Effective Time Management Means Working With Your ADD
Dear Friend,
One of the core principles of managing adult ADD is learning how to work with it, instead of fighting against it.
This means building on your strengths, not dwelling on your challenges, acknowledging your limits, and respecting your natural energy flow and biorhythms.
And nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to managing your time for maximum effectiveness and productivity!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a drill sergeant when it comes to time management. But I think we all know that there are many challenges an ADDer faces when it comes to time management, like:
- We're easily bored.
- We tend to procrastinate on large projects and dull tasks.
- We can get so distracted that we forget what we're trying to accomplish.
- And the stress and anxiety of falling behind or feeling unproductive can spin us into overwhelm!
Rather than falling victim to these challenges, we can choose another option. We can learn how to take into account our own personal traits, and develop time management systems that honor them.
Whenever possible, try following these guidelines:
1. Determine the times of day that your energy levels are highest and lowest.
Plan to do more complicated things when your energy levels are highest, and save the easier stuff for when your energy levels dip.
For example, if you tend to feel droopy and tired after lunch, then find a better time to tackle that big report at work!
2. Use systems and strategies that work for you.
Don't compare yourself to everyone else, and don't try to conform to someone else's methods. The ways in which you approach your tasks might not make sense to anyone else, and they don't have to.
For example, it doesn't matter if your spouse thinks you're nuts for doing laundry right before bed. If you have energy to burn and the laundry needs to be done, knock yourself out!
3. Eliminate the distractions that you can control.
There are tons of potential distractions that can side-track an ADDer. When it's time to buckle down and focus--at home, at work, or at school--take the time to remove whatever distractions you possibly can.
For example:
At school - avoid sitting next to the friend you can't help gossiping with.
At work - shut down your email and Internet connections for a little while while you work on an important project.
At home - unplug the phone until you've finished that tedious but necessary chore that you hate so much.
Don't give these distractions the opportunity to derail your success. Believe me, they'll be ready and waiting for you when the job is done!
Remember, the most successful ADDers work with their ADD, not against it!
In the next issue, we'll take an in-depth look at that ugly P-word: Procrastination!
In the meantime, if you have thoughts on this article, please share them on my blog at: http://www.experiencingaddvantages.com/2008/05/effective-time.html#comments
Master the Art of Time Management
Are you tired of playing catch-up with your various tasks and to-dos?
Are you sick of feeling overwhelmed because there is always
so much to do and so little time?
Have you been searching for a time management system that
works with your ADD, not against it?
Good news - the Time Management Masters Seminar begins in 2 weeks!
This is an interactive, guided coaching program in which participants will create a practical--and permanent--system for effective time management.
In this 4-week, virtual seminar that begins June 3, you'll:
- Learn practical time management techniques that are proven to work for adults with ADD
- Sculpt a time management system that will work specifically for you
- Decrease stress and overwhelm
- Finally get a handle on your time and tasks
This time management program is different from all the others because:
- It was developed for and by adults with ADD.
- It offers ADD-friendly methods and techniques for time management.
- Factors such as the ADDer's tendency toward distraction, boredom, forgetfulness, and overwhelm are taken into account.
- The information in the seminar is presented in audio, visual, and interactive formats to accommodate all learning styles.
- You'll be led, step-by-step, through specific guidelines to custom-create a time management system that works specifically for you!
Please visit the Time Management Masters Seminar website at http://www.addmanagement.com/coaching/timemanagement.html and review the program info, as well as the enrollment criteria.
I know this program is exactly what many of you have been waiting for, and I hope you'll join us!
***
Have a fun and relaxing holiday weekend!
|
