Howdy, fellow ADHDers. How the bloody hell do you get ANYTHING done at work?
My career history has been pretty varied, but I currently find myself as a quality and training manager at a firm that values neither. Because of this lack of defined interest from management above, much of my workload is self-led, and self motivated.
Which, of course, means that I do basically nothing.
I’ve been seeing a work coach for the past few months, who is helping to steer my mindset in the right direction, and ultimately it boils down to how easily distracted I am by things I deem more interesting than what I’m paid to do. Which is everything.
The one tool that works for me is a website blocker called Cold Turkey, which literally just forces me to not be able to access whichever websites I specify. It works brilliantly, because there’s almost no way to override it, not easily anyway. However, the automated actions are part of the paid for app, which I can’t currently afford, so I have to manually push the button that cuts me off from all those beautiful distractions on the internet.
The anxiety this spikes in me is way more than is healthy…
So what tools do you use to try and get shit done?
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I found that my particular brand of ADHD/autism means I don’t do well at a desk job. Am I good at it? Really good. Can I do it when it’s new and fresh and exciting? Absolutely. The minute it becomes the same thing ever day, I’m done.
I lose all motivation, I have zero drive, I start messing up on accident, I’m not meeting goals etc. I can find temporary relief by trying to find ways to do my job differently or better. Like making macros in spread sheets and things but, it doesn’t work long term for me personally.
I ended up having to switch careers. I need a job that allows me to use both my brain and my body. Not necessarily at the same time. Do some paperwork, go do some field work, come back for more paperwork.
All that to say, I have no suggestions but there’s nothing wrong with trying something else.
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Well, i wouldn’t be able hold a desktop job. So far i’ve worked construction and social work (at a outside place). I need a minimum of physical exercise and new-ish input to function and focus. I’ve heard about people using some kind of treadmill under the desk or pezzi balls to sit on. Music helps too when i have to do paperwork. Currently i use some downtempo electro for that.
I do work that interests me, that helps.
I don’t use any other tools, except Outlook. I make a planning for every work day on what needs to be done, I block time in my Outlook for those tasks.
I’ve disabled all notifications from Outlook for new mails etc, and my phone is on silent. I of course still call and e-mail, but only when I want to. If I didn’t do that I’d just be chasing e-mails. I now just use set times to check my phone and e-mail.
But I think your main issue is that you lack motivation, which in turn will lead to procrastination.
Honestly? Medication.
It is weird how many things I can do while medicated. Being diagnosed and starting my treatment changed my life. I started the process of being diagnosed after only being suspicious when I started having trouble at work.
In addition things that I noticed that also help me:
- Having an organization system setup, take as many things out of your head as possible.
- Making easier to start on tasks by having everything ready to go in advance.
