Success is not an accident; It has many fathers.
1. Commit to the Long Game
Success isn’t a quick sprint, it’s a marathon. Mastery in any skill, craft, or business isn’t achieved through a single burst of effort but through consistent, disciplined practice over months and years.
Marcus Aurelius once said, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” While not an exact translation, the essence remains: your growth is in your control, no matter what happens around you.
There are no shortcuts, no secret hacks, no express lanes to mastery. It takes as long as it takes.
For those with ADHD, long-term goals can feel overwhelming because impulsivity craves immediate results. The solution? Break them down. Set smaller, achievable steps that keep you moving forward.
Start by writing down one thing to master each day. A single skill, habit, or lesson. These small wins, repeated consistently, compound into something powerful over time.
2. Focus on the Fundamentals
The foundation of success is built on strong fundamentals. No advanced strategy can compensate for weak basics.
If your core skills are shaky, everything built on top of them will collapse under pressure.
Epictetus put it simply: “First, say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” Before tackling complexities, master the essentials.
For dyslexic entrepreneurs, this often means finding creative ways to strengthen foundational skills, whether in reading, organisation, or communication.
The same applies to ADHD and time management. If planning feels overwhelming, don’t dive into complex systems.
Start small.
Master one simple tool, like a basic planner or a single scheduling habit, before layering in more advanced methods.
When the fundamentals are strong, everything else becomes easier.
3. Simulate Real Scenarios
Success isn’t just about preparation.
It’s about preparing for the right conditions. Training in a controlled, low-stakes environment is useful, but real growth happens when you practice under circumstances that mirror actual challenges.
A quote often attributed to Seneca puts it best: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” The more you expose yourself to realistic scenarios, the more prepared you’ll be when opportunity knocks.
For those with ADHD, distractions can derail focus. The best way to build resilience is to train in the conditions that usually throw you off. If unexpected noise, time pressure, or interruptions make tasks harder, don’t avoid them—practice in them.
Rehearse presentations in a busy café. Set a timer to simulate deadlines. Train your brain to stay on track, no matter the environment. The more you condition yourself to handle real-world challenges, the easier success becomes.
4. Break Down Complex Skills
Big goals can feel intimidating, but every achievement is just a series of smaller steps stacked together. The key to progress is breaking complexity into manageable pieces.
To paraphrase Marcus Aurelius, “Don’t let the enormity of the task deter you.” No mountain is climbed in a single leap. It happens step by step.
Dyslexic thinkers often have a natural gift for seeing the big picture but can feel overwhelmed by the details.
ADHD minds crave novelty and may lose interest in long, drawn-out tasks.
The solution? Break things down.
If writing a report feels daunting, don’t start with a blank page.
Start with bullet points. Outline key ideas first, then expand on them. If a major project feels too big, identify the first small action you can take.
Success isn’t about doing everything at once, it’s about moving forward, one clear step at a time.
5. Embrace Deliberate Practice
Repetition alone doesn’t lead to mastery.
Focused practice does. Simply doing the same thing over and over won’t make you better. Real progress comes from identifying weak spots and intentionally working to improve them.
Epictetus reminds us, “It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” The same applies to practice.
Instead of repeating what you’re already good at, direct your efforts toward the areas that challenge you.
For those with ADHD, hyperfocus can be a powerful advantage. Channel it into deliberate skill-building by refining one specific element at a time.
Struggling with public speaking?
Don’t try to perfect an entire speech at once. Start with just the opening lines, nail them, then move on to refining transitions.
By breaking practice into focused, intentional steps, improvement becomes inevitable.
6. Seek Feedback Regularly
Regularly seeking feedback is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Engaging with mentors, peers, or clients provides diverse perspectives that can highlight areas for improvement.
Marcus Aurelius emphasized the value of being open to correction. “If anyone can refute me, show me I’m making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective, I’ll gladly change. It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance.”
Individuals with dyslexia or ADHD often excel in collaborative environments but may miss certain details. Constructive feedback can help bridge these gaps by offering insights that might have been overlooked.
You could, for example:
Share Your Work: Share your projects, social media posts, creations, etc with trusted friends or colleagues who understand your thinking style.
Seek Constructive Criticism: Encourage them to give you honest, actionable advice and ideas to improve what you have done.
Reflect and Apply: Use this feedback to make more informed adjustments, enhance your skills and therefore outcomes.
If you embrace feedback, you open the door to continuous personal growth, improvement and success.
Never be afraid of being shown to be wrong if it improves who you are and what you do.
7. Measure Your Progress
Tracking your growth and development with specific metrics is essential for sustained growth. You can only improve what you can measure.
By monitoring your progress, you gain clarity on your achievements and areas needing improvement.
Stoic philosopher Seneca emphasised the importance of quality over quantity: “As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”
For individuals with dyslexia or ADHD, the desire for immediate results can be very strong. Regularly measuring progress provides tangible evidence of advancement, helping to maintain motivation.
