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That nagging voice telling you "you're not good enough" or "they'll find out you're a fraud"? It's not just you. ADHD and imposter syndrome feed off each other, creating a perfect storm of self-doubt. But here's the thing - recognizing this pattern is the first step to breaking free.

Research shows that up to 70% of people experience imposter syndrome, and for ADHD adults, those rates may be even higher. The way our brains process feedback and memory makes us especially vulnerable to these thoughts.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why ADHD brains are wired to notice what's missing instead of what's working
• How memory challenges make us forget our wins and keep reproving ourselves
• The 5 types of imposter syndrome (perfectionist, expert, soloist, natural genius, superhuman)
• Why imposter syndrome often gets worse the more successful you become
• Real client stories of breakthrough moments and confidence building
• The difference between masking and authentic confidence
• 7 practical tools you can use immediately when imposter thoughts strike
• How to reframe "I don't know enough" into "I'm learning and growing"

Key takeaway: Imposter syndrome doesn't mean you're a fraud - it means you're stepping outside your comfort zone and growing. You don't have to know it all, you just have to keep showing up.

Free Resource: Download your "Spot Your Imposter Voice and Reframe It" worksheet at www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/imposter

Send your questions: I'd love to hear from you! Share your ADHD challenges at https://www.speakpipe.com/learntothrivewithadhd and I may feature your question in a future episode.

Remember: You belong in the room. Your perspective matters. You're already enough.

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CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

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Burnout with ADHD doesn't build up slowly. It comes from living in extremes. One day you're hyperfocused and working nonstop, the next you're scrolling Netflix and can't get off the couch. That cycle is exhausting - and it's not your fault.

Research shows that up to 70-80% of ADHD adults report frequent burnout symptoms. If you recognize this pattern, you're not alone, and there's a way out.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why ADHD brains burn out differently than neurotypical brains
• The science behind executive function depletion and the "smaller battery" effect
• How masking and trying to appear "normal" drains your energy
• The dopamine rollercoaster: why hyperfocus leads to crashes
• Warning signs to watch for before you hit the wall
• Practical recovery strategies you can implement today
• How to build sustainable energy without the guilt

Key takeaway: Rest isn't the opposite of productivity - it's the fuel for it. Without recovery, the cycle just keeps repeating.

Free Resource:

Download your ADHD Burnout Recovery Worksheet at www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/burnout

Send your questions:

I'd love to hear from you! Share your ADHD challenges at https://www.speakpipe.com/learntothrivewithadhd and I may feature your question in a future episode.

Remember: You're not lazy. You're not broken. You're exhausted. And exhaustion requires care, not shame.

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CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

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In this game-changing episode, I reveal the hidden reason why most ADHD adults stay trapped in endless cycles of productivity frustration—and share the three-stage framework that will finally set you free from guesswork and burnout.

📌 Key Topics:

• Why trying every productivity hack online keeps you feeling broken (spoiler: you're not)
• The exhausting cycle of white-knuckling through to-do lists until you crash
• How decision fatigue is secretly draining your ADHD brain's energy reserves
• The difference between experimenting without structure vs. building sustainable systems
• Why motivation and willpower alone will always lead to burnout
• The scaffolding approach that supports your executive functions naturally

🗣️ Featured Quote: "Guesswork keeps you stuck. Hard work burns you out. Framework sets you free."

💡 The Three-Stage Breakdown:

• Stage 1 - Guesswork: Random productivity hacks, constant app-switching, goals without systems
• Stage 2 - Hard Work: White-knuckling through willpower, pushing to exhaustion, crash-and-recover cycles
• Stage 3 - Framework: Predictable systems, reduced decision fatigue, repeatable routines that feel lighter

🎯 Framework Benefits:

1. Fewer Decisions: Conserve mental energy instead of depleting it daily
2. Predictable Routines: Create consistency without constant willpower struggles
3. Executive Function Support: Build structures that anchor planning, prioritizing, and follow-through
4. Energy Protection: Stop the exhausting cycle of pushing until burnout

🔑 Key Takeaway: Your productivity struggles aren't a character flaw—your ADHD brain just needs the right framework. Like scaffolding around a building renovation, frameworks hold things steady while real change happens inside. Once established, they produce results over and over again.

Special Announcement: For a limited time through October, I'm offering traditional one-on-one coaching before transitioning to my new High-Touch Accountability model. Plus, I share the personal story behind this shift and exactly what I look for in my own accountability coach.

Connect with Mande:

Book Your Strategic Action Session: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/

Website: https://www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learntothrivewithadhd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learntothrivewithadhd/

#adhdproductivity #executivefunction #adhdframework #productivityhacks #adhdburnout #adhdcoaching #adhdstrategies #neurodivergent #adhdadults #decisionfatigue #adhdcommunity #productivitysystems

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CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

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What if you could move forward in every area of your life where you're feeling frustrated or stuck? If you've ever felt like you're holding onto a hundred tasks in your head – from important things to completely trivial ones – and they keep piling up every day, making you feel like you're standing still, falling behind, or just spinning your wheels, you are going to love what we're talking about today.

