Harold’s mind wanders as he looks at the tax forms. He is an accountant with a deadline to complete a client’s 2009 tax return. He often daydreams at work, causing complications in his job performance. He has worked at his job for the past month and his boss has noticed his distractibility, lack of focus, and incompletion of tasks. Harold is worried that he will once again be fired from yet another job. Although diagnosed with ADD, Harold does not want his disability to hinder his job performance. Yet, he needs help. What should he do?
For individuals with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), their limitations affect their job performance. Their distractibility, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity can lead to inefficiency and low work production. In turn, this can lower their motivation and self-esteem. If this sounds familiar or describes you, do not despair. There are ways to improve job performance. Here are some tips:
Request a Private Office Space
This can be a private office or a private space where you can be void of outside distractions. This is helpful for individuals who are easily distracted by external stimuli (ie. co-workers talking, sound of fax machines, office music, etc.). Your own space allows you to be free from distractions while simultaneously focused on assigned tasks.
Keep a Daily Planner
Planning and keeping organized are also areas of difficulty for those with ADHD or ADD. Keeping a daily planner will allow you to record tasks, schedule meetings, and keep contact lists. If forgetting activities is something you suffer from, the solution can be in keeping a daily planner.
Exercise
If being hyperactive is an area of concern, exhaust some of that energy by taking a walk during your lunch time. Use your hour of lunch to exercise. If you can’t wait until lunch, intermittently take breaks and walk for 5-10 minute intervals. As stated in the article “Adult ADD/ADHD self-help: Tips for managing stress and boosting mood”, physical exercise will not only improve your health, it “…can relieve stress, boost your mood, and calm your mind, helping work off the excess energy.” This will in turn help you to focus on your job task which will increase job performance.
Keep a Notebook with You
If you are one who easily forgets your tasks or impulsively blurts out ideas, you can jot down these ideas or assignments in a notebook. This will help you to plan your ideas accordingly for the person who is inattentive. For the impulsive individual, this allows you to think first. Keeping a notebook helps with organization.
Using these modifications will help bring satisfaction to the ADD/ADHD employee at work. It will also lead to increased motivation and increased work production.
Sources:
Block, Jocelyn and Smith, Melinda. Adult ADD/ADHD self-help: Tips for managing stress and boosting mood. HelpGuide.org. (Retrieved on 1/23/2011)
Peter. Adult ADHD Life Strategies. Attention Deficit (Retrieved on 1/23/2011)
Tasha Kelley - By day, I am employed as a school psychologist who works with and assesses children with special needs. I have been blessed with a ...
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