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There is little doubt that adults with ADHD often face challenges in the workplace that others do not and with recognizing some of these potential difficulties before starting a job and thinking of ways to mitigate some of those problems in advance may well help you to be more successful at your job.
Here is a look at the top 5 difficulties those with ADHD may face in the workplace and what you can do about them.
1. Time Management - No matter what type of job or career you choose there is going to be a need for at least some type of time management on your part. Getting to work on time, meeting work deadlines, attending meetings and a number of other things require you to be able to manage your time more efficiently.
Many adults with ADHD are easily distracted, and managing time can pose some difficulty. However, there are some things you can do that may make managing time a little easier.
If you work in an office or cubicle place your chair facing away from doors or windows, keep your desk as clear as possible, and have some sort of timer that can go off at short intervals to call your attention back to work in case your mind begins to wander.
Get up a few extra minutes early to get ready for work in case you get distracted and lay your clothes out the night before, get your paperwork together, and have your lunch packed and ready to go the night before. This will streamline your getting prepared for work each day and help to ensure that you don't forget anything important.
2. Disorganization - Those with ADHD may get easily overwhelmed when faced with several tasks to complete in a day finding themselves jumping from task to task, feeling panicky, and not completing anything.
In order to keep yourself more organized, start your day by making a list of those tasks that you need to complete for the day and then focus on one task at a time completing it and moving on to the next task.
Keep interruptions to a minimum, by coming in early or working late (if your job allows) when there are fewer people in the office. If possible, let phone calls go to voice mail and have a set time during the day to answer those calls. Mark each task off your list as you complete it so you can see what you've actually accomplished. Wear headphones (if allowed in your workplace) to drown out other sounds around you.
3. Unstructured Environment - Many people with ADHD manage their ADHD symptoms by maintaining a very structured environment. Having a job where the environment is loosely structured can often create anxiety, and make getting tasks completed difficult.
If the company you work for has an unstructured environment, find ways that you structure your immediate area around where you work.
Setting up a schedule where you accomplish set tasks at the same time each day, using lists and charts, and using calendars to record the dates of meetings or due dates of various assignments will help you add a little more structure to your environment.
4. Maintaining A Friendly Working Relationship With Coworkers and Employers - For some workers their impulsiveness and irritability makes it difficult to maintain a friendly working relationship with coworkers and employers.
This can lead to a more stressful work environment and even job loss if the problems become too frequent.
In some cases, counseling that includes role playing which helps you learn how to deal with criticism of your work may help.
Also, practicing your responses to common work related situations can be helpful. There are homeopathic supplements that may help you to keep a more stable mood, and help you remain calm in stressful situations.
5. Procrastination and Boredom - Many people with ADHD become easily bored doing repetitive tasks while procrastinating at those tasks that seem more difficult for them.
If you are becoming easily bored ask your employer for more varied tasks (if possible). Switching tasks up a little often helps to prevent boredom from occurring or at least may lessen those feelings.
Instead of procrastinating at those more difficult tasks try dividing it up into more manageable sections and do one section at a time. Find a supportive co-worker, that will help keep you on track and may offer help when you feel that you need it.
If you find yourself bored or procrastinating too often chances are you may have chosen the wrong job or career and may need to find a line of work that is more suited to your strengths and abilities and in which you have more of an interest.
You aren't going to be able to avoid all those difficulties at work, but planning in advance how to deal with some of the more common problems can help you to do your job more efficiently while feeling less stress.
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