Can you believe that about 284 parents of 1,134 said they wouldn't want their kids to be friends with another kid who has ADHD? This study was reported in Science Daily and it wasn't 10 or 15 years ago, it was March 21, 2007!* What's wrong with these people? Could it be the medical community's classification of AD/HD as a mental illness?



That's just ridiculous. AD/HD does have its limitations, but is high intelligence and high creativity a disability? No! Get into the mindset that you rock out loud!

Actually, when you tell people that you have AD/HD they completely understand that you have attention deficit. And they may realize that you have the hyperactivity factor thrown in. But they probably won't understand that you have terrible approach/avoidance over doing boring things and because of that, they may not get done. And they don't know your about your incredible ability to hyperfocus on something and get it done quickly.

Here are some tips for getting things done the AD/HD way at work:

Ask someone that you get along with really well to be your accountability partner. Tell him or her to monitor your progress on a project by IM-ing you periodically or by just popping in to your office to say, "Hey, did you get that done yet?" If you have ADD or ADHD, you need the reminders and by making someone else responsible for the gentle prods, it will take that responsibility off your mind.

Or, you might have a core group of tasks that need finishing every day. So, if your attention span is only ten minutes, choose six tasks that you can work on in an hour. If your attention span is fifteen minutes, maybe you only need to choose four. Then, every ten or fifteen minutes, switch tasks. Start with the most boring first, then go to one you enjoy, then another boring one, and so on. Keep doing this until they're all finished. This helps you get the boring stuff done and out of the way, without the ADD stall.

Be sure to use planners and keep them with you at all times. If you travel around a lot, a PDA might be the best option or a day planner. But if you're in front of a computer all day, get a program that will pop-up at appointed times to remind you of what needs to be done.

If you can trade tasks you hate with one of your co-workers, who might be a linear thinker and enjoy the things you hate, do it!

Keep your work space ADD-organized by having places you can just toss things. Like, rather than have a pencil cup, have a pencil basket. Have a basket for papers, and smaller receptacles for paper clips and rubber bands. You can buy desktop organizers that have small compartments for things like this, but baskets in various sizes might be a better bet. Most people with ADD don't like to "put things away."

When you're learning a new job, be sure to keep a diary. Write down instructions for each task that you'll be responsible for completing in a notebook or a loose-leaf binder. That way, you don't have to try to keep everything up in your head. When you get stuck on something, you can just go to your personal work bible and follow the directions.

If you're unclear about a job that you're assigned, ask questions. Don't go off thinking you'll piece things together as you go along because your pieces might not fit into someone else's expectations. Also be clear when assigning work to other people. Be sure that you speak slowly and clearly and that they understand the job before you leave their sight. Pointedly ask if they're clear and be sure to let them know that it's OK to ask questions at any time during the process.

All of these ideas can be helpful to you personally and with your work relationships. Most people just don't "get" AD/HD, and it's no wonder. We're in a very small segment of the population. Since only about 5% of children have ADD or ADHD, and only about 15% of those kids grow up to be AD/HD adults, most people probably aren't close to someone with attention deficit. But realize that you have been given the incredible gifts of fast thinking and creativity, which makes you tremendously powerful. Exploit those strengths, and find ways to ease the burdens of the other symptoms, and you'll be not only feeling better about life, but you'll be feeling better about yourself, too. You are special! Never forget that for a moment.

*http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070320110106.htm