The ADD Time Warp
By Dana Rayburn, Adult ADD Coach

ADDed Success is ADD Coach Dana Rayburn's monthly newsletter about living
successfully with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD / ADHD).

Welcome to ADDed Success!
Do you know the problem most widely shared by adults with Attention Deficit
Disorder? ADHD warps our perception of time and how much we can get done.

I call it the ADD Time Warp.

Adults with ADHD are lousy at estimating how long it takes to do things.

When it comes to estimating how much time to allot to accomplishing a task we
are optimists.

And this habit of constantly underestimating how much time we need makes us
late and frantic. It also keeps our to do lists bursting with tasks we don't get done.

If you need proof you can get a shocking view of how you underestimate by
keeping a basic ADD Time Log. For one day simply record each task, how much
time you think it will take to do and then how much time it actually took.

I find keeping an ADD Time Log particularly helpful for people who are
consistently late getting out the door in the morning. Chances are you need a lot
more time to get ready for your day than you realize.

When it comes to tackling projects I suggest you use my Triple It rule. Take the
amount of time you think you'll need to complete the project and triple it. For
example, if you think it will take you one hour to complete a report allow three
hours.

Most time management experts will tell you to double the time you think you
need. But hey, this is ADHD we're talking about. Since it really does take you
longer to do things than most people you might as well plan for it.

The Last Word
With ADD's tendency for getting distracted, checking email can be the equivalent
of an ADHD time management black hole.

Say you check your email first thing in the morning. After reading, replying and
visiting the web sites recommended you can easily end up an hour later finding
you haven't yet gotten started on your to do list.

That's why I find it's better not to check your email first thing when you get into
the office. Instead start by tackling something on your to do list. Get something
tangible done. And then dip in to the email to see what's going on in Cyberspace.

Or, if responding to email is a crucial part of your job, just read the most
important messages and save the nice to see ones for later in the day.

This is a challenging routine to establish. Those of us who are email junkies itch to
see who's sent us something. Show some self-restraint. Outsmart ADD
distractions. Get in the habit of waiting to check your email.

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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