I just recently realized that I have one of the worst jobs for someone with ADD, which I have along with anxiety and severe depression. Anyway I am the Administrative Assistant for the corporate staff of my company but I mainly work for the CEO. I have worked really hard at this job and have been here for quite some time. I started out as a high school co-op then a college intern and now I am a full time employee. When I was in high school I received numerous business awards and actually got a college scholarship and my bosses and coworkers thought that I just did a wonderful job. I am still in college pursuing a degree in office administration but my problem is that now I am not sure if this is the right job for me.

I used to love what I do but now it just seems like I am stressed to no end. I think that it might be my boss (the CEO), I swear that he has ADD or something. He cannot stay focused on one task, he constantly writes letters that make absolutely no sense and expects me to make sense of them and to top it all of he will do things like write the letters and expect them to be sent out right away. He does not understand that I have to prioritize my work and that I work for other people and not just him. And I am not the only one in my office that feels this way.

I just dont know what to do, I cant quit because I need the security and they pay for my school. I feel like I am not doing my job good enough and that I will get fired. One thing that has really been bothering me is that I accidently came across a note from my boss (the CEO) to the other assistant (she is my other boss) that said something about me not being a self starter. What does that mean and why dont they talk to me about it? I would really love anyones thoughts on this, am I just being crazy?

PS. Sorry if I rambled.

Do you wait to be asked to do things? How are your tasks and responsibilities handed down? Would you rather manage an office or own the company? What do you like most about what you do?

Do you wait to be asked to do things? How are your tasks and responsibilities handed down? Would you rather manage an office or own the company? What do you like most about what you do?
With my job I have to wait to be given things to do from people and there are some things that I just do as part of my job. He doesnt know or understand everything that I do everyday because I also work for other executives. I dont want to own the company and I used to like systems that I put into place here, I think I used to like typing memos/letters but now they just frustrate me and make my head spin when they are from him, I cant really think of what I like about my job is that bad?

If he doesn't know you work for other people or all the other things you do, I could clearly see how he would have issues with you. Have you told him about the other people you work for and things that you do or does he know and not care?

You seem to love business. What I meant earlier was would you rather start your own business? I have three and am opening a fourth in 2 months. Maybe you would be better suited to be the boss? Entrepreneurs have been found to have ADD characteristics or diagnosed ADD in up to 50% of groups sampled in the literature I have read. You have received many accolades and recognition in the past why not reach for the top?

Your boss probably does have ADD, many CEOs do. If he is unmedicated you might be in a no-win situation regarding his approval and appreciation.

If he doesn't know you work for other people or all the other things you do, I could clearly see how he would have issues with you. Have you told him about the other people you work for and things that you do or does he know and not care?

You seem to love business. What I meant earlier was would you rather start your own business? I have three and am opening a fourth in 2 months. Maybe you would be better suited to be the boss? Entrepreneurs have been found to have ADD characteristics or diagnosed ADD in up to 50% of groups sampled in the literature I have read. You have received many accolades and recognition in the past why not reach for the top?

Your boss probably does have ADD, many CEOs do. If he is unmedicated you might be in a no-win situation regarding his approval and appreciation.
He knows about the other people that I work for and he doesnt care, its like it is all about him. Sorry I didnt get the whole starting business thing, I have ADD speak to me slowly, LOL. Anyway you make a good point, I would love to be my own boss and accomplish something as great as you. My only problem is, what kind of business do I start and I am scared of all the risks. I have never heard that many CEOs have ADD, that is interesting. Thanks, you made me feel a lot better.

Ever heard of Malcom Forbes? (Forbes Magazine) Richard Branson? (Virgin Atlantic Airways) The CEO of Jet Blue Airways (I forgot his name). These guys are all millionare/billionaires and just a sample there is a long list. Imagine all those that haven't been diagnosed. I think the problem is that you don't realize you have been given a gift.

Do you owe these guys service after college if they are paying for your schooling? If not, I say forget office management and go for gold. You didn't win those business awards for nothing! I bet it had alot to do with your creativity and outside the box thinking coupled with high intelligence that many of us do not realize we possess until it is too late.

You are at a prime point in your life to make the most out of your gift. Are you on medication? If not, get on it. It's a wonderful thing that it does for your thinking ability. Mindblowing.

Starting a business is not anywhere near as difficult as you think. I can give you some ideas if you are interested. You can private message me if you want.

Wow that is amazing, I didnt know that those people have ADD. I just started accepting my ADD and actually talking to people about it when I started on this forum a few months ago and I am soo glad that I did, now I realize that there is nothing wrong with having ADD and I should not deny having it. Anyway I think I owe my work on year of service but I will definately take your advice. Thank you soo much, I have tried to talk to soo many people about this and they all look at me like I am crazy. You made me feel 100 percent better. :)

PS - I am medicated and have been every since I was diagnosed about seven years ago. I take 54mg of Concerta every day but I will be switching to Straterra in a few months because my insurance will not cover Concerta anymore (gotta love those insurance companies) which I am really scared about but I am pretty confidant that I can make the switch.