How many think that self employment and ADD can go together, or is it not a good fit? I was wondering because now that I am unemployed I was thinking of trying to start a business that I have wanted to do for a very long time. But I am afraid that with my ADD, things will go out of control.

My mum has ADD inattentive type, she has her own business and does really well, she's alot happier doing what she likes.

I think you will be ok because it will be on your own terms and you can work the way thats best for you. You will have to be very organised though, my mum has like a million notes and labels everywhere and she has alot of planners and stuff, if she stopped being organised just for one second then everything could easily fall apart.

I understand that being organised is really hard for people with ADD but believe me it can be done.

I think it presents its own challenges, as much or more than working for someone else. I have had a ton of great ideas (or ones I think are great, ha) throughtout my life, but the lack of ability to develop and follow-through on the idea, are, well, you know....lacking, to say the least. Finding the right support system could definitely increase our chances, but that's fraught with pitfalls, too. I think it's much harder when we're more vulnerable, too---like with me, just losing my job (and you, too)....But, on the other hand, I think it's an aspiration worth at least exploring, or maybe even working on while we're employed by the dreadful "someone else"....:)

I've been self employed for 25 years or so. It's been fine for the most part, but my expectations aren't geared toward being a business maven. I am more artist than business head, so have taken my profit in time and freedom rather than generating money.

Sometimes it's difficult to celebrate those things as they aren't as often supported in my culture, but my kids seem to have benefited from my efforts and that's heart warming in the deepest ways. I still struggle with organisation and discipline. I'm not sure I was cut out to be self employed, but I know with certainty that working in a place where I would have to work a less than best idea under a bosses orders, would be suicide. Hope that makes sense! :D
Cheers! Ian

I've been self employed for the past 7 years. It has its ups and downs. I now have a job that requires me to reach a certain number a day and I'm doing well with it. The past companies I worked for didn't require this and I knew that and getting myself motivated to work was a challenge.

I say go for it. I dont know much about self employment and ADD but it will never hurt to try. Maybe you could be a big success.

I have been self-employeed for the last year. I started my housecleaning business, because I just tired of the bs that goes along with management positions and the long hours that have to be put in when you work retail. I know some of you all know too well what I am referring to.

Before which has only been a month and half after being dx my business was soo only because I didn't have my heart into it. I didn't have any ambition to increase my income. I felt as long as I contributed to my part of the household was good enough. I have always made more than the men I have been married to so this time I wasn't going to push any more. The more you make the more they spend.

Housecleaning plays adhovic on my self-esteem. However, I have noticed a change in my attitude toward my business. I seem to have the push to make more and physically handle 3 houses a day. Before I only wanted 2 a day. Now I am ready to take them all on. The money is very good. I work alone and my clients prefer that. I don't have to worry about scheduling, workcomp, theft. I'm my on show.

I have my scheduling calendar. I even write their names of their children and pets in my book so I won't forget. The key keep notes. Sometimes I do forget where I put the notes lol.

With add xr when the meds kick in you can really go if you have a plan. When I don't have a plan I'm content to sit and focus on my thoughts and that's what I am currently working on now. When I get like this, I make myself get started in on another project whether it be washing clothes, doing crafts, gardening or looking at the posts on the forum. I do better when I'm doing something.

The more I think about starting my own bussiness the more I like it. Could set my own hours, be my own boss, ect ect ect. the thing that really scares me is the money needed to start it up. I dont have any, nor do I have a rich relitive that could loan me the money.(darn:( ) So I will have to do more research on how to start, how to raise the money, and all that stuff. Thank you all for your replies, it has really helped. Ill let you know more as time goes on.

Well in a way i have started on a home based business. I am doing some desk top publishing. creating business cards, digital photo albums, and slideshows. Have a couple orders now and hope it grows. this is not the end all yet, still out there looking.

Hello,

I have been self employed for one year. I love it!!!! Its frustrating because sometimes I can't get out of my own way in order to be successful. I have a fabulous Appraisal business, and the clients that I have use me as their primary Appraiser. I am to a point that I am actually able to turn work away. Here are some of the pros and cons...

