Like you, my weekdays typically consist of an endless series of conference calls and meetings. I run from place to place and call to call with barely time to breathe, clear my head and shift focus to the matter at hand. Days turn into weeks and before you know it a month has passed. You end up feeling like a shark — if you’re not moving you’re dead.
I’ve come to realize that due to this phrenetic activity, workers are becoming increasingly frenzied and highly inefficient. And while we stay in constant motion for different reasons, most suffer from what I call ”the shiny object problem”.
Are we becoming raccoons…
So how do raccoons fit into the shiny object problem? They’re focused, right? Yes, they are, but in that focus lies the core of a common problem. In only seeing one objective, one destination or one outcome, raccoons fall in love with their particular shiny object and will stop at nothing to obtain it, even to their own peril.
I’ve worked with (and for) raccoons many times in my career. They overcommit (whether to an idea, project, initiative, etc.) and will get things done come hell or high water and no one is going to tell them otherwise. Raccoons will show up in the damnedest of places and are tenacious in the pursuit of their goals. They are street smart and extremely creative. And in the end, they will not be satisfied until the object of their affection has been obtained.
However, raccoons can be trapped. Due to their frenzied lack of external ideation they can be brought to a standstill when baited. In business, this comes when the raccoon is asked to get off the treadmill and defend their thesis or business case to an impartial audience. Tenacity is rarely rewarded when one has an inability to represent or even appreciate alternative approaches. But remember to trap raccoons responsibly as they can be ferocious once cornered. No one needs a rabies shot.
[Fans can relive their younger years by reading Where The Red Fern Grows and exploring this popular technique for catching raccoons. You'll make Old Dan and Little Ann proud.]
… or do we actually suffer from ADHD?
Despite the immense amount of research and data supporting childhood ADHD, very little is known regarding the prevalence and pervasiveness of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A 2006 study estimated adult ADHD at 4.4% with significant correlates for males, those previously married and the unemployed.
The real issue here seems to be a lack of comprehensive diagnostic tools for adults. There are some standard questionnaires available but assessing adults is much more difficult than children. Sure, you can ask a coworker and they’ll likely throw out an eye-rolling diagnosis on the spot — “Jane totally has ADD”. My suspicion is that this is a real problem that is only going to get worse over time, and unfortunately the American Psychiatric Association is about to make a trusted diagnosis more complicated.
A recent article in Psychology Today described a move by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to loosen criteria for adult ADD. Per author Dr. Allen Frances:
“Even now, without the proposed DSM5 changes, adult ADD is a diagnosis that is too easy to get. Perceived difficulties with attention and concentration are extremely common in the general population and the symptoms that define ADD are mostly subjective especially in adults who have usually outgrown the somewhat more objective defining items of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Thus, the first time diagnosis of ADD in adults is usually based on very fallible self perceptions of poor concentration and task accomplishment. Any lowering of requirements will capture many adults who feel the need to be sharper, but who really don’t have serious enough attentional deficits to qualify for a mental disorder. The diagnosis will be especially common in perfectionistic students, in people who have demanding jobs, and in those who have to struggle to stay awake.like long haul truck drivers.“
So what do you do about ADD/ADHD in the workplace? The National Resource Center on ADIHD has a great piece on Succeeding in the Workplace that I’d strongly recommend you read. They offer tips on how to deal with the most common challenges including distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity, poor memory, boredom, procrastination, time management, interpersonal issues and difficulty managing long-term projects. I could use help for all of these.
But my caution is this – do not freak out when you read these materials. We live and work in 2010 and chances are that you’ll find bits and pieces of yourself in the descriptions of symptoms for adult ADD. Again, the shiny object problem raises it’s pretty little head.
So where do we go from here?
It’s a good question. First and foremost I’d like your thoughts on whether this is something you or your colleagues are struggling with. Do you suffer from a shiny object problem? Are you a raccoon? Do you think you have adult ADD? If so, how do you deal with the inherent challenges? Or, do you think this is just the way things are in the modern workforce? Regardless of your point of view please share your thoughts below. And remember — let’s stay focused and keep the conversation going.
19 Comments
This question and series of answers on Ask Metafilter might be helpful for some people as well. Warning — there are a LOT of answers, none from a medical profesional. But several people who have read it have said that they got a lot out of it.
http://ask.metafilter.com/148963/ADDADHD
Mark,
I feel better. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who struggles with the shiny object syndrome. However, mine is different. I am driven to the activities that I enjoy often creating new projects for myself as I am inspired or creativity strikes.
The problem is that the shiny object syndrome doesn’t go away. What does help me is keeping a very structured schedule that is planned with daily goals and project lists. If I didn’t consciously make this effort, I’d already be onto the next.
Jessica
@blogging4jobs
Your post couldn’t have come at a better time. I just took a deep breath and re-prioritized my day tomorrow. Then, I went back to cleaning my house because it’s bugging the crap out of me. *sigh* more shiny objects….
@Franny – I knew that link was a great resource when I clicked through and saw that the first comment mentioned “short attention span syndrome”. Thanks for sharing it!
@Jessica – Structured schedules. Daily goals. Project lists. All great ideas Jessica, thank you.
@Breanne – Ha! It’s funny because my wife and I reach this breaking point with the house where we finally lose our minds and *have* to clean it. I’m with you on that one.
I totally agree that these Shiny Object Moments can really create a lot of workplace stress.
