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Ever find yourself saying yes to a new collaboration, tool, or project—then months later wondering how you got there? If you run a business (especially with an ADHD-ish™ brain), you’re not alone.
In this episode, I break down why our brains confuse options for opportunities, how dopamine clouds our judgment at the moment of the ask, and share a practical “screen door” filter to make better decisions going forward.
Dopamine is a talent scout, not a bookkeeper: That rush of excitement we feel with something new? It’s all about anticipation—not reality. The cost and maintenance of a new yes don’t hit until much later. The trick is to slow the yes.
Clever ways options pretend to be opportunities:
The Flattering Ask: feeling chosen and visible can feel like opportunity, but might be just an option that doesn’t fit your goals.
The Closing Door: artificial urgency and manufactured scarcity prey on impulsive decision-making.
The Adjacent Idea: our shiny new ideas often show up exactly when important work becomes tedious, tempting entrepreneurs to jump ship.
Why is this so hard for ADHD brains?Because dopamine is LOUD and it fires at anticipation, not the actual result. That new offer or collab invitation? It’s pure possibility—no fatigue, no disappointment, no downside at first. The evaluation part comes much later, usually after you’re already committed.
Story Time
Diann once bought a high ticket course to “launch a high-ticket course,” and not only never opened it, but kept paying a monthly subscription for three (!) years (ADHD dopamine at work, folks—don’t feel bad, you’re not alone! 😂
Try this: The 4-Question "Screen Door" Filter
Before you say yes, ask yourself:
- 1. What existing goal does this serve?
- 2. What does it leverage that I’ve already built?
- 3. What are the terms of this commitment?
- 4. Does it survive 72 hours?
Nothing new gets a same-day yes. That 72-hour pause is where the real magic happens (and where many “opportunities” evaporate).
Start here:
- *Make an idea parking lot for every new ask or idea.
- *Practice the pause: “Let me check a couple things and get back to you.”
- *After 72 hours, run the 4-question test.
Some asks will quietly disappear. Others will become real, intentional decisions. Give it a try and notice how different your “yes” feels and the discomfort of waiting. That’s data.
Mantra for the week:
Every yes is not a purchase—it’s a subscription. Read the terms before you sign.
But what about all the past decisions you’ve made that have made your business messy and chaotic?
I’ve got you! Click here to read the companion blog post “How to Know When Your Business is Too Complicated: A Right-Sizing Guide for ADHD Entrepreneurs.”
Your ADHD-ish ™ host
Diann Wingert, MSW is the insightful host of ADHD-ish™, where she helps entrepreneurs and professionals navigate the challenges of running a business with an ADHD brain.
Known for her practical wisdom, Diann regularly explores topics like decision-making, teaching her audience how to filter choices more effectively.
Through her relatable storytelling and expertise, Diann shares lessons gained from serial business ownership, a 20 year career as a psychotherapist and a lifetime with ADHD.
Want deeper support untangling your yeses and rebuilding your decision-making? Schedule a free consultation to explore 1:1 ADHD entrepreneur coaching with ADHD business strategist and coach, serial business owner, and former licensed psychotherapist, Diann Wingert, MSW.
New to ADHD-ish™? Subscribe/Follow ADHD-ish on Apple or Spotify for more ADHD-informed business strategy, inspiring guest expert interviews and client success stories.
© 2026 ADHD-ish™ Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.
