In the workplace most things are time driven and for those with ADHD/ADD who have a particularly hard time tracking time; this represents a unique set of challenges. Some of the challenges of time management include: the awareness or the ability to track the passing of time, noticing what time it is, remembering to stop one activity to start a new activity and being able to foster the focus toward each scheduled activity.
Some jobs have a built in factor of time being tracked for you most of the time. For example one client, a psychologist, has the benefit of her clients showing up at the appointed therapy time and, in some sense, tracking their own time of when to show up, start and end a therapy session. However, once she was promoted into a supervisory role that includes some of the therapy sessions, reports and overseeing the activities of other therapists; she found that without an external trigger she was falling behind on her administrative duties. It was not an issue of ability or skill to complete any of the tasks. It was simply a matter of time management. Once she took a class pertaining to time management strategies, she found external triggers such as pop ups and bells on her computer, her supervisor scheduling meetings with her and occasional reminder phone calls that she was able to quickly get on schedule with her reporting.
Time management for those with ADD/ADHD is unique because their brain works differently. Working with a typical time management expert (one who has studied the art and science of time management) usually gets those with ADD/ADHD overwhelmed, frustrated and ultimately in trouble. But when time management is taught around the way someone’s mind works, wherein the first point is discovering how the client’s mind works and then developing systems to work around the person, everything changes.
So if you want to be on time and know what to do when, I invite you to sign up for my Be On Time tele-forum class offering.
Also, I am presenting this weekend in Minnesota at the ADHD Spring Conference. For more information on my presentation on Navigating the Workplace, feel free to call me at 1-800-929-4127.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Focus for the Career Planning Process
When in career planning focusing on learning about yourself, what you enjoy to do and what you do well will help to find a career path/profession that will remain desirably challenging and complex enough to keep you interested. This is one of the best kept secrets to career planning with ADHD. The foundation of career planning is know your values, motivators, skills, talents and put them to work for you in an environment that keeps you challenged. Everyone is different so your foundation must be thoroughly explored.
You can use strategic thinking to assist your career planning coach and help put the pieces together as you complete assessments, surveys and hash out your history (work, school, hobbies). This process will help you determine what sort of skills, talents, people, causes and/or businesses will hold your interest for the long haul of a career.
In your career planning you must remember the basics of the ADHD mind and think about how the career you choose will keep your ADHD focus stimulated and interested. As with everything ADHD, how it impacts you is different so your search will be different from everyone else. The question you need to answer is “How will you make your career planning experience meet the criteria that will enable you to have a successful career?”
You can engage your focus by being creative and break up career planning into parts so it’s a series of quick sprints in each section of the process. Or you can turn into hyper focus gear (ADHD term that means block out everything else for long periods of time except what we are working on) and make it a fun exciting marathon.
You could also engage your focus by breaking up the process with two or more professionals instead of the traditional way of just one professional. For instance, you may use your coach, your psychologist and maybe someone on your informal support team that is knowledgeable about the profession of interest instead of just your career planning coach. This will help you with different perspectives about your skills and talents.
Remember, there is no perfect career path but there are many, many great ones that you will find satisfying and bring joy to your life. We want to help you create the invaluable experience of waking up in the morning, looking forward to going to work.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Internal Motivators in Career Planning
When there is ADD or other LD present, it is absolutely essential that we know our inner motivators. When you think about inner motivators they answer the question, “What causes you to take action and do something that results in joy and satisfaction?” It brings us into that flow experience, conductors or writers describe it as losing track of time and an athlete would describe it as getting in the zone where they fly through the air effortlessly. Even if we aren’t great writers or athletes, we can still find our own zone. A window into this zone is discovering and dancing with our key motivators.
Key motivators may include things around the love for intellectual understanding; the knowledge of how things work in the current state. It may also be a love for following a tradition of ideals or beliefs; including cultural or family traditions. Another motivator can be about noticing and enjoying the aesthetic beauty of things from flowers and trees to the artistic creation of sculptures, architecture. You may notice beautiful voices or music. Some even notice the beauty of a mathematical formula or a scientific theory. Social motivators come from the perspective of wanting all that one does to be a benefit to people, person, family or humanity. The sense of satisfaction comes from knowing that your time, energy and money are being used to benefit others. Another key motivator is the sense of utilitarian value. It’s a more tangible benefit to you, a cause or loved one. This is where practical benefit, money, health or some other practical benefit to be generated from your efforts.
