[psychmajortwenty2]

... I have ADHD. I don't know how exactly to organize myself with all of this. I'm 22, this is my first serious job. There is just so much to it (I'm part of a new mental health organization working to help children and their families)! I'm not even sure if I'm capable of doing all of this. I haven't failed yet.. but I feel like I'm on the brink of screwing something up a lot. Or my boss realizing that I'm actually incompetent.

What does anyone think?! Do you experience this?? How do you help yourself?!

[Miswimmy1]

take a few deep breaths. A planner is your best friend. I don't have a job yet, but I assume that staying organized in a job is similar to managing an academic life.

[psychmajortwenty2]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

take a few deep breaths. A planner is your best friend. I don't have a job yet, but I assume that staying organized in a job is similar to managing an academic life.

That's the thing.... I suck with planners. I've bought like 3... and each of them I haven't used successfully. :s I think I need to develop a habit to start using one!

[redbandit]

I do the same thing with planners. I've been so spacey lately at work. Is your job new? If so,I know it takes a while to adjust

[medicalfox]

I'm bad with planners too until I started to use the one on my android. It sets an alarm off when I need to do a task and it's synced with my tablet so if I'm playing on my tablet an alarm go off on it too. Every android or iPhone has this ability with an app

[Arwen_78]

I do the same thing with planners, I just downloaded an app to my iPad... with the hopes of using it but if I don't I can clear it and try again. No wasted money on paper ones. Yet, I need a paper one in my bag haha.

You know I always feel the same about my job. I'm always scared that I'll be taken out of the floral department and made a cashier again. Which I hate, but I think it's normal to feel that fear a little. It's when it actually effects your work that is when you need to truly worry.

[Miswimmy1]

Planners take a lot of time. It's a learned skill. Ha! I tried unsuccessfully to use a planner for almost three years before something just clicked and now I use it all the time!

Have you looked into an ADHD coach to help with organization, motivation, etc?

[GreenGirlOU812]

I have moderate ADD and am an Accounting Professional. I use the calendar feature in Microsoft Outlook to not lose sight of the details, or all of the little things that pop up during the day. While you are working the calendar will pop up with a reminder and you can select an amt of time to postpone that task further, or just get it done and dismiss the item. I use this calendar at home too, to keep me on track with my goal setting. Try experimenting with it at home to see if you like this approach, and good luck on your new job! :-D

[Earache8453]

Originally Posted by psychmajortwenty2

... I have ADHD. I don't know how exactly to organize myself with all of this. I'm 22, this is my first serious job. There is just so much to it (I'm part of a new mental health organization working to help children and their families)! I'm not even sure if I'm capable of doing all of this. I haven't failed yet.. but I feel like I'm on the brink of screwing something up a lot. Or my boss realizing that I'm actually incompetent.

What does anyone think?! Do you experience this?? How do you help yourself?!

I think, on the surface, that you are a 22 year old with a large task. I used to experience this when I started in leadership roles at around 30. By the age of 32 I was promoted to a General Manager position with 7 department managers and 200 employees to lead. I am now 45 and still in a high level leadership role and have had 15 years of great success. I tell you this because when I was 22 I found it difficult to manage my own life let alone a program such as the one you have reported to have. I think its great that you are taking on the responsibility and if I were asked what the one thing that I would give the most credit to for my success is my learning how to manage my ADHD/ADD. I battled for years and still do with trying to use a planner effectively and I dont think I ever will. Accepting that actually helps me use it to an acceptable level. What I like to use the best is have plenty of new manilla folders and as tasks present themselves I label a folder accordingly. There are days now that I will create up to 10 new folders and still have another 10 to get to, but there is nothing better than finishing one of those tasks and removing it from the pile. Hope this helped some, good luck.

[simplydivine1030]

I agree - I work a full time job and there are some days where I am SUPER focused and other days where I will literally play online all day and can't even bring myself to do anything. It just depends. The afternoons are the worst for me. I can't sit still - like I want to jump out of my own skin.