Podcast Summary
Aligning career with passions for greater fulfillment: ADHD individuals should pursue careers that bring joy and fulfillment, and be open to change when not enjoying current path to align with authentic self, leading to renewed energy and overall well-being.
Finding a career aligned with your passions and joy is crucial for ADHD individuals, as it can lead to greater fulfillment and a sense of purpose. Kjell Mendelson, an ADHD career coach with a 35-year career in helping people find sustainable career direction, shares her personal experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how it led her back to her true calling. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when you're not enjoying what you're doing and making a change to align with your authentic self. This shift can bring a sense of relief and renewed energy, allowing you to thrive in your career and overall well-being.
Understanding the difference between life purpose and mission: Life purpose is our core essence, while a mission is a specific project or endeavor that aligns with it. Both contribute to overall fulfillment and alignment in life. Be intentional about choices and use body wisdom to create a sustainable career path.
Life purpose and mission are two distinct concepts. Life purpose refers to the overarching theme of who we are, while a mission is a project or endeavor that aligns with our purpose and has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It's important to understand both concepts, as they contribute to our overall sense of fulfillment and alignment in life. Furthermore, our life purpose is the essence of who we are, including our core values and what we want to impart to others. It's essential that our work aligns with our purpose, as we can physically feel when it doesn't. By being intentional about our choices and using our body wisdom as a guide, we can create a sustainable and fulfilling career path. Unfortunately, we're not taught these concepts from a young age, and life isn't linear. However, by recognizing the difference between life purpose and mission, we can make informed decisions about our careers and find greater satisfaction and alignment in our work.
Finding Meaningful Work for Those with ADHD: Identify and prioritize work elements that bring joy and productivity, such as flexibility, variety, and supportive colleagues, to find a purposeful and inclusive work environment for individuals with ADHD.
Finding meaningful work is essential for personal growth and happiness, especially for those with ADHD. With the amount of time spent in a job, it's crucial to have a reason to stay, something that excites and fulfills us. The work environment and culture play significant roles in our overall well-being. Unfortunately, ADHD is not always accepted or accommodated in the workplace, leading to unsustainable situations. Employers may view individuals with ADHD as liabilities rather than assets, and performance improvement programs can be used to push them out. To avoid this, it's essential to identify and prioritize the elements of work that bring joy and productivity, such as flexibility, variety, and supportive colleagues. By focusing on finding a purposeful and inclusive work environment, individuals with ADHD can thrive and reach their full potential.
Understanding ADHD and finding the right work environment: Individuals with ADHD need to identify and leave unhealthy work environments, prioritize self-care, and consider seeking support to thrive and succeed.
Finding the right fit in work environment is crucial for individuals with ADHD to thrive and succeed. A diagnosis and acceptance of ADHD can be a turning point, helping individuals understand their traits and abilities, and move away from environments that lead to burnout. Transitioning to a new path, whether it's self-employment or a new job, can be scary, especially financially, but taking a break and regrouping can be necessary for recovery and growth. It's essential to prioritize mental, emotional, and physical well-being and consider seeking support and resources to make the transition. Remember, the universe may intervene in drastic ways to push us towards our life purpose, and it's up to us to take that leap of faith.
Cautionary tale of a vocational rehabilitation counselor: Identifying and pursuing ideal work is crucial for mental and physical health. Use 'What Color is Your Parachute?' process to find work that resonates and consider requesting reasonable accommodations.
Working in a job that doesn't align with your skills and passions can have detrimental effects on your mental and physical health, especially for individuals with ADHD. The story shared was about a colleague who, as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, faced numerous challenges daily, leading to emotional and mental exhaustion. Despite his struggles, he remained in the job due to his goal of retirement. However, soon after retiring, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away. This unfortunate incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of identifying and pursuing ideal work. The "What Color is Your Parachute?" process can help individuals with ADHD sift and sort their skills, preferred working conditions, and other factors to find work that truly resonates with them. Additionally, individuals diagnosed with certain conditions, including ADHD, can request reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to help them thrive in their jobs.
