My overcompensating thing is that I *hate* being interrupted and usually refuse to chat or joke with coworkers in my office so I don't appear to be slacking (my actual teammates are mostly not in the same office). I also often work like 9 hours, because I know I lost an hour of that to distractions or whatever and I don't feel comfortable charging the company for that hour, so I charge 8.
I am fully aware that neurotypical folks occasionally pause during their paid hours to chat and sometimes round up on their timesheets, but I feel like I have to be above reproach and fully confident in my own work.
I have three digital to do lists at work, just so I can feel comfortable I’m not going to let stuff fall through the cracks. Just today I decided to try a new organisation app for work. I feel the need to keep looking for the perfect organisational tool that will help me work like everyone else. So yeah I guess this resonates!
This is excellent timing for me. I just bought an "Ultimate Life Planner for ADHD Adults" template (I know, a mouthful) for Notion last Friday. The initial excitement helped me get started with it; I spent quite a lot of time figuring it out, personalizing it, etc. Here I am on Wednesday, and I have not touched it since that initial setup. Don't worry, I have been feeling guilty about not using it since Saturday :facepalm:. My trusty physical planner works for me, so I don't understand why I need to go looking for more "optimized solutions". Thank you for this reminder!
This really resonates with me. I'm autistic too, apparently, and am really trying to find help and workarounds but so far not made that much progress in spite of endless questing. Diagnosis has led to greater self understanding and compassion tho, so extremely valuable in that sense... Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this! Honestly I’m still learning and finding workarounds 3 years into my diagnosis. It changes with every new job or life experience. Have a great day
Your points really resonate with me! I have been trying to use my colleagues and support staff to make my job easier, for example I purposefully booked time with my Teacher Aide to get my workspace and filing cabinet organised. Seriously, it was an incredible experience to have a (non-judgy) person help me sort and talk through organisational decisions. Most of the time though, he just said “keep going! You’re doing great!”. Definitely doing this more often. A person is not an island.
I overplan before I have all of the details about whatever it is I am planning, and put the cart before the horse constantly because it makes me feel in control. Usually it’s in vain as I have to go back and change things…wasted time and not really productive in the end. I know this rationally, yet I still can’t stop myself. I feel the need to appear like I “have it together.” Total overcompensation on my part.
My overcompensating thing is that I *hate* being interrupted and usually refuse to chat or joke with coworkers in my office so I don't appear to be slacking (my actual teammates are mostly not in the same office). I also often work like 9 hours, because I know I lost an hour of that to distractions or whatever and I don't feel comfortable charging the company for that hour, so I charge 8.
I am fully aware that neurotypical folks occasionally pause during their paid hours to chat and sometimes round up on their timesheets, but I feel like I have to be above reproach and fully confident in my own work.
I’m with you on working longer hours at time
I have three digital to do lists at work, just so I can feel comfortable I’m not going to let stuff fall through the cracks. Just today I decided to try a new organisation app for work. I feel the need to keep looking for the perfect organisational tool that will help me work like everyone else. So yeah I guess this resonates!
Ahh hopefully you find the one that works for you
This is excellent timing for me. I just bought an "Ultimate Life Planner for ADHD Adults" template (I know, a mouthful) for Notion last Friday. The initial excitement helped me get started with it; I spent quite a lot of time figuring it out, personalizing it, etc. Here I am on Wednesday, and I have not touched it since that initial setup. Don't worry, I have been feeling guilty about not using it since Saturday :facepalm:. My trusty physical planner works for me, so I don't understand why I need to go looking for more "optimized solutions". Thank you for this reminder!
No worries! Yeah sometimes I need a reminder that I should stick with what works. But not harm in trying new things out
This really resonates with me. I'm autistic too, apparently, and am really trying to find help and workarounds but so far not made that much progress in spite of endless questing. Diagnosis has led to greater self understanding and compassion tho, so extremely valuable in that sense... Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this! Honestly I’m still learning and finding workarounds 3 years into my diagnosis. It changes with every new job or life experience. Have a great day
Your points really resonate with me! I have been trying to use my colleagues and support staff to make my job easier, for example I purposefully booked time with my Teacher Aide to get my workspace and filing cabinet organised. Seriously, it was an incredible experience to have a (non-judgy) person help me sort and talk through organisational decisions. Most of the time though, he just said “keep going! You’re doing great!”. Definitely doing this more often. A person is not an island.
Sounds like a great cheerleader!
Right on the mark, Rach!
Thanks Cam! This means a lot coming from you
Love this! ♥️
I overplan before I have all of the details about whatever it is I am planning, and put the cart before the horse constantly because it makes me feel in control. Usually it’s in vain as I have to go back and change things…wasted time and not really productive in the end. I know this rationally, yet I still can’t stop myself. I feel the need to appear like I “have it together.” Total overcompensation on my part.
Nearly all behavioral and cognitive techniques have proved useless for me.
#Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #Autistic #Autism #AutisticAdult #ADHD #AuDHD
Let’s review they involve these executive functions…. deciding, switiching course, comparing and evaluating… naturally even more.
They also require establishing new habits…
Superior intereoception…
and we haven’t even tackled overcoming the the ruts that traumatic stress create in the brain.
What these techniques did for me? Transferred wealth to the professional class.
Nothing more.