Does anyone else find open office environments completely overwhelming? The constant noise, side conversations, and people walking around make it almost impossible to focus. Last week, I lost track of what I was doing at least 10 times before lunch. I’ve been thinking about asking for noise-canceling headphones or even a designated quiet space, but I’m not sure how HR would take it. Has anyone successfully negotiated for a different workspace setup? What worked, and did it actually help your focus?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I hate open offices. The distractions wreck my focus, and I lose hours just trying to get back into deep work. I asked for a desk in a quieter corner and started using white noise machines + noise-canceling headphones. It wasn’t a perfect fix, but it helped. If you’re struggling, I’d recommend framing the request in a way that shows how it benefits your productivity and the company’s bottom line. HR is more likely to listen if they see it as a performance issue, not just a preference.

like

If they say no and you’re cool with being a lil shady, you can always buy something like a ticket to a conference that’s relevant to your job, expense it, get the money, then cancel and get a refund for the ticket and just buy whatever headphones or other items you actually want 😉

like

Yep it drives me insane how loud my office is. It makes it so hard for me to get work done when I can't just close a door and be in a silent office by myself. I don't thnk people who don' have ADHD realize how hard it is to regain focus once its lost.

Related Posts

If an individual resides in CT and works in NY can we serve them in NY?

like

Anyone have any experience with Waterland Private Equity? Love to know about culture, hours, etc for the investment team! Thanks!

like

Have an interview with a company I really want to work for tomorrow. My last job I was laid off b/c of an acquisition&recently accepted a job at a diff company b/c I couldnt afford not to. I got this invite shortly after. The place I’m interviewing at the job wouldn’t start til next year. I dont want to seem like a job hopper. Do i tell them I’m at a new role or just not bring it up? The acquisition was public so they can see Im no longer employed with the most recent work history on my resume

like

Hi Fishes !!!

I'm looking for a job referral for an entry level project management and market research job profile. I have 10 months of experience and available for immediate joining.

like

Got an offer for "Insights Factory" team at Senior Associate level in PwC AC Bangalore with 3.5 years of work experience. Got an offer of 18.7 with my previous being 12. Am I being low balled here?

Need inputs from PwC AC Bangalore folks.
Profile: MBA from Tier 2 college.

Also inputs about "Insights Factory" team would be helpful. Name Sounds bit cheesy.

uplifting

Salary aane ka bhi koi deadline hai?

Partner: Let’s take the data in the spreadsheet and put it in PowerBI so we can cut it up.

Me: What? It’s already cut up in the spreadsheet. I don’t get it.

Also me: Yeah! Analytics!

likefunny

In another bowl, it was stated that conservatives don’t believe in science, facts, or reality. It still surprises me how misrepresented we are (even though I have seen the media clips that brainwash their viewers). How can we set them straight when they have already been programmed to tune us out?

likefunny

If your on the new app Clubhouse - drop your @ or dm it! Lot of meaningful entertainment industry discussions going on!!!

like

Which is better career path among these two ?
1. Java And it's advanced technologies (Backend)
2. Java and Angular (Full stack)

If we leave public accounting before passing the cpa exam, how do we go about verifying all our work experience/hours once we’ve moved into industry? Still want to get cpa, but moving into industry

like

Can anyone suggest me some apartments or area where I can take 1 bhk flat for a married couple near Societe Generale SGC Bangalore?

Is it worth making the time/money investment to make the switch from big 4 FDD to MBB. This would require getting into and paying for a top MBA program and my net worth would be way negative after that. Are the MBB financial returns worth it? Im 26 years old for reference

like

I really like finance, but I want to be a sole proprietor. Any ideas of what I can do besides making my own hedge book?

likeuplifting

Any recommendations for a book/podcast/self study materials for a new finance attorney? I have no background in finance and was assigned to a finance group. Help me!!

like

Anyone been able to work from Dubai for a UK/US firm and benefit from no taxes? I know if you are a US citizen you pay taxes where you are globally, but if you are British, then you only pay income tax on UK income - so if you live more than half the year abroad you are classed as non-domicile resident, but wanted to hear if anyone’s done this or heard about it?

like

Send some music to get through the hectic work day

like

Am I wrong that physicians are the millennial snowflakes of the healthcare industry?

likefunny

Does anyone has any openings related to PMO Lead PM etc.

Do you know what is the worst and heart burning job in this IT world????