We're diving into open loops: what they are, why they pile up in an ADHD brain, and how you can finally close them in ways that actually feel good and stick. I'll share how this played out in my own life and with clients, what changed when we finally tackled these items, and the simple steps you can take to go from frustrated and overwhelmed to clearheaded and calm – maybe even creative again.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• The Zeigarnik effect and why ADHD brains remember unfinished tasks so well
• My complete Brain Sweep system for mental decluttering
• How to stop carrying other people's to-dos in your head using shared systems
• The visual goal board method that keeps annual goals from becoming forgotten open loops
• Why closing loops gives you back time and energy for activities that truly recharge you
• A 24-hour challenge to start experiencing relief from mental overwhelm

Key Takeaway: "When you close the loops, you get that mental and emotional space back for whatever fills you up. It's about freeing up your mind so you can be more present, creative, and calm."

This isn't just about productivity - it's about reclaiming your mental bandwidth so you can enjoy hobbies, be present in relationships, and tap into your natural problem-solving abilities. When our minds aren't cluttered with open loops, we have more capacity for the things that truly matter.

Tools and Resources Mentioned:

• Google Tasks and Google Keep
• Trello boards for project management
• Canva for creating visual goal boards
• FREE download: Visual Goal Board templates + Trello board template with instructions at www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/closingtheloop

Connect with Coach Mande:

• Learn more about private coaching: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/
• Free Resources: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/freeresources/
• Website: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/
• LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd
• Instagram: @learntothrivewithadhd
• Facebook: Learn to Thrive with ADHD

Ready to go from mental fog to mental clarity? Let's close those loops together.

Click here for full show notes.

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

Send us a text

🎉 WE DID IT - EPISODE 100! 🎉

Have you ever started a goal only to quit halfway through? You're definitely not alone. In this milestone episode, I'm sharing the exact 4-stage system that got me to 100 podcast episodes and how you can apply it to finally stick with your big goals.

Here's what we're covering:

The truth about why the "middle" of big goals feels so dangerous with ADHD, and why that shaky feeling isn't a red flag - it's actually proof you're exactly where you need to be.

My spinning plates analogy that changed everything about how I approach multiple goals without letting my life fall apart.

The 4 stages from courage to confidence:

• Courage - Doing it scared (and why it's supposed to feel bad)
• Commitment - Deciding it's happening no matter what
• Consistency - The long game approach with proper support
• Confidence - The surprisingly normal feeling you earn

Plus, I'm sharing how I'm applying this exact system to my current fitness goal and why lowering the stakes (not raising them) is the secret to success.

Key takeaway: Goal sustainability might be the single most important executive function skill for ADHD adults.

Connect with Coach Mande:

• Learn more about private coaching: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/
• Free Resources: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/freeresources/
• Website: learntothrivewithadhd.com
• LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd
• Instagram: @learntothrivewithadhd
• Facebook: Learn to Thrive with ADHD

Your action step: Identify which of the 4 stages you're in with your current big goal, then pick one way to move to the next stage.

Remember - you don't have to feel ready. You just have to be willing to take the next step.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey to 100 episodes. Here's to the next 100!

Click here for full show notes.

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

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Do you ever feel like you're always behind, always reacting, and never really ahead of your day? Like you're stuck in a cycle of chaos and catch-up, no matter how hard you try to get organized? If you've ever thought routines were boring, rigid, or just "not for you," this episode might completely change your mind.

In this episode, Coach Mande shares the game-changing moment when she heard the quote: "You can't be mentally healthy without routines" - and realized she didn't have any real ones. What followed was the creation of 5 essential routines that transformed her ADHD life from constant overwhelm to calm control.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why routines actually free up your brain instead of boxing you in
• The ONE routine Coach Mande wishes she'd started with first (it's not what you'd expect!)
• How to go from "I have 57 things to do" to clear daily priorities
• The "brain sweep" technique that reduces mental loops and open tasks
• Why your routines should organize what already needs to happen, not add more work
• How to make routines stick without relying on perfectionism or willpower
• The difference between rigid schedules and freedom-creating systems

The 5 Essential Routines Covered:

1. Evening Routine: Start tomorrow tonight with proper wind-down
2. Morning Routine: Include something you genuinely look forward to
3. Planning Routine: Cut overwhelm before it starts with clear priorities
4. Work Routine: Open and close your day with intention and brain sweeps
5. Reset & Tidy Routine: 10-minute visual clarity sessions for mental calm

Key Takeaway: "Routines don't need to be perfect. They just need to start. You'll refine them over time."

Coach Mande gets real about her own routine evolution - from falling asleep to TV to putting a television in her bathroom for multitasking baths. She shares exactly how she plugged her morning routine into Google Calendar when she couldn't rely on memory, and why breaking down "get ready" into specific steps prevents ADHD wandering.

