ADD and Projects: The 90% Solution
By Dana Rayburn, Adult ADD Coach

ADDed Success is ADD Coach Dana Rayburn's monthly newsletter about living
successfully with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Welcome to ADDed Success!
Adults with ADHD often tell me they finish projects to only 90% done.

That's why this headline in our local newspaper, "North Interchange Project 90
Done", caught my eye. I suddenly had a vivid, real-life example of how a 90%
done project looks.

The North Interchange, one of two freeway interchanges in my town, has been
undergoing major redesign for the past two years. This is our route to our
daughter's school and construction has been a headache.

Here's what I can tell you about a 90% done freeway interchange: major
construction is complete and traffic flows pretty well. A bridge remains closed and
lane lines need to be drawn. At 90% done, an interchange works okay but will be
much better and safer when finished.

Now, let's translate this 90% done idea into the world of adult ADHD and those
projects you are challenged to finished.

In reality some projects can be left only 90% complete without a problem. When I
was a systems analyst developing large computer systems the last 90% was the
documentation no one ever looked at anyway. (Good thing, since it was my
responsibility to finish it and I rarely did.)

For many other projects, that last 10% is important but not absolutely necessary.
My client Rick is tailoring software to track his billable hours at his law office.
Rick's system now works pretty well at the 90% point. But, since that last 10%
will make tracking his time absolutely effortless it's worth the effort.

For still other projects, though, that last 10% is crucial. Using my long-promised
book, 'Organized for Life', as an example, that last 10% has taken me longer to
complete than the first 90%. Until I finish the last 10% (this month, I've promised
my coach), it's simply dead in the water.

What do you do to finish a project to 100%? You follow my 100% Done Program,
naturally! Here it is:

Dana's 100% Done Program

1. First you need to know what 100% is. Get clear about what the project will
   look like and how it will work when finished.
   
   
2. If you're not held to a contract or similar specific commitment to someone
   else decide if that last 10% is really worth the effort. Perhaps 90% done is
   good enough.
   
   
3. If you decide to finish your project, figure out what's stopping you. Are you
   bored, afraid or unclear about the last steps? Maybe you need a resource like
   time or money you don't have right now. Whatever reason you're stuck,
   clarity is key to figuring out what to do about it.
   
   
4. Write out the clear easy steps to finishing and figure out when you're going to
   take those steps. Too often we say we'll do something without allowing space
   in our schedule to do it. Also, decide on which steps you need help. You don't
   have to do everything yourself, you know.
   
   
5. Finally, get to work, get the help you need or get someone to finish it for you.
   Don't underestimate the power of commitment. My coaching clients find just
   knowing I'm expecting them to do something lights a fire under them and
   helps them follow-through.

Just because you have ADHD doesn't mean you must resign yourself to never
finishing a project. Try my 100% Done Program and let me know how it works for
you.

The Last Word
I adore the idea of using someone else, a project finisher, to do that last 10% we
just don't seem to get to. For some types of projects it does the trick.

In my younger, less-ADHD-savvy days I would start large needlepoint projects and
not finish them. I was able to complete small needlepoints, just not the large
ones.

I had a couple of half-finished Christmas stockings I just couldn't force myself to
finish. Thankfully, the two best project finishers I know, my sister and my mom,
came to my rescue. They each finished one stocking for me.

Now each year the two beautiful Christmas stocking adorn our fireplace. And you
know what? I enjoy them thoroughly, and I NEVER feel any disappointment that I
wasn't the one to finish them.

So, do you have anyone on hand who can finish a project or two for you? What
are you waiting for? Give them a call while you're thinking of it!

To Your ADDed Success,
Dana

PS. - Trouble Staying Organized? No Problem! Reserve your copy of 'Organized
for Life' at the special 'early-bird' price.

Unleash Your Power
My clients improve their productivity, increase their profits, and take control of
their life. Learn more about coaching for business people and other high
functioning adults with ADHD.

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