You might be able to discover your inner motivators by going through your day and noticing what gives you deep satisfaction or joy. You may notice how you come to decide to do one thing over another. Or if you find your motivation missing, you might explore, in your imagination, what might bring it back to understand where to put your attention, time or energy.
These are the steps required to build a foundation to make effective career planning decisions. If you are looking to understand your career planning process, there is a one day seminar that I will be speaking at in Minneapolis, MN hosted by www.ldaminnesota.com and co-sponsored by Ch.A.D.D. Twin Cities. There I will take you a little deeper into building your foundation of values and inner motivators in my presentation ADHD in the Workplace ~ Navigating the Career Planning Process. Taming ADD is also offering a class on key motivators. Click here to learn more.
When there is ADD or other LD present, it is absolutely essential that we know our inner motivators. When you think about inner motivators they answer the question, “What causes you to take action and do something that results in joy and satisfaction?” It brings us into that flow experience, conductors or writers describe it as losing track of time and an athlete would describe it as getting in the zone where they fly through the air effortlessly. Even if we aren’t great writers or athletes, we can still find our own zone. A window into this zone is discovering and dancing with our key motivators.
Key motivators may include things around the love for intellectual understanding; the knowledge of how things work in the current state. It may also be a love for following a tradition of ideals or beliefs; including cultural or family traditions. Another motivator can be about noticing and enjoying the aesthetic beauty of things from flowers and trees to the artistic creation of sculptures, architecture. You may notice beautiful voices or music. Some even notice the beauty of a mathematical formula or a scientific theory. Social motivators come from the perspective of wanting all that one does to be a benefit to people, person, family or humanity. The sense of satisfaction comes from knowing that your time, energy and money are being used to benefit others. Another key motivator is the sense of utilitarian value. It’s a more tangible benefit to you, a cause or loved one. This is where practical benefit, money, health or some other practical benefit to be generated from your efforts.
You might be able to discover your inner motivators by going through your day and noticing what gives you deep satisfaction or joy. You may notice how you come to decide to do one thing over another. Or if you find your motivation missing, you might explore, in your imagination, what might bring it back to understand where to put your attention, time or energy.
These are the steps required to build a foundation to make effective career planning decisions. If you are looking to understand your career planning process, there is a one day seminar that I will be speaking at in Minneapolis, MN hosted by www.ldaminnesota.com and co-sponsored by Ch.A.D.D. Twin Cities. There I will take you a little deeper into building your foundation of values and inner motivators in my presentation ADHD in the Workplace ~ Navigating the Career Planning Process. Taming ADD is also offering a class on key motivators. Click here to learn more.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Decisions based on Values
Decisions based upon Values
Once we are clear on what some of our values are, we can use them to make decisions. Some of our toughest decisions are what job to seek and accept, what projects to complete and what volunteer opportunities we should say “Yes” to our involvement. We simply have to notice how each is related to our values. Can we express our values freely in each environment? Do our values match up so we can fully engage them to create success? Once we are clear on our values we can use them to determine the best way to utilize our time and weed out that which would be unproductive for us.
For example, one client taught me that he chooses volunteer opportunities based upon qualifications. He found that he was receiving a multitude of volunteer opportunities, so many that he couldn’t accept them all. He leveraged his value of making the biggest impact to determine where best to put his time and energy. He would first determine if he was uniquely qualified to fill the role asked of him. He would determine if there was something unique that he could give more than others. If the answer was “No” then he would pass however, if the answer was “Yes” he would further consider the possibility. His next step was to look at the time commitment, the schedule and energy needed to fulfill asks. If this all meshed then he would take the volunteer opportunity. This was a win for both the client and the organization because both got “the best” for the efforts.
In my life, I recently uncovered that appreciation is a very important value for me. This actually surprised me. However, it has led me to make decisions based upon whether the opportunity creates a space for me to give appreciation and receive appreciation. Since my volunteer time fills quickly, I may pass on an opportunity that doesn’t allow me to utilize this value in some way.
We must all think about how to best use our time and energy. This week let’s work on using our values as the starting point to make decisions about opportunities that arise. First make a list of your values so that when an opportunity arises you are prepared to run down your value list to see if it’s a good fit for you. Say “Yes” to those that are and “No” to those that aren’t.
Once we are clear on what some of our values are, we can use them to make decisions. Some of our toughest decisions are what job to seek and accept, what projects to complete and what volunteer opportunities we should say “Yes” to our involvement. We simply have to notice how each is related to our values. Can we express our values freely in each environment? Do our values match up so we can fully engage them to create success? Once we are clear on our values we can use them to determine the best way to utilize our time and weed out that which would be unproductive for us.
