In this week’s newsletter, and the final installment of our Work in Progress mini-series, I coach Shay, who has an idea for a side hustle but struggles to manage the rest of her responsibilities, especially as a mom with ADHD. (You can access previous newsletters here.)
We explore how to create actionable systems and how to build a sustainable business while managing family life. You’ll witness Shay’s transformation from feeling frozen by overwhelm to developing a concrete plan that honors her constraints while pursuing her dreams.
This session is essential for anyone juggling multiple responsibilities while trying to turn their passion into something more.
By opening up these private coaching moments, I hope to create another way for us to collectively exhale and say, “I’m not alone in this.” And from that place of connection, change becomes not just possible but inevitable.
In this session, we meet Shay, a mother with ADHD who has a burning passion to create a resource website for families wanting to explore the outdoors with their kids. Despite having a year’s worth of content ideas and a website domain, she feels frozen by the combination of limited time, executive function challenges, and the weight of perfectionism.
“I have no mental space for something new while being the primary parent of two young kids. And my combination type ADHD won’t allow me to be my own boss because of my executive function shortcomings.”
These pivotal exchanges reveal the emotional journey and breakthrough insights from our coaching conversation. Listen to hear both the challenge and the transformation in Shay’s own words.
Key Moments
These pivotal exchanges reveal the emotional journey and breakthrough insights from our coaching conversation. Listen to hear both the challenge and the transformation in Shay’s own words.
The Magic Wand Moment
When I asked Shay what she’d wish for if I could wave a magic wand, her answer revealed something profound about redefining success:
“One of the other things I was doing to deal with my anxiety was like falling into the click hole of avoidance… I started thinking about how about I just substitute more body movement for when I would normally pick up my phone and dive in and get lost in reading everything on the internet.”
This wasn’t about escaping motherhood—it was about creating sustainable boundaries within it. Notice how clarity about what we truly need (not what we think we should want) can be liberating. Shay’s vision wasn’t traditional “entrepreneurial hustle”—it was thoughtful integration of passion and family life.
The Passion Persistence Test
The turning point came when Shay shared a crucial insight about her own patterns:
“I was worried about it with my ADHD, I was really worried that this was going to be like a little passion project that would very quickly dissipate. But it’s been over a year now that I’ve been curious about it, and I keep telling people about it, and so I still, I’m very encouraged by myself that I still am excited about this idea.”
This recognition that her passion had staying power became the foundation for everything else.
Universal Lessons
These key insights from our session aren’t just for Shay—they’re universal principles that can transform how you navigate similar challenges. Each lesson includes a specific way to apply it to your own circumstances.
1. Frameworks Over Empty Pages
When Shay felt overwhelmed by the prospect of writing, I suggested creating frameworks she could always follow—starting with a story, then providing specific takeaways. This structure transforms the terrifying blank page into a series of prompts.
Apply This: Instead of facing an empty document, create a template for yourself. What structure could you follow that would make your work feel less overwhelming and more achievable?
2. Voice-to-Text
Rather than forcing herself to become a writer overnight, we explored how Shay could use voice memos and transcription tools like Otter.ai to capture her ideas naturally.
Apply This: What technology could help you work with your natural strengths rather than against them? Consider audio recording, visual mapping tools, or collaborative platforms that align with how you best process information.
3. Batch Processing
We developed a system where different types of work happen on different days—Monday for voice memos, Tuesday for choosing topics, Wednesday for editing—working with ADHD tendencies rather than against them. The magic isn’t in having more time—it’s in grouping similar tasks together so your brain doesn’t have to constantly switch modes.
Apply This: What tasks could you group together? How might batching similar activities help you maintain focus and reduce decision fatigue?
Behind the Breakthrough
Ever noticed how the right system can suddenly make an impossible project feel doable? This section explores why our conversation created such a powerful shift for Shay.
From All-or-Nothing to Sustainable Steps
When Shay initially thought she needed 52 complete articles live before launching, she was trapped in perfectionist thinking. The breakthrough came when she realized she could start with just two weeks of content and build from there.
Think about areas in your own life where you might be:
Waiting for perfect conditions before starting
Setting impossibly high standards that prevent any action
Believing you need to have everything figured out before beginning
The breakthrough came not from having a perfect plan, but from creating a process that could evolve.
The Anti-Social Media Solution
When Shay expressed resistance to social media promotion (a common expectation in today’s business world), we explored alternative strategies:
Building partnerships with complementary businesses
Focus on email newsletters and organic word-of-mouth
Local meetups and school community connections
This reminded us that there’s no single “right” way to build a business—only ways that align with your values and constraints.
Your Turn: Interactive Exercises
Insight without action creates little change. These structured exercises translate the session’s breakthroughs into personal experiments you can begin today.
1⃣ The Passion Persistence Audit (15 minutes)
Test whether your current ideas have staying power by examining your past patterns.
Instructions:
List 3-5 ideas you’ve been thinking about for 6+ months
For each idea, note: When did it first come up? Do you still tell people about it? Does it still excite you?
Identify the one idea that keeps returning despite obstacles
This is likely your most viable starting point
2⃣ Framework Creation (30 minutes)
Transform overwhelming tasks into manageable templates.
For your main passion project:
Identify the 2-3 types of content/work you need to create
Design a simple framework for each type (e.g., Story → 3 Takeaways → Action Step)
Test your framework with one piece of content
Adjust based on what felt easy vs. difficult
3⃣ Batch Processing Experiment (1 week)
Group similar tasks to work with your brain’s natural patterns. Track your energy and focus throughout the week to identify your optimal batch processing schedule. For example:
Monday: Brainstorming/Idea generation
Tuesday: Research and information gathering
Wednesday: First drafts/Voice memos
Thursday: Editing and refining
Friday: Publishing and promotion planning
Resource Recommendations
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden & Michelle Mowbray Practical strategies specifically designed for women managing ADHD while juggling multiple responsibilities.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott A gentle approach to writing that emphasizes process over perfection—perfect for those intimidated by content creation.
Atomic Habits by James Clear Learn how to build sustainable systems rather than relying on motivation—essential for managing projects with ADHD.
Otter.ai Turn your voice memos into text automatically, perfect for capturing ideas on the go.
This Week’s Mantra
“Progress, not perfection. “
Add Your Voice
This Week’s Question: How do you balance pursuing your passion projects while managing family responsibilities? What systems or strategies have worked for you?
Show others that they’re not alone by sharing your experience on social – be sure to tag us (@ladiesgetpaid and @clairegetspaid on Instagram) so we can comment back
Feeling inspired and want to inspire others? Take advantage of your free coaching session so your journey can illuminate others. Camera wll be off and identifying details changed.
Key Moments
Notice how clarity about what we truly need (not what we think we should want) can be liberating. Shay’s vision wasn’t traditional “entrepreneurial hustle”—it was thoughtful integration of passion and family life.
Apply This: Instead of facing an empty document, create a template for yourself. What structure could you follow that would make your work feel less overwhelming and more achievable?
Behind the Breakthrough
Your Turn: Interactive Exercises
Resource Recommendations
This Week’s Mantra
Add Your Voice