Being a HR earning peanuts and giving every Tom ,Dick and Harry 20 plus offer letters .....need to know actual HRs opinion on this ?

likefunnyuplifting

Additional Posts in ADHD Professionals

What are your best tools for self-motivation at work? There are days when it takes a huge amount of effort for me to get started and in the groove and I'm looking for ways to make work days easier.

like

When it is not an urgent or time bound task, I tend to not finish tasks but my mind wanders to some other tasks. How do you stay on task ? Would love to hear your suggestions. Thank you!

like

I started checking out ADHD resources on Twitter after a friend suggested it and love some of the illustrations/explanations I've found especially because it can be hard to get straight answers from a doctor. This one on executive function is great and made me feel so much better (that it wasn't just me). Her account is @ADHD_Alien

Post Photo
like

I found a place with great reviews to be diagnosed for ADHD, but it’s through virtual appointments, is this a normal thing?

like

Strat consultants: work performance Remote vs In-Office. Do you find you are able to perform better in an office as there are less ways you can procrastinate or relax than at home?

like

Hi! I’m a young professional with less than 2 years experience, started a new job 1.5 months ago. I’m having quite some difficulties on balancing out my response time to tasks. While I act incredibly fast if not immediately with some, I sometimes take 1-2 weeks with couple of hours worthy ones. Sometimes I ignore, procrastinate or simply other more urgent things come up to increase the delay. Also I work with 3 managers in my team which doesn’t help with expectations nor guidance. Any tips pls?

like

Just here to say I’m so thankful we have this safe space. People who aren’t diagnosed generally have misconceptions about ADHD and its symptoms, and I’m so grateful we have this bowl to seek help, learn from one another, and sometimes just vent! With all the negativity in the world, this bowl is that one ray of sunshine I so desperately need, so thank you everyone for what you have done and what you’ll continue to do!

likeupliftinghelpful

For anyone who has a consistent exercise routine can you explain if it has helped you manage your ADHD symptoms and all the different ways it has helped?

like

How do you get out of the burnout cycle? I’ve felt overwhelmed for a while and now I’m in the “can’t function at all” stage. It’s so hard explaining this to my manager because I already have a workload that’s lighter than others (not because of performance or my request). Any tips on how to get re-engaged, since the overwhelming feeling will come back?

like

Stimulants and sweating! I’m going back to the office and never used them while in the office, I don’t want to look or be sweaty haha any advice? I also don’t want to look weird drinking 6L of water as I do in person

For those who were diagnosed as an adult can you provide some insight into how you were able to obtain a diagnosis. I went to my primary care dr who referred me to another dr who specialized in mental health. He asked me about 5 questions before telling me I should see a neuropsychologist for an official assessment. The referral he gave me is super pricey and apparently isn’t covered by insurance. Is that normal?

likehelpful

Has anyone gotten to the point where it is physically painful to try and concentrate? Not sure what to do at this point; had Ritalin for a bit, but I adjusted in like 10 days before the benefits went away. Now I’m scared I’ll just keep getting worse

like

Has anyone else tried Strattera, had success, and a few months later felt like work was a struggle again? Am I imagining it? There are reasons why I should not take stimulants, but I miss that feeling of being a “regular” person at work and so am curious if others have had a similar journey and where you all ended up

like

My boss assigns projects with unclear expectations and provides no guidance on how to achieve them.

I've asked for help, and, to avoid a long post, she expects me to figure it out. Perhaps you go through this too, but when I don't have a clear guide on completing big projects, it paralyzes me because I don't know where to start. On top of that, I have anxiety, so "it has to be perfect".

How do you approach projects when your boss plays the "guess what's in my head" game?

like

Looking for a good playlist to keep me motivated this morning :( I usually listen to Ava Max or something #ADHD is real!!

like

Anyone else struggle with feeling like you’ll never find a job you’re actually good at? I feel like no matter what I do I’ll never actually find my niche.

like

Anyone noticed that with aerobic / cardio exercises it gets more difficult to focus? It is like my mind a TV and someone else gets the remote and goes through every channel every 30 seconds or so

like

I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 12. My family did not opt to put me on medication. I illegally discovered Adderall in college. Worked incredible. Got diagnosed after college & after having been fired from my first job. Passed the CPA exams on Adderall. Went off of it again. I do everything well at my job except for attention to detail within my excel files & emails. Will taking ADHD medication really fix this? Does anyone else have this issue and was it resolved by taking medication?

like

Anyone feel like self-control is more difficult on stimulants in general? Like reflecting back on things, thinking before speaking, holding out on pleasure activities

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal