Today was a good day, with the typical ups and downs. I arrived at my morning job to be greeted by no one which is the norm right now because current circumstances require that my boss work from home. I checked and responded to my email and voice mail, pulled out my chronological log, and started working from my to do list which was already prioritized from last week. I began moving boxes into storage. When I returned, my boss was in her office. We had a nice talk. Then, just before she left, our conversation turned to my working relationship with our current Board President ten years earlier, when he was new to the organization and I was the Chair of our Member Organizations. I guess he had some stories to tell about me from those days. I never know quite how to respond when presented with my past. It felt uncomfortable. I've learned a lot in ten years. I think and act differently today.
Then I went to my afternoon job. I'd been stressed off and on all weekend because our office was hosting a St. Patrick's Day Open House today, an annual event designed to introduce some of our 950 employees to our Human Resources Department. Employees drop by, sign up for prize drawings, have some punch and treats, see the office and perhaps meet their representative for the first time. It's a jovial affair. Lots of laughter. A couple of times last week I spoke with my immediate supervisor and asked that she hide me away somewhere to work so I wouldn't have to face the dreaded task of "small talk". I pleaded with my supervisor on Friday: "Give me a crisis, a problem, or a task. I can deal with that. Just don't ask me to make small talk."
I wasn't sure what would happen today. To my great relief, my supervisor had arranged for some work that I could do in one of my co-workers offices - (my work station was dedicated to beverage service today). I was so relieved. She listened and responded to my need.
Work is challenging for me. I'm an ADD adult. I have a unique way of thinking and doing things. I work with professionals, some of whom are brilliant, none of whom are ADD. Just once I'd like to get through the day without feeling stupid. Don't misunderstand. I do good work and am appreciated. It's just that I wish I weren't ADD.
Take this afternoon for example, hidden away in a office to do some work, I soon realized that I was in the unique position of answering the phones. The phone rang. I couldn't figure out how to answer it. The phone rang again. I went to another phone and couldn't answer it either. Confused, I went to my supervisor and explained my prediciment. She replied, "You picked up the phone, dialed "77" to pick up a roaming call, and it didn't work?" At that moment I remembered that calls don't ring directly in to any of the phones but mine and my supervisors and I knew what to do. My supervisor then somewhat nervously refreshed me on how to transfer a call too. I've been working for them since last June. I should know this by now.
