Pause Purpose Play

Pause to notice how ADHD impacts your business

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I'm diving into the wild world of ADHD and entrepreneurship and sharing some golden nuggets from my Sustainable Success Challenge. We'll chat about why pausing is crucial to avoid burnout and how those quirky ADHD traits can be both your superpower and your kryptonite in business.

Plus, I'm inviting you to join me for some amazing upcoming events - whether you're more of an online binge-watcher or a face-to-face lunch enthusiast. Let's explore this together and find the balance we all crave!

00:26 Sustainable Success Challenge Insights

02:35 Invitation to In-Person Meetup

04:14 Challenges of ADHD in Entrepreneurship

09:05 Balancing Passion and Practicality

10:57 The Importance of Pausing and Self-Compassion

11:44 Upcoming Events

Bend, before you break - flexibility and high-performance with Prof Ross White

In this episode I'm joined by Ross White, fresh off the release of his fantastic new book, 'The Tree That Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive.'

 

We dive headfirst into the pool of psychological flexibility, discussing its unique edge over concepts like grit, toughness, and resilience. Ross unpacks the importance of balancing our 'get,' 'threat,' and 'reset' modes to keep burnout at bay.

 

With practical tips, playful metaphors, and Ross's authentic vulnerability, this episode offers a refreshing approach to thriving in both work and life.

 

Grab your headphones and get ready to bend without breaking!

 

00:48 Exploring Psychological Flexibility

03:15 Defining Resilience, Toughness, and Grit

09:04 The Metaphor of the Tree

10:15 Modes of Operation: Get, Threat, and Reset

14:24 Momentary and Bold Moves

18:16 Personal Experiences and Vulnerability

23:49 The Comfort Zone vs. The Transforming Zone

28:06 Navigating Career Breaks and Sabbaticals

35:58 Balancing Productivity and Longevity

41:32 The Role of Attention and Mindfulness

46:01 Anchoring Statements and Staying Present

Safe to slow down and still be successful

In this special episode of the 'Pause Purpose Play' podcast I decided to step out of my comfort zone and record live on Instagram!

 

Join me as I chat about the scary but oh-so-important idea of feeling safe to slow down while still aiming high. With my trusty 'I'm not perfect' jumper and my ADHD quirks in full swing, I dive into how pushing through nonstop isn't the answer, how to avoid burnout and share practical tips for regulating our frazzled nervous systems.

 

Plus, I'm inviting you to join my upcoming 4-day 'Sustainable Success Challenge' for female business owners starting September 24th. 

 

01:48 The Importance of Slowing Down

03:10 Sustainability and Success

04:08 September Reset

05:14 Embracing Imperfection

06:58 Interactive Q&A

09:33 Practical Tips for Nervous System Regulation

11:11 Upcoming Sustainable Success Challenge

 

Consume less, create more - done is better than perfect

In this episode of Pause Purpose Play, I dive into the vibrant world of creativity for those with ADHD. I chat about how our brilliant, busy brains are naturally wired for imaginative thinking and how we can harness that spark.

 

I share my own quirks and experiences to remind us that done is better than perfect and why it's more fun to create than to endlessly scroll through raccoon videos. Plus, I'll sprinkle in some tips on how to allow yourself the joy of being a little more imperfect!

 

Join me, and maybe even sign up for my free Sustainable Success challenge if you're ready for more creativity and less comparison in your life. 

 

00:31 The Role of Creativity in ADHD

01:42 Perfectionism vs. Creativity

04:35 The Impact of Consumption on Creativity

08:59 Commitment to Creativity

15:43 Upcoming Sustainable Success Challenge!

 

The Power of Compassionate Curiosity for ADHD

Dive into the whimsical world of curiosity and discover how it can transform your personal and professional life! Int his episode I take you on an adventure through the curiosity mindset, the beginner's mindset, and compassionate curiosity. 

 

00:00 Unlocking the Power of Curiosity

00:57 The Beginner's Mindset

01:19 Compassionate Curiosity

01:54 Applying Curiosity in Life

02:19 Access to Work Grant Challenges

03:15 Personal Experience with Access to Work

04:08 Upcoming Events and Workshops

Preventing burnout with Dr Claire Plumbly

This week I'm joined by the brilliant Dr Claire Plumbly, who shares her exciting journey of writing her first book on burnout, diving into how chronic stress can really take a toll on our minds and bodies. With practical tips on managing burnout, recognising internal pressures, and practicing self-care, this episode is packed with useful advice! 

