I've read a lot of people on here saying that they have an ADD friendly job or business. Myself, I've had a million jobs and businesses, you can see my list on the "Jobs - List Them" thread on this particular forum. However, I can't ever find anything that I'm truly happy with. Nothing makes me feel challenged. I really enjoy starting businesses, not so much running them.

Is there anyone else here that enjoys starting businesses and maybe selling them or doing something else with them? If not, what do you enjoy doing for a living?

I'm trying to find my place in the business world, but I've had a difficult time. I've always been very disappointed in myself because I had an opportunity to go to just about any college I wanted on an academic scholarship, but I passed by that chance to continue working for a company that could have provided me a six-figure job. Try telling an 18 year old kid that they need to go to college when they're making more money than anyone they know and have the opportunity to make over 100k in the next year or two. In the end, that company developed problems and things didn't work out, but by then college opportunities had passed me by. So, I think I'm still trying to prove to myself that I can be a great businessman, but I can't stay focused on one business long enough to realize that success.

So, give me your best suggestions. I would love to see what others do or think I could do to find more happiness in my business life.

You're not alone Mike - I have similar issues. Fitting in at jobs and working for other people is a daily struggle. I feel that I have to work twice as hard to do easy jobs than those around me.

I have enjoyed starting new businesses in the past, but when they are established the day to day management becomes boring and I want to move on. Unfortunately I don't have a real solution but I've decided to list my skills along with the things that will keep me interested and the things that I need to avoid at work to see if I can find something that will fit.

I've found this book to be quite useful. It doesn't have all the answers, but it does explain the ADHD personality differences and how they can be used to your advantage in the right business situations.

http://www.amazon.com/ADHD-Secrets-Success-Coaching-Fulfillment/dp/1590790170/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214842187&sr=8-1

Good luck.

I work in a newsroom. Fast paced and ever changing, I focus well when things are moving and I can work in the moment. On slow days I have a real problem.

It's not actually a job - but I do volunteer at my church as part of the video/tech team. Basically, it's a live production for each service - directing the camera operators on which shots to get, fading in song lyrics, PowerPoint graphics, DVD clips. There is a TON of stuff happening at once but seems to suit me perfect and it's a great creative outlet.

I managed a couple of different horse farms and LOVED the work. The downside was that, in both cases, my boss/supervisors were very controlling/micro-managers. It made me nervous, so I focused more on not making mistakes than on doing my job right. The more controlling they were, the more difficulty I had managing my time. But when left to my own, I accomplished a lot more and felt more personal satisfaction in the work I was doing.

Audrey

I am a firefighter/paramedic for a living. I think that my job fits me perfect. It gives me sudden high paced rushes of adrenaline and also while providing care for patients there is a procedure for me to follow so my mind is used to a routine, which was one of my biggest problems. In general life I can't barely do 2 things at the same time let alone more. On the other hand, in the back on an ambulance I can do a million different things all at once and still keep thinking about what has to be done next. I think that it is a pretty strange thing but kind of cool, and something that I really enjoy doing. That is my 2 cents, does this help??

I am in the same boat, and working with several different therapists and counselors about this.

What I have learned is basic, if you are interested and have a job that works, its a good job for you. Personally, I have no interest in the jobs posed, and am looking for work in other areas. You should do the same thing, and look at your heart and figure out what you want to do. Then go get that job.

I'm a road sweeper, which is really good for my ADHD; no boss breathing down my neck, plenty of physical activity to work off the hyperactivity, ever-changing environment, always more than enough to do...the days fly by!

I wish I could figure this out. After a bunch of "bad" jobs, the word "job" gets me super depressed.

I'd start out the best employee they'd ever had. I'd break all the records for learning new stuff/getting stuff done. After a few days, I'd get bored... and then the bosses were all super micromanaging and would give you two million things to do at once. THen, if you haven't finished the first thing they told you to do by the time they got done talking, you'd get yelled at...

I just want to make a living doing what I'm good at.

Have you considered starting business then selling them ????? Kind of like realstate but different in that you begin a business to get it going and then you sale it once it is stable ????

server jobs are usually ADHD friendly.
......I have severe issues with esteem and confidence, because of drug damage, adhd,
the job I just got fired from for being "a little different"

....I just started working in a bakery, decorating cakes.it's very "only childish" ...in other words, you do it alone.
"teamwork" is becoming a word that I dread these days, because my methods, even tho effective, create so many questions "why?"
......that is puts me behind explaining my reasoning.
I'd rather work alone.

