Advantages of ADD in a High-Tech Career

[Mike]

I'm pretty sure I have ADD, or some form of it. For example, I'm usually in trouble in classes I don't enjoy (history/english) for talking/not paying attention. This never affects my test/quiz grades however. In classes I like (electronics/computers/math) I do great in both participation and tests.

Quick Note: I was just helping someone with some code and completely forgot about them to reply to this thread. Irony, anybody?

1. The Ability to Hyperfocus.
I've been known to start working on things at 11:30 PM and not finish until hours later. I totally shut anybody else out, all I need is me, my laptop and my caffeine.

2. Rapid Fire Mind.
Laggy programs annoy me, does that count?

3. Multitasking at Will.
I can work on seperate projects all within the same day/week, but not literally at the same time.

4. High Energy Level.
Yup. However, adrenaline may be his fuel source. Mine is caffeine, intravenous if I could.

5. Highly Creative.
Ehh... I try to be. Whenever I need a creativity spark, I ask myself
What would Chuck Norris do?
What would Vin Diesel do?
What would Steve Jobs do?
What would that kid from that movie do?

No really, I do. Gives me a different perspective of possible solutions (perspective of a crime fighter, of a mechanic, of a computer scientist, etc.)

6. Quick Learner.
I learned C during last years build season, we ended up capping the vision tetra.

7. Stimulus Seeking Brain.
Sometimes, when I'm bored, I read random datasheets.

8. Constantly Scanning your Environment.
I notice the weird things in pictures. Eg: An agenda in the back of a photo that looks similar to the ones we use at our school.

9. Great in a Crisis.
Not totally sure. I can't really remember a "crisis" situation.

10. Risk Taker.
I wanted to go skydiving for my 16th birthday, but all the CT dropzones require you be 18. I guess I'll have to wait two years