An ADD Case Study: When the Pace Picks Up, Learn to Slow DownWritten by ADD Management Coach Jennifer Koretsky
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Anna and I discussed this challenge, and fact that she's dealt with it before. In fact, every year at this time, she finds herself even more overwhelmed than usual. When I reminded her of this, she responded with amazement. "You know, you're right! And when this happened last year, what helped was taking time out for myself." It did help. I remember talking with Anna and encouraging her to slow down and take care of herself. She protested, like many ADDers do, "How can I possibly slow down when I have so much to do?" But truth of matter is that slowing down helps an ADDer get centered, de-stress, and gain control. So Anna and I worked out some ways that she could slow down, and make life about more than her to-do list, even though there was a lot to be done. We decided she would: Go to gym in morning, because she likes to work out and she finds it helps keep her stress levels down Find a babysitter and go on a "date" with her husband one night a week, because she likes to spend quality time with her husband Take 15 minutes every evening before bed to plan out tasks that she can reasonably accomplish next day, because she likes to feel in control of her time "It really helped," Anna said as she remembered her life at this time last year. "I was having fun so I wasn't so stressed all time, and so all things I had to do seemed more manageable. And once I established a planning routine, I didn't feel frustrated or surprised by new things when they came up." Anna decided that she needed to implement this "slow-down" time once again. It's only been a day, but she went back to gym, scheduled lunch and a movie with her husband for Sunday, kids have their school supplies, and Butter's itchy ear has been treated! When I asked permission to share her story, Anna offered this tip: "Tell your readers that planning is thing that really makes all difference! Sometimes I need to slow down in order to speed up." © Copyright 2004
Jennifer Koretsky is an ADD Management Coach who helps adults learn how to manage their ADD and move forward in life. She offers individual and group coaching, workshops, and skill-building programs. Her work has been featured in various media, including The New York Times Magazine and The London Times. Subscribe to Jennifer’s free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, by visiting http://www.ADDmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm.
| | The Top 10 Ways to Overcome ProcrastinationWritten by By ADD Management Coach Jennifer Koretsky
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Don't be afraid to balance routine or monotonous tasks with something that is more likely to hold your interest. You can pay bills while you watch TV, or talk on phone while cleaning up house. 7. Delegate Do you find yourself procrastinating on chores at home like cleaning and laundry? Or maybe paperwork at office? Delegate them! Kids, cleaning people, laundry services, administrative assistants and more are all available to take some of those boring tasks off your list and free up your time for stuff you'd rather be doing. 8. Prioritize Perhaps you're procrastinating on a task because it's really not that important. Maybe you'd love to re-organize your book shelves, but never get around to it. If it sounds like a good idea but in end it's really not that important to you, don't let it hang over your head. 9. Get in Touch with End Result Before you begin a task or project that has high procrastination potential, get in touch with outcome. When task is finished, what will that mean to you? What will be better in life as a result? 10. Just Do It!! Don't think about it too much, just jump in and get it done!
Jennifer Koretsky is an ADD Management Coach who helps adults learn how to manage their ADD and move forward in life. She offers individual and group coaching, workshops, and skill-building programs. Her work has been featured in various media, including The New York Times Magazine and The London Times. Subscribe to Jennifer’s free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, by visiting http://www.ADDmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm.
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