I am looking to find ways that my non-linear way of thinking can make me money!

I think that consulting can be great for ADD, especially if you are of the "Gifted Nature"

This is because we are able to walk into a situation without knowing the ins and outs and provide solutions. We do not have to rely on linear thinking or problem solving. We can feel the answer, or we can find an answer without having to understand the whole process.

Sorry for the poor spelling.

I would love to be in consulting but have absolutely no clue how to get my foot in the door.

I would love to be in consulting but have absolutely no clue how to get my foot in the door.

Me too! I've looked into it before, as I have a wide array of business experience, I love working with other business owners, I have a million ideas, and I'm excellent at spotting potential problems before they happen. That said, I myself am little more than a small business owner, I don't have a college degree, I don't have experience with some large Fortune 500 type company, etc. It doesn't matter what my experiences are or how smart or how much of a critical thinker that I may be, because I just don't think that I have the credentials to be a consultant. I would love it though.

Have you considered starting business then selling them ????? Kind of like realstate but different in that you begin a business to get it going and then you sale it once it is stable ????

That is a good idea, one that was recommended to me on a business forum by a person that just happened to be a former ADD doctor. He recommened starting businesses and then selling them because my enjoyment is more on the starting side than the running side of things. Starting a business is far more stimulating, seeing something take shape from just an idea.

Right now I'm taking an idea that I had and putting it into action. I have really planned this out. Hopefully it will have some success. Once I get it up and going, then we'll see where life takes me. I've already got more ideas in mind, and several people are kind of after me to start another business for them to participate in. So, there is always something going on. However, I'm trying to focus on only one new thing at a time and I want to see how that goes before really thinking too hard about something else. That has always been a big problem of mine, as I get too distracted by other ideas and leave what could have been a good one behind without following through.

Thanks for the advice.

Beware of consulting jobs.... while the job itself may be A1 the big difficulty is that consultants are often expected to produce output which validates the opinion of the senior guy who hired the consultant.

In addition consultants are often hred to produce a given result.... even if the result is illogical. Having been in this stuation a couple of times I can say that being ADD means that one can knock the socks off other non-ADD consultants in terms of work quality however the results, while accurate, logical and balanced often do not result in good references for future work.

I also have a theory that many high stimulation jobs, where actual life and death decisions are made in often chaotic environments are seen as high altruism "low status" sectors with consequently low pay and benefits.

For the ADDer this can get a little annoying!

It's interesting that high status individuals rarely have jobs where they have to make decisions affecting anything but bank balances.

Being a serial entrepreneur is a good ADD option... as long as you've got a good nose for findng the right people to do the admin side of things. To some extent working as a serial entrepreneur with a couple of others who know each others strengths and weaknesses and respect each other is probably the best ADD life I could think of.

As far as my life s concerned the arrival of family definately made t alot more difficult to fit ADD, reasonably lucrative employment and personal development into one life.

As long as I could immerse myself totally in what I was doing I was OK.... once I had to context switch between work and family I went into meltdown big style.

kilt

Me too! I've looked into it before, as I have a wide array of business experience, I love working with other business owners, I have a million ideas, and I'm excellent at spotting potential problems before they happen. That said, I myself am little more than a small business owner, I don't have a college degree, I don't have experience with some large Fortune 500 type company, etc. It doesn't matter what my experiences are or how smart or how much of a critical thinker that I may be, because I just don't think that I have the credentials to be a consultant. I would love it though.

Exactly... For me, I'd want to work in the ag industry -- preferably helping farmers /ranchers become more profitable. Problem is, I'm not a guy, I'm not from a farming family, and the ones I'd like to help most likely couldn't pay me.

The tough part with consulting, it seems most of the job is to sell people on your idea and either implement it or get them too...



Beware of consulting jobs.... while the job itself may be A1 the big difficulty is that consultants are often expected to produce output which validates the opinion of the senior guy who hired the consultant.

