SQLBits 2023
ADHD - Failing at normal (and dealing with a mind that needs stimulation to focus)
Experience and tips and tricks on how to (better) deal with the challenges going together with ADHD. And of course, also, how to use the “positive side effects” to your advantage during your career.
Growing up as the “gifted child” with exceptional grades the only thing others worried about was that I was quiet, on my own, and dreaming away during school classes.
After I left school and started university (with little structure) I started struggling and had to work so much harder (compared to people around me) to still achieve the grades I expected myself to get. After graduating I changed jobs 6 times in 6 years and was feeling like a complete failure. How could I be caring at one moment and not caring just a few weeks later, why did activities that bring me joy one moment bore me completely the other? Why was my mind racing continuously (someone described this once as the feeling that your brain is switching 30 channels continuously, including volume, and someone else has the remote control).
Getting (exit) interviews with managers telling me that I was difficult, impulsive, had a difficult personality in general and that I just need to try harder to fit in I reached my lowest point. How could I have become such a failure?
Being diagnosed with ADHD did not change my life completely but it made it easier for me to make sense of my past and the things that happen in the present. It made me realize what is happening and I’ve learned how to cope and deal with everyday life (most of the time 😉).
During this session, I want to share my own experience but also tips and tricks on how to “tame” your mind and make life just a little bit easier (examples: exercising, making lists, timers, addressing the issue …). Also, I want to show the possible positive “side effects” like enhanced creativity, thinking outside the box, having new ideas, and being able to implement change & how you can use them in your job (or search for a job) to use the “disability” as an advantage.
After I left school and started university (with little structure) I started struggling and had to work so much harder (compared to people around me) to still achieve the grades I expected myself to get. After graduating I changed jobs 6 times in 6 years and was feeling like a complete failure. How could I be caring at one moment and not caring just a few weeks later, why did activities that bring me joy one moment bore me completely the other? Why was my mind racing continuously (someone described this once as the feeling that your brain is switching 30 channels continuously, including volume, and someone else has the remote control).
Getting (exit) interviews with managers telling me that I was difficult, impulsive, had a difficult personality in general and that I just need to try harder to fit in I reached my lowest point. How could I have become such a failure?
Being diagnosed with ADHD did not change my life completely but it made it easier for me to make sense of my past and the things that happen in the present. It made me realize what is happening and I’ve learned how to cope and deal with everyday life (most of the time 😉).
During this session, I want to share my own experience but also tips and tricks on how to “tame” your mind and make life just a little bit easier (examples: exercising, making lists, timers, addressing the issue …). Also, I want to show the possible positive “side effects” like enhanced creativity, thinking outside the box, having new ideas, and being able to implement change & how you can use them in your job (or search for a job) to use the “disability” as an advantage.
Speakers
Valerie Junk's other proposed sessions for 2026
Turning insights into action: The art of data communication - 2026
A structured approach to (Power BI) report creation - 2026
Dashboard Design - The icing on the cake - 2026
Data Literacy: Navigating Your Way to Data-Driven Success! - 2026
Get Creative with Power BI: Make these core visuals shine! - 2026
My Real-Time Intelligence Journey: From Power BI Data Visualization to Streaming Data - 2026
Power BI - This is Not an Art Project - 2026
Power BI Tables and Matrix Visuals: The Next Step - 2026
Valerie Junk's previous sessions
Visualizing Data for Non-Data Experts: Making Reports Accessible to All
Learn how to visualize data in a way accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of expertise. In this session, you will learn to identify your audience's needs, select the appropriate visualizations for your data, and present your findings clearly and concisely.
ADHD - Failing at normal (and dealing with a mind that needs stimulation to focus)
Experience and tips and tricks on how to (better) deal with the challenges going together with ADHD. And of course, also, how to use the “positive side effects” to your advantage during your career.