Delegation, Breathwork and Pomodoro: Inside Linda Lee-Hahn’s ADHD Survival Kit

For most of her life, ADHD wasn’t on Linda-Lee Hahn’s radar.

She had excellent grades, loved school, and could focus when she needed to. But it wasn’t until adulthood, during the pressures of an accounting degree and the influence of a new relationship, that the pieces began to fall into place.

At first glance, Linda’s story doesn’t sound like the “typical” ADHD narrative—and that’s precisely the point.

ADHD isn’t always about kids bouncing off walls or struggling to pay attention in class. Sometimes, it hides behind perfectionism, anxiety, and a constant need for structure—traits that many people, like Linda, have lived with for years without even realizing it.

Now, as the owner of Olsen Hahn Accounting Ltd, Linda brings that same blend of structure and adaptability to her professional life. Running a firm requires focus, precision, and delegation—skills she’s had to master for business success and to manage the unique challenges of ADHD.

Financial Cents recently spoke with her about her experience with ADHD and management styles as an accounting firm owner.

Childhood Memories: Subtle Signs and Self-Awareness

For Linda, childhood wasn’t marked by tantrums—it was shaped by structure.

“I was the kid who loved organizing everything,” she says. “Cleaning my room wasn’t just a quick tidy-up. I had to empty every drawer, closet, and surface, then carefully decide where everything belonged. It gave me peace.”

At the time, no one thought much of her organizational habits. Linda wasn’t the stereotypical child bouncing off walls or struggling in school. She enjoyed her classes, earned good grades, and wasn’t one to cause trouble. If anything, people might have seen her as unusually disciplined for her age.

But beneath that calm exterior, there were hints of the mental gymnastics she later recognized as ADHD. “It was weird,” she reflects. “I loved structure, but if things got too structured—if I had to be super precise with everything—I would get overwhelmed. It was like I couldn’t find the middle ground.”

This balancing act between needing control and feeling anxious about it would become a recurring theme throughout her life. At times, she could dive headfirst into a project with laser-sharp focus. Other times, even the simplest task would leave her mentally exhausted, unsure how to begin. These experiences, though frustrating, were so subtle that neither Linda nor the people around her ever suspected ADHD might be at play.

“It’s funny to look back now,” she says. “I wasn’t the kid who seemed ‘out of control,’ so ADHD wasn’t even on the table. But just because it didn’t show up in obvious ways didn’t mean it wasn’t there.”

Discovering ADHD in Adulthood

The pieces finally came together during Linda’s early twenties, but not in the way you might expect.

It started with a relationship.

“I was dating someone with really obvious ADHD,” she explains. “He’d been diagnosed as a kid, and his symptoms were more in line with what you hear about—impulsive, restless, constantly bouncing between tasks.”

As their relationship deepened, Linda noticed that some of her struggles mirrored his. “It was weird,” she says. “I wasn’t bouncing off the walls, but I kept hitting a wall with my coursework. I couldn’t finish assignments, and I felt like I was always playing catch-up.”

The more she observed, the more she saw a pattern; It wasn’t a lack of effort—it was something deeper. Encouraged by her partner, she made an appointment with a psychiatrist to explore the possibility of ADHD. After a series of tests, the diagnosis was confirmed. “Honestly, I think anyone would’ve tested positive for ADHD with the way the test was structured,” she jokes. “But I knew the results matched what I was experiencing.”

At first, the diagnosis was both a relief and a challenge. “On one hand, it was validating to know why I struggled in certain ways. But on the other, it was like, ‘Okay, now what?’” Linda recalls. She started taking medication, which helped manage some of the symptoms, but the real work came in learning how to adapt her life and mindset.

“Getting the diagnosis wasn’t the end of the journey—it was the beginning,” she explains. “It was about figuring out how to work with my ADHD, not fight against it.”

How ADHD Shapes Linda’s Work Style

For someone with ADHD, working in accounting might seem like a strange fit. Yet Linda Lee-Hahn has carved out her own rhythm, turning potential roadblocks into opportunities to streamline how she works.

“I learned early on that I thrive when I focus on the tasks that light me up,” she explains. “If I try to push through something I’m not excited about, my focus just disappears.” This realization has become a cornerstone of her work strategy. Instead of forcing herself to power through tasks that drain her, Linda uses a method she calls “conquer and delegate.”

“When I take on a task, I give it my all and try to finish it quickly,” she says. “But if I notice my attention slipping, that’s my cue to hand it off to someone else who can stay sharp.” Delegation isn’t just a coping mechanism—it’s a deliberate choice. “I make sure to write detailed notes so whoever takes over has everything they need. It’s not just about passing work off; it’s about setting others up for success.”

Linda also emphasizes the importance of having a second pair of eyes on her work, especially when dealing with critical processes like payroll. “Even the most detail-oriented person can miss something,” she explains. “So having someone else review it ensures that we don’t make avoidable mistakes.”

For Linda, it’s all about balance: recognizing when to lean into her strengths and when to step back.

