Let’s talk about something a lot of ADHD entrepreneurs quietly struggle with: being chronically late.
You know the pattern. You’re always “just 10 minutes behind.”
Recently, one of my clients called me because she’s flying to Arizona tomorrow. She said, “Yoana, I just need to talk to you real quick.” So I shared a few simple strategies with her—and I realized they might help you too.
First, let’s start with compassion.
If you have ADHD, transitions are hard. Shifting from one activity to another isn’t always smooth. And time estimation? That can feel nearly impossible sometimes.
But the good news is there are a few small habits that can make a big difference.
Pre-pack the night before. If you’re flying to Phoenix tomorrow, you’re not packing in the morning. The decision-making and the searching for things will eat up way more time than you think. Preparing the night before removes that pressure and gives your brain breathing room.
Set two alarms—not one. Most people set one alarm and hope for the best. But ADHD brains often need clearer transition signals.
The first alarm is your “start getting ready” alarm.
The second alarm is your “out the door now” alarm.
Think of them as guardrails that keep you moving through the transition instead of getting stuck in “just one more minute.”
For many people these steps sound simple. But if you have ADHD, you know it’s not always that easy. There’s always that thought of, “I still have a minute.”
And that minute turns into ten.
This is why in my coaching we practice something called the “arriving 10 minutes early” identity. It’s not just a tactic—it’s a mindset shift. We train your brain to see yourself as someone who arrives early and prepared.
You don’t start with big things like international flights. You start small. Practice it when you’re going to the store or meeting a friend for coffee. Set the alarms. Prep ahead. Walk out the door on time.
The more you practice, the more natural it becomes.
And when the big moment comes—like catching that flight to Europe—you’re not relying on stress or last-minute scrambling.
You’re relying on systems that support your ADHD brain.
And hopefully… you won’t miss your plane. ✈️