In the computer technology and design world the speed of new information can be overwhelmingly fast! It can be challenging for anyone in those professions to stay up to date in all that is required or expected. Some people confidently accept the challenge. For others this task is nearly impossible. For those who have a learning disability which affects the absorption of new information, meeting deadlines and staying up to date on project management is that much harder because of the time it takes to apply alternative tools and attain the information in various alternative formats.

In the workplace...

there are often set responsibilities and unrealistic timelines for getting things done when working on a team. Clients want their projects "now" and that usually means "Yesterday," bosses tap their fingers on your door wanting to know when when when they will have the product. Many individuals who do have to take extra steps in getting things done will often attract labels such as "Lazy" or "He never gets the job done on time." Part of the problem is of course are ill imposed deadlines that most often lead to stress. The other part is that individuals are treated like machines. For anyone with a mental illness or learning disability their unique processing speed or style may not be accepted: a flawed machine. Stress is one of the leading causes of the increase in symptoms of mental illness. It is not out of the blue that more and more people are taking antidepressents and anti-anxiety medications

A person should not have to choose their profession based on how information is learned but based on how interesting and engaging the subject is to them. This is where learning to balance life really comes into play. Wherever we go we are our own boss. Regardless of the particular disablitly or processing speed, acceptance of it can easily lower stress in the long run meaning a decrease of mental illness sympoms.

Time management is not the issue - being honest about how much time each daily activity takes is very important. But I'm learning and hope to soon have time for all the other neat and exciting experiences in the world. I once thought my chosen career could in fact be unhealthy and counter any attempts at a low stress lifestyle necessary for managing a mental illness. I now know that all that information that comes whizzing through my hair and whistles in my ears just enough to know it's there - is always available. Soon I will be connected to these many things...even if my brain is on dial-up. A past friend and neighbor who was 80 years old used to always say "There's always time to get your shit together!"