idk what neurodivergent young adult needs to hear this but you are NOT supposed to give 100% at your job. I've gotten more promotions and raises since I started giving 40-60%, which my evil CEO uncle informed me is what bosses actually expect when they say 110%. My mental health has improved tremendously. I've spent 2 out of 5 workdays secretly writing my novel for the last 2 years and I've never been more respected and appreciated. Also--when you see glaring wasteful errors in the company's operating systems, say absolutely nothing! Embrace inefficiency. It is your friend in this capitalist hellscape.
@sparrow-va Seen a lot of people asking this and here's a starter-pack, which others have also added in the comments:
Start on day one. It's almost impossible to scale back if you started out giving 100% —it might be possible though, so don't give up hope.
If you can get away with it, 'waste' roughly half of your time. You can work on a personal project if IT won't clock you, or go for long walks if you can sneak out of the office. I walked 3-4 miles every day when I started my current job. I also walked to Barnes & Noble to sit on the floor and read comics. I've spent a few days just watching TikToks or Fall of Civilizations. If you have Work From Home days, buy a mouse jiggler! (Don't install mouse jiggler software, that shit's traceable.)
If you're still not sure, pay close attention to how much work your worst coworker is doing, and copy that. I bet you it will be 40-60% of what you feel you could easily do, especially if they are 50+.
Never finish anything immediately. If you want to get a project done, knock it out, and then set a reminder to send it at least 2-3 days later. I fuck this one up the most, if I'm honest, 'cause shocking people with how fast I can accomplish things is like a drug.
Remember!!!! Being the fastest and the best will get you NOTHING—except possibly the kind of attention that gets you abused and fired. Promotions for hard work are a myth. It's capitalist propaganda you MUST expunge from your brain. Aim to be the worker your manager expects, not the one they're impressed by—except in a social sense. I got a $2 raise for singing in 3 part harmony with my bosses once.
Survive.
