GOOD / BAD JOBS / CAREERS FOR ADDers? I am at that point I suspect is common to all who've discovered they have ADD late in life- trying to figure out what job / career I should go into next. I'm tired of bouncing from one job to the next every 2 years or so, and so would like to figure out a GOOD job (or at least the characteristics of a good job) for a person with ADD to have.
My interests; writing, acting, voice acting, construction, radio dj or talk show host, amateur masseuse, construction- both managerial and hands-on.

Well aforceforgood -- which one of these do you LOVE...do you feel PASSION-ate about?? That should giveyou some clue...what would you do if you weren't getting paid? Another clue.

And have you had any where you thought you were successful so far? If so, lean in that direction. If there are jobs where you failed miserably, or could imagine yourself doing so, then steer away from those.

For me, it took me 4 attempts in the SAME industry with the SAME type of job to find my niche and the right company for me, (plus I probably matured significantly along the way, which helped) and so I would say the *company* can make as much a difference as the job or job type you decide upon. For me, it was a combination of a flexible schedule, some built-in structure to the job (very important for me), and a company where I could actually be successful with the skill set I already had.

What were your reasons for leaving your previous positions? I would take a good hard, objective look at those reasons before you jump into another job you may or may not like or be suited for.

Well, I'm working on the radio thing right now, the reason I left my last position was that my freind/boss got to be too much of a pain in the butt, so I had to fire him so I could stay friends with him. What I would really like to do is to be able to support myself as a writer, but lack the discipline to write a novel...

So the moral of the story is...don't work for a friend? The boundaries are too iffy and could ruin a friendship? Instead of a novel, could you start with say, a short story?

It wasn't so much the boundaries as his constant complaining and fault finding. I wasn't the only one, either. When you make it impossible for someone to work for you by making everything they do wrong no matter what, you will find very few willing to work for you. Of course there are people out there with a personality able to deal with that type of managerial style, but I for sure am not it.
As for the short story thing, yeah, very good advice. unfortunately, the lure of the internet is strong, and after a couple pages tend to surf around with the rationalization that I'm getting "story ideas". Ah well. I guess it's just a matter of will. Or maybe motivation? Anyone have any suggestions on how to motivate yourself in an enduring way? I've found phatsoft's TMR program helpful- it pops up a message every fifteen minutes reminding me to stay on track, but a lot of the time I just ignore it, having gotten used to it... it's free too, and does a lot more, can start programs at a certain day or time, etc., but I've never had a need for that...

Hey aforceforgood: So relate to having trouble staying on task in favor of surfing the web....it's a wonder I've completed all my schoolwork...BUT one day I had a GREAT day staying on task. What was different about that day...WAS.....I had some school buddies with me....they were working on the same thing as I was...so it was easier to keep working on what I was supposed to be working on....in other words NOT relying on myself only...but being with other people....knowing that as long as they are there.....well.....straying is not really an option....:)

Glad you found something that works for you, and I appreciate the advice, maybe one of these days I will find a work situation with cool people like that that will enable me to shine. I am just not in that place right now. For now, I'm trying to keep my head above water and make a little forward progress too, in many different areas of my life at once. I'm one of those ADD people who loves people, but after a few solid days of them need some alone time, I spent all sunday alone, surfing the net, decompressing from the 3 days I spent having fun w friends.

Joan:

Interesting you use a quote from MW in your messages... I attend the Church of Today West, in Michigan, which is the sister congregation of the Church of Today/Renaissance Unity where M.W. was minister for a couple of years. I've even heard her speak. She's a great author... really speaks to me. :)

Eric: I LOVE Marianne WIlliamson. I have no books by her....but used to have TAPES by her....about love and relationships....that REALLY spoke to me....I used to listen to them constantly....I wonder if I still have them???.....may have gotten lost in move from Florida to Calif...:(..(one message she used to preach though is how we should love everyone in our lives EQUALLY...more or less that was the message)

That's a great quote- I'll have to check her out. Thanks!

Hey force

Myself have had many jobs now drive big truck

Love the control, 99 % alone all the time no politics, allways on the move, lots of travel, and they pay me for this

Bad things 4 wheelers, long hours

While I can definitely understand why you'd like it, and I've thought about it, I've heard there's over a 100% turnover rate in that field- how long have you been doing it?

I have worked for 6 companys in 3 years

you are correct on the 100 % turnover

You may question my work record driving in 3 years and ask why

This is arogance speaking in me

Becuase I can!!!!!!!

