Any tips for working with ADHD

[EventManagerTDR]

Hello everyone,

I have recently started a new role as an events manager for a small company. It’s been nearly three months and there are still aspects of the role I absolutely dread. Firstly there is a lot of spread sheet work (excel is not something I enjoy) for example, pulling budgets together, data management and more. I find this extremely overwhelming and difficult and unenjoyable (not really sure if spread sheets should be enjoyable?)

secondly I find juggling a high amount of events taking place at all different times really difficult, there’s are tons of deadlines and tasks needing to be reached / completed and I find the thought of it so overwhelming and stressful. Even simple things such as organising uniform are sometimes too much, what different sizes are needed, how many to order of each one etc.

Thirdly, I find it difficult knowing or guessing how much of each item to order for any given event.

There are many tasks I get so bored with and do half of them, to a passable but not perfect standard. Just feel like an imposter most of the time and that I’m winging everything.

I am really good with people and can easily adapt to anyone from any back ground. I am good when it comes to crisis management situations during events and can think on my feet really well. However I am very impulsive on my decision making and can sometimes make a decision without slowing down leading to a lot more work!

I can’t help but find myself thinking, do I need a career change? Am I in the wrong company? Are there things I can do that will help me in my job? I don’t want to start over and I also earn pretty good money but I can’t keep feeling low, anxious and stressed all the time.

Are any of you in a similar situation? Do you have any advice?

Thank you for reading this,

T

[apersonwith]

I can really relate to everything you are saying and its an awful feeling to be overwhelmed even though you are obviously capable of doing these tasks. I have a similar ongoing challenge with those kind of detailed planning processes when really I am happier to be doing creative work. But we have to figure out how to combine the inspiration (which I think comes easily to ADHDers) with the perspiration (not so easy) because most jobs need it. That is why they call it work! I am joining an "executive function" coaching group to work on this, something provided as a non-pharmaceutical support by my health insurance here in the US.

So now I am really focused on the subject of "executive function" and trying to get to the root of why I experience really low productivity with all of the types of task you described. I'm also working on accepting that they need to be part of my life, rather than saying to myself "should I really be having to do this?" which I think dampens my motivation. I think a lot of ADHDers move jobs to try and find the perfect fit, but always that "admin stuff" comes up in the end, you can't out-run it!

I have heard it said a lot in stuff that I am reading that "accepting reality" is sometimes a challenge for ADHDers, and it stops us from embracing things we don't like as nescessary. So as part of this I am reading up on how executive functioning works and trying to decode the processes so I can understand better what is tripping me up all the time, and accept that I need to change my approach. Right now I am listening to amazon.com/gp/product/B0CZN... on Audible which was free with my subscription and seems to do a good job of breaking it all down in a practical way. I think its a bit cheesy but I can live with that to get the overview.

Here is the blurb from the book:

Welcome to "Mastering Executive Functioning," the engaging guide to enhancing your everyday skills in planning, organising and time management. Immerse yourself in this exploration of executive functioning - the set of cognitive processes designed to underpin our ability to navigate daily tasks effectively and efficiently.

Your journey commences with a comprehensive understanding of executive functioning, its components, and influence on daily life and performance. The narrative weaves a path through detecting deficits in executive functioning, their impacts, and diagnostic strategies.

An understanding of the challenges builds a foundation for our examination of the practical approach to enhancing these crucial skills. Setting realistic goals, treating failures as learning opportunities, and implementing a progressive approach are the stepping-stones on your path of progress.

I can honestly say that I never before my diagnosis even thought about the subject of executive functioning and how it might be something that you can learn to do better, and I wish I had thought about it sooner. It's a term that gets thrown around but I never really thought about it as a discipline I could work on, I think I saw it as an unchangeable neurological trait that seems to arrive later in people with ADHD. As many say, adulthood in terms of executive functioning often emerges much later in ADHD and we have to be realistic about that. In my case it never seemed to arrive at all - and so better late than never to try and improve it! But for you getting into your professional life, maybe you can benefit from understanding it better for a lifetime?

[EventManagerTDR in reply to apersonwith]

Thank you so much for your reply. Executive function is definitely something I am going to look into.

I’m based in the U.K. and unfortunately our health services here are so bad I don’t think I’d be able to get an appointment with a professional. I am also listening to the same audio book which I have found immensely helpful!

Thanks so much again for your reply it’s very helpful and also makes me feel less alone.

[apersonwith in reply to EventManagerTDR]

I don't know much about navigating the NHS but I did do a quick google search and found there are some things you might be interested in tapping into. It seems like most exec functioning groups are CBT based and there are quite a few CBT based talking therapies available on the NHS for things like anxiety and depression. Although we know the root cause is ADHD I wonder if these might be helpful to you and you can initially approach it to help stress and anxiety perhaps?

It looks like you can "self-refer" as long as you are registered with a GP. Here's a link to an info page that might be helpful: nhs.uk/mental-health/talkin...

[NeuroSpicyCatMom]

I hated spreadsheets until I took an indepth but fast paced class on the program. I love them now and use them to impress people. Maybe look for something similar or idk if this is allowed but reach out, happy to share my knowledge.Next, with the multiple events at once, find a way to keep you organized and bring the heads organizers of those events in on it. This way you control the chaos your way, not fit your brain to someone else.

Third, FIRM head count deadlines! Depending on the guesstimate on the proposal and event type, minimum 7 days prior to event, remind them that even if less show up they will be charged based on that number.

I was an event planner/coordinator at a large hotel and conference center.