How To Stop Burning Out Before You Begin (neurodiverse Edition)

Have you ever felt stuck before starting something new? You’re not alone. This episode of the podcast dives straight into those moments when overthinking creeps in and tries to hold you back. Stephen Martin, who’s got firsthand experience with dyslexia and ADHD, shares three essential rules for kicking off any project without getting lost in your own head. He talks about why setting realistic deadlines, finding the right help, and managing your mind can make a massive difference in finishing what you start.

Stephen’s own journey in entrepreneurship is full of discoveries about how a dyslexic brain ticks. By understanding your own tendencies, you can build a system that keeps you motivated, on track, and energised. It’s all about creating a support network, expecting things might take longer than you thought, and using that knowledge to your advantage.

Don’t Overthink It

One thing Stephen hammers home is to skip the endless analysis. Overthinking can trap you in a loop, making you feel like you’re working when you’re actually just worrying. He calls it “getting stuck in your head,” and it’s a major reason many of us never see our ideas through.

Overthinking often shows up for dyslexics, especially when a project feels big or complicated. You might sit there tweaking every tiny detail before you’ve done anything concrete. Stephen’s bottom line? Start anyway.

“Don’t let overthinking freeze you in place, take that first step and keep moving.” — Stephen Martin

Sometimes you need to let yourself experiment and make mistakes. That’s the real path to learning. If you catch yourself drifting off into long-winded planning, give yourself a gentle nudge and do one small action instead.

Set Realistic Timeframes

We often underestimate how long a project takes, then wonder why we’re feeling stressed. Stephen suggests setting realistic deadlines by first guessing how long you think something will take, then tripling that number. It might sound silly, but that extra buffer can keep you sane.

It’s easy to believe you can finish a big project in a weekend. Maybe you can, but Stephen points out that dyslexics often get thrown off by unforeseen hiccups. When you set stretched-but-realistic timeframes, you allow space for those distractions and mistakes that are almost guaranteed to crop up.

It also helps to have a clear end date. A deadline pushes you to stop procrastinating. If you know you have to finish something by a certain day, it’s easier to prioritise your tasks without scrolling through social media every five minutes. Time can be your friend when you use it wisely.

Collaboration Is Key

Trying to do everything alone is exhausting. We all have strong points and weak points. Working with others can bring out your best while covering the gaps that trip you up.

Stephen says it’s crucial for dyslexics and those with ADHD to accept support, whether it’s from a friend, spouse, or colleague. Collaboration doesn’t have to mean handing off all your responsibilities. It’s more about having a sounding board for your ideas. You might need someone to set you straight when you’re about to chase a shiny new idea that doesn’t align with your main goal.

On top of that, being part of a team can spark ideas you’d never generate alone. When you talk things through, you might discover a simpler way to tackle something that felt daunting by yourself. A few minutes with someone you trust can shift your perspective and reignite your motivation.

Understanding Your Dyslexic Brain

Stephen’s lived experience as an entrepreneur with dyslexia is proof that understanding yourself is half the battle. If you know your brain tends to underestimate project timelines or skip over small details, you can prepare for that from the start.

Part of that preparation is building systems. For instance, if you know you’re likely to stall, set up bite-sized checkpoints. Once you wrap up a specific task, check it off your list. This not only gives you a sense of achievement, but also helps you see how far you’ve come.

It’s also about learning from your mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up when you slip up; see it as data. If you finished late because you forgot to factor in that midday slump, that’s fine. Next time, you’ll plan around it. Over time, you’ll get a feel for how your dyslexic brain operates, which puts you in the driver’s seat of your project management skills.

Finally, remember that self-kindness is a superpower. Dyslexia and ADHD can bring unique gifts, like creative thinking and intuition, so give yourself a pat on the back for the things you already do well.

Final Takeaways

• Don’t overthink or dwell on details forever; movement sparks momentum.
• Plan for triple the time you initially estimate.
• Collaborate with others instead of trying to do it all yourself.
• A hard deadline can drive you to finish tasks on time.
• Learn from slip-ups and adapt your processes as you go.

These are just a few highlights from this chat with Stephen Martin. If you want the full scoop, make sure you tune in to the podcast episode above. You’ll hear more personal stories, practical tips, and friendly encouragement to keep you moving forward on your journeys.

Check out the episode player at the top of this page, and give yourself permission to try a new approach this week. You’ve got everything you need to succeed!