HOW TO START FROM ZERO
Mindset Hacks for the Neurodivergent Brain
Starting from zero isn’t easy. Especially when you’ve got a brain that doesn’t work like everyone else’s. If you’re neurodivergent, like me with ADHD, you know that some days, it feels like you’re fighting your own mind just to get basic shit done. But here’s the truth: you have to mind-fuck your way through it.
There’s no magic pill that suddenly makes you “normal” (whatever that means). What there is, however, is the power of flipping your mindset and using your brain’s unique wiring to your advantage.
When you’re starting from zero, it’s not about motivation or willpower. It’s about rewriting the stories you tell yourself and flipping the script on those bullshit thoughts that keep you stuck. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Flip the Negative Script
Let’s start with the obvious: your brain loves to beat you up. You’re probably saying things like, “Why can’t I just get the energy to get up? I’m so lazy. What the hell is wrong with me?” And guess what—that’s the shit that keeps you stuck.
Here’s how you mind-fuck your way out of that: flip it. Next time you catch yourself in that spiral, say this instead:
“You’re not lazy, you’re a fucking genius. You can get this done in half the time because your brain is wired for efficiency. You don’t need to do it like everyone else. You’ve got superpowers that make you faster, smarter, and more capable—so get your ass up, get it done, and then you can go back to chilling like a boss.”
Feel the difference? That shift in energy is everything. It’s about reclaiming the power of your brain and refusing to let the negative script win.
Step 2: Stop Waiting for Motivation—Create Momentum
One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is, “I just need to feel motivated, and then I’ll start.” Wrong. Motivation is bullshit. It’s fleeting, unreliable, and doesn’t stick around when you need it most.
So stop waiting for motivation. You don’t need it. What you need is momentum. Get started, even if it’s with the smallest thing. Set a timer for 5 minutes, start the task, and trick your brain into keeping the momentum going. Once you’ve started, it’s harder to stop.
Tell yourself this: “I don’t need motivation. I’m a goddamn machine. Once I start, I’ll crush this in half the time, and then I’ll have all the time in the world to relax. So why not just get it over with and feel like a badass after?”
Step 3: Embrace Your Superpower
Here’s the thing about having a neurodivergent brain: you think differently—and that’s your strength. You process information at lightning speed, you can hyper-focus when it matters, and you’re adaptable as hell. Stop trying to force yourself into the mold of “normal” productivity, and start using your unique wiring to your advantage.
When you’re starting from zero, remind yourself: “I don’t need to do it like everyone else. My brain works differently, and that’s my superpower. I’m wired to think outside the box, to get shit done quickly, and to see solutions no one else can. Why fight that? It’s time to own it.”
Instead of feeling like your brain is working against you, see it as your secret weapon. Use it to take shortcuts, find creative solutions, and get results faster than the so-called “normal” people ever could.
Step 4: Destroy Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a killer, especially for people with ADHD. It tells you that if you can’t do something perfectly, why bother doing it at all? But perfectionism is a lie. It’s just another way your brain is tricking you into staying stuck.
Here’s how you blow that shit up: done is better than perfect. Every. Single. Time. If you’re starting from zero, you need to focus on progress, not perfection. Tell yourself, “It doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to get done. I’ll tweak it later if I feel like it. But right now, the goal is to get it off my plate and move on.”
This mindset shift is crucial because action creates momentum, and momentum gets results. Once you start seeing progress, you’ll realize that perfection was never the goal. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and getting things moving.
Step 5: Break It Down Like a Boss
Sometimes starting from zero feels overwhelming because the task ahead seems massive. And when you’ve got ADHD, that overwhelm can paralyze you. The solution? Break it down into tiny, manageable pieces. Take the monster of a task and cut it up into bite-sized chunks.
Then, remind yourself: “I don’t need to tackle the whole thing right now. I’m going to knock out this one piece, and that’s it. Once I’m done with that, I’ll take the next step. One at a time, I’ll crush this.”
By breaking it down, you reduce the overwhelm and make the process feel doable. Plus, every small win creates a dopamine hit, which fuels your brain to keep going.
Step 6: Play to Win—Reward Yourself Like a Champion
Your brain craves rewards. So use that to your advantage. When you finish a task, celebrate like you’ve just won a championship. It doesn’t matter if it was something small—every win counts. Reward yourself with something you enjoy, even if it’s just a few minutes to chill, a snack, or a quick break.
Tell yourself, “I’m a goddamn champion. I just got this done, and now I get to feel amazing because I earned it. Every step I take, I’m proving how powerful I am. I’m unstoppable.”
This isn’t about bribing yourself—it’s about training your brain to associate productivity with positive outcomes. The more you do it, the more your brain will crave those rewards, and suddenly, starting from zero doesn’t seem so hard anymore.
Starting from zero with a neurodivergent brain isn’t about fighting yourself—it’s about working with what you’ve got and using it to your advantage. Your mind is powerful, and when you flip the script, you’ll see just how much you’re capable of. So get your shit together, own your brilliance, and start now. No more waiting for motivation, no more perfectionism, no more self-doubt.
