You know those stock images of business people juggling tasks and demands? Like many cliches, there’s more than a hint of truth in there.
Running your own business (whether you’re a solopreneur or have a team) takes a lot of brain power. You might be familiar with the sensation of just dropping off to sleep, only to bolt upright because you’ve remembered you didn’t send that follow-up email to a potential client, or you forgot to do that social media post for International Pet Day (and you really wanted to show off your adorable kitten – here’s looking at you, Rocco!).
This sensation of “I must remember to do this,” and “Oh, I need to check train times and flight numbers before that meeting,” all contribute to your mental load.
What is Mental Load?
Picture your to-do list as a snowball at the top of a high hill.
That’s the start of your day: manageable, contained, and (mostly) under control.
As the day goes on, your snowball starts to roll.
It picks up:
- New requests
- Quick “can you just…” tasks
- Ideas you don’t want to forget
- Decisions you haven’t had time to make
And before you realise it, that small, manageable snowball has turned into something much bigger, much heavier, and much harder to stop.
That’s mental load.
It’s not just what’s on your to-do list: it’s everything that gets added as the day unfolds, often without warning, and usually without a clear place to go.
When your snowball keeps growing, your focus starts to get pulled in multiple directions, and your priorities become blurred, making it harder (not easier) to actually finish what you started – particularly for ADHD brains. What’s really happening is that you’re no longer just doing the work in front of you; you’re also trying to hold, track, and manage everything that’s been added along the way, all at the same time.
What Might This Look Like?
For many neurodivergent people (especially those with ADHD), this often shows up as task paralysis. You’ve got so much on your plate that it stops feeling manageable, your brain hits overwhelm, and instead of starting… you freeze. Nothing moves forward, and then the guilt creeps in, followed closely by that inner voice asking, “Why can’t I just get on with it?”
But here’s the important part: this isn’t a lack of capability. It’s a capacity issue.
And once you understand that’s how your brain is responding, everything starts to shift. Because now you can work with it, not against it. You can build in ways to reduce the overload, create clarity, and make starting feel easier again, so you’re not stuck, you’re supported.
A Real World Example
Recently, during a catch-up with one of my clients, she shared an idea she’d been sitting on for a while: a Brand Photography Membership. The concept was brilliant: a quarterly photography session in a different venue each time, where members would leave with fresh, professional images ready to use on their websites and social media.
Great idea, right? But actually it had stayed an idea.
The problem is, the thought of setting up big goals and projects (the planning, the logistics, the decisions, the moving parts) is that it can feel so overwhelming and BIG that it keeps the idea exactly where it started: at the back of your mind, untouched.
Enter the Momentum Method
So, how did I help get this idea from a thought to an actual thing?
It started with a proper brain dump.
We sat down together and got everything out of her head and onto paper: all the ideas, moving parts, questions, and “I’ll figure that out later” thoughts. No structure, no pressure, just clarity. Because you can’t organise what’s still swirling around in your mind.
From there, I turned that information into a clear, manageable plan. I mapped out priorities and tasks across a six-week period, giving her a clear path forward instead of one big, overwhelming idea. Breaking things down into smaller steps really helps with task paralysis.
To bring that plan to life, I created a custom spreadsheet for her to follow – but not just any spreadsheet. This one was gamified.
Each time she ticked off a task, a progress bar moved: one tracking overall progress, and others showing progress within each stage. For an ADHD brain, this is powerful. Seeing progress visually creates that small but important dopamine hit, making it easier to stay engaged and keep going.
But structure alone wasn’t the magic. Support played a huge role too.
We introduced simple, consistent check-ins. Mondays were used to define and agree on the key tasks for the week ahead, creating focus and direction. Fridays were for reflection, looking at what had been achieved and, importantly, celebrating those wins (something that’s often skipped, but makes a big difference in maintaining momentum).
Mid-week, I offered body doubling sessions – a dedicated space to work alongside someone, helping her stay focused and avoid drifting or procrastinating.