Mark, I love this post! Absolutely timely.
ADHD is still suffering from unreliable data as people, physicians are either baffled by the cluster of symptoms/decide to just live with it/ignore it. Certainly something to think about as it relates to workplace behavior topics. Interesting.
I’m in a similar predicament as Jessica Merrell. I’m in love with shiny objects (translation = ideas, innovation) as well. As of today, I’m walking the streets undiagnosed. I *do* have behavior traits similar to Mr. raccoon. Big smiles. Keep up the fabulous work here. Look forward to more updates from your end.
Mark, I don’t think you’ve given raccoons their full due. We are a higher level of species, right? Our brains are larger; we have opposing thumbs (whose lack I’m told keep dolphins from running the world).
We have sent men to the moon. Cured some horrible diseases. Developed equally horrible weapons of mass destruction.
But we cannot design a garbage can that raccoons can’t open! I don’t know whether that’s enabled by their focus on “the bright shiny object,” but it’s certainly annoying to every suburban homeowner in the U.S. And why can’t we?
Bust the multi-tasking myth, forbid laptops and smart phones during meetings, and –
Pretty…
I am a raccoon. Trap me.
Mark –
Nice post. I actually think a bit about a related problem which also is an animal metaphor – what I refer to as the “Dogs chasing trucks” problem. As opposed to fixating on one thing, they dart from this one – to that one – to the next – etc. In markets where there is huge potential demand, there are trucks (opportunities) which are driving all over the place, and staying focused on the task can be difficult.
Having
suffered…participated through the Senn Delaney culture presentations, the one glaring concept that has served me well has been “Be Here Now”. It’s taken a whole lot of practice on my part to live that ideal.I also think that being a father to a very precocious 5 y.o. little girl who has an amazing sense of curiosity and wonder helps too. I find that I want to focus completely on her when I can, because she won’t be 5 forever.
Mark, a big part of my work is to think, to reflect, to analyze quietly, to test assumtions, to build mental models and analytical frameworks, to figure out where my clients need to go and why — and then to present all of this in a coherent, well-reasoned, precisely expressed work product. I can’t do my work if I’m racing around, interrupt processing, obsessed with trivia, etc. etc. Perhaps it’s generational, but learning to do Latin declensions focuses your mind — being a Crackberry doesn’t. As for those raccoons, we keep them away from our ripe mangos by building, each year, a metal collar for the Mango tree which is very much like the collars you see on docked ships’ lines to keep the rats from boarding. As for keeping them out of garbage cans, I would refer Bill to his knowledge of nautical knots.
@Meghan – I’m torn as to the “live with it/ignore it” portion of the issue. In some respects I do think that’s the only option. Thanks for the comment.
@Bill – Ha! Great comment. Sounds like it’s time to make your millions designing garbage can lids. Your comment about dolphins ruling the world made me laugh (it’s only funny because it’s true).
@Kevin – But if you did that, how could I tweet what was said, check my email, get that “emergency” call, etc.
@Mike – “Dogs chasing trucks”. Love that. That explains the bumper taste I can’t seem to get out of my mouth.
@John – “Be here now”. That’s good advice. Let me know how the battle goes for you my friend.
@Naomi – One term you used really caught my eye. “Interrupt processing”. You nailed the problem, thank you.
My husband was diagnosed with adult ADHD about two years ago. There are various forms of adult ADHD – some mild ones, some not so mild. The ‘disorder’ often comes with comorbid conditions… and if nothing else, a drug/substance abuse background, financial troubles, broken relationships, jail time, dropping out of school/college… in other words: there would be real symptoms (the internet would not have to tell you about). Workplace solutions I know: a super secretary (that thinks of all the stuff the adhd person forgets) or a ‘different job’ (with little bureaucracy). The adhd people I know are extremely creative and funny.
@anna – Thanks for all the terrific points Anna. And I agree that most of those who I suspect have ADHD are hilarious in their own right. If I may ask, how was your husband diagnosed? What is the recommended treatment?
Yes, very hilarious
He was diagnosed by a psychiatrist; the session was supposed to take 2 hours, but ended a lot sooner than that (I think it was mainly an interview). The psychiatrist tried him on different medications (he is now taking adderall xr) and referred him to a psychologist for counseling. The counseling was very helpful; especially because people affected by adhd often have a very, very low self esteem. The adderall takes many of the symptoms away, but there are many learned behavior patterns (from an undiagnosed adhd past) that are difficult to unlearn.
…relating to the workplace: with the right medication, I’m confident someone with adhd could master any job that is stressful, requires following-up, scheduling and attention to detail. But without medication, I think that someone with a severe form of adult adhd would be absolutely miserable at such a job.
@anna – Thank you so much for sharing Anna. Sounds like medication wins the day on this issue.
How nice to know that I am not alone! (After watching the movie “Up” last year, I call these “Squirrel Moments” — I often feel like the dog in that movie who stops talking in mid-sentence to move all of his focus to the squirrel sighting). I agree that these Shiny Object Moments can really create a lot of workplace stress. There is so much to do! Do that! No That! Do it all! Now! I think one way to help reduce the distractions is to move towards doing away with the business meeting. (I posted about this a few days ago). Getting rid of business meetings — or most of them anyway — would not be a cure-all, but it would be a move in a good direction toward more productivity and less wasted time.
@Jim – I love the idea of getting away from business meetings. Sounds very ROWE to me.