| TIME/TASK MANAGEMENT | | | | - Attempting to keep our brain activated by |
| Time and task management, as we all know, is | | | | constantly seeking stimulation |
| something we learn to do in school and is | | | | So what do we learn from these issues? We |
| necessary to succeed in most areas of our life. | | | | learn that any solution that will hold weight for us |
| However, when you have ADHD, you do not | | | | will need to include structuring the environment |
| possess the brain function ability that your class | | | | around us, planning ahead for our day and week, |
| mates or coworkers do. What may be | | | | understanding, accepting and managing our |
| elementary to them can be extremely challenging | | | | behavior, and finding fun and rewards in what we |
| for you. What they may pick up naturally as a | | | | are doing. |
| way to stay on track with their tasks and | | | | Here is what I've learned from my clients about |
| projects, you won't have access to. This does not | | | | what really resolves Time/Task Management |
| mean you are any less intelligent. In fact you are | | | | issues in the workplace: |
| just the opposite! But it does mean that you think | | | | |
| and work differently and because of that, you will | | | | 1. Learn to prioritize your values, tasks and |
| not always be able to meet the expectations of | | | | projects. And, most importantly, once identified, |
| the organizations and people around you. You will | | | | stick with these priorities for 5 weeks, no matter |
| need to develop other ways to perform | | | | what. By then, prioritizing will be a habit and you'll |
| successfully. In this article we are going to talk | | | | be keeping your most important commitments. |
| about some solutions to time and task | | | | How would that transform your life? |
| management that will help you do that. These | | | | 2. Break the tendency to hyper-focus during |
| strategies and practices have been used with | | | | work. What structure do you need to put in place |
| hundreds and thousands people successfully. | | | | to alert you to the time? Things like a co-worker |
| Hopefully, one or two of them will work for you. | | | | reminder, setting an alarm on your computer or |
| Typically, workers with ADHD have trouble | | | | watch, having your schedule book open right next |
| beginning and completing projects and tasks on | | | | to your computer, a sticky reminder on your |
| time. But first let's remember that today time | | | | monitor? |
| task management is not just an ADHD issue. | | | | 3. When a project is assigned, or instructions are |
| Because life in the 21st century is increasing | | | | given, immediately record the due date and time |
| frenetic and overly committed, many of us run | | | | on your calendar. Then work backwards, day by |
| into difficulty beginning and completing tasks on | | | | day and week by week, until you have captured, |
| time. Of course, this makes it twice as hard for | | | | in writing, all the steps and resources necessary |
| people with ADHD to address their challenges than | | | | to get the project completed on time. |
| it did in the past. But the challenges of time and | | | | 4. When you need to be somewhere at a specific |
| task management will always be greater for | | | | time, plan ahead. Start getting ready 30 minutes |
| people with ADHD due to the role of executive | | | | before you have to walk out the door and allow |
| functions in the brain where the ability to manage | | | | an extra 15 minutes for traffic congestion. Yes - |
| time and tasks is severely compromised. | | | | that's 45 minutes added to your usual timeframe. |
| Remember that the executive functions of the | | | | But this tactic could very well transform your life. |
| brain are where ADHD challenges reside and | | | | And if you're early, enjoy a cup of coffee, |
| basically are the ability to decide, recall, memorize, | | | | mediate for a few minutes and reconnect with |
| understand and inhibit. | | | | the person you used to be before you started |
| So what are people with ADHD to do due to | | | | ignoring yourself. Or simply arrive early, showing |
| address the lack of executive function ability in | | | | that you care and are prepared for the day |
| the time and task management arena? How can | | | | ahead. |
| they share their above average ability to | | | | 5. Keep in mind that change takes time. You will |
| perform, create and solve problems - but do it in | | | | make mistakes. The key is that you learn from |
| a task and time managed way? Luckily there is | | | | them and move ahead. Remember: "You cannot |
| help through understanding. | | | | fail; you can only learn and grow." |
| Time/Task Management issues arise from: | | | | 6. Partner with an ADHD Coach to learn a task |
| - Procrastinating and delaying getting started | | | | management system that puts you in control. |
| - Needing the adrenaline rush of a looming deadline | | | | Finding the best system for you may take some |
| to get creative | | | | trial and error, so be patient and keep |
| - Getting distracted by/taking action on things | | | | experimenting until you get it right. Be sure and |
| around us of lesser importance | | | | write on a calendar or planner - no palm pilots or |
| - Failing to plan ahead for how we will manage | | | | blackberries while you're learning your new task |
| tasks effectively | | | | life management system. Remember: "If it isn't |
| - Hyper-focusing on an activity for long periods | | | | written, it isn't real". |
| and losing track of time | | | | Talk to people with ADHD who have engaged a |
| - Forgetting the unexpected will happen and plan | | | | coach. You will find that those who enlist the |
| for it | | | | support of a coach are happier and able to |
| - Not getting help when we need it or not | | | | implement change faster and with longer lasting |
| knowing we need help | | | | results. |