Procrastination? — or Not? — ADD Tip o the Day 351

With ADD or ADHD, you’ll know about procrastination, one of our main symptoms. But I think this is about a problem with time, not procrastination. I wasn’t putting off getting my wife’s Christmas present, it’s just that Christmas seemed so far off. So when I realized today that it’s not really so far off, and started shopping for the present, everybody was sold out. But I don’t think December 17 is so bad; it’s not like I waited until Christmas eve (again).

I have the big three month at a glance calendar on the wall to cope with this kind of time problem – “Oh, I have plenty of time; that’s not ’til late December, way off.”- but having it isn’t enough by itself, I need to develop the habit of looking at it frequently, like I do my appointment book.

If you have ADD or ADHD, a good strategy is to pick a partner/mate that has lots of patience, tolerance, understanding and a good sense of humor. I have been very blessed. (Although even the “lots of” can become a little strained at times.) (more on relationships later)

doug

I had a good picture to insert here, but I think wordpress has changed things again???? maybe next time?? if I can figure it out??

bonus link: Leslie on relationships, (see above; more to come on this) clik

extra bonus, free book give away Wrecked clik

About doug with ADHD

I am a psychiatric physician. I learned I have ADHD at age 64, and then wrote four ADHD books for adults, focusing on strategies for making your life better. I also published a novel, Alma Means Soul. The books are available at amazon.com (soft cover or E book), or smashwords.com (only E books). The prices are as low as they are allowed to be. Managing Your ADHD Your Life Can Be Better; strategies for adults with ADD/ADHD Living Daily With Adult ADD or ADHD: 365 Tips O the Day ( e-book). This is one tip at a time, one page at a time, at your own pace. It's meant to last a year.

View all posts by doug with ADHD →

5 Responses to Procrastination? — or Not? — ADD Tip o the Day 351

Pingback: An ADHD Christmas — ADHD Tip O the Day 841 | ADDadultstrategies
CraftyChica29 says:

December 21, 2012 at 12:17 pm

I have a very difficult time with managing my time…ex: arriving to appointments on time and managing my time. I am also not good at trying to figure out how much time I need to complete certain tasks. I also have the bad habit of trying to remember my appointment times and get too lazy to write them on my calendar. I wonder if I like the adrenalin rush of trying to get somewhere on time when I am running late. If I have to be somewhere I really want to be, I will be more likely to arrive there on time. I agree with you about finding a good mate. My husband is amazing and very understanding of my ADD. If he wasn’t, my life would be a disaster. He jokes around about my ADD, and it makes my life so much easier.

LikeLike

- addadultstrategies says:
  
  December 21, 2012 at 1:15 pm
  
  chica, congratulations on picking a good husband, that’s not easy to do!
  sounds like ADD – the plan is to pick which problem bothers you the most (or two), name as specifically as possible, and then make a strategy.
  for ex, mite be the not writing appts down. (you are not going to remember them) if that calendar isnt working for you, try a different plan. then the next step would be to make a habit of checking it several times daily.
  best wishes
  doug
  
  LikeLike
  
addadultstrategies says:

December 18, 2012 at 7:12 pm

patty,
thank you for your understanding and support. you might want to pick just one planner to use, and then make a habit of checking it 5 times a day (or more, or less, you could use mealtimes as an anchor for example). at least thats what i need to do with my appointment book, or else I’m lost in time.
best wishes and thank you for commenting
doug

LikeLike

Patty@homemakersdaily says:

December 18, 2012 at 10:37 am

I know exactly what you mean. Christmas has seemed so far away and now it’s almost here. I do have the gifts all purchased but not wrapped. It’s Christmas dinner’s menu that I need to get going on. I need to go to the grocery store tomorrow and I don’t have my list made. I wish I’d been doing this all along but I thought I had more time.

I did better in the past when I used my planner more faithfully. But I’ve been doing this planner dance (between 3 different sizes and styles) and one of the biggest problems I’ve noticed is that I don’t know what day it is. I’ve lost my concept of time.

I took your advice and put a couple of wall calendars up in strategic places. I won’t probably write anything on them – they’re just to help me know what day it is and what’s coming up.

LikeLike

	I Put Off Doing This… on I Whipped My ADHD Procrastinat…
	doug with ADHD on Just for Fun
	doug with ADHD on Just for Fun
	doug with ADHD on Just for Fun
	Ken Powell on Just for Fun