ND business owner series part 2
Hello! Welcome to the second installment of my neurodivergent business owner series where I speak to various business owners and get insight into their daily operations. If you missed part 1 - it’s here.
This week, we are speaking to Anna Bitters!
Grab your water, or hot beverage of your choice and let’s get into it…
1.Tell us about you and your business
I’m Anna Bitters, a business designer and coach who works with creative leaders and small teams at inflection points. I run Coaching × Design, where I help people realign their work so it actually supports their lives instead of draining them. My work blends coaching, strategy, and systems thinking to help people see patterns and make better decisions.
2. What does your typical workday look like, and how have you adapted it to suit your brain and the way you like to work?
My days are built around energy instead of hours. I keep Mondays lighter and give myself space on Fridays to close out and decompress. Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for humaning-like calls, coaching, and collaboration.
I protect Wednesdays as a recovery day, so I can actually make it through a five-day week without burning out.
I also leave generous space midday to refuel and use body-doubling sessions, both virtual and at the library, to create focused containers for the work that’s easy to avoid.
3. Which time management strategies and tools do you like to use to help your brain stay focused, organized, and on track?
I rely heavily on externalized memory, so my brain doesn’t have to hold everything. What that looks like changes constantly; sometimes it’s a whiteboard, sometimes Post-its, sometimes a notes app or a physical calendar, and often a mix of all of them. I use buffer time to account for time blindness and reduce stress. I don’t make myself wrong when a system stops working, I just find what works for now and trust myself to adjust when things shift.
4. How do you think your neurodivergence actively contributes to your success as a business owner or freelancer?
My neurodivergence helps me see patterns others miss, especially in people, systems, and businesses. I pick up on emotional, relational, and structural misalignment quickly, which makes me a strong coach and strategist. At the same time, I don’t always know where neurodivergence ends and “me” begins; it’s just who I am. I trust my natural ebb and flow, keep showing up, and define success on my own terms instead of forcing myself to be 100 percent all the time.
Where can we find you:
LinkedIn
Website
Thanks to Anna for her contributions, it is fascinating to hear about Anna’s working week and how she manages her time to avoid burnout.
Stay tuned for part 3 (out next week) where I catch up with another neurodivergent freelancer/business owner. Let me know if you’re enjoying this series here or here.
#neurodivergent #neurodivergentbusinessowner