 

 

01:28 The Concept of Burnout

01:44 Writing the Book: Inspiration and Challenges

02:26 Understanding Burnout as Trauma

06:15 Recognising Burnout Symptoms

08:04 The Three C's for Nervous System Health

12:27 High-Functioning Burnout

13:29 Practical Tips for Managing Burnout

32:13 Entrepreneurship and Burnout

38:31 Connecting with Others and Finding Support

 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Too busy to stop? Resisting slowing down?

Then you need a break, before you break!

Download my free guide to help you spot the signs of overwhelm, learn simple ways of slowing down, and understanding what’s getting in the way of you giving yourself the permission to rest and recover. 

https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/calm/

 

About Dr Claire Plumbly:

 

Claire is a Clinical Psychologist & Director of Good Therapy Ltd, a psychological therapy centre based online and in Taunton, Somerset. Her private practice specialises in trauma-related issues and Claire herself has a specialism in sexual assault; early life traumas, and of course burnout.

Her debut book ‘Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You’ is out in the UK this summer. It will show you how to harness the power of your nervous system, despite the persistent demands of modern life.

 

Forms, finances and random f*ckery for ADHD business women, part 3

We're diving into a topic close to my heart: the chaotic world of unfinished projects that seem to plague us ADHD-ers. I share a laugh-and-cry kind of story from our amazing ADHD Club, and together we explore some fun and practical ways to finally get things done.

 

I also chat about the importance of self-compassion, managing impulse control, and why taking breaks is your secret weapon against burnout. Plus, stick around till the end because I've got a special freebie to help you tackle those dreaded Access to Work forms!

 

So, if you want to turn your chaos into calm, hit play and let's get started!

 

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:07 Understanding ADHD and Unfinished Projects

03:52 Real-Life Example of ADHD Challenges

06:29 Strategies to Tackle Unfinished Projects

11:14 Community Support and Encouragement

15:05 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

Forms, Finances and Random F*ckery for ADHD Business Women - Part 2

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I dive into the often daunting task of form-filling for ADHD business women. I offer four handy tips to break down this overwhelming task into manageable and even enjoyable chunks.

 

I explain the crucial importance of these forms for accessing things like government support and business funding, and provide practical, compassionate strategies to tackle them head-on.

 

Join me in turning this 'boring beast' into a more playful process and stay tuned for the next episode that promises more tips!

 

00:46 The Importance of Filling Forms

01:54 Why ADHD Brains Avoid Forms

03:07 Tips for Tackling Forms: Chunky

05:56 Tips for Tackling Forms: Funky

07:48 Tips for Tackling Forms: Junky

08:59 Tips for Tackling Forms: Monkey

10:44 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Form, finances and random f*ckery for ADHD business owners, part 1

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I kick off a three-part series to help my fellow ADHD entrepreneurs tackle dreaded business finances. After a lightbulb moment with my ADHD assistant, Zoë, I realised many of us hate dealing with invoices and forms. So, tune in to get given five ways to approach your finances with an ADHD brain! These tips will help you manage cash flow, reduce stress, and keep your creativity flowing. And hey, if you need more support, check out my latest masterclass on sustainable ADHD business success. Let's make this fun and get you paid!

 

00:48 The Struggle with Forms and Finances

01:29 Understanding ADHD and Executive Functioning

02:24 The Importance of Invoicing

04:09 Why ADHD Brains Struggle with Business Finances

05:07 Five Solutions to Improve Invoicing

05:23 Solution 1: Gamify Your Invoicing

06:18 Solution 2: Change the Context

07:17 Solution 3: Reward Yourself

08:03 Solution 4: Automate the Process

10:03 Solution 5: Outsource the Task

13:14 Conclusion and Masterclass Information

Support, systems and self-compassion for sustainable success

How do you balance your business and life with an ADHD brain?

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host and Clinical Psychologist Michaela Thomas, returns from a podcast break to discuss the importance of clarity and self-care to have balance between work and life, prioritising family right now.

Michaela explores themes of compassion, perfectionism, and ADHD, sharing personal insights on balancing family life and professional responsibilities. She introduces a framework for sustainable success, focusing on support, systems and self-compassion.

You’re also invited to catch a replay of a masterclass on how to balance your business and life with an ADHD brain, here:
Balancing your Business with an Ambitious ADHD Brain - The Thomas Connection

The doors are open NOW to Michaela’s ADHD membership community, The ADHD Club for ambitious women with bright and busy brains. Join here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub 

00:14 Reasons for taking a break from the podcast

01:00 Clarity and Family Priorities

02:17 The links between ADHD and perfectionism

03:06 Support, Systems and Self-Compassion

03:49 The Venn Diagram Framework

12:38 Permission to Seek Support