Okay,so my life seems to have settled into a weird but stable place career wise, and I wanted to share the details here for anyone who is looking for career changes. Perhaps you might get a tip or two from this.

No longer working at the computer store, but part time as both a security guard and selling books at Coles.

And I am really enjoying life right now!

The GOOD about security:

-I spend most of my shifts alone, indoors, unsupervised, and have autonomy to do things my way.
-I am able to think about and sometimes do things at work... the job mostly consists of me sitting on my butt.
-Variable hours means I often get to work at night instead of during the day.
-Not having an assigned location gives me variety in the places I have guarded... a high class hotel, two hospitals, a trade show, a high-rise apartment complex, a furniture store, a discount store, a women's clothing store... each of these places was fun to explore, and I learned things at each of them that I did not know before the shift there.
-Being only a part timer, I don't generally have a lot of paperwork or organization to deal with.

The GOOD about the bookstore:

-I LOVE books.
-I get 30% discount on books.
-I get to BORROW books.
-I get to "organize and collect" my section... I have a very strong collector's instinct.
-I enjoy being an authority on book knowledge to people who ask me questions on the subject.
-As a part timer, the pressure to sell loyalty cards, etc. is not as serious.
-New product is ALWAYS arriving... it's like opening Christmas presents to receive it! And I am always finding interesting things to look at on the shelf, I spend 100% of all of my breaks reading frantically. :D


The GOOD about two part time jobs:

-Odd schedules keep me off balance... working weird shifts, every day is novel because of it.
-Switching back and forth between two different jobs keeps me from getting too bored with one or the other.
-I have more friends and contacts now than I normally would.
-My paycheques are staggered, so I get paid every week instead of every other week.
-I am motivated to succeed at writing... because the bookstore keeps it in my mind and the security job gives me time to think about it and sometimes actually do it.

The BAD:

Nothing is perfect. I have little $ or hope for advancement at either job... but I am happy for now. :D

Just my thoughts, hopefully it may provide some insight to anyone looking for career changes in the short future...

Our society pay a premium to those who "stick" with a job and advance.

i have not figured out how CEO's develop... they rarely go from stock boy to top dog, but from one admin to the next, and they are always "moving." Seems like a perfect ADHD job... just not many of them around.

I still haven't figured out the dollars vs. ability thing either...

I think more than one job can be great for ADDers. I think one of the main reason people don't do it more is because here in the US because is employment benefits.

Many people are currently or have in the past worked at full time jobs that weren't good for us just so we can get health care benefits.

This is the right thread at the right time for me. I am currently collapsed in burnout from working full time in a position that carried extraordinary responsibilities (and accountability). I literally did nothing else.
I would much prefer to deal with the unpredictability of life than to pay this price. I also think I am overpaying for those benefits anyway. My drugs are cheap and I'm able to pay a dentist, if necessary. I didn't get around to availing myself of the other practioners, so I assume that I would be much better off simply restructuring my time.
I'd rather have a life than make a living.

It is a tradeoff. :( But I feel sane for once. :)

sane is great! relish it!

Thanks for sharing it!

It gives me hope.

Knowing you've been struggling for a while with this stuff, Paul....it's good to hear you are settled, somewhat stable and sane. Good for you for finding a way to make your career life work.....:)

Congrats, Paul!
I know for me, with the addition of computer network duties, my work day has become more fun. When one job wains the other takes over, if you know what I mean. Keeps me on my toes :D

saling books my dream job. ANd I have worked two jobs but usually out of boredom. I have worked at the same long term care facility for 11 years; but, have had many other jobs too. Just testing the waters I always end back at the nursing home--I have come to the conclusion this is were I belong.

WOOOOOOOO check out that typo lol

saling=selling

I was picturing myself sitting in the middle of the ocean on a book---scarry lol