SMART Goals Are Boring: Why Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs Need a Dopamine-Driven Dream Instead
Let's be real—how often have you heard that your goals need to be SMART?
You know the drill: Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Timely.
Ugh. It's like goal-setting with a clipboard-wielding corporate manager who thinks color-coded spreadsheets are personality traits.
Listen, SMART goals are fine for robots. But if you're an ADHD entrepreneur like me—driven by passion, purpose, and the thrill of building something meaningful while your brain throws plot twists every 10 minutes—they're soul-sucking.
Because here's the problem: SMART doesn't leave space for spark. It doesn't tap into what we need—dopamine, curiosity, a little chaos, and a lot of "what if?"
"Realistic" Goals Are the Ultimate Buzzkill
Let's say your "realistic" goal is to make 10% more than last year. Okay, cool. So you might work 10% more, market 10% harder, and show up on Zoom 10% earlier (gross). Guess what? You'll probably hit that 10% growth.
And then what?
You pat yourself on the back, but you're not actually lit up by it deep down. You didn't start your business to play it safe and maybe afford slightly fancier groceries. You're here to change your life. To have a 3-day workweek. To take your kids to Italy and finally build that non-profit. To work from a villa and give your past self a hug for making it.
So no, "attainable" isn't the vibe anymore.
What Works for ADHD Entrepreneurs?
What works is dreaming so big it gives you a nervous-excited tummy ache.
It's those "holy crap, how would I even DO that?!" kinds of goals that light up our brains like a Christmas tree. We get curious when the idea feels just a little out of reach. We get creative. We unlock that hyperfocus mode. And we make magic.
You see, we don't thrive under limitations—we need expansion. Our brains want novelty, possibility, and challenge. Not one more checkbox to tick.
So dream in full color. Set the "unrealistic" goal. Plan your million-dollar launch. Start mapping your 30-day sabbatical to Bali. Even if it feels ridiculous right now, write it down.
Then reverse-engineer your dopamine-friendly roadmap:
Break it into mini, messy milestones.
Celebrate every single step (yes, even writing the plan).
Build systems that work with your ADHD, not against it.
And stop shaming yourself for needing fun to stay focused.
Your New Goal Formula: D.O.P.E.
I made this up, and yes, it's totally better.
Dreamy – It should excite you (and maybe scare you a little).
Outsized – No "realistic" goals here. We're going BIG.
Personal – It has to matter to you, not your coach or your planner.
Energizing – If it doesn't give you dopamine, it's a no.
So ditch the SMART goals. You're not average. You're not built for beige goals and boring growth. You're a neurodivergent visionary. You're wired for something bolder. Embrace your unique way of setting goals, and watch as your dreams become reality.
Set the dream. Build the plan. Then, go create a life that feels as good as it looks on paper.
