I’m not sure if I’m lazy, stupid or just distracted. I think I’m smarter than the average person. I receive plenty of accolades for my work. I don’t think I’m stupid. “Imposter Syndrome” not withstanding, I’m pretty sure I haven’t been faking it all these years.
No, definitely not stupid. I’m smart enough to do this and figure it out. So, that leave lazy or distracted. I should pick distracted, right? I mean, given the choice, who is going to describe themselves as lazy? The internet is forever. There’s a possibility that some future employer might find this entry. I definitely don’t want to describe myself as lazy. I’m sure that is not the response to the interiew question, “What’s your worst trait?”
The problem is that lazy and distracted look so similar. If you have a task to get done and you keep putting it off and finding other things to do, how do you describe that?
I have terrible ADHD. If you’re one of those people who think it’s all in my mind, you are 100% correct. ADHD is an imbalance in the brain. If you are one of those people who think it doesn’t exist, I’m happy for you. You’re dead wrong, but I’m happy that you don’t have to struggle with it. Yeah, it’s truly a condition.
I’ve had it my whole life, but only been aware of it the last few years. Most days I can keep it under control. Caffiene helps. . .a lot. I could get a perscription for Ritilin or Aderahl or a knockoff. They would help. They are also amphetimephes. They are prescription drugs with a high rate of addiction. I have an addictive personality. I know this about myself. I don’t want addictive drugs. I might like them too much.
So, caffiene it is. Sometimes lots.
That helps me focus, but focus on what? Like you, I have lots of stuff I need to do in my job. I have a long list of tasks and projects. Well, that’s not exactly true. I have a lot of things, but they don’t always make it on to the list. They should, but that’s part of my problem.
I know that I am most effective when I make a TODO list and then focus on one item at a time. I often do make lists. The days I do, I get more done. But, every morning there is one item I have trouble putting on my TODO list:
TODO #1: Make a todo list
I know that if I just make the list, I’ll be off and running. And yet, the act of making the list is an ordered task. I have trouble focusing on unordered tasks. The treatment is the solution, but it’s also the problem.
Today was a pretty good day. I made a list. I crossed things off the list. It’s 11:45pm and the last item on the list for today is,
TODO: Write a blog post about todo lists
I’ve managed to get this one done for the past four years without missing a day. So, maybe it’s not laziness. Of course, I try to post before 7:00AM. So, yeah, definitely going to go with distracted.
Rodney M Bliss is an author, columnist and IT Consultant. His blog updates every weekday. He lives in Pleasant Grove, UT with his lovely wife, thirteen children and grandchildren.
Follow him on
Twitter (@rodneymbliss)
Facebook (www.facebook.com/rbliss)
LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com/in/rbliss)
or email him at rbliss at msn dot com(c) 2017 Rodney M Bliss, all rights reserved