In addition consultants are often hred to produce a given result.... even if the result is illogical. Having been in this stuation a couple of times I can say that being ADD means that one can knock the socks off other non-ADD consultants in terms of work quality however the results, while accurate, logical and balanced often do not result in good references for future work.

I also have a theory that many high stimulation jobs, where actual life and death decisions are made in often chaotic environments are seen as high altruism "low status" sectors with consequently low pay and benefits.

For the ADDer this can get a little annoying!

It's interesting that high status individuals rarely have jobs where they have to make decisions affecting anything but bank balances.

Being a serial entrepreneur is a good ADD option... as long as you've got a good nose for findng the right people to do the admin side of things. To some extent working as a serial entrepreneur with a couple of others who know each others strengths and weaknesses and respect each other is probably the best ADD life I could think of.

As far as my life s concerned the arrival of family definately made t alot more difficult to fit ADD, reasonably lucrative employment and personal development into one life.

As long as I could immerse myself totally in what I was doing I was OK.... once I had to context switch between work and family I went into meltdown big style.

kilt

Very true about high stimulation jobs. :(

And, about switching context, it is absolutely impossible for me to switch gears too.

Makes things difficult that's for sure.

Great info!

MR_ADD

I've been a high school teacher for the last five years. (Now I'm a full-time student again.) For two of those years, I worked at one of the most chaotic high schools in Houston.

I had a great time with the students there. Everyday was really stimulating, and I thought it was a great fit for me. I never had a boring day.

That said, I struggled and continued to struggle with paperwork issues, including those darn attendance forms. I've never been good with the little details. I also had to be extra-super vigilant with student work as well. But I compensated by feeding off the energy of my students.

I had fifty minute periods, and I made sure we changed the stimulus every 10 minutes. I required that students move around at least twice every period. This helped with my AD/HD, and it helped my students stay focused.

I think teaching, in the right environment, can be a great career for AD/HD folks.

I became a firefighter because I though it was a good choice for my ADHD. I can tell you. NO ITS NOT!!! I don not think like 98% of my co-workers! They think of golf, I think of Sci Fi. When I get off from the fire dept. I don't go to a second job. One job is enought. (It also helps a don't have a family) I need one job for a primary inattentive ADDer! Does any ADDers reader this thread got any ideas?
Timbo

my job of choice now would be bed tester, or sleeping policeman (joke).

my career was electronics/computing, but unable to work for last 13 years due to sleepines

I dont think anyhting like anyone else I know. I dont think I would consider a job without effective medication wich made me more normal but i certainly would never be ordinary!

There are 2 recent thread on the subject. Try these for some tips:

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54157

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55184

I agree. Holding a job requires so much energy that by the end of the day I'm pooped. Mind you I have to extend my day out to the night because of gross inefficiency. I don't know how people hold down two jobs.

I would think a good PI job would be something based on academia or research. A place where there's no rush or demand. Lots of things happening.... However, wherever you turn the world is going procedure crazy.... Procedure this procedure that. Ugh. I hate it. I can imagine it'd be the same with academia as well.

Whatever the job, having a good manager that understands how to manage you is worth his/her weight in gold. They will understand that you need space to work, flexible yet structured.

My IT job is VERY flexible. I can pick and choose when to work from home as long as I'm physically present for a weekly meeting. I have several projects running at once, and constantly flip between them. I'm essentially a one man show that does everything. A large multi-national - lots of things happening all the time. I think it's perfect for an ADDer.

I do not think there is a single "magic" job for any one no matter what the ADD sub-type is - we are all individuals with various interest and temperaments - you don't like fire fighting some one in a previous post though it was perfect. . .

Well i do landscaping right now i could not ask for a better job i get to always stay busy, and have a wide varity of things that i get to do. Just does not pay enough.

I was a nursing home social worker for 5 years and always felt way overwhelmed with all of the paper work, multi-tasking, & constant interruptions I had to deal with every day. I working with the people so that is the part I miss.

Now I am a furniture sales person and have to say that I really do enjoy it. Often I am very busy so I rarely get bored. I love working with people to solve their problems and I am forced to constantly be aware of my mannerisms & what I say. If I say or do the wrong thing I will lose the sale. Knowing that my income and success depend directly on me being "normal" is a huge motivator for me.

Best of all, when I leave at night I am not stressed out wondering what I forgot to get done that day.