Paradox - Structured vs. Unstructured

[SasyMomaCat]

Okay - does anyone else find this to be a confusing issue they deal with?

I'm a "free-spirit" and feel stifled and frustrated in extremely structured work environments to the point of being nearly non-functional.

In a really busy non-structured work environment, I do well - the workload/challenge forces me to get organized, prioritize and structure my environment (so I am the one setting the structure, to a degree). The challenge energizes me (assuming it continues changing and doesn't become routine and boring) and I get a great deal done.

HOWEVER - a not-so-busy non-structured work environment seems to generate procrastination, lack of motivation, boredom and very bad work ethic - I essentially become as ineffective as if I were in a highly structured, inflexible work environment.

Looks like keeping very, very busy in a non-structured environment is the best solution to my difficulty. However, I HATE busy work and recognize it for what it is. I also resent busy work. I need my work to have a purpose beyond keeping me busy. Working toward a purpose or goal is generally something that motivates me.

Anyway, I know this is a long ramble - I just wondered if anyone else found this irony - that both really structured and really unstructured (perhaps steady, but not overwhelmingly busy) work settings have similar negative effect on your work ethic.

Thanks for any feedback!

smc

[Kaiti]

Boy Can I relate, oh shoot, I'll come back later, gotta get to the school for work.......remember it might look like chaos, but it really is organized, I'll explain that when I come back ;D

[finnmom]

I think you got a point in there sassymomacat.

Too structured work does not give you the freedom to use your best abilitie's and too lay-back work doesnt really give the satisfaction of work well done

I think that's very common with adhd and all innovative personalities, need to feel that the work you do is good and meaningfull and you need to get your best to do that, now.... where would one find a work like that I have one where I feel like I have to put my 100% in and use my intelligence to make it work, I like that!!!

[tridlette]

I know I have mentioned this before. They did a survey of somewhere around 1000 paramedics in New Jersey and found that almost 90 % of them tested ADHD on a Connors' scale.

It is the ultimate ADHD job... do nothing for most of your shift, and then power surge to hyperfocus on one crisis for 30 minutes of the most intense adrenalin rushing part of the day, follow by a labor intensive short written report of what you did. File the paper work, and go driving off on your merry way to do nothing again for an unknown period of time. No planning involved... just do what needs done on the spur of the moment... and forget it when you are done!

[Kaiti]

OK, back to this,sorry,

Anyhow, everything for me depends on mindset at the time. There are times when I welsom the tedious stapling, copying, blah blah blah of a secretary type job......then 5 minutes later I am up and worrying about what the kids are going to do.

I have to sya I love my job. I work with kids that are between 4 and 13...oh the 13 yo has been great for the past month....

One question? Are you a fire sign? That is a trait of fire signs to be organizational when they have to be.

I can see me as a leader and hate to follow, but ther are other times when I get so lazy that I just want someone to say DO THIS DO THAT.....

Does that make sense? Probably not ;D