Trying a New Organization Tool..Hello, ToodleDo!!!

03/03/2012

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I am using this blog to determine whether I should move forward for assessment for myself for either ADHD or Asperger's. This post will address the following ADHD Traits: 
  • difficulty with organization
  • Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • easily distracted
  •  forgetful in daily activities

(information from  Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
My organization skills are HORRIBLE!!! They are, in fact, so horrible that it has taken me at least a week to even think about getting to writing this post.  

I have been this way for what seems like forever. It has been at least since I have entered a schoolhouse. But it was only recently (and by recently, I mean, within the last few months)  that I determined that there is something wrong. The problem is exacerbated by the folks around me (including family/friends) that believe that my procrastination and not finishing tasks are intentional. I have tried to do a lot lately, and I wonder how much I can really accomplish if I were able to stay on task.  Shoot, It took me 2 months to even order business cards!

So this Problem not only includes staying on task and Finishing tasks. It also includes not being as detailed oriented as I (or others) or others would like.  It is detrimental not only to my home life (part of that includes things as simple as paying bills, which I forget to do often),  but my work life.  Stats that talk about the un/underemployment rate of Adults with ADHD are staggering and I personally have an aversion to poverty. 
So to try to organize myself, a co-worker suggested the ToodleDo productivity tool. ToodleDois a FREE to-do list that you not only are able to access online, you can merge it with your different calendars (I am currently merging it with my Microsoft Outlook Program).  
One of the great things about theToodleDosystem is that you can separate Tasks in folders. I currently have 6 Folders including a folder for a trip I am planning in July and a folder to remind me to pay bills.   I started 3 weeks ago, however, I have only been utilizing it ACTIVELY for about 10 days. I have eliminated 5 tasks so far and I am sooo proud of myself. It is actually how I was able to remember to write this post and order my business cards. 


I have just entered a new task to let folks know how I'm doing with this program by April 15. Hopefully, it will help me self-organize. 
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Help Wanted: Job Search on the Spectrum

01/24/2012

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This is a post addressing the following goal: 

Find a career course that will be beneficial to both parties. should I become a contractor? Should I go the entrepreneur route? I will be working with Annalisa Adams-Qualtiere at Altruistic Leadership to create a career path that will accommodate my traits (such as they are).



     So I'm talking with Annalisa about how to address this job situation, and she tells me to update my resume and we can get the ball rolling. So I pull up my resume, and I just sigh.  How am I going to update this thing? how do I skillfully say "Hi, I know a lot of stuff. Sometimes I find the things you won't see. Conversely, I will also make obvious mistakes that will make most managers think I'm an idiot." Because of my big ideas I would be a great executive. But because of certain traits, it would be hard for me to get to that level because entry level skills are difficult for me..."

Short version: I would be the greatest assistant ever, if only I had an assistant. 

So I am trying to figure out the best way to make myself sound fabulous and at the same time find a career that I will actually thrive in. I give great interviews. That's not the problem. Its these unidentified traits that I have that make my career path rocky.. That's part of the reason why I'm doing this. I am working on finding a career path that is great for me and my employer (if I have one) 

I'm thinking that maybe being on the contractor path is a good move. A job that is short term so I won't get bored or have the traits kick in.  I have been really thinking about it. 

Then there's the Mocha Autism Network, The Non-Profit I am trying to launch.  The purpose of the organization is to help underrepresented communities (Communities of Color, Poor Communities) identify the traits on the Autism Spectrum and Assist them with the Special Edusation Process.  Could that be the career for me? Should I go "all in" with the hopes that I can still keep the lights on? 

the goal is to create a process where folks like me (undiagnosed, but functioning as a person on the spectrum) can find something that does no
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Hi, My Name is Monika and I may be on the Spectrum...

01/12/2012

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My Son was diagnosed with Asperger's at the age of 4. In reviewing his traits and reading notes and listening to his teachers. I realized one thing... 

He's just like me. 

All of the mannerisms, all of the problems he has, are the problems I had and still have. 



I was never diagnosed though. But these problems have continued throughout my life. I have problems with focus and social settings. Noises drive me crazy and its hard for me to do things that don't interest me. It is damaging where I can work and how I function.  I get the same story "you're so smart.. but this probably isn't the place for you..."  This is not the greatest thing to hear when Unemployment is high for everyone and Black unemployment is doubled. 

Not only has my job suffered, my personal life suffers. Any traits I have I am more unhappy than I let on and I want to make sure any traits I may/may not have are not the reasons. Although I am sure I know what the answer is. 

So I have determined that this may be the time to actually move forward with getting assessed for my "autism-like" traits.  I am going to try to find a way to make things better for me and in turn, make them better for my son. I don't want him to go through what I have gone through. 

So here are the goals: 
  • Locate where an assessment can be done by someone that specializes in Adult Diagnoses
  • Find a career course that will be beneficial to both parties. should I become a contractor? Should I go the entrepreneur route? I will be working with Annalisa Adams-Qualtiere at Altruistic Leadership to create a career path that will accommodate my traits (such as they are)
  • Find the ways for happiness that I have been missing all these years. It seems like the traits I have stifle me

Seems simple enough... This blog will chronicle my journey. wish me luck...

M



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