And in between all of that, I was there for ongoing support, available via email for troubleshooting, guidance, encouragement, and those moments where things felt stuck or uncertain.
Why does this system work for ADHD brains?
Accountability with kindness, not pressure
One of the biggest shifts for ADHD brains isn’t just structure, it’s how that structure is delivered.
So often, accountability is tied to pressure. Deadlines, expectations, and that underlying feeling of “I should have done more by now.” And for many ADHD entrepreneurs, that quickly turns inward into self-blame:
“Why can’t I do this when it seems so easy for everyone else?”
But here’s the truth: you’re not doing anything wrong. More often than not, you’ve been trying to work with tools, systems, and expectations that simply weren’t designed for how your brain works.
A helpful way to think about it: it’s like trying to use right-handed scissors when you’re left-handed. You can do it, but it feels awkward, uncomfortable, and harder than it should be. Not because you’re incapable, but because the tool isn’t designed for you.
That’s why the way I approach accountability is different.
It’s not about pressure or judgement. It’s about creating a supportive structure that helps you move forward without triggering that cycle of overwhelm and self-criticism.
Through regular check-ins, we create clarity about what actually matters each week, removing the “where do I even start?” feeling. And just as importantly, we make space to recognise what’s been achieved, not just what’s left to do.
Because progress isn’t built through pressure. It’s built through clarity, consistency, and feeling supported enough to keep going, even on the days when it feels harder.
Structure that’s dopamine-led (not just “get it done”)
ADHD brains don’t produce or regulate dopamine in the same way, which is why staying motivated and building momentum can feel so difficult, even when you want to get things done. It’s not about a lack of discipline; it’s about your brain not getting the signals it needs to stay engaged.
That’s why structure needs to be dopamine-led. By building in small wins (like breaking tasks down, tracking visible progress, and ticking things off), you create those “bright and shiny” moments that give your brain a sense of reward. And that’s what keeps you going, because for ADHD brains, motivation doesn’t come before action. It comes from it.
Getting you started (because momentum has to begin somewhere)
Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the work itself: it’s getting started. ADHD brains often struggle with that initial activation, even when everything is clear. Think of it like a Newton’s cradle: nothing moves until something gives it that first small push. My role is to create that initial movement, breaking things down, guiding those first steps, and helping you build just enough momentum to get going. And once you’re moving, it becomes much easier to keep going, because momentum builds momentum.
An external voice of reason (with a healthy dose of perspective)
When you’re deep in your own business, it’s very easy to get stuck in thought spirals, overthinking, second-guessing, or questioning whether you’re doing any of it “right”. And for ADHD brains, that can escalate quickly.
Having an external voice of reason helps interrupt that.
I’m there to bring perspective when things feel tangled, to ground decisions when everything feels urgent, and to gently challenge the narratives that aren’t serving you. Because more often than not, the problem isn’t your capability: it’s the lens you’re looking through in that moment.
I’ll also remind you of something you’re very quick to forget: you’re actually brilliant at what you do.
Not in a fluffy, “yas queen” kind of way (no thank you!), but in a real, evidence-based way. We look at what you’ve achieved, what’s working, and the progress you’re making (even when it doesn’t feel like it).
And yes, I’ll happily take on the role of your dopamine dealer too: celebrating wins, highlighting progress, and giving your brain those much-needed reminders that you are moving forward.
So, what’s next?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “this is exactly what I need,” the next step is simple.
Let’s have a conversation.
A discovery call is your chance to step out of the overwhelm, talk through where you’re at, and explore how the Momentum Method could support you in creating clarity, structure, and real, sustainable progress in your business.
No pressure. No hard sell. Just a focused, supportive conversation to see what’s possible.
If you’re ready to get out of your head and into momentum, you can book your discovery call here.
Oh, and if you’re after some new brand photography, check out Tori Deslauriers’ Brand Photography Membership here. No longer an idea, but a real life, you can join now, thing.
📷Banner photo credit to Tori Deslauriers, taken at St Michaels Manor, St Albans.