot on the wall and notice details like texture and shadows; 'Zoom Out' where you expand your awareness to the surrounding wall and room without moving your eyes; and 'Expand 360' where you imagine sensing the space around and behind you while maintaining a soft-focus awareness. The essay concludes with an explanation of how this technique helps the brain shift from chaotic thinking to a calming focus on the present, suggesting it as a useful tool during overwhelming moments.

Feeling an ADHD spiral coming on? Don't fight it in your head.

Use your peripheral vision instead. This 2-minute hack forces your brain out of the chaos and into the present moment for a instant reset.

It's a simple, powerful tool for when you're starting to go off the rails.

Screenshot essay titled '4 (Easily Fixable) Mistakes Most ADHD High Performers Make at Work'. The essay discusses how getting promoted is more about being reliable than being the best. It outlines four common mistakes ADHD high performers make: 1) Constantly being critical, with a fix to be your own hype team; 2) Operating in 'stealth mode' and appearing invisible, with advice to provide micro-updates to manage upwards; 3) Relying on heroic bursts of hyperfocus for work, with a fix to pace work and start early to avoid burnout; 4) Prioritizing perfection over progress, encouraging the use of the 80/20 rule to focus on core value first. The essay emphasizes that mastering these points can lead to becoming a more reliable and promotable leader.

Why do brilliant ADHD professionals often get passed over for promotions?
It's not a skills gap. It's a sneaky confidence gap.
I broke down 4 small, fixable mistakes that make all the difference.
#ExecutiveFunction #Workplace #Neurodiversity

A screenshot essay titled '4 Things I Wish I Knew 20 Years Ago About ADHD'. The body text discusses the author's insights about ADHD, highlighting 4 key points. The first point emphasizes that ADHD manifests differently in individuals, mentioning symptoms like racing thoughts and anxiety. The second point stresses that occasional hyper-focusing doesn't imply one can maintain that level of productivity constantly, emphasizing the necessity of rest. The third point notes that many individuals with ADHD identify as perfectionists, often being overly critical of themselves. The fourth point clarifies that ADHD should not be equated with laziness, encouraging self-care to manage challenges.

Just because you can hyperfocus sometimes and get a month's worth of work done in a day, that does not mean you should be able to work like this every day!
Click to read the 3 other things I wish I knew about ADHD 20 years ago (as a 39 year old mental health coach who got diagnosed at 36).

Screenshot essay titled 'The 1 Tool I Can't Live Without As an ADHD Entrepreneur.' The body discusses the author's reliance on a specific app, 'Brick,' which has notably reduced their screen time by 70%, enhancing productivity and personal enjoyment. The author lists five reasons for this preference: 1) significant reduction in screen time, 2) restored choice in phone usage, 3) increased time for hobbies contributing to happiness and income, 4) encouragement for outdoor activities boosting cognitive capacity, and 5) acknowledgment of the addictive nature of smartphones designed for maximum engagement. The author concludes by recommending the app for those with ADHD, business owners, or anyone struggling with self-control.

Here's my best purchase of 2025 by far, and the one tool I can't live without as a busy brained entrepreneur with ADHD.

Is there a tool you can't function without? What is it?

A screenshot essay titled 'The Simplest Way to Overcome Procrastination' discusses how busy brained individuals often struggle with procrastination. The author shares a personal experience of procrastinating a trip to the DMV and reflects on the realization that procrastination signals a state of dysregulation and self-criticism. They highlight the inevitability of imperfection and emphasize that overcoming procrastination is not about trying harder, but rather about understanding the underlying issues. The essay concludes with a focus on self-compassion as a key strategy, encouraging readers to be kinder to themselves, let go of perfectionism, and make new plans to move forward.

Is your perfectionism driving your procrastination? (if you're human, the answer is yes.)

Screenshot essay titled 'An Easy Framework for Building Your Executive Function.' The text discusses the author's 20-year journey in enhancing executive function with various practices. It lists activities including Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness, Breathwork, Tense and Release, Self Hypnosis, Balance Training, and Dance, emphasizing their positive impact. The main takeaway is highlighted in a subheading: 'Self Compassion & talking to yourself like you would a friend will help your brain function way better than spending $100 on that breathwork class.' The screenshot captures these key points, structured with paragraphs and bullet points.

Some of the things I have done (for more than 20 years) to boost my executive function.

Do you know what helps your brain function it's best?

