I forgot some of my most frequent ones for characters not on my keyboard:

degc : °C
E$ : Euro €
m2 : m²

Text expanders are a godsend. Do not use them much these days, but in school used them all the time.

I don't use text expanders, but I helped my friend get set up with them and they save him huge amounts of time. He answers appliance repair questions on a Q&A site and has a large number of long text blocks he uses on every response. A text expander probably reduces his typing time 50%, which allows him to answer the same number of customers every day (150) but doesn't feel like he's scrambling all day.

I've started using Beeftext for work iNCY and it's fantastic, I feel like I'm saving so much time already. Thanks for the suggestion.

So, my productivity is improving, I will make an update with my new workflow, which is working well. (As much for my own benefit as anyone elses)
I have relocated my desk into the new office and it has been a gamechanger having some more space.
There is only three of us and we have two rooms for offices, I have no idea why I crammed myself into the workstation for so long.

I have gone from 2 x 24" Displays side by side to:
1 x 34" Ultrawide and 1 x 24" Display vertical

I wasn't sure what monitor to get, but I am not gaming on the setup so I went with the: www.samsung.com/au/business/monitors/curved/c34h89-lc34h892wgexxy/
One 34" definitely beats two displays side by side.
The really surprising gamechanger was the vertical monitor, I leave my todo list up there all the time.
It is also great for reviewing quotes and other documents and being able to see the full page on the screen at the same time


This is my current setup now:



This is an old chair, I killed my current chair and will be replacing it with something better.
My new laptop is still 6 weeks away... Stupid chip shortage.

If anyone wants to post pictures of their setups, that would be cool.

Jul 18, 2022 5:09:10 GMT @admin said:

I've started using Beeftext for work iNCY and it's fantastic, I feel like I'm saving so much time already. Thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah, it is a total game changer, I keep finding new uses for it weekly.
Glad it is working well for you.

This could have gone in the AI thread, but I thought I would put it here instead.
I have embraced the botnet
After some unsuccessful attempts at recruitment I have signed up for Microsoft Copilot, to see if I can get some value out of it.
Early signs are somewhat encouraging.

So revisiting this thread, today I had my first appointment for an evaluation of potential ADHD.
I had a screening visit today with a Doctor, then a consult with the Psychiatrist before back to the Doctor for medication.

Without getting right into everything I joined a business owners group that is a moderated forum where you provide feedback and ideas for each other.
It is a fantastic group of people and I am really enjoying the meetings.
After I did my last presentation of my business along with my strengths and weaknesses a lady put up her hand and said you absolutely need an ADHD diagnosis.
She apparently went through all the same things as me with all the same weaknesses in her productivity.

So in the consult today with the Doctor, we had a really long and wide ranging chat about my life, experiences etc.
I wasn't surprised to find out I have 7 of the listed symptoms of Inattentive ADHD, but was more than a bit shocked to find out I also fit the diagnostic definition of Hyperactive ADHD.

One thing she did today, was prescribe me Melatonin to assist with sleep, so we will see how that goes.

I looked it up afterwards and these are the DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD:

ADHD Predominantly-Inattentive Presentation
A person may be diagnosed with predominantly-inattentive ADHD if five or more symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least six months. For this diagnosis, the person should also show fewer than five symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity.[3]

Based on the DSM-5, symptoms of inattention in adults include the following:[3]

Lacking attention to detail: This includes making careless mistakes at school, work, and other activities.
Difficulty focusing: The person might struggle to pay attention throughout meetings, lectures, or lengthy reading sessions.
Trouble listening: It might seem like the person doesn’t listen and often thinks of unrelated matters during conversations.
Failing to complete tasks: They might have trouble following instructions, get easily sidetracked, and fail to finish their assignments, tasks, or chores.
Poor organizational skills: A person may struggle to organize their work documents and belongings, manage sequential tasks, schedule their time, or meet deadlines.
Avoiding tasks requiring sustained focus: Examples include completing reports and reviewing lengthy papers.
Losing important items: Constantly misplacing items, such as documents, glasses, wallets, keys, and mobile phones, is another sign of ADHD.
Distracted easily: An adult ADHDer may often be distracted by unrelated thoughts.
Forgetfulness: A person with ADHD might forget their bill payments, chores, or appointments.



ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
An ADHD presentation that’s predominantly hyperactive/impulsive can be diagnosed if five or more symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity have persisted for at least six months. The person should also have less than five symptoms of inattention.[3]

The following are symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity in adults based on the DSM-5:[3]

Leaving their seat when expected to remain seated (e.g., during a meeting or lecture)
Blurting out answers and completing other people’s sentences
Interrupting other people or intruding on their activities
Struggling to stay quiet during activities
Fidgetting and tapping hands or feet
Often on the go and unable to sit still
Trouble waiting their turn
Talking excessively
Feeling restless

I am glad you went to get evaluated. I hope very much this ends up helping you.

Based off all of my daughter's findings off Tik Tok, she's 100% sure my mom and I both have ADHD. Based on the above, I'd say I suffer from both as well. There's lots that makes sense based on videos and articles that my daughter and others send to me. This is going to sound stupid but I just don't want something else wrong with me and having to take more medication. My Dr. doesn't seem very supportive of the idea, so IF I decide to get evaluated I'll have to figure out how to go about it on my own.

Mar 19, 2024 5:04:07 GMT iron maiden said:

I am glad you went to get evaluated. I hope very much this ends up helping you.

Based off all of my daughter's findings off Tik Tok, she's 100% sure my mom and I both have ADHD. Based on the above, I'd say I suffer from both as well. There's lots that makes sense based on videos and articles that my daughter and others send to me. This is going to sound stupid but I just don't want something else wrong with me and having to take more medication. My Dr. doesn't seem very supportive of the idea, so IF I decide to get evaluated I'll have to figure out how to go about it on my own.

I have a pretty good radar for people I think have ADHD and you would be near the top of my list.

generally people I meet who I suspect of having ADHD meet these critera:

1. Most importantly I like them
2. They are generally exceptional at something they do
3. Not really fitting into societies expectations of what is important.


In my Directors meeting the other day someone was shitting on one of their employees.
I spoke up and said I always defend highly productive assholes... Being one myself, I don't think you get anyone truly excellent at anything without them being a bit of a primadona.

Also iron maiden, what the DSM criteria don't mention is that ADHD is an inability to regulate focus, not a lack of it.
I described it to the doctor that some tasks just don't seem to have an "on button" for me until they become late or critical.
Other tasks I can't stop once I start.

If it is late, urgent, interesting, never been done before etc. you can't drag me away from it.
Boring tasks I am literally unable to engage with no matter how much I know I need to, but soon as they become urgent, I can.

That sounds like me in a nutshell. It's why I did poorly in school unless it was something I WANTED to learn and even then it's like I thrive in Procrastination and I hate it. I know I've written on here several times about how it has compromised my integrity and nearly cost me my job but I feel helpless to control it. I am nervous/concerned about my lack of focus affecting me during the next 2 years as I seek my Purchasing Designation, but as it's something I am heavily invested in, I am hoping that will help.

Mar 20, 2024 0:05:05 GMT iNCY said:

This reminds me of an old adage:

“If you wait until the last minute to do something … it only takes a minute to do.”

So, I don't really know how to feel at the moment.
I just had my appointment with a Psychiatrist and I didn't end the meeting in a padded wagon, which I was a bit worried about.
But I do now have an official diagnosis for ADHD which he said is very present in my life with moderate symptoms.

Explains a lot.

I'm back in school for my purchasing designation. I haven't been in a classroom/being graded in many, many years. I was never a good student, I didn't even really try hard. When I did I excelled, I just didn't want to. I really want this, but I am struggling fiercely with the amount of online reading there is. The 21 page Case Study Writing Guide just about did my head in tonight and according to my peers who've completed their designation this is the most important thing as ALL modules and workshops have to be in this format. I'm reading it, and it's like Greek to me. I'm not an idiot, but I sure do feel like one. I feel like I'm back in Grade 7 learning how to do a proper book report again. It's reading like a lot of 'blah, blah, blah' to me which I knew I would struggle with.

Any tips?

Apr 9, 2024 6:56:55 GMT iron maiden said:

I'm back in school for my purchasing designation. I haven't been in a classroom/being graded in many, many years. I was never a good student, I didn't even really try hard. When I did I excelled, I just didn't want to. I really want this, but I am struggling fiercely with the amount of online reading there is. The 21 page Case Study Writing Guide just about did my head in tonight and according to my peers who've completed their designation this is the most important thing as ALL modules and workshops have to be in this format. I'm reading it, and it's like Greek to me. I'm not an idiot, but I sure do feel like one. I feel like I'm back in Grade 7 learning how to do a proper book report again. It's reading like a lot of 'blah, blah, blah' to me which I knew I would struggle with.

Any tips?

I really struggle with blah blah also... What sort of learner are you? Do you like to take notes?
If you do then just write only the point that each paragraph is seeking to make.
If you don't like notes, then highlight only the bits that are saying something meaningful.

