Undiagnosed ADHD Could Be Keeping You From Landing Your Dream Career!
What if I told you your undiagnosed ADHD stands between you and your perfect job?
You’d think I’m crazy, right? ADHD is overused as an excuse. You just haven’t found your ideal job yet; that’s all. Besides, your current job is a nightmare. Who wouldn’t be disorganized in such a terrible place?
Sure, you have trouble getting to work on time, but it’s just because you’re unmotivated.
Because there’s no way you have ADHD.
Or is there?
Spotting ADHD In Yourself
Spotting ADHD in kids is pretty simple. But for adults, the symptoms are more subtle. Whereas, for example, kids may bounce off the walls, you’re restless. You can’t relax; even so, you’re surprised when people describe you as edgy or tense.
Are you one of those people who is forever late? No matter how hard you try, you just can’t get organized and out of the house on time.
While you’re driving, already tense because you know you’re late again, you’re more likely to drive erratically or speed.
ADHD in adulthood is equally prevalent in both men and women. It can be something you struggled with throughout your life or after an illness or trauma event – physical or mental.
Take The First Step
First, if you suspect you might have ADHD that’s interfering with your ability to have your dream career, I encourage you to take one of the free online tests that’s available.
While the test won’t take the place of an official diagnosis, it’s something you can do in the privacy of your own home as a first step toward discovering what’s going on with you.
You’ll be asked questions such as:
● How often do you make careless mistakes when you have to work on a boring or difficult project?
● How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts have been done?
● How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?
But note that your answer to any one of the questions doesn’t indicate you have ADHD, which is why getting an assessment by a qualified professional is important. An accurate assessment is a more complex undertaking than an online test.
The Power of Knowledge
If you receive a diagnosis of ADHD, take heart. You have newfound knowledge that will help give you accurate guidance toward your ideal career, much like an updated GPS will get you to your correct destination.
Though many helpful career aptitude tools exist, the most common test used to help people identify strengths and weakness in different categories is the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT). This online test will help you understand why you do well or struggle in certain areas. Not only can the DAT help to identify your aptitude, it can show how you best apply your aptitude.
Dig In to Get a Perspective
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be a profoundly unsettling experience.
You may feel ashamed.
Like there’s something wrong with you.
Or you may feel relieved. Finally, you have some answers.
You might feel angry, because you wish you’d had this information years ago. Your life would have been so much easier if only you’d known about your ADHD sooner. You would have made more informed choices. Let yourself off the hook for those times you felt freakish.
When you’re overcome with emotion, remember that you don’t have to go through this experience by yourself.
Seek help – a supportive friend; a therapist; or a coach can be invaluable for learning the many strategies out there to help you manage the weaknesses that come with having ADHD. There may be some advantages with the diagnsosis that can help you; like an incredible drive that helps get things done on tight deadlines. This could be a great value in a high demanding job requiring periodic pushes to meet timelines.
Be Happy For The Clarity and Go After That Job!
While you might at first be upset to discover you have ADHD, I encourage you to reframe your diagnosis in a positive light.
Now you have detailed knowledge to move forward and identify a career you’ll love; one that’s suitable for you in your wholeness that includes a diagnosis of ADHD.
You won’t be stuck in a job that doesn’t fit you and feeling like a failure because you just can’t seem to get it together.
Instead, you’ll free yourself to thrive in a profession that supports all of your talents and qualities with adjustments to your day to day actions to help manage your ADHD.
You’ll feel more satisfied with your life in mere knowing of your diagnosis and begin to identify the next steps to working with your ADHD and not against it anymore.
Once you face it and embrace it, landing that perfect job can happen!
Raz Coaching specializes in helping people with executive function challenges associated with ADHD, PTSD, Stress, TBI’s and ASD find careers they will love and land them. Read more at www.razcoaching.com/about Or sign up for the weekly blog or purchase my new book Happiness+Passion+Purpose.