It took me 3 years to find a company that lets me work work when it suits me within reason

If Im needed Im expected to work but I do have the option of taking off time on a liberal reasonable base when it suits me

I drive truck for a small company that hauls farm commodities from farm to elevator type of job

Very relaxing driving listening to the tune talking on cb or just plain thinking and letting the creative juises flow in the mind

If you want more info please ask

Ps

You have to put in a year somewhere and get some experence so find a reputable company that plays by the rules

log book hours of service ect do your year then you can pick and choose

they are so hungry for drivers I could quit this morning and be driving again tommorow morning

There are companys with spare boards where you can tell them you only want to work friday saturday and sunday or monday tues wednesday or just on thursdays ect or 7 days a week whatever suits you.

you can work for 2 or 3 companys at the same time

lots of good points to it but there is bad stuff also its not all gravy

its very easy to make a grand a week (canadian)

and nobody cares if you twiddle your thumbs and sing away or scratch your but as you driving down the road alone

or you can run team

many many mnay choices

So far, the idea of this type of job -- truck driving -- does NOT appeal to me one bit. Glad it's working out for you, though. A grand a week, Canadian or otherwise, isn't much money either for being on the road all the time... IMHO.

$52,000 per year before taxes in American money...assuming 52 weeks per year....last I counted....what does this equal in Canadian money??? Excuse the ignorance....just curious....mind sharing??? and how much is taken out for taxes??? (sorry I'm job hunting now and everyone's asking, "what is my salary requirement"so I have money "on the brain" right now)

According to the Bank of Canada's web site, the going rate right now would mean that $1000 Canadian would equal 736.70 American.

Which would come out to be $38,000 a year gross income.

Are you sure Eric? It does not sound like a lot...(in American dollars...comparatively speaking...) I mean you're right...736.70 times 52 = 38,308 but is the 736.70 correct? Seems awfully low...

Yep. Checked it at Bank of Canada's web site. And considering the Canadian dollar doesn't go as far in the U.S. (and considering I live in a state bordering Canada, so we kind of keep an eye on the currency figures), it's correct as of today. It varies a little day to day, but not by too much.

Okay...$38,000 before taxes....not even close to what I will make as a dietitian....that's why I asked....I'm obsessed with jobs and money right now...sorry:( (guess I shouldn't move to Canada then???)

Actually I am kinda interested- what is a typical day/week like? Is the long-haul stuff more lucrative? I'd be more interested in going places I hadn't seen before than going back and forth between the same spot all the time. Isn't it tiring? I will typically camp out in my van a few days a week (radio show up in L.A., girlfriend in Canoga Park, and general wanderlust- it's easier than commuting back and forth to Torrance, plus I enjoy it) and I tend to be beat at the end of 3-4 days, and really looking forward to a real bed...

I lifeguard. It's not a career, but it's fun. I also teach swimming lessons. I love people, I like watching people, action attracts my attention, and I have a really high visual and verbal IQ... so it's perfect for me for now.

It's exciting sometimes b/c it's different everyday. I like helping people, and when I teach, the kids have about the same length of attention span as I, so it's all good. It's active, which is fun, and the lessons are only 3omins to an hour, twice a week. I teach about 4 different short classes in a shift, so it's constantly changing, different ability levels, different dynamics.
Lots of people coming through, lots of interesting characters.
Oh yeah, free pool and fitness facility access, and I now have some really amazing role models: a friend who broke a world record in swimming, and another friend who hold the Canadian record for freestyle! They are inspiring to me, b/c I see them come in to swim, I know them as normal people, and I realize that they are normal, and if they can do it, I can do what I set my heart to, even if it takes me longer. I also met someone who achieved my goal of going to world championships for tirathlon...and she is a single mom, full time university student, and on social assistance... so if she can do it, so can I (that is an actual quote from her to me...). She's so humble about it.

So that is why I like my job. Through teaching, I have figured that I want to go into education to teach english as a second language to young children... it's perfect b/c I would only be teaching small groups of children at a time, for shorter periods, it's one on one - less overwhelming - and I can set the pace, so organizing won't be too hard compared to a regular classroom.

I really feel this is my calling :)
~M

WOW...tons of water talent there in your role models...and I SOOO appreciate lifeguards Slowpoke....I went swimming about 5 times per week at the huge fitness facility offered at the school I just graduated from...and whenever the pool (huge olympic size and delightful) was open, a lifeguard was there....I mean I'm a good swimmer but it always felt safer to have a lifeguard there....Incidentally, the swimming really helps my depression a lot..and makes me sleep better too....

I think the teaching english as a second language sounds like a great career:)