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These 9 Tips Will Help You Be Productive Working at Home

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

Are there special considerations for ADHD adults working at home? There’s no dearth of articles about working at home right now, for sure. And you can find some really good suggestions. At the same time, it’s helpful to recognize how your ADHD may impact your ability to work at home, especially under the current conditions. Because the suggestions you find may not entirely meet your needs, as they likely don’t consider your ADHD. An example of this can be seen in a quote by David Allen of Getting Things Done. When talking about GTD he claimed:   “…everything I propose is easy to do. It involves no new skills at all. You already know how to focus, how to write things down, how to decide on outcomes and actions, and…

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Do You Struggle to Explain Your ADHD at Work?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

 Are you frustrated at work because you’re not operating at your best, and you know in part it is because of your ADHD? And maybe you are thinking if only you could explain your ADHD challenges to your coworkers, boss or employees maybe things would be better. Because then they would get it and be more understanding. Like the writer of the comment below, you may also be wondering how to have a conversation about your ADHD with your boss or co-workers. I would like to know your thoughts on discussing add/adhd with your boss or coworkers and how to do so without making it sound like you’re giving excuses or requesting special treatment if you want/need accommodations to be productive. If you are a…

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Do You Know These 5 Secrets of Thriving ADHD Entrepreneurs?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

I’ve worked with ADHD small business owners in a broad range of industries and business types from solo entrepreneurs to small businesses with multiple employees. And I’ve also run my own coaching practice for over 10 years. So, I get what it takes to run a business. In addition to my own successful business, I’ve also been fortunate to witness my clients thrive in their’s. So, I know firsthand that this is possible for adults with ADHD. Though, I also know, if you are struggling in your business now, you may question whether this is possible for you. I get it. As you read the suggestions below notice where you are already doing well. Of course, you should keep on doing this! Also, pay attention…

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Are You in the Right Job for an ADHD Adult?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

We all want to be in a job we enjoy. And, if you are not dissatisfied with your current job, the following questions probably keep swirling about in your head: “Am I in the wrong career?” “Is this just the wrong job for me?” “Are there careers that are a good fit for adults with ADHD?” “Are there jobs that would work for me?” Then, if you googled “ADHD friendly jobs” or “best careers for adults with ADHD,” you found articles proclaiming: “There are dream jobs for people like you, who are creative and easily bored.” “Quit your job if you have one of these 10 worst jobs.” “Sales, entrepreneur, medical professional, teaching, etc. are the best jobs for adults with ADHD.” And so, after…

Wooden door with a paper sign reading “Door temporarily closed,” illustrating interruptions faced by adults with ADHD
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Are You Allowing Interruptions at Work to Run Your Day?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

You’re in the middle of working on a report at work, and one of your colleagues comes into your office and launches into a conversation. Then you get back to work and see emails piling up in your inbox you feel you need to respond to right away. Happens, right? Yet, you may get frustrated or even angry when you have to stop and switch gears. While interruptions can be annoying, for sure, you may wonder why you respond the way you do. Read on to learn why interruptions may be so frustrating for you and what you can do to manage them. Why Interruptions at Work Are a Challenge for ADHD Adults First, it is important to understand that transitions — stopping, starting, and…

Creating A Work Environment That Works With Your ADHD – Part III
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Creating A Work Environment That Works With Your ADHD – Part III

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

  Yes, everyone has challenges at work. But, as an Adult with ADHD, some of your challenges are more acute because of your ADHD. You knew that… This series of articles will help you be more aware of those challenges, as well as the workarounds. In Part I I shared strategies for deciding which tasks become part of your work. And in Part II I began the exploration of common workplace challenges for Adults with ADHD. Read on to continue this exploration in the article below, the last in the series. Working With Time – Time Sense When dealing with time the question is, “When am I going to do….?” And, because time is often an elusive concept for adults with ADHD, this may be…

Creating A Work Environment That Works With Your ADHD – Part II
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Creating A Work Environment That Works With Your ADHD – Part II

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, ADHD Time Management, Blog

In Part I of Creating A Work Environment That Works With Your ADHD I suggested that the first step in strategically working with your ADHD was to identify your strengths and the tasks which, out of necessity or desire, fall on your plate. As you know all too well, whether a task is something you enjoy or not, your ADHD may get in the way of being able to work effectively. So, knowing the ways your ADHD can hinder you, as well as the workarounds, is the next step in addressing your workplace challenges. And, as my yoga teacher said recently, “Accept where you are…” I would add, “Then you can choose to grow from there…” Distracted By Internal Noise It is a common challenge…

Creating A Work Environment That Works With Your ADHD – Part 1
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Creating A Work Environment That Works With Your ADHD – Part 1

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

Impending deadlines to meet A constant stream of email to respond to Different and changing requests and expectations of clients, colleagues, bosses, boards, etc. to answer to An urgent need to make decisions and set priorities I bet this describes your work world, as well as the sources of some of your greatest work challenges as an adult with ADHD. And the consequences of not being able to operate well at work may seem more immediate and serious than those in any other environment (home, social, etc.). At least in the short run… The key to being successful at work is taking a strategic approach to working with your ADHD. First, Know Yourself I know you are already well acquainted with your challenges. And we’ll…

Entreprenuers with ADHD: Be Sucessful By Using Your ADHD
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Entreprenuers with ADHD: Be Sucessful By Using Your ADHD

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

  Thom Hartmann redefines ADD as “A Different Perception” and wrote in his book, The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child, that people with ADHD …may instead be our most creative individuals, our most extraordinary thinkers, our most brilliant inventors and pioneers. I think he is right! If you are an entrepreneur or independent professional and have ADHD, you are probably intimately familiar with your challenges. And you may blame your ADHD for many of these. But, do you know how your ADHD has helped you to be successful? What if you used your ADHD to propel you to succeed? If you are an entrepreneur, thinking of becoming one or just have an entrepreneurial approach to your life and / or…

ADHD, Email and Saving Time
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ADHD, Email and Saving Time

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

    It may seem that email is an efficient way to communicate. Or is it? How much energy and time do you expend writing, responding to and thinking about your email? Alot, right? For many adults with ADHD, the constant barrage of email can be overwhelming. Having a system for processing your inbox is the first step to reducing this sense of overwhelm. The second step to minimizing the overwhelm you may be feeling is having a set of rules for how you write and respond to your email. Anxious? There may be times when you are simply nervous about responding to an email. When you notice this, ask yourself: Is that you have put off answering for so long that you are embarrassed…