Getting Sh!t Done with Pathological Demand Avoidance - The Business Oddcast S01E12

The Business Oddcast

Welcome to Episode 12 of the Business Oddcast where we discuss Getting Sh*t Done with PDA. PDA, Pathological Demand Avoidance isn’t procrastination, it’s the brain’s hard “nope”.

In this episode, we dig into how PDA shows up for neurodivergent business owners, why it gets mistaken for laziness, and how to work with your brain instead of against it. From school days of “but why?” to client dynamics, we unpack the anxiety, control and context behind PDA and share ways to keep moving forward and showing up without tipping into shame spirals and anxiety.

We talk about the repelling-poles of a magnet feeling, why; “because I said so” backfires, and how autonomy and 2-mph vs 200-mph energy swings shape our days. We draw the line between PDA and procrastination, confess the anarchist-raccoon with a crowbar urge when rules are imposed, and show how self-employment helps with energy management, emotions regulation but can also hinder at times. We also look at deadlines, client fit and setting boundaries. It’s a packed program!

This is our “getting-sh*t-done” playbook and we discuss all our coping strategies, from using micro-steps, fire breaks & time buffers, to time-blocking, reframing demands as choices, and returning to our why. There’s also a look at apps to assist and we ask if body-doubling/quiet co-working, helps.

So, sit back and enjoy this episode and celebrate whatever your small wins are this week, why not let us know? We love to hear from you, contact details below.

Please share with anyone you think this topic might resonate with.

Together we can build a healthier, happier way to work!

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TIMELINE

00:00:00 - Introduction.
00:00:40 - Hannah's weekly tangent - Waiting for business proposals mindset
00:01:52 - ToTW - Getting Shit Done with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
00:02:25 - What PDA is and how it shows up
00:04:00 - Hannah's lived PDA experienced and the shame spiral
00:06:30 - Looking at shame spirals, PDA and getting shit done
00:09:30 - The effect of PDA and how it differs from procrastination
00:11:00 - The magic of PDA and the racoon of chaos with a crowbar
00:12:20 - Tangent queen - PDA and fluctuating energy used to positive effect
00:13:40 - PDA as an employee, PDA as self employed.
00:15:18 - Coping strategies, how PDA shows up and autonomy
00:16:35 - Stuart's rant about school, why, WHY!
00:17:35 - Hannah's parental experience schooling her children
00:19:05 - The anxiety of asking clarifying questions as a child
00:20:40 - The alternative view...
00:22:10 - So, PDA & Self Employment - how to balance PDA with customer demands
00:24:55 - Overcoming PDA in business
00:25:50 - How you do one thing, is how you do everything
00:26:41 - Finding your reason why to overcome PDA
00:28:02 - Why choosing the right customers is key
00:30:55 - Is it PDA or is it your 6th sense trying to warn you?
00:34:30 - The need to believe; when you're not fully into the project
00:36:25 - Hints, tips and strategies on coping with PDA - getting shit done
00:37:00 - Grow a forest with time using forestapp.cc
00:39:19 - Break a task into tiny pieces for small wins and be kind to yourself
00:40:45 - Task vertigo, the overwhelming million mile high view
00:42:10 - Blocking out time for small tasks to progress
00:43:37 - The importance of buffering and "fire breaks"
00:45:10 - Hannah's time blocking and small wins
00:45:40 - Gamification of tasks and rewarding yourself
00:46:20 - The HUGE importance of recognising your wins
00:47:50 - Be wary of being too hard on yourself
00:48:50 - External support, scaffolding, body doubling & buddying
00:51:33 - Parallel play
00:53:25 - Our framework for life, whether it fits or not
00:54:04 - Working in a way that suits your style
00:55:05 - Coworking spaces can help
00:59:30 - Round up and final words

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RESOURCES
https://bigmoosecharity.co - Big Moose provides emergency mental health support, fast, FREE and effective therapy for people who are struggling.

https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests - if this topic resonates use these tests to have a clearer understanding of your neurotype.

https://businessoddcast.com/help - our range of resources for Neurodiverse business owners, helping you thrive, survive and live more fulfilling lives.

https://www.forestapp.cc/ - Forest App as mention at 37minutes in, not sponsored, not a recommendation merely an app that Hannah uses to help her manage her time in a fun way.

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