Decision making is arguably the single most difficult challenge when it comes to choosing a career. People can go their whole lives going round in circles without making any progress in their search.
Because ADHDers love novelty, it can seem impossible to decide between several interests. We want to do all of them! The biggest barrier is decision anxiety: The problem with so many interest areas is that the decision anxiety overwhelms us when it comes to making a commitment. Especially one as important as your career! There seems to be a fear of missing out. If we pick one interest area, then we’ll miss out in another area. This is enough to make anyone mad, especially if you have ADHD. So many people end up delaying their decision and continue living in the status quo.
Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite questions I use to help my clients narrow down their options:
1. What one topic could you write a book on? EVERYONE has a book in them - even you!
This is one of my favourite questions. Most people have one interest area above all others. It’s usually a topic you can speak about for five minutes without having to prepare anything. Even if you’re usually a nervous speaker. If you have ADHD, then your interests are going to be amplified whenever you think about them. This is because we feel our passions more intensely. If you’re still struggling, try reframing the question as follows. If someone paid you £1000 to write a book on anything, what would it be?
2. Who is your tribe? Which group do you identify with the most?
In order for a job to be fulfilling, we need to be giving to someone. A great way of choosing between many interest is to narrow down who your ideal target audience is. Who do you want to help the most? Who were you put on this world to serve?
In other words, a good way of confining down your options is to think about your most meaningful identity. e.g. gender, ethnicity, religion, age, education, health, physicality, diet, parenthood, occupation, lifestyle, politics. Which of these are most important to you?
3. Which of your two passions can you combine into your ideal career choice? Invent your job!
A creative way to decide a career path is to invent one! Inventing a career often comes from combining two different passions or interests together into a unique job. For example, if you love tea and you’re also passionate about ADHD, then you can create a niche business that specialises in selling tea with specific health benefits for ADHD symptoms. The answer is often right in-front of you! but it can take some time to put two and two together.
4. Reach out to a professional who can help you!
If you have ADHD, then it’s likely you’ve been struggling with this for a while. We hate making big decisions. Which is why it can be so helpful to talk it through with a professional or someone close to you. Ideally, someone who understands your ADHD, like a coach or consultant. People with ADHD often think they’ve thought of everything already, when in actual fact, we don’t know ourselves as well as we think we do. We’re so caught up in the moment, that it’s hard to pay attention to our core strengths and values. A professional can help you consider each of your passions and help you make a decision that’s right for you.
Remember, no matter what your age, education or background is, there’s absolutely NOTHING wrong with being unclear about this. Reinventing your future takes enormous courage and vulnerability. Don’t let your anyone talk you out of it.
Still not sure how to find a fulfilling career? Get in touch today to see how I can help.