A screenshot essay titled 'The Best Piece of Advice I was Given About Finding My Purpose at 27'. The essay describes a transformative experience the author had at age 27, while working in a garden with their mentor. The author reflects on the pressures of finding a singular purpose in life and relates feelings of insecurity due to societal expectations. A key quote from the mentor emphasizes that one's purpose is simply to 'be you', and that it evolves over time. The essay concludes with a message of acceptance and encourages exploring curiosities and supporting others as a meaningful purpose.

Purpose is one of those things I hyper-focused on and stressed about majorly in my 20s that I don't think about in my 30s. This advice is why I stopped stressing about it and let myself live.

Screenshot essay titled 'The Advice I'd Give my Younger Self, from a 39 year old Mental Health Coach'. The content emphasizes dreaming boldly and the possibility of achieving one's aspirations. The author reflects on their past struggles with PTSD and ADHD, sharing their fear of disappointment that led to a lack of ambition in their 20s. They discuss the paradox of giving up on dreams, leading to daily disappointment, and emphasize that disappointment is unavoidable regardless of risking or not pursuing dreams. The author highlights the brain's inability to distinguish between imagination and reality, encouraging readers to visualize their dreams. They conclude with a powerful message advocating for the right to dream big and the belief that everyone deserves their aspirations.

There is a scientific argument to be made for the fact that dreaming big and wanting more makes you more resilient, more capable, and primes your nervous system to feel more deserving.
Stop avoiding disappointment.
Dream big.
What's something you've been afraid to dream of?

A screenshot essay titled '3 Habits Successful ADHD Entrepreneurs & Side Hustlers Prioritize' outlines key habits that support managing ADHD symptoms. The text emphasizes the importance of stress management through three core habits: getting sufficient sleep, engaging in daily movement, and maintaining regular meals with adequate protein. It explains that quality sleep reduces stress reactivity, while exercise enhances clarity and focus, ultimately improving decision-making. The essay advises against letting hunger distract from work and encourages creating environments that promote meeting basic needs. Additionally, it suggests setting aside time each Sunday for a habit reset, reinforcing the commitment to self-care throughout the week. The conclusion reinforces the idea that one's brain is a crucial business asset that requires proper care.

You brain is your best business asset. Here's 3 habits successful ADHD Entrepreneurs have to keep their brains at the top of their game.

A screenshot essay titled 'Stop Trying to Meditate for 20 Minutes. A Different Piece of Mindfulness Advice for ADHD.' The text emphasizes that meditation's goal is to witness one's thoughts, likening them to floating by on a river. It discusses the challenges ADHD poses to mindfulness, noting that the ADHD brain finds stillness through movement and feels resistant to boredom. The author suggests mindful walking as an alternative to traditional meditation, urging readers to leave their phones behind and engage in beauty hunting, such as finding yellow flowers. The practice is highlighted as beneficial for emotional processing and self-reflection, encouraging accommodation of the ADHD brain's needs without constant struggle.

Instead of warring with your ADHD trying to do extended meditation sessions, try this different advice to build your mindfulness practice that works better for your brain.

Screenshot essay titled 'What is Executive Function Anyway?' by a mental health coach with ADHD. The content explains executive function as the brain's management system for daily life, involving working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition control. It describes working memory's role in remembering tasks, cognitive flexibility in transitioning and empathizing, and inhibition control in resisting distractions. The frontal lobe is identified as responsible for executive function, noting its unique operation in individuals with ADHD. The essay offers positive reinforcement, stating executive function can be improved through memory games, mindfulness, exercise, and a specific balance training plan three times a week. The author encourages readers to consider steps they can take to enhance their own executive function.

Struggling with working memory or task switching? That's your executive function. 🧠
If you have ADHD, this system works differently. The good news? You can train it.
Learn simple, playful ways to strengthen your executive function.

Hi Sunny! research is showing that covid causes brain inflammation and can make both of these things worse, on top of the world being what it is.
I am so sorry you are dealing with an increase in both! Keep taking the best care of yourself you can and be gentle with you.

It's such a brutal mindset to be in! So much shame that comes with it. I am so glad you're being kinder to yourself Lydi!

A screenshot essay titled 'How I got Interested in ADHD' discusses the author's late diagnosis of ADHD at age 35, explaining how they had previously been misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression. The text highlights the author's experiences during perimenopause, attributing a worsening of symptoms to this transitional period. It emphasizes the revelation gained from working with ADHD clients and recognizing that the coping strategies employed throughout their life were intuitive treatments for their undiagnosed condition. The essay encourages understanding one's neurotype, promoting self-care, stress relief, and the importance of designing flexible routines for well-being. It concludes with a empowering message about embracing differences and cultivating a thriving lifestyle.

