I Know What I Want, But It’s Not This – Julie Jansen

Finding happiness in work is always an ADHD challenge

A “step by step guide to finding gratifying work” by Julie Jansen, a career coach takes you through a series of exercises that are less about finding a new job, figuring out what you find frustrating, fascinating and where your strengths, passions and values lie.

If getting out of bed each weekday is getting harder and wonder how you ever found your so called “successful career” worthwhile, this book offers hope. If you have ADHD then not appreciating your strengths; your struggles with punctuality, planning or organisation; authority problems and rapid onset of boredom – may have lead you to a career crossroads.

In this insightful, well organized, relevant and practical book, tests are used to categorise your situation into six types:

• “Where’s the Meaning”
• “Been there, Done that”
• “Need the Money”
• “Bored and Plateaued”
• “Bruised and Gun-shy”
• “Toe in the Retirement Pool”

You can then work on specific exercises to set goals, to consider work related activities and rate your skill level and desire to do them.  Jansen offers guidelines for anyone thinking about starting their own business but also suggests that working for someone else is fine as long as you make sure your needs are met.

Many people with ADHD find great satisfaction in their own business but ADHD traits of procrastination and poor planning can make this difficult and many find it helpful to have a structure at work to motivate them and structure their day. Jensen discusses what it takes to be successful in work and in the job search process. The struggle for engagement and enjoyment in work is a serious issue for many with ADHD, achieving meaningful work can transform our wellbeing, this book offers some real help in this process.