The ADHD High Achiever Trap: Perfectionism, Pressure & Burnout with Dani Donovan
What happens when your ADHD hyperfocus helps you create something amazing but also pushes you toward burnout? In this episode of Successful with ADHD , I'm welcoming back Dani Donovan, ADHD advocate, creator of the viral ADHD comics, and author of The Anti-Planner . Since our last conversation in 2023, Dani has turned her creative passion into a growing business, and she's getting real about the challenges of entrepreneurship, executive dysfunction, perfectionism, and learning to prioritize herself along the way. We dive into the connection between ADHD and OCD tendencies, obsessive thought loops, rejection sensitivity, and why high-achieving women with ADHD often struggle to know when something is good enough. Dani also shares how she's learned to reduce friction, build ADHD-friendly habits, and approach productivity differently without getting caught in the all-or-nothing mindset. If you've ever felt stuck between wanting to do everything perfectly and struggling to get started, this conversation is for you! Episode Highlights [0:45] - Welcoming Dani Donovan back and celebrating the incredible growth of The Anti-Planner since her first appearance. [2:19] - How creating an ADHD-friendly productivity tool turned into running a business with unexpected challenges. [3:44] - The realities of ADHD entrepreneurship, hiring friends, delegating, and becoming the bottleneck in your own business. [6:04] - Why ADHD perfectionism, avoidance, and executive dysfunction don't disappear when you're running a successful company. [8:23] - Breaking down the five emotional barriers in The Anti-Planner and why identifying what's keeping you stuck matters. [9:49] - The hidden cost of ADHD hyperfocus and how pushing through 12- to 17-hour workdays led to serious burnout and physical consequences. [12:36] - Using habit tracking and personal data to understand the connection between sleep, hydration, movement, and well-being. [15:22] - How Dani made exercise enjoyable by combining swimming, podcasts, learning, and creativity. [18:00] - Understanding ADHD friction and finding ways to make everyday tasks feel less overwhelming. [19:02] - Introducing "checkpoint walks" and using tiny steps to build momentum without the pressure of big goals. [20:30] - Making exercise ADHD-friendly by lowering expectations, creating rewards, and giving yourself permission to stop. [22:09] - Can ADHD-friendly routines become automatic? Dani shares what happens when habits fall off and how to restart. [24:26] - Exploring the overlap between ADHD, OCD tendencies, obsessive thoughts, and perfectionism. [27:06] - The distress of repetitive thought loops and the struggle to stop focusing on unwanted thoughts. [28:00] - How rejection sensitivity, childhood expectations, and being praised for overachieving can reinforce perfectionism. [29:15] - Why obsessive checking and overpreparing may mask ADHD symptoms, especially in high-achieving women. [29:53] - Sharing my own experience with obsessive research, injustice sensitivity, and getting caught in thought loops. [31:20] - When ADHD and OCD tendencies work against each other, creating internal conflict and fear of criticism. [33:12] - The fear of mediocrity, constantly revising your work, and never feeling like it's good enough. [35:33] - How scope creep and endless creative ideas can turn exciting projects into overwhelming unfinished work. [36:53] - Why putting projects in "beta mode" can help perfectionists release their work without waiting for perfection. [39:38] - What's next for The Anti-Planner and Dani's plans for new activities and resources. [40:14] - Managing unpredictable work schedules, ADHD hyperfocus, and using time tracking to understand where your hours go. [42:07] - What Dani wishes she knew when starting her business and the lessons she's learned about empathy and accountability. [44:19] - Finding the balance between being a compassionate leader, setting boundaries, and protecting your business. [45:54] - Where to find Dani's Anti-Planner , ADHD comics, and additional resources. Links & Resources Dani Donovan is a multi-faceted internet content creator, public speaker, and ADHD comic artist known for her viral comics that have amplified ADHD awareness and acceptance online. As the author of The Anti-Planner and the founder of The Anti-Boring Project , she leverages her expansive social media following to make everyday challenges like productivity and organization more achievable and entertaining. Dani Donovan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danidonovan Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD. 🚨Calling all aspiring ADHD coaches ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training Help your clients break free from paralysis and better manage their life with 3C Activation® coach training! 💥Gain a proven process for ADHD coaching 💥Earn 38 ICF Credits 💥Learn the latest neuroscience to boost your practice 💥Qualify to be listed under ACO Directory Learn more ▶️ https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/coach-certification-and-training

