Avoidance or Procrastination? — ADD Tip o the Day 340

Those of us with ADD or ADHD struggle with both of these, avoidance and procrastination.  I’ve wondered about the difference between them, but put off doing anything about it. I had an idea but wasn’t sure; it seemed a little vague.   Finally I broke down and quit evading the question – I looked in the dictionary (what a novel idea!).  Turns out I was right (isn’t it nice when that happens?) – procrastinating means putting it off until later (while it keeps hanging over your head -ugh!); avoiding means putting it off but you may never actually do it.  Still it is lurking in the back of your mind and it’s also hanging over your head.

Strategies for avoiding include making a list (surprise, surprise) of all the things I’m avoiding.  Then at least I’m clearly aware of what I’m doing, and that may motivate me.  I also try to think clearly about whether they really need to be done, and if so, why I’m avoiding – usually some kind of fear, sometimes perfectionism. Then some of the things may get moved to the to do list.

There are many strategies for procrastination, the main one probably is breaking it into small steps.

doug  

“If a man tells you he will do something, he will do it.  You don’t have to keep asking him about it every few months.”

bonus links:

Leslie on procrastination clik

getting things done, from Sarah   clik

“I hate housework.  You wash the dishes and make the bed, and in a week or two you have to do it all over again.”   unknown man

important post from lynn for spouses/partners   clik here