With my ADD, it’s important that I learn to ask that question before I start something and even while I’m doing something. Is this really necessary? What’s the payoff? What will happen if I don’t do it? How does it help me move towards my goals? Is this the best use of my time right now? Any one of these questions will do the job, just pause and ask. That needs to become a habit.
This is like practicing awareness, which is part of mindfulness, which are very useful tools if we have ADD or ADHD.
doug
the book has sold over 1660 copies (mostly kindle). I am amazed and very gratified. thank you purchasers. and also for the great reviews and comments.
ADDadultstrategies 
Such a simple solution. I’ve had the timer right next to the computer- I need to leave it in another room! Thanks. I’m glad that some or many of the people reading this response will understand- and not just think I’m some ditzy blonde. Sometimes we just need to hear a different perspective.
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thanks to betsy davenport phd for the timer tips, and thank you for the comments. this illustrates the point — there are strategies!
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wow. of course! i may repeat this later unless you object. thank you for the good tip and for commenting
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btw, anonmyous is me, working from a different computer.
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Just bought the book as an impulse buy (I hope you can see the irony) from Amazon because it was recommending it to me and hey, it was only $2. Only about 25% in, but already love it so far, thanks for writing it.
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thank you! hope you love the other 75%. maybe you can let us know.
thank you for commenting
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thank you for commenting and for the idea of setting the timer ahead of time.
i just read about a site rescue time which gives us feedback on our computer use. plan to try it.
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Congratulations on the book sales.
I often find that I look in hindsight instead of forethought- “Was that worth the time I spent?” Often the answer is no. Or “How can it possibly be almost Noon when I got on this silly computer at 8:30 AM?” My intentions are usually to look quickly to see if I’ve gotten any answers from job applications or personal notes from Linked In…generally I get a lot of junk mail. I am always happy to get your Tip of the Day of course, Doug!
I sort of can’t “give up” looking on the computer (because all applications are computerized) but the timer doesn’t seem to work (I just re-set it.)
But I need to make it a habit to look with foresight- set my timer for a reasonable time- not too long but not too short either.
Thanks for your strategies.
JB
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If you’re going to set a timer, in order for it to work, you have to meet 2 conditions: the timer going off must force you out of your chair, and the timer must have a sound just annoying enough that you will get out of your chair.
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What I meant was, the timer has to be at a great enough distance from your chair that it forces you to get up. Sheesh.
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i think that is clear, both the distance and the obnoxious sound are essential, otherwise we just turn it off or just ignore it, right? (i havent googled “obnoxious timer” yet). thanks
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joyce, thank you for the comment! i hope some of this discussion will be helpful to you.
best wishes
doug
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