The Forums › Forums › The Workplace › Lost/Losing My Job › I've achieved great succes in my career, but have also been fired over 10 times! › Re: I've achieved great succes in my career, but have also been fired over 10 times!
I can’t help but make a friendly comment (but real life observation) about Megatron never being fired. That’s actually wonderful and I mean that not to be funny but I couldn’t help but howl with laughter when I read that! The reason it impacts me in such a funny way is that I’m sure YOU’RE being truthful, and I’m glad for you. Its so refreshing to hear from someone who can actually say that with a straight face. Why? Because in my profession, even though I stated earlier I’d been fired regularly every 5 yrs since I was 16 because of my ADD/ADHD related failings, impulsive (sometimes destructive-to myself and loved ones) acts, unpredictability but then always redeeming myself by performing at a level higher than my peers–according to all 35yrs. of employment records I “resigned to explore other opportunities, interests, etc.” Now, I knew I was fired. I sat there everytime with the client or the employer and we agreed that I no longer had the “fire” for the work, didn’t pay attention to even minor details, blew off important meetings/people that didn’t challenge me, etc. Funny thing is that everytime the employer, often someone who’d become a good friend, was more upset than I was. Exclaiming, just like my mother did when I was in kindergarten:” You’re intelligent!! You know this stuff better than anyone! Why can’t you just “buckle down” ? Are you lazy?,etc., etc.” So, I could without fear of contradiction by any employer or client I’ve ever worked with say that I’ve never been fired because of my ADD/ADHD ingrained behaviors and attitudes. Even though each of those persons would privately reveal to you: “You know, when we were in trouble or had something complicated and critical, he’s the only person you’d want. And right after saying that, it would be: “but we could just never be sure when he’d suit up a do it. When he did, he was the best but when he didn’t, he’d find a way to screw up.”
So, in going through my otherwise impressive resume (though now most all prospective employers know of my “flash in the pan” work approach), you’ll not find one instance where I was fired. But, I know every one of those times, every resignation letter where I wrote eloquently of my partners, co-workers and friends, expressing regret at having to leave to fulfill my desire to hike the Appalachian Trail, and so on. Great thing about that is that at the many jobs I’ve had over 30yrs. and because my “firing” was turned into a lovefest, almost everyone one of these former employers and colleagues still love me (or feel sorry for me). BUT, they would not remotely consider having me as an employee. An unpredictable, impulsive, “live for the day” type of guy they’d love to play golf and socialize with….but work together again? Never.
ON the medicinal and therapy note: The Adderall and Valium (for the associated anxiety disorder/depression) finally seems to be the right combination to keep me focused and moving forward. It took 8 weeks of Staterra/Serax, Ritalin/Xanax, etc. to try to get a medication balance The bi-weekly counseling (with coaching later) is a great accompaniment. I think its a must with the meds. However, I was still advised to apply for SS Disability Benefits because my pscychiatrist (one of the best in our area on Adult ADD/ADHD impairments) has refused to approve me for any form of employment for at least one year, and then only after a successful re-testing/re-evaluation.
MY Catch-22: As a former trial lawyer, if I file for disability and do a good job of proving my case, doesn’t that tell the Judge that I’m not disabled????? Still pondering that one. It is very difficult for us “ADDers” to intentionally dumb ourselves down, even if sometimes we should!!!!
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