Strategies to Navigate the Challenges as a Neurodivergent Service Provider
Freelancers or business owners with ADHD or AUDHD face unique challenges in the gig economy, which can sometimes make them more vulnerable to being taken advantage of.
Here are five ways this can happen and strategies for addressing each issue:
Scope Creep Without Additional Compensation
Problem: Neurodiverse business owners may find it hard to say no to additional tasks not originally agreed upon or may overlook the scope of a project creeping beyond the initial agreement, leading to more work without extra pay. This is an area that our People Pleasing and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria creep in on us.
Solution: Implement a clear contract that outlines the scope of work, deadlines, and compensation, including how additional work will be handled and compensated. Use project management tools to keep track of changes and communicate assertively about the need for further payment for extra tasks.
Delayed or Irregular Payments
Problem: When you are ADHD or AUDHD you might struggle with financial planning or be more hesitant to chase down clients for payments, making them more susceptible to cash flow issues due to delayed or irregular payments. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and Executive Dysfunction issues can get in the way of taking these action steps.
Solution: Establish clear payment terms upfront, including late fees for overdue payments. Consider using invoicing and accounting software that sends automatic payment reminders to clients. Building a financial buffer can also mitigate the impact of late payments.
Underpricing Services
Problem: Many small business owners especially when neurodiverse can underprice their services due to difficulty estimating the time and effort tasks will take, coupled with challenges in negotiating. This is a Time Blindness or Executive Dysfunction issue creeping up again.
Solution: Research standard rates in your industry and seek advice from peers or mentors on pricing strategies. Break down projects into smaller tasks to better estimate time and costs. Practicing negotiation skills or working with an ADHD business coach can also help secure better rates.
Overcommitting to Projects
Problem: The impulsivity associated with ADHD can lead to overcommitting to too many projects, resulting in missed deadlines and decreased quality of work.
Solution: Use planning and organization tools to keep track of current workload and availability. Set realistic deadlines, and learn to say no or negotiate longer timelines for new projects. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
Difficulty in Managing Client Relationships
Problem: Neurodiversity can make it challenging to maintain regular communication with clients or to manage expectations effectively, potentially leading to misunderstandings or dissatisfaction.
Solution: Establish regular check-ins and updates with clients using a consistent communication method. Utilize tools and apps to help manage tasks and deadlines, ensuring you meet client expectations. Consider working with a virtual assistant or coach who can assist in areas of weakness, such as organization or client communication.
General Strategies for ADHD Freelancers:
-How to make things easy: Use apps and tools designed to improve focus, time management, and organization.
- Build a Support Network: Having accountability, support and a community will help you optimize your ADHD and decrease the overwhelm associated with running your own business.
- Understand Your ADHD: Awareness of how ADHD affects you personally can help devise strategies to mitigate its impact on your freelance career.
- Professional Development: Continuous learning, including business management, negotiation, and self-advocacy skills, can be beneficial.
By recognizing these challenges and implementing strategic solutions, ADHD freelancers can better protect themselves from being taken advantage of and thrive in their freelance careers.
If you are struggling, come take a Look at ADHD Upgrade Academy. We are a community, accountability and support network built just for you. Starting at just $19.99 a month you can get support as a freelancer, as a business owner, as an adult with ADHD or AUDHD and build a network of support while doing it.
