169 ⎸ [ND] Managing Business & Home with ADHD with Megs Crawford

Hey ambitious bookkeepers!

This is the first of a series we will be having on the podcast, all around neurodivergent businesses & bookkeepers. You can find these episodes by searching [ND] in brackets on our blog.

In this interview episode, I sit down with Megs, a professional organizer specializing in ADHD, to discuss the challenges and strategies for managing both home and business with ADHD.

Listen here or on your favorite podcast player, or watch the video version on YouTube >>

Now let's dive into some highlights!

Embracing Systems to Alleviate Overwhelm

Megs shares crucial insights into how creating systems can significantly reduce the mental burden for individuals with ADHD. Rather than seeking an elusive cure, managing ADHD revolves around making life more manageable through organized routines and decluttering. The sense of freedom that comes from letting go of unnecessary clutter cannot be overstated.

Rage Cleaning and Procrastination

Serena introduces the concept of "rage cleaning," drawing parallels with procrastination. While having systems in place is invaluable, the pressure to clean everything at once, often driven by procrastination, only leads to cycles of chaos. Implementing consistent, small changes can help break this cycle.

Managing an Organized Home with Kids

Megs acknowledges the challenge of maintaining an organized home amid the messiness brought by children. The key lies in designating specific places for items, which simplifies cleaning and reduces overwhelm. She likens this approach to managing debt where small, consistent efforts are more effective than sporadic cleanups.

Tackling School Paperwork and Art

Both Megs and Serena discuss the ongoing battle with managing their children’s school paperwork. While Megs involves her daughter in the organizing process to teach her skills, she sets rules on what to keep vs. discard. This not only helps with physical clutter but also provides emotional clarity. Options like memory boxes or photo albums of artwork can save space while preserving memories.

Organizational Mastery in Business

Transitioning into business management, Megs dispels the myth that business ownership is easy, noting the complexities of finances, marketing, and social media. She shares her effective use of spreadsheets, a daily to-do list planner, and time-blocking to stay organized and productive. Overestimating daily productivity is a common ADHD trait; hence, avoiding task-switching within the same day can mitigate transition difficulties.

Delegation: A Crucial Skill

Recognizing her limits, Megs hired a bookkeeper (Nathaniel) adept in working with neurodivergent business owners. This decision underscored the importance of delegation and seeking professional help to build a solid business foundation.

Finding Balance and Empowerment

For individuals with ADHD, managing paperwork and finances can be daunting. Megs admits to previously not having separate accounts for business and personal finances, adding to the complexity. With guidance from her bookkeeper, Megs now feels empowered and capable of managing her business finances, illustrating the significance of clear communication and understanding neurodivergent challenges.

Career Change and Personal Fulfillment

Megs's journey from the corporate world to becoming a professional organizer highlights the importance of creating a flexible work environment. Her passion for decluttering and minimalism formed the basis of her business, where she aids people with ADHD in managing clutter – recognizing that emotional attachment often makes decluttering difficult.

Decluttering Strategies

Megs sheds light on the emotional facets of clutter and the differences between decluttering and organizing. She shares practical methods, such as the "joy" method by Marie Kondo and setting realistic quantities for items. Small habits and systems are crucial for long-term success in minimizing clutter.

Conclusion

Megs’s story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required to manage life with ADHD. By employing specific systems, delegating tasks, and maintaining clear communication, individuals with ADHD can transform both their personal and professional lives.

For those looking to learn more about managing ADHD in the context of business and home life, tune into episode 169 of The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast. Follow Megs on Instagram and TikTok @organizing.an.adhd.brain for more tips and insights.

Listen to Episode 169: Managing Business & Home with ADHD with Megs Crawford

Hosted by Serena Shoup, this episode dives deep into practical strategies for balancing the intricacies of ADHD in personal and business spheres. Don’t miss out on the valuable insights and firsthand experiences shared by Megs, paving the way for better management and productivity.

Stay tuned for more episodes, especially our series focusing on neurodivergent businesses and bookkeepers. Search for “ND” in brackets on your podcast platform to hear from professionals who truly understand the challenges and triumphs of the neurodivergent community.

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