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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wayne on June 27, 2000, at 15:52:02
First of all thankyou everyone for your advice and stories. Well I am starting to learn how the thread works. I am supposed to reply back to you sorry if I didnt. As I said I am the jack of all trades. Now that I know I have ADD I feel a healing starting to take place. I am observing how defensive and sensitive I really am not forgeting to mention pig headed as well.Seriouly though I am one confused person as regards work. I HAVE NEVER STUCK to a job longer than six months. I am now in a position to start studying but what?????? Or to start working but what again?????
I am 36 years old and feel like a child who cant support themselves. Fortunately I have had family to help me out financially but that is coming to an end.I have been married could not support my wife and so got divorced. I cant tell you how I hungerto be normal holding down a job and just being normal. Please my fellow members of my ADD tribe give me some advice on what to do.p.s you are of my tribe because you understand me the best.It feels that I have got tired of failing in all my previous jobs. I dont want to try again and let down others my boss and myself as I always have.Remember I wish to try again as I this new understanding of myself which I did not have before.
Posted by Margi on June 27, 2000, at 17:14:59
In reply to Re: Desperately need help on new career add , posted by wayne on June 27, 2000, at 16:06:36
> > First of all thankyou everyone for your advice and stories. Well I am starting to learn how the thread works. I am supposed to reply back to you sorry if I didnt. As I said I am the jack of all trades. Now that I know I have ADD I feel a healing starting to take place. I am observing how defensive and sensitive I really am not forgeting to mention pig headed as well.Seriouly though I am one confused person as regards work. I HAVE NEVER STUCK to a job longer than six months. I am now in a position to start studying but what?????? Or to start working but what again?????
> > I am 36 years old and feel like a child who cant support themselves. Fortunately I have had family to help me out financially but that is coming to an end.I have been married could not support my wife and so got divorced. I cant tell you how I hungerto be normal holding down a job and just being normal. Please my fellow members of my ADD tribe give me some advice on what to do.p.s you are of my tribe because you understand me the best.It feels that I have got tired of failing in all my previous jobs. I dont want to try again and let down others my boss and myself as I always have.Remember I wish to try again as I this new understanding of myself which I did not have before.
> hello
I'm going to be tested for ADD also.
I have a book that I haven't started to read yet,
"What Color is Your Parachute 2000" BY Richard Nelson Bolles
It also comes with a work book. It's a practical
manual for job hunters and career changers.
Posted by Kerry on June 27, 2000, at 18:13:36
In reply to Desperately need help on new career add , posted by wayne on June 27, 2000, at 15:52:02
Wayne,
I myself have the "itch" to get out of my current job--not sure if that's due to the stress and impossibility of my job or ADD. Could be a combination. Lately I've been considering going back to school to do something RADICALLY different from my current field. I'm afraid, though, because if it's the ADD, I shouldn't be so impetuous.I'm learning more about ADD every day, mostly through the internet and books I've skimmed at bookstores. I'm still trying to figure out the medicine, but one thing I'm hearing over and over again--ADDers tend to have more success when they are "coached." This is a little different from therapy, as far as I can tell. I think it might really help to find an ADD coach--rather than a career counselor--to assist you in exploring the areas you're interested in and narrowing down your choices. I know whenever I get into my own career planning I'm ALL OVER THE PLACE. One minute I want to go back to school and get a computer science degree and the next I want to become a novelist (not that I could, of course). In my lifetime I've considered it all! Actress, doctor, lawyer...you name it, I've thought about it and I've abandoned it! I would suggest you start with a simple brainstorm of even the craziest ( the seemingly impossible) ideas and narrow it down from there. What Color is Your Parachute is definitely a good suggestion, but the work takes time and (unfortunately for us), patience. Perhaps find someone to go through the activities with?? I seriously may want to join you in this venture. I need to figure out what I'm going to do with my life...let me know.
Posted by janeS on June 27, 2000, at 20:53:44
In reply to Desperately need help on new career add , posted by wayne on June 27, 2000, at 15:52:02
Seriouly though I am one confused person as regards work. I HAVE NEVER STUCK to a job longer than six months. I am now in a position to start studying but what?????? Or to start working but what again?????
