it's common for people with ADD to be utilized less and less for big projects, because a lack of communication with higher-ups, inattention to certain details, and failure to meet deadlines causes the higher-ups to think that the person with ADD is unreliable and therefore should not be given "big" or "interesting" projects. i've had this happen to me at jobs before, and just realized that it's because of my ADD.

i just found a "teleclass" (basically an audio recording) that talks about these issues and how to get past them. i haven't listened to it yet but i'll let you know how it is. it's only $27, which isn't bad. i'm also planning on hiring an ADD coach to help with task management, etc....so i can get those boring little tasks out of the way and get back onto some more interesting projects! here is the link, see if some of the "symptoms" don't sound familiar! http://www.thrivewithadd.com/add_at_work_rec

good luck!

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Are you taking medication? I'm a retail manager and along with the stuff I enjoy, like visual merchandising and developing my staff, comes a whole heap of paperwork, cleaning, filing, and a host of other boring things that I would DREAD without medication. I almost got out of my line of work entirely a couple years ago just because I couldn't seem to force myself to buckle down and push through the awful boring tasks (which definitely doesn't work when you're the boss and thus setting the example). But thanks to new meds and switching to a company that lets me get more creative in my approach to things, I can get through those parts of my job. Another suggestion would be to approach your manager about giving you an extra project or something more exciting. You don't have to be complaining - just present yourself as a motivated, enthusiastic employee who feels they're ready for a bigger challenge. Your boss will probably appreciate your initiative and likely will remember it next time something more interesting comes available.

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It is ADHD you are not lazy. I had the same problem, but there are two things that helped me. Medication and creating a schedule for myself. I have a job that has me doing mundane tasks and a lot of them and sometimes I have to buckle down and meet deadlines. I createda a workload prioritzation schedule and dedicated a half an hour or hour, no more than hour to each task. I made sure I take my two allotted 15 minute breaks and my 30 minute lunch and so far I have been successful.

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nousername said: Hello, I have noticed that I am getting more mundane (ie BORING) tasks to do while others are being given more respnsibilities and larger projects to run. Unfortunately, the tasks are so boring and there is no big pressure to get them done, so I tend to "wander" - working a bit here, checking my personal emails, working some more, checking out a website that my friend sent, work some more, plan my evening workout, etc. I know that I should stay focused, get the mundane tasks done and keep going back for more, but it is easier said than done. I do my best work when under a lot of pressure and I really feel like I can handle projects at a much higher level, but not sure that I convey this well. My manager has almost no "one-on-one" correspondence with us, so I will have to go to him to "complain". I guess Im just wondering if this is an ADHD thing (Ive been diagnosed with ADHD) or am I just being lazy? Advice on how to "prove myself" to higher ups would be appreciated, too. Thanks!

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I am medicated and still wonder often. ;-(

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I have the same problems as most of you do. I sell new homes and find that it can be endlessly boring when there is nothing to do. I believe that we need to create a strategy that will allow our super smartinds which run faster than the average person to use and adapt to the environents we live and work in. Finding creative tasks, taking the break when needed, useing breathing exersizes & cognitive exersizes to control our attention and awarness at work aside from using medication which has effects on the human body. I think we are people whom have gifts and should become aware of our skills and use them in life. No one will tell you this, it is up to each one of us to go beyond the conditioning that we have a medical problem becuase we don't, we have gifts and this society we live in is not ready to accept. So we have to shine at what we are best at and see through to the bitter truth that we are gifted. Yoga is a great way to ground the mind, poetry, self reflection, diet, outdoors nature, love, family, friends you can talk openly with, time alone, art, dancing, sound therapy, tai chi, self help books,

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I do not have ADHD but have found myself in similar work situations, being underutilized and passed over. I have also experienced periods of mind-numbing boredom. And, in some of the more enjoyable jobs requiring high adrenalin I've found myself exhibiting ADHD symptoms (Dr. Hallowell talks about this).

There can be a variety of reasons other than ADHD for people to find work unfulfiling. For example: not being able to promote yourself as much as those who are being seen; poor job design; inappropriate expectations for what the job can do for you, social skills issues, and so on. We need to be careful not to be hyperfocussed on ADHD and consider our work issues to be solely a result of the condition. I've found a good rule of thumb is to expect that work will be 10% exhilirating, 10% crappy and annoying, and the remaining 80% not very interesting but tolerable. And that's without ADHD.

