For most of my life I have learned to live with my constant struggle of keeping everything together, only to have it fall apart when a squirrel passed in front of me.
In PR we call it multitasking, and anyone that focuses for too long of a time on a single task is not someone worth bringing to the team.
But this way of thinking is absolutely wrong.
As a whole, we tend to celebrate people that have too many things on their plate, too many stickies on their computer, and over schedule, only to fall short when a client meeting runs over.
Eventually, as reports show, many folks in PR burn-out, fall apart, and leave the industry all together. Maybe it's ADD run amok, or maybe it's career burn-out. Whatever it is, we all need a little extra help to keep it together.
For me it happened with the help of a client that later turned into a wonderful friend, when he suggested I see a therapist and get my ADD under control. Something about my every minute being double booked and working almost maniacally into I ran myself into exhaustion gave me in.
That was almost ten years ago.
Although I can't say that I always have it together, my ADD management skills surprise folks that are still struggling with their brain not catching up with their hands and mouths.
You "CAN'T HAVE ADD..." a friend recently told me after seeing me going through lists, calendars, tasks, and assigning team chores to get a big project done...and done well!
But I do...and I manage ADD every day, in spite of still making mistakes and my eyes and hands not always connecting with my brain as quickly as I would like them to.
Case in point...the event I was scheduled to attend today? It was yesterday. The same day I had another event.
How did I find out? My plus one told me when she showed up to the event....without me. Because, well, I was somewhere else.
Ana Lydia
