#135. How to Work Smarter with ADHD: Focus and Energy Tips with Elle O’Flaherty

In this empowering and insightful episode of Pockets of Knowledge, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Elle O’Flaherty, founder of Interlace Solutions, executive coach, and ADHD specialist, to discuss how professionals—especially those with ADHD—can thrive in their careers without compromising their mental energy or sense of self. Elle shares her personal journey from nearly two decades as an attorney to becoming a certified coach helping people understand and work with their unique brains instead of against them.Elle breaks down what it really means to have ADHD, debunking outdated misconceptions and emphasizing its creative strengths, especially in today’s fast-paced, distraction-heavy work culture. From tackling productivity challenges and burnout to designing workspaces that reduce distraction and promote flow, she offers practical, down-to-earth advice on how to build success by leaning into your strengths—not forcing yourself into systems that don’t fit. Desiree and Elle also talk about the rise in ADHD diagnoses among women, particularly during midlife transitions, and the emotional impact that realization can have.Whether you’re navigating career changes, struggling with procrastination, or trying to thrive in a workplace that wasn’t built for neurodivergent minds, this episode offers smart, actionable tools and compassionate validation. Elle explains how interest-based brains operate differently, why traditional productivity tips often fail ADHD minds, and how methods like “body doubling,” task bundling, and leaning into creativity can radically improve how we work and live.If you’ve ever felt like the standard career playbook doesn’t work for you, this episode is packed with encouragement and useful strategies to help you reclaim your time, energy, and confidence. ADHD or not, Elle’s insights are a powerful reminder that success looks different for everyone—and that’s something to celebrate.Bio:Elle O'Flaherty is a performance optimization and career satisfaction speaker and coach who helps audiences accelerate their growth. She delivers fun presentations, interweaving the life-changing with the practical. Elle founded Interlace Solutions, an executive coaching firm with an ADHD subspecialty. In her previous life, she was an attorney for 17 years and knows how to help others make a career pivot.Connect with Elle:Email: [email protected]://linktr.ee/interlacesolutionsWebsite: https://www.interlacesolutions.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012939309898Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elleoflaherty/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elleoflaherty/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@interlacesolutionshttps://www.interlacesolutions.com/contactBooks mentioned:ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction-from Childhood through Adulthood by Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey - https://amzn.to/3RX3tQqYouTube:How To ADHD with Jessica McCabe - https://www.youtube.com/c/HowtoADHDEpisode #64 featuring Moni Castaneda from Fung Shui 4 Us- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pockets-of-knowledge/id1647662137?i=1000639209774