I had my annual review at work and the only thing that I need to work on is staying focused and not socializing as much. Apparently I get involved in conversations more than I thought. I can listen to music and stuff, but earbuds make my ears hurt over time and over the ear headphones will drown out too much noise.
I work in IT as a help desk technician. When I’m not working tickets and doing my daily duties, I study for Microsoft certifications that I am required to get.
I’m the first tech in the office and I can get so much done in the 30 mins before others start showing up. At 8:30, my two fave coworkers show up and that’s when my focus starts to waver because I love talking to them lol. It doesn’t help that they’re the people I go to the most when I encounter work that I need help figuring out.
I’m currently on focalin and my dosage is the only dose that doesn’t interfere with my heart condition, so I don’t want that changed.
I can’t really move to another space because of how the office is set up.
Talk to your colleagues, and explain your situation. That you really appreciate their company, but that you would like their help, to keep you focused on your job. Ask them to help you to not get caught up in too much no-work talk, allow them to send you back to work “Back to work, Launches kayaks, you chatterbox!” Then do your socializing after hours, if it fits into your schedules
I second this, but also set a timer before you go and ask a question. 10 minutes for me. Also make a list of what you need to touch on so you have a structure. Try to keep the fun non work talk at lunch or down time.
Try to keep your studies up, apply what you’re learning at work.
Good luck, it’s a journey.
Good idea with the timer and list
If you still want to explore the option of music and such, maybe try bone conduction earphones. You can hear the music, as well as your surroundings, at the same time. They also are much less fatiguing. I find them excellent for tuning out, but still being able to be aware of people and environment around me, should I need.
- *sometimes* open-back headphones will allow more environmental noise through than closed-back – but shopping around for something that fits your needs gets really expensive really quick
- or there’s the DJ look – headphones over one ear and sitting behind the other ear
Only wear one earbud at a time. Right ear gets tired, swap to left. Etc.
Edit: oof, I didn’t even see the community you posted on. 😅
Still leaving my comment in case it is of any help.
Get diagnosed for ADHD. I would not recommend taking aderall, even if it is an easy fix, it also comes with severe drawbacks.There are ways to manage ADHD, once you are aware. You can warn people, you can find hacks, you can use assistive software, you can setup processes for yourself and others, etc.I’m not saying you have ADHD, but I found myself in exactly the situation you are describing, and it turned out to be caused by my ADHD. In my case, to make matters worse, my productivity is very often function of my social activity (up to a certain degree, it’s kind of a bell curve).Alternatively, or additionally, you can also try to get into clubs, get a social hobby, etc. This also greatly helps with such situations.