Whether you've tried routines before and they didn't stick, or you think you're "too spontaneous" for structure, this episode shows you how to build rhythms that work WITH your ADHD brain, not against it.

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Workbook: learntothrivewithadhd.com/routine
• Focusmate for body doubling support

Connect with Coach Mande:

• Learn more about private coaching: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/
• Free Resources: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/freeresources/
• Website: learntothrivewithadhd.com
• LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd
• Instagram: @learntothrivewithadhd
• Facebook: Learn to Thrive with ADHD

Tell us in the comments: Which of these 5 routines could change everything if you started it tomorrow?

Click here for full show notes.

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

Send us a text

Have you ever tried to change something - maybe your habits, your routines, your mindset - and found yourself slipping right back into old patterns, again and again? It's frustrating. It's painful. And if you're like a lot of people Coach Mande works with, it makes you wonder: Will I ever really change?

In this episode, Mande tackles one of the most misunderstood parts of change - the part where you're still failing, still falling off track, but you still want it. That desire? That quiet hope you're afraid to say out loud again? It's not weakness. It's the beginning of everything.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why ADHD brains rarely change in a linear way (and why that's completely normal)
• How to reframe your "failures" as proof that you haven't given up
• The difference between starting over and starting deeper
• Coach Mande's personal 4-step recommit process
• Real examples of changes that took multiple attempts (including one she's working on right now)
• How to trust your persistent longing even when execution isn't perfect

Key Takeaway: "If you didn't care, it wouldn't hurt. That pain you feel when you fall off track? It's not failure. It's proof of your desire."

Whether you're tired of the same old patterns or afraid to try again because you might fail, this episode will help you see your struggles through a completely different lens - one where your desire to change is evidence that transformation is still possible.

Resources Mentioned:

• "Failing Forward" by John Maxwell
• Episode 26: Being in a Hurry to Change
• Coaching consultations: learntothrivewithadhd.com

Connect with Coach Mande:

• Learn more about private coaching: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/
• Free Resources: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/freeresources/
• Website: learntothrivewithadhd.com
• LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd
• Instagram: @learntothrivewithadhd
• Facebook: Learn to Thrive with ADHD

Tell us in the comments: What's one thing you still want to change, even if you've failed a hundred times?

Click here for full show notes.

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!

Send us a text

In this powerful episode, I share the personal story that sparked an important conversation about ADHD stigma and responsibility—revealing why "classic ADHD move" thinking is harmful and how to take empowered ownership of your growth without apologizing for who you are.

📌 Key Topics:

• Why linking every mistake to ADHD perpetuates harmful stigma
• The crucial difference between fault vs. responsibility with ADHD
• How to respond confidently when others treat you differently after diagnosis
• Why successful people often don't think they "could possibly have ADHD"
• Breaking free from the "cookie cutter world" that doesn't fit your brain
• Building skills that support your unique wiring without making excuses
• The truth about medication: "pills don't teach skills"

🗣️ Featured Quote: "ADHD is not your fault, but it's your responsibility."

💡 Strategy Breakdown:

• Understand the 9 core executive function skills that need strengthening
• Practice emotional regulation when facing ADHD stigma or misunderstandings
• Build scaffolding systems for time management, organization, and planning
• Develop metacognition to notice patterns without self-judgment
• Create accountability systems that help you do what you say you'll do
• Use your diagnosis as empowerment, not an excuse
• Focus on building skills that work WITH your brain, not against it

🎯 Nine Executive Function Skills to Master:

1. Time Awareness & Management: Tracking time and realistic planning
2. Organization: Creating systems that support, not overwhelm you
3. Planning & Prioritizing: Figuring out what to do first with clear action steps
4. Task Initiation: Getting started even when things feel boring or unclear
5. Working Memory: Supporting your brain's ability to hold and use information
6. Goal Follow-Through: Sustaining momentum on longer-term projects
7. Emotional Regulation: Pausing before reacting and recovering from overwhelm
8. Impulse Control: Thinking before acting or speaking
9. Metacognition: Building self-awareness and adjusting without spiraling

🔑 Key Takeaway: You are not less than or wrong because of your ADHD. Your mistakes aren't always "ADHD moves"—sometimes they're just human mistakes. Everyone has challenges; yours happen to be more noticeable in our cookie-cutter world. The goal isn't to fit into a box that doesn't serve you—it's to build skills that help you thrive as your authentic self while taking responsibility for your growth.

Connect with Mande:
Free Executive Function Self-Check: http://www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/skills Learn more about private coaching with Mande: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/
Free Resources: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/freeresources/
Website: https://www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learntothrivewithadhd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learntothrivewithadhd/

#adhdstigma #adhdresponsibility #executivefunction #adhdempowerment #adhd #adhdskills #ad

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!