Not All Productivity Is Progress: Why Dopamine Chasing Keeps ADHD Entrepreneurs Stuck and Broke (Ep. 172)

If you’ve ever ended a “busy” day feeling exhausted but your Stripe account still looks like a ghost town, you’re not broken — you’re buffering.

In Episode 172 of The ADHD CEO Show, Alyece Smith breaks down why fake productivity — aka endless Canva spirals, tweaking funnels, and reorganizing Google Drives — feels so addictive to ADHD Entrepreneurs, and what you can do instead to create real momentum and consistent income.

In this episode, Alyece shares:

• Why your dopamine is the real culprit behind feeling busy but staying broke

• How perfectionism and creative overdrive sabotage your sales

• Tactical shifts to help you finish what actually matters and monetize your momentum
  

• How to build business systems that respect your ADHD brain instead of fighting it
  
  

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Fall Into the Fake Productivity Trap

Busy doesn't equal bankable. Alyece shares how chasing micro-dopamine hits through designing, tweaking, and “getting ready” keeps you stuck in creative cycles without crossing the actual finish line.

2. How Dopamine Crashes Hijack Your Business Momentum

You’re not lazy — your brain is just hooked on the wrong kind of wins. Hear real examples of how Alyece spent weekends building gorgeous funnels and Canva designs… that never led to offers, sales, or real growth.

3. Three Tactical Shifts to Build Real Momentum

You’ll get practical strategies you can implement immediately:

• The Finish List: Narrowing weekly priorities to just 3 real revenue-driving tasks.
  
  

• Dopamine Selling Rewards: No tinkering until the real offer is made.
  
  

• Urgency Without Drama: Why fake deadlines are a powerful ADHD momentum hack.
  
  

4. Why True Progress Requires Systems (Not Hustle)

Systems create structure your creativity can thrive in. Alyece shares why momentum isn't about working harder—it’s about directing your natural energy toward finishing needle-moving tasks consistently.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Focused & Free Membership:
  → Build momentum, create visibility with safety, and scale your business with ADHD-friendly systems.
  🔗 Join Focused & Free here
  

• ADHDpreneur Academy:
  → The coaching program designed to help ADHD entrepreneurs create sustainable, profitable businesses without burnout.
  🔗 Learn about ADHDpreneur Academy here
  

• Connect with Alyece on Instagram:
  → Follow for daily doses of real ADHD entrepreneur life.
  🔗 @socially.ausome
  
  

Final Call to Action

If you’re tired of feeling like the busiest unpaid CEO out there, it’s time to stop chasing dopamine and start chasing real results.

✨ Inside Focused & Free and the ADHDpreneur Academy, Alyece teaches you how to move from creative chaos to profitable systems — without losing the fire that makes you different.

🎯 Tap here to join Focused & Free
or
📩 DM "FOCUSED" to @socially.ausome to get all the details.

Your ideas aren’t the problem.
Your energy isn’t the problem.
Your systems just aren’t protecting your brilliance yet.

Let's fix that.

👇 Ready to Build Momentum That Doesn’t Wait on Motivation?

If you’ve been circling the ADHDpreneur Academy™ or thinking about working with me inside my membership... this is your sign.

You don’t need another course.
You don’t need perfect clarity.
You need accountability and a strategy that works with your brain.

🎯 DM me “MOMENTUM” on Instagram or 👉 Check out ADHDPRENEUR ACADEMY™ here

✍️ Episode Highlights (for quick skimmers)

"Pretty isn’t profitable. Busy isn’t bankable. Your mortgage company doesn’t take Canva graphics."

"You’re not too busy to sell. You’re too distracted to finish."

"Momentum isn’t about hustling harder. It’s about hacking your energy toward the finish line."

"The only thing standing between you and consistent income? All the half-built genius you haven’t finished yet."

🎧 Listen Now: Episode 172

Title: Not All Productivity Is Progress: Why Dopamine Chasing Keeps ADHD Entrepreneurs Stuck and Broke
Host: Alyece Smith (@theadhdceo)

Screenshot this episode, share your biggest shift, and tag @theadhdceo — I want to celebrate your move.

Final Thoughts: Your ADHD Is Your Superpower, Not a Weakness

Selling your offer doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—but you need a strategy that actually works for your brain.

Which of these ADHD-friendly sales tips are you trying first? Let me know in the comments or DM me on Instagram (@socially.ausome)!

📌 Loved this episode? Share a screenshot on IG stories and tag @socially.ausome so I can shout you out! Your support helps more ADHD entrepreneurs find this content and finally build the business they deserve.

See you inside the next episode of The ADHD CEO. 🚀