New York Post, 10/31/05

              

DISTRACTED!
                  

by Tripp Whitsell

                 

I'm a 34-year-old freelance writer who works at home. I've worked out of my Upper East Side apartment for nearly five years and have produced one book, hundreds of articles and an unpublished novel. But no matter how much I accomplish, I also struggle with a problem that many colleagues don't -- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -- more commonly referred to as ADD, because not all sufferers are hyperactive.

                       

No one knows exactly how many of the 8 million adults diagnosed with ADD in the United States are self-employed. Harold Meyer, director of the New York chapter of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, puts the number at more than 50 percent.

                          
This includes men and women pursuing almost every field -- from manufacturing to financial services to real estate to franchising and freelance writing. And for better or worse, the allure of being our own boss has inspired many of us with ADD to strike out on our own.

                    
New Yorker Jeffrey Gurian, 48, is one such person.

                    
A former dentist, he's managed to launch a successful second career as a comedy writer and filmmaker, despite a lifelong struggle with ADD.

                        
"For me, the problems of working at home with [ADD] comes out in various ways, and I never know what any given day will be like because I get overwhelmed and become very confused," he says.

                         
"If I have a deadline, I hole up in my apartment until I'm done. I don't give myself three weeks, because procrastination is a major factor with having ADD."

                      
Every situation is unique, but the truth is that working at home with ADD is never easy. People who choose the at-home career path must overcome a series of ADD-related symptoms, including organizational problems and time-management issues.

                  
"The most important thing is to get rid of as many distractions as possible," says Meyer.

                
"The key is being able to coordinate having your own natural schedule, plus those transitions you're building in," says Sara Denning, a psychologist who treats adults with ADD -- and also suffers from the problem herself.

                 
"It's difficult to create a career when you're sitting all by yourself at home and you still have to interact in many ways that most people in an office take for granted."

                   
So why would any sane person  -- much less someone with ADD -- choose to run a business from home?

                     
The professional advantages are obvious: There is flexibility in terms of the workload and scheduling. Plus, the tax benefits are enormous.

                    
"There's not one thing that's consistent with me, and I'm constantly flying by the seat of my pants," says Stephanie McWilliams, a 34-year-old graphic designer from Brooklyn.

               
"I can wake up when I want to, go to bed when I want -- and not have to worry about being restricted to a 9-to-5 schedule."

                     
But there's also a downside. The rest of the world operates on a normal schedule and won't easily adapt to yours. What's more, without a normal routine, there's a powerful temptation to read a book or go to a movie, even when there's work to be done.

                      
Separation of space is another issue. Comedy writer Gurian converted his second bedroom into an office. And Bonnie Mincu, a Manhattan business coach with ADD who counsels other ADD adults on how to start their own businesses, advises clients try and find a quiet place to work outside the home.

               
"The problem isn't always so much working with ADD as it is working at home," she says.

                 
"A lot of people work better in a public place where they can get a change of scenery, even if it's just for couple of hours."

           
The biggest issue is money.

               
Although many ADD entrepreneurs earn a decent living from their home businesses, Con Edison doesn't care how many clients you've got lined up if the electric bill isn't paid.

                        
Still, the pluses far outweigh the minuses, and for many, myself included, the personal rewards have been enormous.

                   
Best of all? I get to hang out with my best friend, Sharon, and my dogs any time I want.

                  
That's a fringe benefit no company can offer.

          
 

10 STRATEGIES FOR WORKING EFFECTIVELY FROM HOME WITH ADD

                

Do you work from home with ADD and never seem to get enough done? Here's how to maximize your productivity when big brother isn't watching:

            
  -- Try to establish a normal workday routine, preferably during daytime hours when the rest of the world also works.

                 

  -- If you can't afford to get office space out of your home, section off a corner of your bedroom or living room and label it "Work Space." Do not let anyone else in there.

           

  -- Find a healthy way to motivate yourself to work each day, such as going to the gym or meeting a friend in the morning for coffee.

             

  -- Get dressed as if you were going into an office -- although this doesn't necessarily mean putting on a suit and tie, it also doesn't mean being in your pajamas all day.

              

  -- Avoid distractions and procrastination as much possible, including watching television, or doing household chores, especially when you have an approaching deadline.

                        

  -- Limit or completely eliminate non-work related phone calls or e-mails with friends and family when you're working.

                       

  -- Make a "to do" list at the beginning of each day and cross off each item when you're done.

                

  -- Keep your workspace clean and free of excess clutter.

                 

  -- Network and form a support system with others in your field.

                   
  -- Have a designated quitting time each day and reward yourself for a job well done.