I made it to 35 thinking I was just a quirky, anxious person. Turns out, my entire life was built around unknowingly managing my ADHD!

My meditation, walks, need for movement... all were treatments for a brain I didn't yet understand.

If you're late-diagnosed or suspecting, this one's for you!

Screenshot essay titled 'Late diagnosed? How to start learning about ADHD.' The text discusses the author's positive perspective on understanding ADHD and the challenges faced after diagnosis. They emphasize the importance of medication while acknowledging it's just one part of the solution. The author provides a guide for newly diagnosed individuals, recommending resources such as the book 'Struggle Care' by KC Davis for optimizing one's environment, a YouTube video from ADHD Chatter Podcast for women and gender expansive individuals, and the ADHD Chatter Podcast itself for deeper insights. They suggest practical tips like balance training and daily exercise to mitigate ADHD symptoms. The essay highlights the significance of these resources in aiding the learning process.

Are you late diagnosed ADHD? Here's a clear map to start learning about how your brain works!

A screenshot essay titled 'Here's what I am diving into lately' discusses three main topics: 1) The importance of dedicating time to what we value and enjoy, emphasizing that enjoyment can boost productivity. 2) The writer's long-standing interest in writing and communication as essential skills, coupled with ongoing learning and practice. 3) The fascinating neurological impacts of movement, notably how balance training can aid in ADHD treatment by enhancing brain functions. The essay concludes with an invitation for readers to connect about their interests in multiple or singular topic explorations.

3 topics I am diving into lately, as a coach for ADHD adults

A screenshot essay titled 'Habits' which discusses the concept of practicing habits, both consciously and unconsciously. The text poses questions about the nature of habits, asking the reader to reflect on whether their behaviors are cultivating desired habits or undesired ones. The content emphasizes self-awareness in habit formation.

You are always practicing something, building towards a habit if you realize it or not. What habits are your behaviors translating into? Are you practicing habits you want, or habits you don't want?

Screenshot essay titled 'Habits', featuring a paragraph discussing the concept that individuals are continually practicing and developing habits, whether consciously or unconsciously. The text prompts readers to reflect on their own behaviors and consider which habits they are cultivating—those they desire or those they wish to change.

You are always practicing something, building towards a habit if you realize it or not. What habits are your behaviors translating into? Are you practicing habits you want, or habits you don't want?

Screenshot essay titled 'Top 3 Tools for ADHD adults who work from home in 2025'. The body content includes three main tools: 1. 'Brick': A physical app blocker that utilizes behavioral science to help limit distractions like doomscrolling and enhance executive function. 2. 'FocusMate': An online co-working platform designed to assist users in completing tasks they tend to procrastinate on. 3. 'BrainFM': A service providing music specifically engineered to improve focus and facilitate relaxation.

These are my top 3 tools all ADHD folks who work from home need to be using in 2025. Have you tried any of them? Are there other things that make your list that I left out?

Screenshot of an essay titled 'Day 1: Why I'm Starting To Write Online'. The essay explains the author's commitment to writing daily online in October, citing reasons such as a recent move that halted content creation, a desire to share accumulated knowledge, and challenges faced by an ADHD individual in a threatening world. The essay outlines plans to write about ADHD, self-compassion, and productivity throughout October, inviting readers to join the journey and share topics of interest.

If you feel like your ADHD symptoms are worse lately, you aren't alone in that and you aren't making it up!

Lissy Donovan | Typeshare Hi lovely people! I write about ADHD and self compassion, as a coach who also lives with an ADHD brain.

Interested in ADHD, self compassion, and getting more done?

In the month of October, I am writing 30 tiny helpful essays on these topics! Check it out:

typeshare.co/lissydonovan

You know what to do.
You’ve tried the lists. The hacks. The apps.
But the follow-through still doesn't happen.

If you're an ADHD professional or entrepreneur, your problem isn’t laziness or lack of ambition.

It’s trying to force yourself into systems that do not work for you.

Psychological Safety gets talked about a lot around work teams, but not as much in light of your relationship to yourself. It is so helpful to look at as something you can create and cultivate for yourself. It makes it easier to try new things, be a beginner, and make progress on new skills.

If your brain is a rough neighborhood to live in, it does not have to stay that way. You have some thinking habits you need to replace. Things can get so much better!

What's one habit you really want to change?

#growth #lifecoach