For example, one client taught me that he chooses volunteer opportunities based upon qualifications. He found that he was receiving a multitude of volunteer opportunities, so many that he couldn’t accept them all. He leveraged his value of making the biggest impact to determine where best to put his time and energy. He would first determine if he was uniquely qualified to fill the role asked of him. He would determine if there was something unique that he could give more than others. If the answer was “No” then he would pass however, if the answer was “Yes” he would further consider the possibility. His next step was to look at the time commitment, the schedule and energy needed to fulfill asks. If this all meshed then he would take the volunteer opportunity. This was a win for both the client and the organization because both got “the best” for the efforts.
In my life, I recently uncovered that appreciation is a very important value for me. This actually surprised me. However, it has led me to make decisions based upon whether the opportunity creates a space for me to give appreciation and receive appreciation. Since my volunteer time fills quickly, I may pass on an opportunity that doesn’t allow me to utilize this value in some way.
We must all think about how to best use our time and energy. This week let’s work on using our values as the starting point to make decisions about opportunities that arise. First make a list of your values so that when an opportunity arises you are prepared to run down your value list to see if it’s a good fit for you. Say “Yes” to those that are and “No” to those that aren’t.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A Fresh Start with ADD / ADHD
Fresh Start
A fresh start for all of us can be a great thing. Nature and life provides opportunity for great starts; a new year, month, week, day, hour. There are all kinds of opportunity for fresh start.
In that light we will begin 2010 with our 12 most common challenges found with ADHD and build upon what we already know. We are also going to be adding to the dozen challenges thereby making it a Bakers dozen, by adding a new one; your Success Style. Your success style is just your unique ways of approaching people, problems, procedures and pace.
We will consider all of these challenges, as I guide you through each of them month by month. This year we will approach each challenge and notice how we are currently navigating the waters of the challenge, how we have dealt with each challenge in the past and what we want for the future. In this fresh start, you are going to take what is already working well for you and build on that. So for this journey you will need a notebook, just something from the dollar store, as there will be homework to help you succeed.
Now let’s get started...In the past you have been successful in building relationships, solving problems, following or making procedures work for you and you can continue to build on that to do it more effectively. The requested assignment for this week is to reflect upon what is already working for you in your life. Write it down so that you can refer back to it during this journey.
I’m looking forward to going through the journey of 2010 with you.
A fresh start for all of us can be a great thing. Nature and life provides opportunity for great starts; a new year, month, week, day, hour. There are all kinds of opportunity for fresh start.
In that light we will begin 2010 with our 12 most common challenges found with ADHD and build upon what we already know. We are also going to be adding to the dozen challenges thereby making it a Bakers dozen, by adding a new one; your Success Style. Your success style is just your unique ways of approaching people, problems, procedures and pace.
We will consider all of these challenges, as I guide you through each of them month by month. This year we will approach each challenge and notice how we are currently navigating the waters of the challenge, how we have dealt with each challenge in the past and what we want for the future. In this fresh start, you are going to take what is already working well for you and build on that. So for this journey you will need a notebook, just something from the dollar store, as there will be homework to help you succeed.
Now let’s get started...In the past you have been successful in building relationships, solving problems, following or making procedures work for you and you can continue to build on that to do it more effectively. The requested assignment for this week is to reflect upon what is already working for you in your life. Write it down so that you can refer back to it during this journey.
I’m looking forward to going through the journey of 2010 with you.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Getting Started with ADD / ADHD How to get started
Getting Started, January 1, 2010
Getting started on projects is particularly difficult for those with ADD. The feeling of being pulled in many directions sometimes keeps one from starting projects. One solution may be to find a trusted friend or professional that is supportive. It is important that you feel good about yourself in the presence of this person. This person needs to be someone who is advocating for you. This person should be someone who will speak to you with clear thoughts and that you respect.
I find that discussing the project and all the aspects with someone starts to put perspective on the size and scope of the project. It will help to explore with your friend what is difficult and holding you back from starting the project. You may ask; Is it that you don’t know what to do first? Is it that you know what to do but don’t know how to accomplish it? Or is it that you know what to do and how to do it but the entire project seems overwhelming? You and your friend can work on a plan for breaking the project into smaller pieces, working on one section at a time to get the entire project completed. When you sequence out the steps, a state of overwhelm may become one of clarity and focus. The project may become doable in a shorter time frame than originally thought.
