Encouragement Needed!

[NotAChevy]

Ok! I'm an independent contractor and spend all of my free time trying to secure my next gig. I love working for myself, but the hours it takes to secure my next gig gets old quick- especially with my Inattentive Type ADHD. So, I'm in a position where I'm coming up on the 1/2 point of a project, and am starting to look.

With my ADHD, I also have a really hard time trying to stay motivated. So, here’s my dilemma, I typically use the Pomodora Practice to get myself started, and it typically works, but I can't find anything (work). And, I'm getting discouraged; what can I do?

[Jozlynn]

Hi NotAChevy!

I'm also an entrepreneur - running and growing my own small ADHD virtual assistant business so that I can leave my corporate job. I too struggle with the effort it requires to find clients, AND with the motivation to put myself out there. Thankfully, we've been growing. I have a few random thoughts off the top of my head that you may already be doing, but thought I'd throw them out there.

One of my strategies has been to touch my "marketing" in at least one way every day, which is particularly relevant for the days I'm just absolutely struggling with motivation. Some days I can hit all the socials, LinkedIn, and post a blog - but most days it's just a feeling of, "I don't feel like it", so making myself do something small can even be hard. Even if some days that simply means responding to other people's posts in LinkedIn or social media in such a way that "shows my expertise", I try to do something, but it's important to recognize that some days that's enough. The key is to not have such a big expectation of yourself every day that you start to avoid doing it at all.

I put a ton of attention on social media in the beginning - back when the first flush of excitement about my business was in full bloom - but have since found that being on LinkedIn is about 10x more beneficial. The key there is to be consistent. For me, that often means posting or reposting something just once a week. I just do not have the ideas and content to be an every day poster. If I can do more, bully, but if not - I've met my personal quota, and have done something that may bring me a client in the future.

The second thing I do is based on some of the best advice I was given by my coach when I started this business. Contribute, don't always sell. If you post in LinkedIn, offer something of value instead of selling every time. Comment on other people's questions and comments in a way that benefits that person and shows your expertise in the area. I honestly don't think I have ever gained a client from my regular social media posts - but I've definitely gained clients through my answers on other people's posts and from LinkedIn.

What type of work do you do? Maybe that will help us come up with some more specific ideas for you.

Another option that comes to mind is body-doubling. My virtual assistants do that with our ADHD clients a LOT because it tends to work well for our brains. Having someone on a call with you (or in person) while you do the thing(s) you know you NEED to do but don't have the motivation or ooph to do, provides not only an accountability that we often need, but it tends to make the task less burdensome. Kind of like doing the dishes. You know you should just start, but the task is SO mundane and boring. Having a friend come hang out with you while you're doing it makes it go by SO much faster, and makes it less mentally painful. There are a ton of free body-doubling groups and apps out there that you might consider trying. I personally prefer the one-to-one version (I do this with one of my VAs for myself), but some people find the groups more helpful. Just something to consider.

I don't know that this will provide any encouragement, but know you are definitely not alone in this specific situation. I hear you, I understand, and am happy to chat if you'd like to.

[NotAChevy in reply to Jozlynn]

Jozlynn- I do actually do a lot of these, but to hear someone else mention them makes me feel better.