Finding your ADHD Time Management System.

Got the “it will only take 5 minutes” time blindness?

More recently, the term “time blindness” has surfaced as a quick reference to the trouble adults have with their ADHD time management system. It’s a nice catchall for the variety of ways ADD can distort or blind a person’s time perception.

“5 minutes” time blindness shows up when ADHD adults try to estimate how long a task might take.  The ” it will only take 5 minutes” rule that’s often used frequently underestimates the amount of time and effort it takes to complete a task or make an appointment, resulting in head scratching and disappointment.

Conversely, that same person might way over estimate the amount of time required for a task, resulting in overwhelm and procrastination.

To help put it in perspective, I created a quick reference list of 10 everyday things you really can do in 5 minutes to stay in control and move your life forward.

AND,  I also included 10 things that CAN’T be done in 5 minutes, just to help dispel some of the magical thinking that pals around with time-blindness.

10 productive things you can do in five minutes or less:

1. Open your mail over the recycling bin and set aside action items (bills, tax info, insurance, etc.).
2. Hang up or fold and put away clothing left on chairs, floor, etc.
3. Empty the dish washer
4. Load the dishwasher.
5. Cut up and bag vegetables for easy access during the week.
6. Set up auto-payment for re-occuring bills
7. Fold and put away one basket of clothes.
8. Pay 10 bills online or 5 by snailmail
9. Wipe down kitchen appliances and counter tops.
10. Clean out the clutter in your car (overwhelmed? start with 5 minutes).

10 things that you (might think you can but,) CAN’T do in five minutes or less:

1. Run to the grocery store, mall (or any other errand), or get gas for the car.
2. Check email and respond to anyone.
3. Search internet out of curiosity (dating sites, information, recipes, or other “entertainment”).
4. Prepare and file income taxes.
5. Play a little of League of Legends, Counter Strike or World of Warcraft online.
6. Check and post on Facebook.
7. Vacuum and dust home.
8. Take a shower and all of the other stuff that goes along with getting ready to go to school, work, or any other time sensitive activities.
9. Get to work, school or any other sensitive activities on time.
10. Write a paper for school, a recommendation for work or prepare for a customer call.

And finally, if you need help managing your adult ADHD don’t procrastinate. Get some assistance. You can contact me at linda@adhdtreatmentsolutions.com, or visit my website: https://adhdtreatmentsolutions.com/