What is your biggest challenge with ADHD?
You know exactly what you need to do. You just can't make yourself start. Monica Packer knows why -- and it's not what you think.
Monica is a recovering perfectionist, habits and identity coach, and host of the top-rated podcast About Progress. She's also a mom of five -- three of them with ADHD -- and a decade into unlearning a version of success that nearly cost her everything.
In this episode:
The quick win: when a task feels too big, do something to start -- and give yourself permission to stop there
The real definition of perfectionism: not tidiness or drive, but placing your identity on your outcomes
Why perfectionism can look like overachieving or like doing nothing at all -- and why both are the same trap
Shame versus compassion, and why shame is the voice convincing you that you can't change
How to start noticing where that harsh inner voice actually came from
Monica's book Sticky Habits: A Woman's Guide to Reclaim Happiness, Ditch Perfectionism, and Create Habits That Last is publishing Fall 2026. This is part one of a two-part conversation -- part two gets practical with the habits she built once she understood all of this.
Find Monica at aboutprogress.com and pre-order Sticky Habits at stickyhabitsbook.com.
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Quick Wins for ADHD Moms is a podcast for smart, high-functioning moms with ADHD who are tired of systems that don't work. Practical resets for ADHD burnout, mental overload, and everyday mom life. Find every episode at theADHDmom.com.
