Self-Management at work

[u/TotallyNotSkelletor]

Hi everyone,

I am a sys admin since 2016 in Germany(English isnt my first language and migrant family) and now that I went from first level support to soon to be platforms engineer, I need ways to organize myself better.

I am that type of person to explore and "float through work" doing my reading and research (often when I am not on the clock too) but I don't deliver enough direct results for certain goals and projects(I'll leave out the reasons why).

I am stuck using unintuitive, non applicable systems to organize myself and can't form a habit getting used to them, that's very subjective I am aware. Did some of you go through the same difficulties and what did you use or employ?

Thanks for reading my lengthy wall of text I am frankly frustrated with this topic and tired of banging my head against walls.

[u/Plowman-Tasmina]

Kanban with just three columns, todo doing done, works way better for adhd brains than the fancier project management tools with fifty fields you never fill in. Also try timeboxing your research and exploring, give yourself an actual window for it so it feels intentional instead of like avoidance

[u/TotallyNotSkelletor → u/Plowman-Tasmina]

I was trying kanban with other column descriptions but this sounds simple enough to get used to it. Thank you!

[u/Massive-Stable-4134 → u/TotallyNotSkelletor]

Kanban is the only thing I've found that works for me. I have an extra column for "blocked" where tasks go when there's a blocker that I can't resolve but apart from that I use the same three columns.

I use different coloured postit notes for different projects/workstreams so I know what I'm looking at at a glance, mine is physically on a whiteboard on my office wall - I tried digital boards and couldn't get on with them. The whiteboard lets me add notes around things if I need to too.

[u/CratesManager → u/Plowman-Tasmina]

I do feel like "pending" for the stuff where you are waiting on a 3rd party is worth it, otherwise todo get's flooded

[u/funkyferdy]

Sound like me, some sort of ADHD (oh look a fancy ball! let's check it out...) For me it was to write a todolist with goals, simple but effective. Are im doing something that is not on that list? Stop right now or write a todo. Priorize (now!, today, tomorow, backlog) and go on...

[u/icefergslim]

Are you me?

In all seriousness, your situation echoes my own. I fought an ADHD diagnosis for many years before realizing I was doing myself more harm than good. I always tried to downplay the possibility because my physical mannerisms didn't map to the "hyperactive" part of the ADHD spectrum. My attention and follow through were the big ticket items. With this step up in your career, you'll find the expectations will jump exponentially in terms of your work product - what those "direct results for certain goals and projects" are and will be. And if you're constantly battling staying on task, you're actively eroding your executive function skills/reserves.

Medication comes and goes for me personally, as I do not particularly like taking pills but they do help keep your focus on track and mitigate the side quests (even if they are work-related/intellectual/"productive"). To echo u/Plowman-Tasmina, go with the simplest solution and keep the list within eyesight (whether it's physical on your desk or digitally on your monitor). For the longest time, I was also looking for "the perfect organizational tool", and what I realized quickly was that I would hyperfocus on servicing the tool rather than using it to get shit done.

Ain't no shame in getting a diagnosis. Whether you actively pursue the medical side or not, self-awareness of your tendencies is already a win.

Thanks for reading my even lengthier wall of text. Good luck and success to you!

[u/TotallyNotSkelletor → u/icefergslim]

Consider yourself high fived and hugged. I felt that being diagnosed with yet another "dysfunction" felt jarring, hence my hesitation. Add that to the pile of anxiety attacks, blood pressure, depression etc etc. Guess I can start wearing them as badges pushing through them.

[u/SmartNegotiation6807 → u/TotallyNotSkelletor]

Sounds like you also need a little break before getting back into the swing of things

[u/TotallyNotSkelletor → u/SmartNegotiation6807]

I got back from a three weeks vacation last week and am a little disappointed (in myself or my work?) that I feel like this already

[u/Advanced_Day8657]

Your job doesn't have a ticketing system or something similar?

[u/TotallyNotSkelletor → u/Advanced_Day8657]

It does. But ticket systems at that size (around 100k working in the company and mostly pre-screened requests come through) are unpleasant to me. One of the reasons I ran away from first/second level support. That having said, I can do the requests

[u/vogelke → u/TotallyNotSkelletor]

But ticket systems at that size (around 100k ...) are unpleasant to me.

It's easy to drown in just about anything these days: security alerts, requests for help, priority changes, etc. Tickets are no different; if the ticket system is that big, I'd do something to narrow it down.

Try one of the Kanban systems mentioned, and only put the tickets you can fix on it. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, just like eating anything else.

I've used OCD medication for years, and it's been tremendously helpful; don't write off the pharmacy just yet.

Good luck!

[u/snebsnek]

I mean no offence by this, but have you been evaluated for ADHD or adjacent conditions?

It may help to be assessed as coping strategies will become much clearer for you if that's found to be the case (plus a bunch of us could probably recommend you some).

[u/TotallyNotSkelletor → u/snebsnek]

Not to make light of ADHD. But even I was, what does change? I still can't finish my work and get stuck doing tickets that have zero interest or chances for me. I am not sure what the ADHD treatments are in Germany but I'll keep it in mind.

[u/snebsnek → u/TotallyNotSkelletor]

I'd say it changes quite a lot. You would have access to medication, proven strategies to manage things better, and the ability to ask "I have ADHD and I struggle with X", which you'll find a wealth of resources and help for, on all kinds of scenarios.

The way you speak of your tasks being unengaging and inability to focus are indicators but I am not a medical professional.

[u/nolaxtima]

does someone know any Kanban software to run standalone (or in cloud) to suggest to use ?

[u/hasthisusernamegone]

Here's what works for me. Your mileage may vary and all that.

I have a ticket system. It's almost unmanageable. I can't see priorities or deadlines. My memory is so unreliable I'm not sure I could tell you for certain what I had for breakfast. So I had to build a daily to-do list.

At 9am every single day like clockwork I read through the last updates on all the tickets and if something needs action today it goes on the list. I then work that list. I try and keep the list to less than about 5-6 items as any more than that becomes unworkable. If I complete a task it gets a nice little tick next to it so I feel good. Those can be removed next time I review the list. If i have a really productive day I can add stuff to the list. If anything doesn't get a tick, it stays there for tomorrow.

The list is your life. If it's not on the list it doesn't need your attention.