Fun fact: I'm currently getting milked by a taxi driver who is making everything harder than it should be... While exhorting me..

Got to love China

Apr 9, 2024 6:56:55 GMT iron maiden said:

I'm back in school for my purchasing designation. I haven't been in a classroom/being graded in many, many years. I was never a good student, I didn't even really try hard. When I did I excelled, I just didn't want to. I really want this, but I am struggling fiercely with the amount of online reading there is. The 21 page Case Study Writing Guide just about did my head in tonight and according to my peers who've completed their designation this is the most important thing as ALL modules and workshops have to be in this format. I'm reading it, and it's like Greek to me. I'm not an idiot, but I sure do feel like one. I feel like I'm back in Grade 7 learning how to do a proper book report again. It's reading like a lot of 'blah, blah, blah' to me which I knew I would struggle with.

Any tips?

You'll never remember it with just one reading. You'll need to read it multiple times.

For each major section-

The first time, just read it through.

The second time, highlight or take notes on what seems to be most important.

Third time, try to write a short summary of each section with what seems to be the most important things.

Then move to the next major section. I'm sure c will have plenty of advice for studying.

Just writing this down whether or not it has any interest to anyone else, but I started my ADHD meds this week, it's a whole saga here as they are a controlled substance and the Dr has to apply for a license to prescribe.

Anyways I'm in total unbelievable shock and full of disbelief. If this is how life is for normal people... What an immense joke my life has been to this point.

It's only three days but I am plowing through work, I am able to do the most important thing next not what takes my interest. I can look something up on the internet without finding myself scrolling the news or Twitter. I have always had an ability to crank out work like a demon and I was worried with drugs I would lose my X factor but if anything it has increased it.

I don't take any meds after two but it's still made sleep crazy hard and I have been energised and working until 1 or 3.

If I don't have breakfast and have a few black coffee on an empty stomach I do get some jitters.

My prescription was:
20mg Vyasene
30 mg Vyasene
5mg Dexamphetamine

It only cost me $70 subsidised.
Idea is I use the 20 + 30 to mix and match to find my ideal dose in the morning, then top up with Dex when it fades in the Arvo.

I'm probably going to reverse it as I find the vysense takes a while to kick in but the Dex takes effect quickly.

May 18, 2024 11:43:47 GMT iNCY said:

If this is how life is for normal people...

This is the second time this week I've heard this statement from a highly intelligent adult who has recently taken ADHD medications. It sounds like there are many neurodivergent people out there with a form of ADHD who have just been able to work through those deficits because they're so smart. The other person who said this to me this week is my Anaesthesiologist friend who was here visiting.

Mrs Foos believes she has ADHD as well, but has just been able to compensate and do her lawyering because she is so intelligent. How many of you are out there?! Explaining the way her brain works and processes things is fascinating to me. And she always retorts with "I would love to have your executive functioning". Wild.

Sounds like you'll be working on finding the right balance of meds to help focus you so your work days become amazing with still being able to ya know...sleep and rejuvenate. Hope that comes sooner rather than later!

That was a very insightful post Foos, this part especially resonated with me:

May 18, 2024 14:01:56 GMT Foos said:

May 18, 2024 11:43:47 GMT iNCY said:

If this is how life is for normal people...

This is the second time this week I've heard this statement from a highly intelligent adult who has recently taken ADHD medications. It sounds like there are many neurodivergent people out there with a form of ADHD who have just been able to work through those deficits because they're so smart. The other person who said this to me this week is my Anaesthesiologist friend who was here visiting.

That is why I have survived this far, every assignment or project I have ever had to do was done at the last possible minute, one of the hallmarks of ADHD is being able to hyperfocus when you have urgency or interest. As a result I can get a project done at the last minute and get reasonable results. Someone without that ability is going to show up as underachieving.

I would encourage your good wife to seek a diagnosis and maybe give the medicine a go, it isn't for everyone but it does help some people a great deal.
Maybe you could ask your wife if this resonates with her, I have always been a high achiever I can output high quality work and come up with solutions that don't occur to other people. The issue that my attention and output is like a fire hose where it is either full bore (80% or more of the time) or not on at all... And the kicker is I seemed to have little to no control over when it turns on or off or where it is pointing.
With women I think ADHD gets more buried due to societal pressures that are still more present for women than they are for men and the pressure that comes with that causes women into quite toxic cycles of motivating themselves with shame or fear of embarrassment, I do this too but not as much.

Some of the areas that are improved that I wasn't expecting:
Listening - I expected that I might be better at paying attention, but I realised before I was so focused on trying to get the point that someone was making that I missed a lot of nuances in their words.

