Adult ADHD - Getting Projects Finished
Adult Adhd Meeting Deadlines and Completing Projects
Adult ADHD...did you know the term “Dead Line” came from the notorious Confederate prison camp at Andersonville, Georgia.
Deadline referred to the line 17 feet inside the perimeter fence. If anyone crossed that line they would be shot. ADD'ers don’t really needed a gun pointed at their heads to get a project started but sometimes it's very difficult to get going and to actually finish a project on time.
This is especially true if the project is boring or it seems like it will be difficult. Often Add'ers will keep putting off starting a project until the very last minute and then it is rush to finish with no time to go over a refine the details. Here's some help:
Be sure the project isn’t more than you can handle. In other words “Don’t bite off more than you can chew”. Any new project might cut into your time for other things so be sure this is what you want.
Stick up a time line to finish your project where you can see it. Above your desk on the wall in large print is a good place. Highlight the important dates for finishing each segement of the project.
Divide any project into smaller projects with dates to finish each smaller project. Stay on track by assigning deadlines to finish each smaller project. This helps to see if there are any problems before it is too late and you are unable to play catch up.
Have others meet their “deadlines”. If you have to rely on others to finish something before you can move on with your project, give them a deadline. Tell them you need such and such by a certain date. Otherwise you might use the excuse that you can’t finish at your end because they didn’t get you the material or give you the instructions when you needed them.
It's Okay to delegate. If you are running out of time do outsource or delegate the portions of the project that you are able to. Sometimes you don’t have to do everything of a project.
Take your breaks. If you don’t get away from a project frequently you may wind up avoiding it or give up on it. Even when you don’t want to take breaks that you schedule for your self. This will help you avoid burnout.
Start and end at a certain that you schedule for yourself. Knowing you can quit at a certain time you can tell yourself, one more hour or just 30 minutes to go. Not committing to quit at a certain might allow you to say, “Oh, I will take a break and do it later in evening which of course never happens. “ This is not a good idea for ADD'ers who can get easily distracted. Commit to a starting time and an ending time and stick to it.
Talk to yourself positively. Positive thoughts can help you stay motivated. Write up “Affirmations” to read. Put them somewhere close so that you can read them daily. Post a few within eyes view of your of your work area.
Know your Objectives and maybe as an adult ADHD you really will be able to finish your projects.