I should note that I have 2 ADHDers - one hyperactive and one inattentive. I'm working with them and one non-ADHD child on learning that we ALL need to manage our expectations for life -- in school, in the workplace, and at home. More often than not, we have to 'do our time' in order to move on to things that are more attractive. And we shouldn't be blaming our dissatisfaction on ADHD.

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Your description of behaviors and challenges are very common to adults with ADHD traits. Here are a few thoughts to prove yourself. First, you may want to seek a coach or someone to reassess your strengths and weaknesses on the worksite. We get regular tune-ups on our vehicles but often accept the ADHD diagnosis, add meds and do no more. Second, see if you can be creative to make the mundane tasks more interesting. Make the task a game or personal contest in some way. "Stimulation is our friend" so create some source of stimulation to keep your interest and attention peaked. Third, use 'mindfulness bells" - computer alarms, cell alarm, or I prefer dual digital timers to wake you from your 'wander-ment' and back to your task at hand. I also recommend utilizing an "accountability buddy". Someone you can check-in with for 'external accountability'. Breakdown your tasks in such away that you can declare you will DO, 'WHAT by WHEN (deadline)' and let your accountability buddy know so he/she can keep you honest. Finally, create an ongoing personal practice of the above then reassess your productivity and time effeciency (accomplish more in less time). At this point be proactive with your manager. Rather than complain, share your 'results' and express that you are understimulated in your current work. Negotiate with your manager for more challenging (stimulating) work tasks, projects. You might also offer your own deadlines to your manager - a potentially impressive proactive behavior for your manager. We adults with ADHD work best 'with' someone. Don't try to be the Lone Ranger'. Good luck to you Mr or MS "Well-utilized".

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Hey there,

I was just diagnosed last year, but definitely suffered the symptoms. In this case, of the combined type. Falling asleep incessantly during lectures, unable to follow directions, etc. Now as an adult and Masters student, I find my ADD really kicking into high gear during my second year of higher-level learning. Getting started on the tricky and tedious theoretical assignments is one challenge. The other is maintaining that effort. As other comments show, breaking it down into segments has helped me. I argue that I can do anything for an hour. Then I stop. It might take me twice as long to get my school work done, but with the one hour rule and one hour break in between, I find myself slowly but surely getting it done. I also tend to "graze" on snacks or eat a candy while I study to keep part of my brain engaged, but that probably isn't the best coping method. Still, it helps me.

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i am in a similar position in that I am very good at parts of my job, the creative more people focused parts. So much so that I am often asked to standing in for my manager . However I struggle to get paper work finished. It is not just the ADD, I am also dysgraphic and need to type case notes and things that could be written more quickly by hand. My boss is understanding but my co-workers often feel I am given special treatment, for example having a computer on my desk when others have to share and people have made complaints that they can not find files in my -admittedly very messy- room. Medication does not work for me as it dulls my creativity and perception, which I need for my job.Routines, lists and diaries help as has yoga and mindfulness training but I am still way behind and easy to distract ( I am writting this at work) As a single mother on a government wage I can't afford coaching so I am looking for an email buddy, some one who might need the same help who could remind me of my goals and for whom I could do the same.

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I had the same problem in my last job as an analyst. I was always told I have great ideas ...blah blah blah...but I never got assigned to meaty projects. So I played. My boss finally threatened me with a shape up or ship out speech. I started researching disorganization and found symptom checklists for ADHD ....I took one and passed or failed ...depending on your outlook. I went to my DR and he prescribed Adderall and referred me to a Psychologist. The psychologist was great. I decided that I needed a change and switched jobs. I'm doing much better at my new job. I have times when I can't focus ....but I take advantage of my hyperfocus times and plow through other things. I know where my weaknesses are (attention to details) so I try to negotiate other duties with teammates for those things.

I may not be the detail queen but I am very good at the big picture and finding potential issues before we trip over them. I make sure that people know that I identified those things so that solutions could be planned.

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