This approach has transformed not only how Linda works but also how she leads. As a partner at her firm, she encourages her team to adopt the same mindset: focus on what you love, ask for support when needed, and don’t be afraid to share the load. “It’s not just about managing ADHD,” she says. “It’s about creating a work environment where everyone can thrive.”

Linda’s Productivity Arsenal

When it comes to staying productive, Linda knows that success doesn’t happen by chance—it requires tools, strategies, and, most importantly, self-awareness. Over the years, she’s built a personal toolkit to manage her ADHD, one that balances structure with flexibility.

“Honestly, a pen and paper are my saving grace,” Linda says. Whenever her thoughts feel jumbled, she grabs a notebook and writes everything down. “Getting it out of my head and onto paper makes everything feel more manageable. It’s like decluttering my brain.”

Linda also adopted the Pomodoro Technique, a time-management method that breaks tasks into 25-minute work intervals, followed by short breaks. “I tell myself, ‘Just 25 minutes, and then I can stop.’ Even if it feels tough, knowing there’s a break coming helps me push through.”

But productivity isn’t just about to-do lists and timers—Linda prioritizes self-care to keep herself grounded. One of her favorite tools? Breathwork. “I got certified as a breathwork facilitator, and it’s been a game-changer,” she says. Whenever stress builds up or focus slips, she turns to deep breathing exercises. “It helps me get out of my head and back into my body.”

Daily exercise is another non-negotiable part of Linda’s routine. “I love CrossFit,” she admits with a grin. “It’s competitive and physical, which gives me that sense of accomplishment. Plus, it clears my mind like nothing else.”

In addition to personal strategies, Linda relies on task management systems to stay on track. “Every day, I review my list and rewrite my top priorities by hand—it’s a bit redundant, but it reinforces what I need to focus on.” This blend of digital tools and tactile habits helps her stay organized without feeling overwhelmed.

What ties everything together is self-reflection. “I’ve learned to pay attention to patterns—like which tasks I procrastinate on,” Linda explains. “It’s not always easy, but understanding why I avoid certain things helps me find ways to tackle them.”

For Linda, productivity isn’t just about squeezing more out of her day. It’s about working smarter, staying calm under pressure, and making room for rest when needed. “It’s not about perfection,” she says. “It’s about knowing what works for me—and giving myself the space to breathe when things feel overwhelming.”

Changing the Narrative: Advice for Accounting Firm Owners

In her years as an accountant—and now a partner—Linda has learned that managing ADHD in the workplace requires more than personal strategies. It also depends on having an inclusive work culture that values strengths, provides accountability, and offers room to grow.

“Accountability is huge,” she explains. “When you have ADHD, procrastination can sneak up on you. It’s not about laziness—it’s more like your brain gets stuck.” To keep tasks from piling up, Linda emphasizes the importance of regular check-ins. “Having someone follow up helps. It keeps you on track and stops that tendency to put things off until the last minute.”

Linda also encourages employers to focus on matching tasks with people’s strengths. “You can’t expect someone to love every part of their job, but when people feel aligned with what they’re good at, they shine,” she says. “For me, that means focusing on tasks that play to my analytical skills while delegating others that drain me.”

However, creating a supportive environment isn’t just about task management. Linda believes it also requires grace and empathy—both from employers and employees. “We need to stay in constant communication,” she says. “When something feels overwhelming, it’s okay to admit that and brainstorm ways to make it manageable.”

Still, she acknowledges that open communication isn’t always easy. “A lot of people with ADHD are hesitant to share their challenges, especially in industries like accounting, where precision is everything,” Linda says. “But if more people were open about what they’re dealing with, it would make workplaces so much more understanding.”

Linda knows from personal experience that building an inclusive work culture is a two-way street. “Employers can’t support what they don’t know,” she says. “And employees need to feel safe enough to speak up without fear of judgment.”

Ultimately, Linda’s goal isn’t just about managing ADHD—it’s about fostering a culture where everyone can perform at their best. “Whether someone has ADHD or not, we all need support sometimes,” she says. “It’s about building an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are.”

Final Reflections

Despite the challenges, Linda views ADHD not as a limitation but as an opportunity to develop self-awareness and embrace flexibility. “I wouldn’t trade it,” she says thoughtfully. “It’s given me the ability to hyper-focus when I need it, and that’s a huge advantage in accounting. But the trick is knowing when to lean into it and when to step back.”

When asked what advice she would give to others navigating ADHD, Linda keeps it simple: seek support, reflect often, and find what works for you. “Reaching out to a psychologist really helped me,” she says. “They gave me practical tools to try, and even just having someone to talk to made a huge difference.”

For those not ready to seek professional help, Linda recommends starting with small, personal strategies.

And her final piece of advice? Be kind to yourself. “There are going to be days when you feel like ADHD is holding you back, and that’s okay. It’s part of the process,” Linda says. “Take a break when you need it, use whatever tools you have, and remember—you can get through it.”