Changing The System To Succeed At Work

If you’ve ever felt your job is a lot like school, you’re not alone. Many dyslexics show up to their workplaces armed with old academic habits that never served them well in the first place. Today, we’re going to unpack why that happens and how you can break the cycle.

This podcast episode is all about shifting your mindset. It explores a new, more fitting approach to work that grows your confidence and uses your natural gifts. Let’s look at what we learned and see how you can put these gems into practice.

The Limitations of the Traditional Approach

Many companies follow a rigid process that mirrors the school environment. You see tasks presented like lessons, deadlines treated like exams, and bosses who check your daily progress as if they’re teachers.

Dyslexics often try to keep up by cramming their minds with stacks of details. Some of us force ourselves to hyper-focus on every single step, hoping to avoid mistakes. It’s draining. The fear of being judged for “missed steps” can lead to anxiety and the sense that we don’t belong. But the truth is, we do belong. We just need a different way of engaging with our work.

“I was treating work like a big classroom, but the real world doesn’t reward that approach.” – Stephen Martin

Building on Natural Strengths

A big part of making work feel less like school is noticing your own superpowers. Dyslexics tend to have strong visual thinking skills. We draw connections and see patterns. You might spot new ways of organising tasks or catch a possible pitfall in a project before others do.

We also have bold imaginations and good problem-solving skills. When you bet on these qualities, you can contribute original ideas. Bosses and co-workers might not always know how to tap into that creativity, so share it yourself. Show them how your brain lights up when you’re allowed to think differently.

Simple Shifts to Boost Productivity

Shifting from a school-style routine to a dyslexia-friendly approach can be as simple as using tools that play to your strengths. Here are a few suggestions:

• Go Visual: Use colour-coded calendars or mind-mapping software for planning. A single glance can tell you more than a list of dull bullet points.
• Voice Solutions: Dictation apps can capture ideas quickly. You don’t have to type every word. Speak, listen back, and refine.
• Break It Down: Resist the urge to tackle everything at once. Try short, focused sprints. Pause to reflect, then keep going with revived clarity.
• Leverage Collaboration: Team up with someone who complements your style. Share tasks that match each person’s strengths. This approach reduces stress and boosts overall results.

Little tweaks like these can have a huge impact. The key is recognising where you shine and supporting yourself with the right tricks.

Feeling Good About Your Unique Path

It’s easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt when you’re not matching other people’s methods. Don’t forget, dyslexia isn’t a weakness. It’s a different way of processing information, and it can lead to breakthroughs that typical minds miss.

Getting comfortable with your path involves replacing the old, unhelpful “just try harder” mindset. Dare to be proud of how your brain works. If something’s not sticking, tweak it, shift it, or turn it on its head. Make it your own. The irony is, once you realise you can redefine how you operate, work becomes more fulfilling.

1. Embrace visual tools for planning or brainstorming.
2. Catch yourself before you burn out. Take that breather.
3. Speak up when you see unique solutions others might miss.

These points might seem minor, but they can lead to big changes in how you experience your job. Even letting go of how you think you “should” do things can make you feel lighter.

Takeaways to Remember

• Approaching work like school can hold you back.
• Your dyslexic strengths are valuable to any team.
• Small tweaks in your routine can play a huge role in success.
• You don’t need to change who you are. Just adapt the systems around you.

Ready for more inspiration? The full podcast episode at the top of this page digs deeper into these strategies. Press play and discover how to swap out the old school mindset for something that truly helps you thrive.