You don’t have to be weird, but it helps

You don't have to be weird to want to start a business or become an entrepreneur, but you might be startled to discover it helps.

Not everyone possesses the courage to step away from the comfort of fulfilling someone else's dreams to chase their own.

It takes a distinct kind of bravery and individuality to embark on such a journey. Indeed, many of the entrepreneurs we admire and read about are celebrated examples of being weird and neurodiversity in action.

However, we seldom hear about those who face challenges or don't find success, and what we can learn from them.

Research suggests that between 15-35% of entrepreneurs identify as neurodivergent or display tendencies associated with neurodiversity, a category I find myself in as well.

The reliability of these figures is up for debate, as not everyone gets counted. We all harbour our unique idiosyncrasies, which may or may not align with the evolving definitions of neurodivergence.

Many, like me, navigate a space that doesn't quite fit within the traditional boundaries of being neurotypical or neurodivergent.

What's more, a significant number of entrepreneurs might be unaware of their neurodivergent traits and the impact they have on their businesses.

My journey towards self-awareness around my neurodivergence had a boost following my daughter's dyslexia diagnosis and a subsequent suggestion to evaluate her for autism.

I found myself relating to many of the behaviours discussed, and this revelation sheds light on how these traits influenced both my personal life and my approach to business.

This experience is not uncommon among entrepreneurs who come to recognise their neurodivergence later in life.

The path to success is rarely linear; for those of us who embrace our "weird," it's a journey marked by unique obstacles and extraordinary opportunities.

It's about realising that what makes us different also holds the key to unlocking our full potential.

If you're currently on this path, know that you're not alone.

My experiences, and those of others I've worked with, highlight the frustration of seeing business strategies work for others but not for us.

Our approach can be consistently inconsistent, always evolving as we chase new, exciting ideas or shiny objects.

Not the best when we know consistency is a big key to success.

Yet, this journey has also helped me understand my strengths, such as my ability to see the bigger picture, build genuine connections, and empathise deeply with clients, enabling me to achieve remarkable outcomes.

Nonetheless, it's important to acknowledge the challenges, including issues with overthinking and an overactive brain, self-esteem, fear of rejection (rejection sensitivity dysphoria in extreme cases), procrastination and executive paralysis, and the tendency to be all or nothing in our thoughts and interests.

But what if I told you that your ‘weird’ could be the missing piece for your success?

Here’s How You Can Start to Leverage Your Weird Traits:

1.?? Own Your Weird: Your business isn’t like everyone else’s, so why should you be? Embrace your unique perspective and let it shine through in your brand and offerings. Stop following the crowd and create your own path.

2.?? Adapt Your Approach: Use your strengths to your advantage. If conventional methods aren’t working, it’s time to get creative. Remember, innovation is born from doing things differently.? Don’t worry if you have to change what no longer works, that is what we need to do.

3.?? Build a Supportive Team: Surround yourself with people who not only complement your skills but also celebrate your uniqueness. Diverse teams lead to dynamic solutions.? Also, learn to delegate (easier said than done) to others who are better at the job than you, especially the boring stuff like admin (yawn).

4.?? Self-Awareness is Key: Understanding your weird tendencies allows you to harness them effectively. It’s about turning what might seem like a challenge into your greatest asset.

5.?? Seek Tailored Coaching: Sometimes, a little guidance can go a long way. Coaching that recognises and values your uniqueness can help you navigate the entrepreneurial journey with confidence.

As I've grown more aware of my strengths and the challenges my unique traits present, I've learned to mitigate, manage, and maximise them in both my personal growth and my business's development.

It is something I now work on to help others do their business.

So many business owners I speak to are struggling to build the business they want and are so passionate about, and I see time and time again the same weird issues getting in the way.

As more adults who run businesses become aware of their own unique weird and neurodivergent traits/conditions, they will need help coming to terms with the impact it has had on them and their businesses, as well as how they want to change to make their lives and businesses more successful.

I like to think I am a safe place for them to get that help and support, as I know what a huge difference it makes.

Ready to embrace the power of being weird? Your journey to leveraging your neurodiverse traits for business success starts now with these tips and maybe even a chat with me. Together, we’ll make weird the new cool.

Remember, in the realm of entrepreneurship and business, it’s not about fitting in; it’s about standing out. And sometimes, all it takes is a little weirdness to make a big splash.

Listening to

Another great podcast from my good friend Anne Leatherland, with Annie Mood as her guest.

Finding Your Inner Strength with Annie Mood | Anne Leatherland Confidence in communication | 22 mins

I loved how they talked about managing emotions, especially the work Annie is doing with children.? I wish someone had done this for me when I struggled emotionally as a child.

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Grit: The power of passion and perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth?| TED Talks Education ? April 2013 | 6 Mins

I love the insights into motivation and perseverance around learning, and how that makes people successful when it comes to learning.

I do wonder how those of us who struggle to persevere due to the way our brains work can learn to develop more grit.

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I have started playing with converting my writing to speech to maybe share it in other ways.

https://elevenlabs.io/

Thank you for reading and investing some of your time with me.

Stay safe and warm this week and here's to all your successes. ??

Peterg

#NeuroWeird #EmbraceYourWeird #BeYou #LinkedInNewsletter