Focus - I have a different problem before, my mind used to flick constantly between channels, now I am prone to stay on that path, so I need to make sure it is the right thing to be doing because I will keep going.


This week I was working 18 hour days and still couldn't get caught up and I was frustrated.
My Dad (who works for me) said something insightful to me, he said that before I was only doing 10% of everything now I am trying to do 100%...

May 18, 2024 11:43:47 GMT iNCY said:

Just writing this down whether or not it has any interest to anyone else, but I started my ADHD meds this week, it's a whole saga here as they are a controlled substance and the Dr has to apply for a license to prescribe.

Anyways I'm in total unbelievable shock and full of disbelief. If this is how life is for normal people... What an immense joke my life has been to this point.

It's only three days but I am plowing through work, I am able to do the most important thing next not what takes my interest. I can look something up on the internet without finding myself scrolling the news or Twitter. I have always had an ability to crank out work like a demon and I was worried with drugs I would lose my X factor but if anything it has increased it.

I don't take any meds after two but it's still made sleep crazy hard and I have been energised and working until 1 or 3.

If I don't have breakfast and have a few black coffee on an empty stomach I do get some jitters.

My prescription was:
20mg Vyasene
30 mg Vyasene
5mg Dexamphetamine

It only cost me $70 subsidised.
Idea is I use the 20 + 30 to mix and match to find my ideal dose in the morning, then top up with Dex when it fades in the Arvo.

I'm probably going to reverse it as I find the vysense takes a while to kick in but the Dex takes effect quickly.

This is exciting news! I'm so happy for you!

I'm struggling on whether I should get a diagnosis. My Dr doesn't seem very inclined to help me, so I don't know where to go from here. Plus I am still struggling with the fact that I might have ADHD. You and I have had long conversations about it. It makes perfect sense, but I think I'm afraid to admit it could be the case. I'm afraid what my life looks after medication and that my depression could have been a byproduct of ADHD all along. 

I recently got to know my friends' fiancé better after her telling me we were a lot a like. She's not wrong and surprise, surprise...he has ADHD, is on the same meds as me for depression and so talking to him was a bit of a balm, just like with our discussions. 

Our work output/productivity is so similar, it's scary. I'm all or nothing and if it's nothing, nothing can make me focus. It's more like the tail wagging the dog rather than the other way around. I'm a chronic procrastinator in that I do well under the gun, but it's a quick way to burn out and I don't like it because it often means 24-48 hours of no sleep instead of just being actually productive every day, not just chasing my tail.

I'm in a group project right now which is going abysmally because my brain doesn't work the same as theirs. I feel our scope is too broad and we are doing too far too much for the 5% the project is worth. 





 

May 19, 2024 22:22:29 GMT iron maiden said:

May 18, 2024 11:43:47 GMT iNCY said:

Just writing this down whether or not it has any interest to anyone else, but I started my ADHD meds this week, it's a whole saga here as they are a controlled substance and the Dr has to apply for a license to prescribe.

Anyways I'm in total unbelievable shock and full of disbelief. If this is how life is for normal people... What an immense joke my life has been to this point.

It's only three days but I am plowing through work, I am able to do the most important thing next not what takes my interest. I can look something up on the internet without finding myself scrolling the news or Twitter. I have always had an ability to crank out work like a demon and I was worried with drugs I would lose my X factor but if anything it has increased it.

I don't take any meds after two but it's still made sleep crazy hard and I have been energised and working until 1 or 3.

If I don't have breakfast and have a few black coffee on an empty stomach I do get some jitters.

My prescription was:
20mg Vyasene
30 mg Vyasene
5mg Dexamphetamine

It only cost me $70 subsidised.
Idea is I use the 20 + 30 to mix and match to find my ideal dose in the morning, then top up with Dex when it fades in the Arvo.

I'm probably going to reverse it as I find the vysense takes a while to kick in but the Dex takes effect quickly.

This is exciting news! I'm so happy for you!

I'm struggling on whether I should get a diagnosis. My Dr doesn't seem very inclined to help me, so I don't know where to go from here. Plus I am still struggling with the fact that I might have ADHD. You and I have had long conversations about it. It makes perfect sense, but I think I'm afraid to admit it could be the case. I'm afraid what my life looks after medication and that my depression could have been a byproduct of ADHD all along. 

I recently got to know my friends' fiancé better after her telling me we were a lot a like. She's not wrong and surprise, surprise...he has ADHD, is on the same meds as me for depression and so talking to him was a bit of a balm, just like with our discussions. 

