Time Management and ADHD
First and foremost, the biggest and best advice for anyone with ADHD or even anxiety, for that matter, is to:
1. STOP PROCRASTINATING.
Procrastination is the personal Satan for people with ADHD and Anxiety.
“Why do today, what can be done tomorrow?” Asks the ADHD person, “I’m so much better when I’m under pressure.” Oftentimes, that is so wrong. In my testing, I find that ADHD people respond quicker when under higher pressure, but usually incorrectly. People under pressure may get their work done quicker, but they may be more error-prone. That whole detail orientation thing.
“I can’t deal with this today, I swear, I’ll do it tomorrow,” promises the anxiety-ridden person. Then the anxiety gets even worse when confronting the idea of cashing the check they wrote.
2. Scope out your day the night before.
So many of the ADHD people I work with feel like they do their best thinking at night. Especially when the distractions are at a minimum. This is when to plan everything, from the clothes you are going to wear to how the day is going to go.
3. Scope out your day the morning before
Get an idea of what your day is going to look like. Set daily goals. Make notes on what you want to accomplish; things you need to express to coworkers, friends, etc, and some of the longer-term projects you want to start chipping away at.
4. ALWAYS HAVE A CLOCK NEARBY.
Maximize the timepiece on your screen. Make sure your smart watch opens to the time of day it is. Make a clock your screensaver and
Visualize this guy:
He’s got a time strap on his chest. Maybe you don’t need it that big, but make sure any wall you are looking at has a clock.
5. Think about the why, you’re going to be better with time.
You owe it to your family, your loved ones, your clientele, and the community at large. When you run on time, it helps everyone around you to run on time. Besides, it is what we ask of the world around us.
6. Use your calendar.
Digital, the kind with a bunch of cats or firemen on it, or whatever cool calendar app you have. USE IT and get used to using it.
Check out these books for more ideas
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
Learn how to:
Make time for new habits
Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower
Design your environment to make success easier
Get back on track when you fall off course
...and much more.
In Faster Than Normal, Shankman shares his hard-won insights and daily hacks for making ADHD a secret weapon for living a full and deeply satisfying life. Powerful ways to:
Harness your creative energy to generate and execute your ideas
Direct your hyperfocus to get things done
Identify your pitfalls--and avoid them
Streamline your daily routine to eliminate distractions
Use apps and other tech innovations to free up your time and energy
There’s always more that can be done to better manage time
So many people have devised so many hacks. Let me know your favorite time management hack!