ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders

Feeling stuck? Are you actually waiting for permission to make a change?

You’re not alone—and this episode is here to shift that.

In this empowering conversation, we explore the transformative power of self-permission and why it’s often the missing piece for adults with ADHD.

Learn how to break free from the external validation trap, the importance of autonomy in making meaningful changes, and practical tools you can start using today to reclaim control of your decisions.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re waiting for a green light that never comes, this episode offers the mindset shifts and strategies to help you move forward.

Episode Highlights:

- What self-permission means and why it’s crucial for ADHD adults

- How external validation traps keep you stuck (and how to break free)

- The surprising link between self-permission and lasting motivation

- Practical tools like “permission slips” to help you get started

- Why rest and failure are essential parts of growth

Common Questions:

- What does “self-permission” really mean?

- How do I stop waiting for external validation?

- How can I give myself permission to rest or fail?

- What practical strategies can I use to build self-permission into my life?

Notable Quotes:

Nobody else is coming to give you permission. That green light? It has to come from you.
Self-permission is about autonomy, acceptance, and action.
Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s how we get there.

Full transcript available on my website.

Connect with Katherine here:

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Download your free Permission Slips Template: Get it here

- Learn more about my upcoming Permission Ignition Course

- Visit my website for coaching, resources, and more: lightbulbadhd.com

- Follow me on Instagram for tips and updates: @adhd_coach_katherine

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Dekkers, T. et al. (2016). Risky decision making in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A meta-regression analysis; Clin Psychol Rev 2016 Apr:45:1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.03.001.Epub 2016 Mar 4. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.03.001

Knouse L and Mitchell J.T, Incautiously Optimistic: Positively-Valenced Cognitive Avoidance in Adult ADHD; Cogn Behav Pract. 2015 May ; 22(2): 192–202. doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2014.06.003.

Morsink S et al, Studying Motivation in ADHD: The Role of Internal Motives and the Relevance of Self Determination Theory; Journal of attention Disorders, 2022 Jun;26(8):1139-1158. doi: 10.1177/10870547211050948.Epub 2021 Nov 19.

Sprich SE, Knouse LE, Cooper-Vince C, Burbridge J, Safren SA. Description and Demonstration of CBT for ADHD in Adults. Cogn Behav Pract. 2012 Feb 1;17(1):10.1016/j.cbpra.2009.09.002. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2009.09.002. PMID: 24379644; PMCID: PMC3874265.

How ADHD Adults Can Stop Waiting and Take Action with the Power of Self-Permission

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