Getting There on Time

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We ADDers have all kinds of issues with time.

Time is very elastic for us. It is either numbingly slow or so fast we can’t keep up, depending on the circumstances.

We also have issues managing time, although a non ADD person will tell you that we all have the same 24 hours. It doesn’t always seem that way, does it?

Rather than tackling the whole issue of time management, lets talk about one little part of it: getting where you need to be on time.

Now it’s easy to see why you might be late getting somewhere that you’re unfamiliar with, like say, a certain park in downtown Chicago.

But we ADDers can just as easily being late when we headed somewhere familiar, like work.

Why is that?

Lots of reasons.

We get distracted while we’re getting ready to leave.

We go on autopilot cause we’re not really paying attention while we drive and we end up somewhere else.

We think we know where we’re going but we don’t.

We underestimate the amount of time that we will need to get there.

So how do you get there on time?

If it’s an unfamiliar place, get a map and a plan ahead of time and make sure you understand all of it. If you have GPS, you might want to take advantage of it.

Get as much as possible done or ready for you the day before you leave. 10 minutes before you walk out the door is not the time to find out that the suit you were going to wear is at the cleaners.

Get as many distractions out of your way as possible. Turn the phones off and let them go to voice mail. Turn off any other electronic devices and stay away from them. Turn the television off.

If there is someone else in the house with you, enlist their help in getting you out the door on time.

Figure out how long it takes to get there and then allow for more time. If you’re going somewhere familiar or close by, another 10 minutes ought to be enough. Farther away or unfamiliar places need 20-30 extra minutes. Oh, and don’t assume that you know how long it takes to get someplace you go all the time, like work. Time it a day or two and see if you’re right.

When you do arrive on time, congratulate yourself for a job well done.

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle is the writer of Lacyestelle.com and the Podcast host for An ADD Woman.

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One Response

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