Hi. I have ADD innatentive and used to be a project manager of interactive media. I didn't really fully accept my diagnoses until then. I also have a very low tolerance to sensory stimulation. I was let go from that position due to many add-related issues, which was fine with me - I literally had nothing left to give. I don't know if HR knew, but my boss did, although I doubt she understood or paid attention to me telling her during a review meeting. She wasn't tuned into me at all. No, I don't plan on pursuing that.
I then took some time to think about what I am able to handle on a day-to-day basis, worked with a career coach, but didn't come up with what I wanted to do with myself. I've done all the tests and have the answers to them but totally lack the skill to put it all together and apply it to a job title. Seriously! It's frustrating.
I just feel like I need to be really, really, really careful with stress. It takes me hours to de-stress and I end up sleeping away the weekends and needing 12 hour nights when I make the wrong job choice. I've been trying to figure this out for over 10 years now, hoping I get closer each time.
The closest I've gotten to a goal is this - maybe stay in interactive media, maybe try programming, maybe try to work as a PM part time so I have more time to de-stress, maybe more over to account management so I'm talking more than planning, maybe go back to video editing (I hyperfocus), maybe even try to shift to something else like personality testing/disc/assessment/training etc if I could figure out how I could fit in there and if I could make a living wage. Ugh. I give myself a headache. You too, most likely.
Either way, unemployment has now run out - hopefully EUC will kick in - so I'm looking hard but probably badly, and definitely all over the place.
My most major concern are: 1) Even with medication, I skip easily into deep thoughts and lose track of everything else when I least expect to at home, and thus lateness most likely turns into an issue. 2) when at work I hit sensory overwhelm and end up waiting until everyone leaves for me to basically start paperwork, which I just really don't want to start up again. I'm so tired of it. 3) I can go for a lower level position with less stress but then I start to go insane with day to day repetition. I'm not sure where I fit.
I don't have a problem explaining to people I've been re-examining my career goals - people seem receptive to it - however no one knows I have ADD and I'm afraid to share that. And I'm getting a bit scared of messing up again. I've read all the articles I could find here and the choosing career one here but don't know how to apply that, as usual. The sample runs pretty true minus healthcare. :)
So - long post and I'm not sure what I'm expecting but I'm not having any luck doing what I've done, so I'm trying something new. Any ideas?
something where you can hyperfocus might be your best option. i'm a graphic/web designer and have either not been in a "good fit" situation, or was downsized, and have moved around to different jobs and contract assignments. i wanted to wish you the best of luck - let us know how things go.
Thanks Lyn - I will. Good luck yourself.
Looking back, I'm finding how my boss manages me and how much they trust me to do the right thing to be the most important indicator of success. I will always get it done, but how I get there can't be micromanaged or controlled or I burn out way too fast trying to comprehend and stick to the letter of the law rather than simply reaching out and attaining the end goal! The "we're a team" approach works best up or down the chain. Surprising how rare I've seen it so far. But I have seen it. Fingers crossed I'll find it again.