Neurodiversity and 'Professional' Life

So in a previous article I shared about my recent diagnosis of ADHD.

Most of my life including my professional career I have struggled with 'Am I in the right job/Career?'

This goes back to when I was a child, every six months I changed what I wanted to be when I grew up. Nothing sounded like something I wanted to do long-term, except maybe being a Doctor. I even looked up how long it would take me to be a Doctor and after finding out the length and rigor it needed, I said "bye Felicia" mainly because the thought of doing something or committing to something for over 10 years sounded exhausting.

I would go through cycles of hyper productivity and absolute laziness. Not enough to get fired or be put on a PIP but the laziness was there. This made me question whether recruiting was the right fit for me.

Maybe I'd be more satisfied long term with teaching, or software engineering, or data analytics or maybe I could learn to be a lifestyle influencer.....

I thought the issue was the field that I was in and not me. Could it have been the field? Sure. Is it? Nope!

After being diagnosed and being on medication I realized the problem was me and not the field.

I love recruiting and I truly do mean love!

Do I have 'lazy' moments since I have been on medication? Yes. But they haven't been as drastic.

Now you might be thinking, 'Tejal, what does this have to do with my career?'

When I posted the first time about my diagnosis, I had so many people reach out and say that they're now going to see if they can get a diagnosis since they related to what I mentioned.

Knowledge is power and when you get the diagnosis, it is absolutely freeing.

What I described above might sound like you. It might not be ADHD, it could be burnout or something else, but we can't solve what we don't address.

How do you identify which is it? Here are some questions to get you started.

1. Is something that's recent or has this always been there? (this might take sometime to evaluate)
2. Have you spent long hours recently at work and are exhausted?
3. What made you first get into this field? And why have you stayed in this field?
4. Are there other areas in your life that you feel that you need a constant change with too?
5. Do you get bored or disengaged very quickly?
6. Is this feeling only for work or other areas in your life too?

These questions might help you identify what's the root cause and help you identify more question you want to ask yourself about your career.

When we talk about mental health in the workplace, we often discuss depression or burn out, we don't discuss other aspects that are classified under mental health but somehow we don't think are mental health topics.

PS: I am on twitter, follow me if you'd like some humor or random musings @coffeeandtejal