Our work output/productivity is so similar, it's scary. I'm all or nothing and if it's nothing, nothing can make me focus. It's more like the tail wagging the dog rather than the other way around. I'm a chronic procrastinator in that I do well under the gun, but it's a quick way to burn out and I don't like it because it often means 24-48 hours of no sleep instead of just being actually productive every day, not just chasing my tail.

I'm in a group project right now which is going abysmally because my brain doesn't work the same as theirs. I feel our scope is too broad and we are doing too far too much for the 5% the project is worth. 





 

I understand your thinking exactly, I was also fearful of the same.
I am not ashamed to admit I cried after I got my diagnosis as about a million things hit home all at once.

If you want to pursue it, you are best to google "ADHD clinic" in your area, some are mumbo jumbo holistic places that do nothing and others are the real deal have GP's and Psychiatrists that can do everything from diagnosis to prescription.
For what it is worth, I would be about  90% sure you have ADHD.
Like Foos was saying early, doctors have a poor understanding of what ADHD looks like in intelligent capable people and they will assume that because you can hold down a job and be on time to an appointment you don't have ADHD.
That is because to them they are working off the old "naughty school boy" definition of ADHD.

There is a chance that you may not even have depression but rather are depressed about how much of your life is beyond your own control.
Your new friend who is taking anti depressants for ADHD... I am not sure that this is the best strategy.

But because so much of your life so far has been hard and trying is not a reason to not seek a diagnosis.
There is another common logical fallacy that applies here:



 

I understand this concept. I think I've lived a lot of my life by it.

It's like I have the time management skills and focus of a carrot. Instead of working a few hours every day this long weekend on school and work, I did anything BUT. Instead I've had to pull an all-nighter to get caught up before tomorrow. I will be a bag of shit by days end and learn nothing from this and do it all over again.

Here I am again. I have a project due tomorrow. I've had a week to do it, but did I even start it? Nope.

And once again I will learn nothing from this.

May 30, 2024 5:30:55 GMT iron maiden said:

Here I am again. I have a project due tomorrow. I've had a week to do it, but did I even start it? Nope.

And once again I will learn nothing from this.

I'm so sorry about this, I know this pain in my bones.

If anyone was hanging out for an update, my euphoric honeymoon has dissipated but the results are still nothing short of life-changing.

For a while now despite doing more work per week than three above average people could be reasonably be expected to output, I always had this nagging feeling that if I only got my shit together it would somehow be better.
Well my shit at the moment is well and truly together, even on these drugs I can't keep up.

The different part is I am now acutely aware of everything that is not immediately urgent, which were items that only existed in the vague ether of not now previously.
Not only have I been getting the day to day done, but the big tasks are getting lined up and tackled. After no success with employing a PA for 65k per year I have outsourced, interviewed and signed up for a VA in a Western Country with more than 15 years experience. She starts the week after next, some things at work are a bit shitty at the moment, but I still seem to be moving in a good direction.

Still running on with rapid improvement and also struggling now with how much work is front of me.
I feel like an alcoholic on the 10 step program and there are so many neglected areas of my life and business.
Facing up to them is the hardest part.

I was complaining about being unable to sleep before, but at the moment I would be lucky to be in bed by 2:30am and up again at 7:30am....
What does it look like when you get this run down...

Let me show you:

Learnings:

1. Don't offer to jobs for people when you're tired, even if you are doing them for free

2. Don't use a cheap shifting spanner ever (Maybe an adjustable wrench for my North American friends)

3. Don't stop said tool with your face.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}

Ow, damn that looks terrible. Did it jam in through the front?

Adjustable wrenches always seem like a great idea but they’re generally terrible.

Jun 26, 2024 3:28:36 GMT Gyro LC said:

Ow, damn that looks terrible. Did it jam in through the front?

Adjustable wrenches always seem like a great idea but they’re generally terrible.

Almost all the way through, outside is marked but it didn't come through.
Also lucky I didn't knock my teeth out.

Gah! That looks terrible. I'm assuming it required stitches? Glad no dental work though. 

I'm still fighting the good fight, running on 3 hrs sleep a night right now with maybe a cat nap once or twice during the day. I technically shouldn't be operating a vehicle because I'm pretty much running on caffeine and fear of consequences right now. I have wayyyy too much going on, but what do I do? Pile on more and disrupt whatever routine I do have as I'm watching my brothers' place and their dog for the next 2 weeks which means I have to move my home office to their kitchen table during that time. It also happens to coincide with my coworkers vacation (I'm already covering for the person who left in May) and the final case studies for my class.