Cindy Baker: From Scroll Breaks to Focused Sprints — Beating ADHD Overwhelm with Productivity Power
When Cindy Baker found herself deep into an unplanned 30-minute “scroll break,” she wasn’t just procrastinating—she was giving away her dreams, one distraction at a time. It was in that moment that everything changed.
Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, Cindy worked tirelessly to mask symptoms of procrastination, forgetfulness, and lack of focus. Now a successful Productivity Coach, Speaker, and founder of Cindy Baker Coaching, she helps other entrepreneurs—especially those with ADHD—stop spinning their wheels and start managing their focus.
In this episode of Direct Or Detour, Cindy shares how a late ADHD diagnosis helped her shift from burnout to balance. With her signature “focused sprint” method and ADHD-friendly strategies, she’s transforming the way busy brains get things done—without sacrificing their health, family, or sanity.
From Educator to Entrepreneur: Cindy’s Turning Point
Cindy spent nearly two decades in education and counseling, often supporting students with ADHD before ever realizing she had it herself. Like many women of her generation, Cindy flew under the radar—quiet, high-achieving, and outwardly “fine.”
But a quiet mind doesn’t always mean a calm one.
Her moment of clarity came while mindlessly scrolling through YouTube—a simple habit that sparked a profound insight. Rather than trying to squeeze more hours out of her day, Cindy realized she needed to take control of her focus, not her time.
That shift led her to develop her own framework of short, intentional work sessions—what she calls “focused sprints.” With a background in education and a deep understanding of neurodivergent brains, Cindy turned her personal breakthrough into a business.
Since then, she’s coached countless entrepreneurs on how to overcome overwhelm, beat procrastination, and build momentum through small, strategic changes.
Key Takeaways from Cindy Baker’s Journey
- Structure Unlocks Creativity: ADHD brains don’t lack motivation—they lack direction. Cindy’s “focused sprint” method breaks tasks into manageable chunks, helping her clients stay on track without burnout.
- “Pills Aren’t Skills”: While Cindy isn’t against medication, she emphasizes that lasting change comes from learning how your brain works and building habits that support it.
- Time Perception is Different: Entrepreneurs with ADHD often view time as “now or not now.” Understanding and adjusting to this mindset is key to avoiding last-minute stress and poor time management.
- ADHD is a Superpower (with Training): Many entrepreneurs resonate with ADHD traits like impulsivity, creativity, and risk-taking. Harnessing those traits through coaching creates a powerful transformation.
- You’re Not Broken: Whether or not you have a diagnosis, if you struggle with distraction, digital clutter, or decision fatigue—there are strategies that can help.
Why You Need to Hear This Episode
If you’ve ever felt like your brain is working against you—especially as a creative, entrepreneur, or self-starter—this conversation with Cindy Baker will shift your perspective. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list, you’ll walk away with hope and practical strategies to start managing your focus and reclaiming your time.
🎙 Listen to the full episode here:
👉 https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7fd32b1d-edc7-450e-b1b5-a06a6d98e8cf/
Connect with Cindy Baker
- Website: https://cindybakercoaching.com
- Instagram: @cbc_cindybakercoaching
- LinkedIn: Cindy Baker on LinkedIn
- Facebook Group: Profitable Productivity for Entrepreneurs
- Free Course: https://waitnomore.net
Want to Share Your Journey?
Direct Or Detour showcases the untold stories behind life’s big pivots, career reinventions, and moments of clarity. If you’ve taken the road less traveled, we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Interested in being a guest? Connect with us on PodMatch:
https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour
