If traditional productivity advice has never worked for you, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.
Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down with ADHD coach and former academic Skye Waterson to explore why so many solopreneurs experience overwhelm, scattered focus, and inconsistent motivation, and how to build a business that works with your brain instead of against it.
Skye shares her surprising journey (including being recruited by the New Zealand government to train their intelligence services), along with practical, ADHD-friendly strategies for prioritization, reducing overwhelm, creating simple systems, delegating with AI, and scaling sustainably without burnout.
You’ll learn how to clarify what’s truly urgent, map your business for greater clarity, reward yourself for starting tasks (not just finishing), and design systems that support your energy, attention, and creativity.
This episode is especially helpful for solopreneurs with ADHD traits, or anyone who’s tired of rigid productivity advice that doesn’t stick.
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About Skye Waterson
Skye Waterson is an ADHD coach and former academic who helps entrepreneurs build ADHD-friendly systems for focus, prioritization, and productivity. Her work spans research, coaching, and practical tools for solopreneurs who feel overwhelmed by traditional productivity models.
Instagram: @unconventionalorganisation
Podcast: The ADHD Skills Lab
Favorite Quote About Success:
"A rising tide lifts all boats."
Episode FAQs
How can solopreneurs with ADHD stay focused and reduce overwhelm?
Solopreneurs with ADHD (or ADHD-like traits) benefit from externalizing their thoughts instead of trying to hold everything mentally. In this episode, Skye Waterson teaches a prioritization method that starts by writing down every task (work and personal), then filtering for true urgency and importance. This approach reduces cognitive overload, supports executive functioning, and helps overwhelmed solopreneurs focus on what actually matters instead of reacting to everything.
What productivity systems work best for solopreneurs who hate rigid structure?
Instead of complex planners or overly strict systems, Skye recommends starting with a “map of your business," a simple visual of how clients find you, how you sell, how you deliver, and how you retain or grow relationships. This gives solopreneurs clarity and control without requiring perfection. The goal isn’t rigid structure; it’s building flexible systems that support your energy, creativity, and attention.
How can solopreneurs use AI to delegate and scale without hiring a team?
Skye explains that many tasks can now be delegated to AI instead of people, such as turning a voice explanation into an SOP, organizing processes, drafting documentation, or clarifying workflows. For solopreneurs who feel overwhelmed by delegation or who aren’t ready to hire, using AI as a “thinking partner” can dramatically reduce workload, improve consistency, and support sustainable growth.
The Aspiring Solopreneur helps one-person business owners grow smarter, avoid burnout, and build businesses that support their lives — not consume them. Hosted by Carly Ries and Joe Rando, the show features practical strategies, real conversations, and expert insights for modern solopreneurs.
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