Welcome back to another column from the Shed Geek.
Today, I want to talk about something that has been incredibly relevant in my own journey: ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). But before we get there, let me do what many of us do best—start one thought, chase three others, circle back halfway, pause mid-sentence to stare into the abyss for 10–15 seconds … and then somehow land the plane by tying it all together. Sound familiar? If so, you might want to stick around.
So, what is ADHD, really? Growing up, we all knew those kids—usually the high-energy, hard-to-contain types. The ones who couldn’t sit still, always talking, always moving. Back then, many were labeled with ADD (attention deficit disorder), which we now understand falls under the broader umbrella of ADHD. But here’s the thing: ADHD isn’t just about “not paying attention.” In fact, that definition misses the mark entirely. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting executive function—the part of the brain responsible for focus, organization, emotional regulation, memory, and decision-making. It’s not a lack of attention—it’s a challenge in directing attention appropriately. That’s a big difference. And it explains a lot. Does any of this sound familiar to your shed selling or entrepreneurship journey so far?
ADHD generally presents in three ways: inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type. I fall into the inattentive type, which means the hyperactivity isn’t always visible—it’s happening upstairs. Think of it like having 15 browser tabs open at all times … and each one is playing music. That internal noise can show up in subtle ways—starting a story and detouring into three others, forgetting what you were saying mid-sentence, struggling to stay present in conversations, or overanalyzing everything. From the outside, it can look like distraction. From the inside, it feels like overload. When trying to sell sheds or even run a business, it can often cost your business by not allowing you to be in the moment.
Here’s where it gets interesting—and very relevant to those in sales and entrepreneurship. Research suggests that about 4 to 5 percent of adults have ADHD, but anecdotal and specific data show significantly higher rates in sales and entrepreneurship. Some estimates suggest as many as 25 to 30 percent of sales professionals may have ADHD traits. Why? Because sales rewards the exact things ADHD brains tend to excel at: high energy, quick thinking, adaptability, creativity, and risk tolerance. In other words, we’re wired for the chase. But there’s a flip side.
If you sell sheds—or anything, really—you know sales is a process. And process requires consistency. That’s where ADHD can trip us up. You might skip steps in your sales flow, lose track of follow-ups, over-explain instead of answering directly, or chase new leads instead of closing existing ones. Then there’s the emotional side. Let’s talk about something called rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)—a term often associated with ADHD. It describes an intense emotional reaction to perceived rejection or failure.
In sales, that can feel like taking a “no” way too personally, spiraling after a lost deal, or questioning your entire approach after one bad day. Logically, we all know sales is a numbers game. Even the best hitters in baseball fail most of the time. But emotionally? That “no” can hit like a freight train, and the folks from the “I’ll be back” bus might cause you to react in a way that doesn’t always allow for the best follow up, especially when they get off the bus never to return. My advice? Own that immediately and work on an alternative solution.
You’ll often hear ADHD described as a superpower. I get it—and I don’t. It’s not always fun. It can be frustrating, overwhelming, and mentally exhausting. But there are moments where it shines—like hyperfocus. When something clicks, you can lock in at a level that’s hard to explain: Dialing in a sales system for hours, building out marketing ideas nonstop, or obsessing over improving your craft. That intensity can separate you from the average. The key is learning how to aim it. My advice there is to also own that immediately and figure out how to repeat the pattern.
For me, things didn’t fully click until I was 45 years old. Looking back, it all made sense—the constant mental chatter, the tendency to overcommit, the difficulty “shutting off” my brain, and the habit of jumping from idea to idea. I used to think that was just how everyone operated. Turns out … not exactly.
Now, I’m not a doctor, so this isn’t medical advice. But I can share what’s worked for me. Structure creates freedom. Routine can feel like a prison at first—but eventually, it becomes a relief. When your day has structure, your brain doesn’t have to constantly decide what’s next. Externalize your brain by using tools like CRM systems, task managers, calendars, and automation. If it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist, and sticky notes aren’t always the answer. Sometimes you need something more. Simplify your sales process into a repeatable flow—greeting, needs discovery, solution, close, follow-up—and stick to it, even when your brain wants to improvise. Protect your attention by limiting distractions like endless scrolling, because that constant dopamine drip can wreck your focus for real work. And don’t forget to move your body—exercise isn’t just physical, it’s neurological. It helps regulate attention, mood, and energy levels.
This matters in the shed industry because this business is full of entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs tend to think differently. That’s not a weakness; it’s a pattern. Some of the best salespeople and business owners I know are what we’d call neurodivergent. They see things differently. They connect dots others don’t. They bring energy that can’t be taught. But unmanaged, those same traits can limit performance. Managed well? They can elevate it.
If any of this sounds like you, it might be worth exploring further. Talk to a professional. Learn more. Get clarity—not because something is “wrong,” but because understanding how your brain works allows you to work with it instead of against it. ADHD doesn’t have to be a limitation. In the right environment—like sales, like entrepreneurship—it can be your edge. Your advantage. Your Adaptive, Driven, Hyper-Detective mindset. And if you learn how to harness it … you might just become unstoppable.