Pros:

1. Able to have unlimited income, your company is what you make it. Nobody can limit you anymore on your salary.
2. Able to work as many or as little hours as you choose.
3. Able to have freedom...no more cubicals for me
4. Doing what you love to do, not what someone else is requiring you to do
in a job description


Cons:

1. Always with NO EXCEPTIONS give yourself at least an hour a
day to do whatever you want, surf the net, goof off, listen to music. Just
total brain check out time...you will need it. The responsibilty is sometimes overwhelming.

2. Save money first....figure out how much you will need to earn in net income per month and save three months worth of paychecks first.

3. Add up all your expenses for the year. Then add 10% to the total for the unexpected.

4. As soon as financially possible hire an assistant. Even if you have to hire someone part time. Or hire an accountant to take care of all the details. They aren't as expensive as you might think. You need to concentrate on so many other aspects of your business.

Just remember the goal is to work so that you can live...don't live to work!!!

Good Luck!!!

Deb

That is awesome! Again, you sound like me. I love photography and graphic design--but don't consider myself professional or truly "in business" with either. BUT, I have made income, albeit paltry, from both. I do these things because I love them, not with the goal of making money as my primary motivation. (my websites are in my profile) If I make the same progress I've made in the last 5 years, in the next 5 years, well there might be hope for li'l ol' me afterall! On the other hand, I had an interview yesteday and thought I was going to jump out the teeny tiny little window before it was over! The experience has helped me to feel even more determined, at least for today, to do more of what's in my heart--just have to keep pushing the negative thoughts away, one by one!

Keep on keeping on, Lunaslobo!

Sandi


Well in a way i have started on a home based business. I am doing some desk top publishing. creating business cards, digital photo albums, and slideshows. Have a couple orders now and hope it grows. this is not the end all yet, still out there looking.

hey thanks a lot :) . You know over the weekend i was working on the projects for my new(and only:rolleyes: ) client. and it felt so good to D.D. adults through out the day, in kind of an adult day care setting. So itl would be only mon thru fri. Wish me luck. Ill keep you posted.

wow, I would like to thank you lunaslobo for asking this question!!
I've been pondering doing some freelance web design on the side. I currently do a website for my friend (& Bassist) and he has been kinda pushing me to do more of my own thing for a living rather than working a day job.

I have to admit, I have been thinking of either going into web design, or even music for video games or something like that (as I have a strong love of music as well). I know I can be good @ either, but I just have a hard time building confidence to do it. Also it doesn't help that I am married and my wife is heavily focused on finances and just trying to see to it that the bills are paid. She gets nervous if I even think about spending money on anything other than the necessities. That's why I have a separate bank account.

I've thought about total self-employment before... It would have it's advantages and disadvantages with respect to ADD. If one can get past the hurdles of organization, self-motivation and so forth, then I think it would be a great opportunity. For me, myself, I don't think I'm at that point yet.

My dad is self-employeed with LD(probably ADD as well). He was never a "company man", fired from three or four jobs, then started a PR(public relations) business over 18 years ago, the rest is history. I have never been much of a work, team-player. I don't like office politics, backstabing by you're fellow co-workers to get ahead, most bosses, and the overall corporate/company culture(money, money, money). The more reading I do on socialism, the more I like it! of course our political system has most American's brain-washed into believing that a socialist society is absolutely horrible. Opps, sorry for the political rant.

My dad is self-employeed with LD(probably ADD as well). He was never a "company man", fired from three or four jobs, then started a PR(public relations) business over 18 years ago, the rest is history. I have never been much of a work, team-player. I don't like office politics, backstabing by you're fellow co-workers to get ahead, most bosses, and the overall corporate/company culture(money, money, money). The more reading I do on socialism, the more I like it! of course our political system has most American's brain-washed into believing that a socialist society is absolutely horrible. Opps, sorry for the political rant.Woah Woah Woah, ey, ey, ey!!! Be Careful man, or the government might investigate you!! (JK;))

I'm a socialist and I am not ashamed of it :)