Creating a work environment that suits your unique needs: Making choices that align with individual needs, even if it means taking risks, is crucial for productivity and overall well-being for those with ADHD or other conditions requiring specific accommodations.
Creating a work environment that accommodates your unique needs is crucial for productivity and overall well-being, especially for individuals with ADHD or other conditions that require specific accommodations. The speaker shares her personal experience of feeling overwhelmed and unable to thrive in traditional office settings with open plans, hot desking, and constant meetings. She emphasizes the importance of self-accommodation and making choices that align with your individual needs, even if it means taking risks and making scary choices. The speaker also highlights the privilege of being able to make such choices and encourages everyone to pay attention to the little things that reveal what we truly want and need in our work environments.
Identifying and prioritizing career needs for ADHD individuals: Empower yourself by articulating work environment, culture, and personal preference needs for a successful and fulfilling career as an individual with ADHD
Identifying and prioritizing what you truly want and need in a career is crucial for success and happiness, especially for individuals with ADHD. This includes considering factors like work environment, culture, meetings, and personal preferences. It's essential to articulate these needs and own them, as this empowers you to have productive conversations with potential employers. The importance of prioritizing what matters most cannot be overstated, as compromises can be made on lesser priorities. Additionally, there's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to ideal careers for individuals with ADHD. Instead, it's essential to explore fields that fascinate you and align with your unique strengths and interests. Remember, the process of discovering your ideal career is nuanced and complex, and it's essential to define what success means to you personally.
Understanding Yourself for Career Success: Identify strengths, passions, values, doubts, and fears to create a personalized career path. Own your unique self to make a meaningful contribution.
Defining your career path or finding your calling is not a straightforward process, but rather an overlapping journey of self-discovery. It's essential to understand that different aspects of your life and experiences will intersect and inform your work. This can be especially challenging for individuals with ADHD, who may face internal and external doubts and fears. To navigate this process, it's crucial to identify and articulate all the elements that make up your unique self and your goals. This includes understanding your strengths, passions, and values, as well as the doubts and fears that may hold you back. By acknowledging and owning these different parts of yourself, you can begin to create a roadmap for your future that aligns with who you truly are and allows you to make a meaningful contribution to the world. Remember, there are many ways to express your talents and interests, so be open to exploring creative solutions and possibilities. And don't let the gremlins of self-doubt hold you back from pursuing your dreams.
Recognizing limiting beliefs and external voices: Choose not to believe voices that prevent you from pursuing ideas and passions. Create a safe space to explore and learn without external influence, and incorporate elements of your dreams into your work. Confidence and calculated risks can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.
Limiting beliefs and external voices can prevent us from pursuing our ideas and passions. It's important to recognize these voices and choose not to believe them. Creating a safe space to explore and learn without external influence can help us gain confidence and take action towards our goals. Everyone has dreams and desires, and it's essential to incorporate elements of them into our work, even if it's not an exact fit. Confidence is key, and allowing ourselves to ask "what if" and take calculated risks can lead to personal growth and fulfillment. As children, we're encouraged to use our imagination and explore big possibilities, but as adults, we often suppress these creative impulses. Giving ourselves permission to explore "what if" scenarios and take small steps towards our goals can help us rediscover the joy and excitement of learning and growth.
Overcoming setbacks with a curious mindset: Joining a supportive community can help individuals with ADHD navigate career setbacks and learn effective strategies for growth and success.
Setbacks are inevitable in life, but with a curious and imaginative mindset, we can overcome them. This is especially important for individuals with ADHD, who may benefit from the support of a nonjudgmental community going through similar experiences. Kjell Runquist, a career coach specializing in ADHD, emphasizes the importance of taking the first step in one's career development through his 8-week masterclass. By working with a group of like-minded individuals, individuals can gain valuable insights about themselves and learn effective strategies for navigating their careers. Kjell's approach not only helps individuals in career crises but also empowers them to prosper, thrive, and be abundant. For those interested in Kjell's coaching, they can visit his website, www.passiontocareer.com, to learn more and sign up for his masterclass. Kjell's work has the potential to change lives, relationships, and dynamics, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking self-healing, self-exploration, and self-acceptance.