To effectively measure your progress, you could:
Define Clear Metrics: By setting up specific criteria to assess your growth you will have the measurement you define.
Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledging both large and small achievements, such as completing a training module or mastering a new tool will encourage you and empower you.
Reflect on Learnings: By regularly checking in and reviewing your progress, you will be better able identify successes and areas for improvement.
Systematically tracking your journey ensures that each step contributes meaningfully to your overarching goals.
8. Stay Consistent
Establishing a routine incorporating regular training and practice is essential for sustained success. Consistency of thought, mindset, and attitude transforms well-developed habits into successful actions, leading to continuous improvement.
Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism, said, “Well-being is attained by little and little, and nevertheless is no little thing itself.”
This emphasises that small, consistent efforts accumulate into significant results over time.
For individuals with ADHD, routines provide structure, helping to manage an often chaotic mind. By scheduling dedicated times for essential activities, such as planning, writing, or learning, you create a dependable framework that fosters productivity.
You could try the following actions:
Set a Regular Schedule: Allocate specific times daily or weekly for your top priorities.
Maintain Consistency: Adhere to your established routine to build lasting habits.
Adjust as Needed: Be flexible and modify your schedule to accommodate changes, ensuring it remains effective.
Staying consistent lays a solid foundation for achieving your goals and cultivating long-term success.
9. Push Your Limits
Stepping out beyond your comfort zone is essential for personal and business growth.
There just is no other way. If you remain in that place of comfort, you will soon discover you are going backwards.
Seneca said, “Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labour does the body.”
This emphasises that challenges fortify our mental resilience.
For people with dyslexia and ADHD, the fear of failure can be a significant barrier. However, confronting discomfort can build confidence and reduce anxiety.
Action Steps you could take:
Take on New Challenges: Volunteer to lead a workshop on a topic you may know very little about or present your ideas publicly, even if it feels intimidating.
Embrace Discomfort: Recognising that when you step out into unfamiliar situations, you foster growth and resilience in your mind and your body.
By pushing your limits, you not only expand your capabilities but also build the confidence to tackle future challenges.
10. Practice Recovery and Rest
Incorporating regular rest periods into your routine is essential to prevent burnout and maintain long-term productivity.
Roman poet Ovid noted, “Take a rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”
This metaphor highlights the rejuvenating power of rest, suggesting that, like a fallow field, a rested mind yields greater results.
Business owners and entrepreneurs with ADHD often experience hyperfocus, becoming deeply engrossed in tasks to the point of neglecting basic needs.
While this intense concentration can lead to bursts of productivity, it can also result in significant mental and physical exhaustion if not managed properly.
Strategies you could use to implement real rest:
Schedule Regular Breaks: Intentionally plan short breaks throughout your day to recharge. Treat these intervals with the same importance as meetings or deadlines.
Set Reminders: Use alarms or notifications to prompt you to step away from tasks, ensuring you don’t become overly absorbed.
Engage in Relaxing Activities: Dedicate time to activities that promote relaxation, such as reading, meditation, or light exercise, to help reset your focus.
By prioritising rest and recovery, you enhance your ability to maintain consistent performance and safeguard your overall well-being.
11. Visualise Success
Mentally rehearsing your performance as if it’s already happening can enhance your confidence and effectiveness.
Seneca said, “To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.”
This suggests that maintaining composure through visualisation can mitigate challenges.
For entrepreneurs with dyslexia, visualisation techniques can transform self-doubt into excitement by leveraging their natural strengths in visual thinking.
Practical Application:
Detailed Mental Rehearsal: Imagine delivering a successful presentation, focusing on every detail. From the audience’s positive reactions to your confident delivery and how you will feel afterwards.
By visualising success, you prepare your mind to navigate real-life challenges with poise and assurance.
12. Celebrate Small Wins
Recognising and rewarding yourself for incremental progress is essential for maintaining motivation and fostering a positive mindset.
Marcus Aurelius emphasised the importance of your thoughts in shaping your happiness: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
For individuals with ADHD, celebrating small achievements can provide the necessary motivation to continue progressing toward larger goals.
Some practical steps:
Acknowledge Achievements: After completing a challenging project, take a moment to recognise your effort and success.
Reward Yourself: Treat yourself to something enjoyable, like a favourite snack, a short walk, or a brief leisure activity.
By focusing on and celebrating these small victories, you reinforce positive behaviour and maintain the drive needed for continued success.
Training and practicing to your highest possible level ensures you’re ready to perform when it matters most.
For entrepreneurs and business owners with dyslexia and ADHD, preparation tailored to your strengths, guided by Stoic principles, transforms challenges into opportunities.
Commit to the process, and you’ll find yourself achieving results that once seemed out of reach.
