Howdy ADDers :wave:

So, how many of us have real problems at work?   I know I do.  My job primarily consists of data entry and filing paperwork.  That's not what my job description says, but that's ultimately what I end up doing.

I have piles and piles of paperwork, not in any specific order, just stacks and paperwork everywhere.  My cube looks rather similar to how my room looked while I was growing up (only substitute toys and clothes for paper and office supplies).

This is a real problem.  In some areas, I am months behind!  If my boss asks me for something, it's usually not too big of a problem as long as he gives me advanced notice.  I can hyperfocus with the best of them, and I can usually pump out whatever is asked of me, in a couple days.

However, I have a real problem getting things done otherwise.  I was sitting here in my cube, trying to get my daily tasks complete, when I found myself staring out the window at the beautiful view of the mountains I have.  I tried to "re-focus" and made another attempt at it... same result.  I then ended up here, where I've been attempting to write this post.

It seems the more I try to do, the more frustrated I get.  My anxiety builds and builds, and I end up not doing much of anything, unless I have to.  In many cases, my boss would ask me for something from several weeks ago... I end up giving him the ol' "deer in the headlights" gaze.  As if to say, "I have no idea what you're talking about".  I forget things ALL the time.  I have a view or an image in my head of everything I need to get done.  There's no order to it whatsoever.  It's just racing images, that blend right in with whatever else I'm day-dreaming about. I end up frustrated, full of anxiety and disappointment, and get little to nothing done everyday.

I need to find a job that fits with me, not the other way around.  I've come to the conclusion that sitting in a cube doing office work all day is not for me.  Not just because it's not my ideal job, but because I quite literally cannot do this anymore.  It's a drain on me physically, and especially mentally.

In any case, I'm wondering if any of you ADDers have trouble in the workplace.  How do you deal with it?

Sorry for the long post!  

I find I have to write everything down, use my outlook calendar and task list with its nice little bink at ya reminders. Lists, piles (which I try to keep to a minimum) and deadlines. I am really bad if I don't have deadlines. I have minimum supervision as well so I am free to screw around too much. But, I know that I must get the stuff done or else I'll be out of a job. So that pressure helps. But sometimes it's really hard to get motivated to get started and stay focused. I am always staring out the window. ???

Yeah... I REALLY need deadlines.   And if I could actually remember to enter stuff on my Outlook calendar and task list, that would probably help. :p

And now, my boss just got fired on Friday.  Now I really have no one driving me to get my stuff done, other than myself.  So far so good... bit I have no idea how long this up-swing will last.

My job can be very detail oriented which is partly why I like it, but also one of the biggest challenges for me.  I write EVERYTHING down and trust nothing to memory so in that sense, at least I can keep track of what I need to do.  Because we work an appointment schedule, I have to stay focused.

 I have problems when I have to take notes in a chart.  My handwriting and spelling are terrible and so sometimes, if the Dr. is talking really fast, I have to write it out first on a piece of paper and then copy it into the chart later.  

Also, hyperfocusing gets to be an issue for me because I can get so wrapped up in one patient.....in fact I do it when ever we get really busy, becuase the pressure and chaos of running behind get to be too much for me.  If I can zone in on one person and shut the rest of it out, I'm okay...but if I have to be jumping from on chair to the next, I start making mistakes.  

LL

I am pretty lucky in the sense that I don't have to sit at a desk all day, every day.  But a problem I have is that if I have to sit down and write a report, absolutely no concentration.  Nada.  Like Word formatting.  Ahhhh!  Horrible.  The only thing that even remotely helps is setting little deadlines and then telling my boss, oh yeah, that report will be done by Monday.  And since I have already lost a job, the sense of urgency rushes in and that can help.  Sometimes.  But my job is feast or famine.  The world of consulting.....

I have just started Strattera.  In the hopes that will help.  But other than the usual eat right, exercise, etc. what else can I do?

I have a system of colour coating on my calender. I work two jobs, one of which is as a receptionist. I have to write things down as soon as I think of them, then stick the note somewhere where I will for sure see it. I find that it is better not to let people know I have AD/HD because sometimes I think they look for it.
 I use microsoft outlook, it is a great program, you can colour-code, make notes, have alerts etc. I keep my calender on my fridge and one in my purse.
 Colour-codes, notes to self and clean, clear organized workspaces help me the most. It's like if I can control the clutter on the outside I can help it inside. It really works. I am one of the most organized people I know...simple because I have to be.  :bow:

If ADD IS what I have then yes I do have issues at work but not about not getting things done.  I sometimes forget to do things and often miss things (attention to detail).  It bites me in the behind so many times and it's so frustrating.  I often feel like I'm not qualified enough for this job.  My brain just doesn't absorb enough at once.  I also give up very quickly and am impatient.
:p

lately i've been feeling it more at work. missing details, forgetting to do things, or forgetting what i was doing. when someone calls, i have to write their name down, or by the time i transfer them, i forget who it was!

I take Adderall for my ADD and it works well with no side effects. I take 20mg in the morning and 20 in the afternoon. I concentrate very well on them. But I tell people who need something from me to WRITE IT DOWN IF THEY WANT IT. And I tell them that if they don't I WILL forget. They are getting used to doing it my way. They come in my office and say that they need this order done (I do graphic arts and typesetting). If they don't write it, they don't get it. I have so many orders to do that I am not going to remember one person telling me they wanted something days ago. Shoot I won't remember after 10 minutes!

I am on a quest to train THEM!

sadsoul

I do this same exact thing. I forget their name before I hang up! I hate it and I don't have the habit of writing it down yet.

sadsoul

I hear you there!!!! As soon as I get my 5 posts...I shall tell my story!



The Wreck

I am an anthropologist/cult stud and I work and teach at a university. I cope as my job is very varied and I research and write about the mass media and visual representation of culture so I can bounce from topic to topic at will and can justify web browsing as research. I usually have 8 or word documents open and a load of tabs on my web browser to keep myself in the office. It works being able to change topics at will and to have multiple interests. I do miss deadlines occasionally but they usually help me focus. I also set my cel phone to remind me of events and deadlines as they loom.

My students must email me with queries so I have a record of this or I will never get back to them. So many times I have forgotten to bring materials for the class as I promised. So I get students to remind me of things.

I stick notes on my wall to remind me as well. I email myself notes for the next day. I come in and hey I have messages, oops just me.

There are times when I cannot focus and get anything done - right now in fact. And at these times I give up and leave campus.

I am going to go and look at the monkeys on campus now so ciao