ADHD

I've been a receptionist, and I've been an office manager - if you have the choice, go for office manager! Depending on the size of the office you basically still are the receptionist you just have a lot more responsibility. For me, the hardest part of being a receptionist were the days where I had basically nothing to do but still had to sit there and look pleasant. If you work in an office where you can wear a Bluetooth piece in your ear, you can listen to podcasts which takes care of the monotony aspect.

The other hardest hurdle for me is not letting details fall through the cracks. I have come up with some checks and balances systems to make sure nothing gets forgotten, and obviously I write every single thing down as it's asked of me. I cannot rely on my brain to just remember a task someone asked me to do. I make a lot of lists.

You can also fill downtime with stuff like an online typing class which just looks like you're sending emails or whatever from the outside. Sitting and doing nothing is just too hard.

For what it's worth, I know they're the same in the DSM now, but I'm not hyperactive. If you are, being a receptionist might not be for you.

Not technically a receptionist, but the phone rings, and someone's I answer it.

My biggest issue is:

Julie called while you were out.

What'd she want?

Just wanted to let you know that John picked up our package.

All of the packages? If not, which one? Is it John G, or John Q? Is he dropping it off? Do we need to get it?

I never thought to ask any of those questions, and if Julie did give me more details, I didn't think I'd need to remember them.

 Don't let your internal persona of a hard worker allow you to compromise your needs, or your health. When the shit inevitably hits the fan, it is natural to blame yourself in order to improve on the the situation in the future. However, most catastrophes that happen near your will be completely out of your control.
 I still blame myself, I worked at a "walk-in" ambulatory clinic and there was a lady about the age of my mother, who sought our facility for help. She should have gone to the hospital. She had a cardiac event and died as she stumbled through the front door. I did everything I could have done, it wasn't enough.
 My best has never been enough for any major corporation, but I can rely on my self to protect my self. To the corporation, I will always be expendable.
 I love your courage but we must maintain the vessel that houses this courage.