Podcast Summary: Hacking Your ADHD – ADHD-Friendly Goal Setting with Chris Wang

Podcast: Hacking Your ADHD
Host: William Curb
Guest: Chris Wang, CEO & Co-Founder of Shimmer
Episode Title: ADHD-Friendly Goal Setting with Chris Wang
Date: January 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, William Curb is joined by Chris Wang, CEO and co-founder of the ADHD coaching platform Shimmer, to dive deep into the realities of setting goals that actually work for ADHD brains. They explore the challenges and opportunities within ADHD goal setting, the importance of aligning with one's personal values, the vital role of community, and why culturally sensitive support matters. Chris also shares actionable strategies and best practices, with an emphasis on process-oriented goals and leveraging strengths, rather than getting stuck in the ADHD cycle of shame and overwhelm.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What is Shimmer? (03:14–05:13)

• Platform Origins:
  Chris Wang discusses how Shimmer was born from their personal frustrations searching for ADHD coaching that was both affordable and culturally sensitive.

  "I was looking for something behavioral...couldn't find one at a good price and...ended up doing 12 plus consultations. I couldn't figure out which coach was right for me...so Shimmer started off as finding my own coach." (03:19)

• Growth and Offerings:
  Now with almost 50 coaches and over 40,000 sessions, Shimmer connects clients with coaches, offers coach training and supervision, and facilitates community support through body doubling and accountability tools.

• Cultural Sensitivity:
  Shimmer prioritizes matching coaches with clients based on intersecting identities and cultural competence, seeing this as core to effective ADHD support.

2. The Power of Culturally Competent Coaching and Peer Community (05:13–13:17)

• Cultural Competence Matters:
  Chris shares the unique additional challenges facing people from underrepresented backgrounds, such as those growing up in Asian families or queer communities:

  "There's just this extra layer of understanding when you know that this other person has went through the exact same thing that you have been through." (06:47)

  Chris emphasizes the exhaustion of constantly explaining both ADHD and one’s cultural context, highlighting why coach-client alignment matters.

• Community, Stories, and Representation:
  William and Chris agree on the importance of diverse voices sharing their ADHD experiences:

  "Everyone's voice is necessary...even if five people have the exact same experience as you...you can change even a couple of lives." (08:25)

• Shame, Loneliness, and the Transformative Power of Peer Support:
  Support groups, especially identity-focused ones (like the ADAS AAPI ADHD Peer Support Group), bring catharsis and validation.

  "The hardest part is not the symptoms. The hardest part is the shame, the loneliness, the messages you tell yourself." (09:49)

  Peer support enables new perspectives and breaks cycles of feeling alone.

3. ADHD-Friendly Goal Setting (13:17–26:00)

• The Importance of a North Star:
  Dr. Anil Chacko’s advice:

  "When you don't have a direction...that is actually one of the things that is most detrimental to people with ADHD, because then you start saying yes to everything...and keep going in circles." (13:51)

  At Shimmer, goal setting happens on multiple levels: North Star (values and long-term vision), seasonal or quarterly goals, and process-focused actions.

• Values-Based Goals:
  Start with why (the feeling or value behind the goal), not just what the goal is.

  "Knowing the why behind your goals and actually starting with the why instead of the goal is so important." (17:38)

  Example: If 'adventure' is a value, intentionally plan for it every quarter.

• Process-Oriented Over Outcome-Oriented Goals:

  • Instead of “I want to lose 10 pounds” (outcome), use “I want to do five active things per week” (process, in your control).
  • “The process part is...so much more important for us actually attaining the goal.” (22:35)

  Regularly revisit and adjust goals, taking into account life changes and seasonal shifts.

• Specificity Matters:
  Break big goals into actionable, clear steps to avoid overwhelm and decision paralysis.

  "The more...specific and process oriented we can be...to separate out the planning phase and the execution phase." (26:25)

  Use examples like breaking down “fix sink” into subtasks or writing explicit instructions for your future self.

4. Coaching as Ongoing Support System (29:26–35:01)

• Progress Reviews & Adjustments:
  Use tools like the Shimmer Plan tab that keeps your North Star and top goals visible.

  • Regularly review and adjust actions with your coach, focusing both on removing roadblocks and proactively planning next steps.

• Areas of Focus:
  Utilize frameworks like the Wheel of Life to identify which 2 domains to focus on per quarter and shift attention as needed, preventing overwhelm and maximizing progress.

• Coaching is Holistic:
  Not just about “fixing” but about living a fuller, more aligned life.

  "It's...about how do you keep doing the things that are important to you and so that you can live a life that feels good for you." (32:44)

5. The Power of a Strength-Based Approach (36:02–37:36)

• Neurodiversity, Not Deficiency:
  Chris encourages listeners to work on their strengths alongside their challenges:

  "...the exercise of working on our strengths is a very empowering exercise...needs to be done in conjunction with also working on our weaknesses..." (36:02)

  This balanced approach leads to greater positivity and self-acceptance within the ADHD journey.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Representation:
  "Even if five people have the exact same experience as you and you share your story...you can change even a couple of lives." – Chris Wang (08:25)

• On Peer Support:
  "The hardest part is not the symptoms. The hardest part is the shame, the loneliness, the messages you tell yourself." – Chris Wang (09:49)

• On Values-Based Goals:
  "Knowing the why behind your goals and actually starting with the why instead of the goal is so important." – Chris Wang (17:38)

• On Reframing Goals:
  "The goal is not always to just reach the goal, it's to live a better day to day and have a more well life." – Chris Wang (22:59)

• On Strengths:
  "...identifying those things [that are strengths] and making sure that we spend time also focusing on those is really important." – Chris Wang (36:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:14] – Introduction to Shimmer and its mission
• [05:13] – The importance of cultural sensitivity in ADHD coaching
• [09:49] – How shame and loneliness impact ADHD; The power of community support
• [13:17] – Values-based goal setting explained
• [17:38] – The role of “why” in setting meaningful goals
• [22:35] – Shift from outcome-oriented to process-oriented goals
• [26:25] – Practical tips for actionable to-do lists
• [29:26] – Coaching for accountability, feedback, and living in alignment
• [36:02] – The strength-based neurodiversity approach

Actionable Takeaways

• Set Seasonal or Quarterly Goals: Avoid year-long resolutions—break goals into seasons to keep them relevant and manageable.
• Focus on Process, Not Just Outcomes: Make goals about controllable actions (e.g., “meditate 3x/week” vs. “be less anxious”).
• Align with Core Values: Start with why the goal matters to you, not just what you want to achieve.
• Be Specific: Write to-do lists with clear steps to reduce overwhelm.
• Leverage Community & Support: Don't tough it out alone; seek supportive peers and, if possible, a culturally competent coach.
• Balance Working on Strengths and Challenges: Recognize and build on what you do well, not just where you struggle.

Original Language and Tone

Throughout, both Chris and William keep the tone encouraging, relatable, and pragmatic, sharing vulnerability and practical wisdom. The episode strikes a balance between warm storytelling and concrete actionable advice, aiming to empower listeners to set goals that honor their unique ADHD brains.

Episode link: Hacking Your ADHD Show Notes – Ep 207
Connect with Chris Wang and Shimmer: shimmer.care

This summary is intended as a comprehensive guide for listeners seeking practical ADHD goal-setting strategies with a focus on inclusivity, values, and community support.