> I am 36 years old and feel like a child who cant support themselves. Fortunately I have had family to help me out financially but that is coming to an end.I have been married could not support my wife and so got divorced. I cant tell you how I hungerto be normal holding down a job and just being normal. Please my fellow members of my ADD tribe give me some advice on what to do.p.s you are of my tribe because you understand me the best.It feels that I have got tired of failing in all my previous jobs. I dont want to try again and let down others my boss and myself as I always have.Remember I wish to try again as I this new understanding of myself which I did not have before.
Wayne:The above situation you described sounds like I have been at various times in my life. However, in addition to What Color is Your Parachute, another excellent book is Do What You Are by Paul D. Tieger & Barbara Barron-Tieger. Additionally, your community may have an employment office or Job Training Center that can provide excellent testing to help you uncover "What you want to be when you grow up!"
If that fails, then try some of the employment agencies in your area for testing...AND, another path to take may involve volunteer work in your area of interest and/or 'temping'. These are excellent ways to test the waters without commitment or another negative entry on your 'growing' resume.
Just so you know, I am sitting here doing this instead of sending out resumes myself...so don't do as I do, just...well, you know the rest! Hope it helps!
Jane
PS: BTW, I do not have ADD...so be a little easier on yourself!
Posted by KarenB on June 27, 2000, at 21:46:22
In reply to Desperately need help on new career add , posted by wayne on June 27, 2000, at 15:52:02
Wayne,
www.jocrf.org is the website for the Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation, the most thorough aptitude testing I know of. It's a two day test and costs $500 but it's well worth the money for anyone trying to find their natural strengths and skills for a career change. It is also the very best graduation present you could give to a teenager graduating from High School BEFORE they choose a major in college.
For those with ADD and anyone else for that matter, it's best to choose a job for which you are uniquely gifted and passionate. But, for those with ADD, it's REALLY HARD to hyperfocus on something unless you care about it passionately. My brother, years before I was diagnosed, said, "Karen dosen't listen at all until something catches her attention. Then, she says, "What??" I try - I really do try to listen but my mind just leaves the room sometimes without warning. What can I say?
Several years back, before we had the little ones (my current occupation about which I am passionate), I excelled in advertising sales. Kicked butt, so to speak, and was the top salesperson in the company for two straight years. I was involved in ad design and copywriting as well, which was an outlet for my creativity. This job came along after a long stream of boring jobs I cared nothing about.
There is hope - you just need to find your niche.
Karen
Posted by Janice on June 27, 2000, at 23:52:49
In reply to Desperately need help on new career add , posted by wayne on June 27, 2000, at 15:52:02
hi Wayne,
well you probably know this, but ADD people tend to do well when they work for themselves.
me + boss = disaster
why not try going out on your own doing something you love or something you already have experience with?
one idea, Janice
ps. I work best when my relations with others are fraternal (probably an ADD trait)
Posted by noa on June 28, 2000, at 15:34:17
In reply to Re: new career-aptitude test URL rambling, posted by KarenB on June 27, 2000, at 21:46:22
Have you thought about seeing a career/vocational counselor? This can be done privately, or through public vocational rehabilitation services, if you are elegible, or through some private non-profits, like Family Services, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Services, etc.
Posted by Kerry on June 29, 2000, at 10:24:19
In reply to Desperately need help on new career add , posted by wayne on June 27, 2000, at 15:52:02
Wayne,
I was poking around some bulletin boards and found a group you might be interested in. It focuses on ADDers who are trying to figure out what the hell to do with their lives! I'm going to subscribe just to check it out. Go to this site:
http://www.egroups.com/group/ADDLifeWork
and it's very easy to subscribe.
How are you, anyways? I called in sick for three days (beginning today) so now I have a LONG weekend. Hopefully I'll accomplish something during this time and not isolate as I'm prone to do. I've been thinking about you.
This is the end of the thread.
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