SEO Through an ADHD Lens

Embracing My ADHD Diagnosis

I’m going to stop hiding from coworkers and managers and recruiters and relatives and everything and embrace my ADHD diagnosis. I was recently diagnosed by my psychologist, but didn’t seek out any formal diagnosis from a psychiatrist, because those are expensive and who needs an expensive piece of paper?

Focusing on boring things is hard

I had a lot of false starts with universities - I started a few before finally settling (and finishing!) “Events and Exhibition Management”. It was the only one I found interesting - maybe it’s my fault for trying to make Accounting & Finance fun - so it’s the only one I stuck with. 

So now, at work, it’s the same. It’s painful to go through the boring tasks - like writing meta titles and meta descriptions. Researching keywords for those is fine, but actually getting into writing them is a pain. To tackle the monotony of writing meta titles and descriptions, I am now tricking myself to find these fun by treating them as  a game. I challenged myself to craft the most compelling meta descriptions within a specific time frame, and then getting a coffee or a tea as a treat. This not only made the process more engaging but also improved my productivity and creativity. 

Understanding the impact of a task make the task feel more meaningful. It is no longer just about filling in a template or doing mindless work, but about playing a crucial role in improving our client’s website. When I get a task that I don’t understand the purpose of, I can never start it - so I try to pry out the information from my colleagues or my clients.

SEO In-House: Before My Diagnosis

At my first proper SEO job, looking back, I was constantly burned out, struggling, feeling overwhelmed. The job itself was very fast-paced, as tasks kept coming and the importance of tasks kept changing, and they seemed never-ending. I came in early, left late - and there was no end in sight.

I was great at my job, I learned everything on my own, I applied, I researched, I analysed - but my issues were not strictly work-related. I couldn’t prioritise, I couldn’t focus, I stressed, I hated myself, I was too blunt - and the list goes on. I lost count how many times I cried in the work bathroom.

Adding the start of the pandemic to this, and not being able to go back where I lived (I managed to fly to visit my parents but all flights were grounded after), something in me broke.

And I ended up being diagnosed with anxiety and depression, a year after the pandemic hit in the UK.

SEO and ADHD in the Agency World

Working in an agency is different than working in-house. 

One of the most stimulating aspects of working in an agency is the sheer diversity of clients and projects. Each day brings a new challenge, a new problem to solve, and a new victory to celebrate. For someone with ADHD, this variety can be incredibly engaging. The novelty of tackling familiar issues in entirely new contexts keeps the brain stimulated, making it easier to maintain focus and interest. What might be a repetitive task in an in-house role transforms into a fresh puzzle to solve, thanks to the changing variables presented by different clients and industries.

However, this diversity also warrants a high level of flexibility and adaptability. Communication strategies that work for one client might not suit another.

Managing multiple clients means that diving deep into any single account becomes a rare luxury. For SEO specialists keen on thoroughly understanding and optimising a client's business, this limitation can be frustrating. It often feels like just as you're starting to make significant progress, you must switch gears to another project or client.

Moreover, the agency setting demands not just technical SEO skills, but also strong interpersonal skills. Managing relationships with a diverse array of clients requires a level of communication skills and adaptability that can be particularly taxing for individuals with ADHD. The need to "mask" or adapt one's natural communication style to suit different clients and work cultures can be exhausting, leading to increased stress and burnout.

Transforming My Work Environment

This diagnosis helped me accept how I reacted to things, and to learn how to manage these. I’ll never be the poster child for calm, and I’ll always feel anxious when presenting to clients, but I’m learning how not to seem as anxious as I feel. 

I’ve improved my environment - I am surrounded by plants, soft, yellow lights, colourful coffee mugs. I never use the “big light” as it gives me a headache and adds extra strain to my eyes. I always have candles around me - I love to light them, as they provide soft light and a nice, new smell. A big glass water bottle sits next to me daily, so it can remind me to hydrate.

I’ve also upgraded the keyboard I had from my work (a basic black one) to one of the colourful Logitech ones, so now it’s a dream to write! I have three notebooks - which might seem like a lot - but they all serve different purposes: one is for taking notes during meetings, another is a daily planner, and the last one is for dumping info and notes in, so I can clear some of the clutter in my mind.

I’m also surrounded by ADHD fidget toys - a squishy banana, a few tangles, a colourful articulated snail, a piece of pottery from my ceramics class. These help me focus better, and appear less fidgety on camera.

Another important aspect that has helped me is to block out focus times in my calendar, where coworkers can’t just jump in and schedule a call with me. That time is for me only, to focus on a big task and advance on it, without intrerruptions.

Transforming my work environment while working remotely has been about more than just aesthetics; it's been about creating a space that supports my mental health, caters to my sensory and organisational needs, and fosters productivity.

Looking to the Future

In a month (July 2024), I’ll be starting a new chapter as an in-house SEO Specialist. This transition brings its own set of challenges and opportunities, but I’m approaching it with a renewed sense of confidence and self-awareness. Equipped with the insights I’ve gained from my ADHD diagnosis, I’m ready to leverage my strengths and manage my weaknesses more effectively.

I’m looking forward to applying the adaptive strategies I’ve developed - most of them with the help of my current coworkers! - , such as gamifying tasks and creating a supportive work environment, to my new role. Understanding the impact of my work and staying engaged through variety will remain key components of my approach.

Additionally, I’m excited to build deeper connections with my new team and immerse myself in a single company’s vision and goals. This will allow me to dive deeper into projects and see the long-term impact of my efforts, something I’ve missed in the agency setting.

While the in-house environment can sometimes feel repetitive, I’m prepared to find new ways to stay engaged and motivated. Whether through continuous learning, seeking new challenges within the role, or simply changing up my routine, I’m committed to maintaining my productivity and well-being.

Embracing My Unique Perspective

Living and working with ADHD has its challenges, but it also offers unique strengths. By embracing my diagnosis and adapting my work environment to suit my needs, I’ve not only improved my productivity but also my overall well-being. My journey with ADHD is ongoing, but I am learning to navigate it with creativity, resilience, and a newfound appreciation for the diversity of thought it brings to my work in SEO.

For anyone else navigating ADHD in their professional life, remember: it’s okay to seek out what works for you, to ask for help, and to create a workspace that supports your mental health. Embrace your unique perspective – it’s a powerful tool in the ever-evolving world of SEO.