You weren't built for the 9-5

Welcome to the first edition of the ADHDfounder newsletter! I’m so happy you’re here. Let’s get right into it 🎉

You know that feeling when your whole body just rejects something? That’s how I felt about nine-to-five jobs.

Even in my early twenties, when the idea of a steady paycheck should’ve been comforting, it only made me restless. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it back then. I’d tell my friends, “I just can’t do it,” and they’d think I was lazy or avoiding responsibility.

Turns out, there was a reason I felt that way—ADHD. My brain thrives on flexibility, creativity, and constant change. Sitting in a cubicle, grinding through tasks like clockwork, felt like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

When I landed my first startup job, everything clicked. It was supposed to be a straightforward dev role, but I couldn’t help adding my own spin. Within a year, I was stepping into a co-founder role. That itch to do things my way wasn’t a flaw—it was my edge.

The 5-Minute Rule

You’ve got a million tasks and a wandering mind—that’s the ADHD way.

But here’s a hack that’s actually backed by research: the 5-Minute Rule. If you’re dreading a task, just commit to doing it for 5 minutes.

No more, no less.

Here’s why it works: when you break the task into a bite-sized chunk, you bypass the brain’s resistance to starting. And once those five minutes are up, you’ll often find that inertia has shifted. You’re already in the zone, and suddenly, the rest doesn’t feel so hard.

It’s a small trick, but one that can lead to big wins in productivity.

Richard Branson: Mastering Chaos for Fun and Profit

Richard Branson didn’t just build an empire—he hacked his ADHD brain to do it.

Diagnosed with both ADHD and dyslexia, Branson took what most people see as distractions and turned them into fuel. Founding Virgin Records at 20? Sure, why not. Launching an airline in his 30s? Easy. ADHD didn’t get in his way—it powered his every move.

His impulsivity was his greatest tool. Branson didn’t wait around to overthink—he jumped in. That’s how he launched Virgin Records, then an airline, and even took a swing at space. And here’s the thing: when his ADHD brain locked onto an idea, his hyperfocus made it happen while everyone else was still making lists.

Branson’s proud of how his brain works.

So the next time your brain goes rogue mid-task, remember: Branson used that same energy to create a global empire. And hey, maybe your next idea is right around the corner.

That’s a wrap! If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit into the typical mold, maybe that’s your brain telling you something. Your so-called flaw might just be the thing that sets you apart.

And here’s a challenge for ya: think about one way you can add your own spin to what you’re doing right now. It doesn’t have to be big—just one small change that feels more you. 

Hit reply and let me know what you’re going to tweak this week to play by your own rules!

—Eugene (ADHDfounder) ✨