There may be other obstacles that you could discuss with your friend however you may need additional professional help. Questions you may ask; Are you feeling depressed? Are you eating correctly including proteins, fruits and vegetables? Are you moving your body throughout the day? If you find your answers need more help than your friend can provide this may be the time to seek help from your general practitioner.
Whatever the project is, often talking through the steps and the obstacles with someone you trust is extremely helpful. Once you have a plan, you will start and complete your project, increase your confidence and feel better about yourself.
Getting started on projects is particularly difficult for those with ADD. The feeling of being pulled in many directions sometimes keeps one from starting projects. One solution may be to find a trusted friend or professional that is supportive. It is important that you feel good about yourself in the presence of this person. This person needs to be someone who is advocating for you. This person should be someone who will speak to you with clear thoughts and that you respect.
I find that discussing the project and all the aspects with someone starts to put perspective on the size and scope of the project. It will help to explore with your friend what is difficult and holding you back from starting the project. You may ask; Is it that you don’t know what to do first? Is it that you know what to do but don’t know how to accomplish it? Or is it that you know what to do and how to do it but the entire project seems overwhelming? You and your friend can work on a plan for breaking the project into smaller pieces, working on one section at a time to get the entire project completed. When you sequence out the steps, a state of overwhelm may become one of clarity and focus. The project may become doable in a shorter time frame than originally thought.
There may be other obstacles that you could discuss with your friend however you may need additional professional help. Questions you may ask; Are you feeling depressed? Are you eating correctly including proteins, fruits and vegetables? Are you moving your body throughout the day? If you find your answers need more help than your friend can provide this may be the time to seek help from your general practitioner.
Whatever the project is, often talking through the steps and the obstacles with someone you trust is extremely helpful. Once you have a plan, you will start and complete your project, increase your confidence and feel better about yourself.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Perfectionism
Perfectionism
As I have stated before, perfectionism is a concept. We as humans can only imagine perfection, what it is and how to achieve it. However, this is a flat illusion. We have no idea what true perfectionism is, but we know it is a coveted concept that many strive to achieve.
When we think of the “perfect world,” each of us has an image. This image is defined by the clarity of our values and the amount of time, energy and money we have to develop this illusion. When we take these items into consideration what we come up with is our “good enough” for the moment. We make decisions on our perfectionism by analyzing our resources and comparing them to the results we desire.
For instance, once we have the question determined that we need to resolve. We then analyze the outcome by penalty vs. benefit. What is the penalty for not completing the task at all? Do I have the resources to complete this task? What is the penalty for giving 50%, 80%, 90% to the task? What negative effect will this decision have on me, my family, my friends or my employer? On the other side, what is the benefit of doing this task? Will there be a future benefit? What is the benefit of completing this task with 50%, 80% or 90% effort? Depending on resources, will this help with getting a raise, promotion or savings of resources? How will completing this task benefit me, my family, my friends or my employer?
Each of us has our own “perfect world” scenario.
We have individual values, benefits and penalties that we associate with each task. In the end we must answer the questions; what is the penalty for not making it perfect? And what is the reward for making it perfect? Then when we put the answers up against our values and resources we can make an informed decision about each task.
As I have stated before, perfectionism is a concept. We as humans can only imagine perfection, what it is and how to achieve it. However, this is a flat illusion. We have no idea what true perfectionism is, but we know it is a coveted concept that many strive to achieve.
When we think of the “perfect world,” each of us has an image. This image is defined by the clarity of our values and the amount of time, energy and money we have to develop this illusion. When we take these items into consideration what we come up with is our “good enough” for the moment. We make decisions on our perfectionism by analyzing our resources and comparing them to the results we desire.
For instance, once we have the question determined that we need to resolve. We then analyze the outcome by penalty vs. benefit. What is the penalty for not completing the task at all? Do I have the resources to complete this task? What is the penalty for giving 50%, 80%, 90% to the task? What negative effect will this decision have on me, my family, my friends or my employer? On the other side, what is the benefit of doing this task? Will there be a future benefit? What is the benefit of completing this task with 50%, 80% or 90% effort? Depending on resources, will this help with getting a raise, promotion or savings of resources? How will completing this task benefit me, my family, my friends or my employer?
Each of us has our own “perfect world” scenario.
We have individual values, benefits and penalties that we associate with each task. In the end we must answer the questions; what is the penalty for not making it perfect? And what is the reward for making it perfect? Then when we put the answers up against our values and resources we can make an informed decision about each task.
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