Being Professional AND knowing what you are sh#te at

Jill Holly
8 hours ago
2 min read

Originally posted 5th July 2023 on my NeuroDiversity University Blog FaceBook page

I said goodbye today to a Client. They were full of praise for me. My ego loved that feeling. And my Imposter Syndrome was grateful for an hour off duty. The difference between that blessed feeling of glory, and the reality of my awful Executive Function skills is HUGE.

Below is a genuine account of how abysmal and embarrassing it 'could' be if I wasn't so self aware and transparent with prospective Clients.

Monday I had a conversation with someone and needed to send them information.

Tuesday I saw a scribbled note with this action but not much content. A note to remind me to send information. So I write a clearer note with more info, for me to do.

Today, Wednesday, I gave that note attention. Except I have absolutely no recall of what I'm to send. It's annoying that my memory/Exec Function can be so poor.

I'll be honest. Until Diagnosis, I felt a Fraud being a Counsellor.

I have felt less than, my whole life because of my Exec Function struggles. I mean, how can I do this job yet struggle with Admin. Am I really able to do this job that matters, a job working with mental health?

Diagnosis made it ok for me.

Diagnosis gave me an understanding and explanation for me being brilliant in some ways, and genuinely atrocious in other ways.

Diagnosis allows me to be a glorious, vibrant NeuroDivergent and gave me permission to stop being and failing as a NeuroTypical.

Yes, my Executive Function is not great in many ways.

But it no longer scares me. It no longer forces me to shrink myself.

I now know I can be a good enough Professional AND be fully, unapologetically, Me.

And I can have strategies to manage Me.

Today, Thursday, the strategy worked. All sorted now.