How to Manage Your Time With Eric Tivers (Part One)

It's been a busy first year for the show! But I still can't bring myself to stick to a schedule. Since sleep is important, Eric Tivers joins us to talk about how to manage time in a way that's...well, less scary. He had so much great advice we couldn't fit it all in one episode -- subscribe for more, coming soon!

**Special Webinar on Time Blindness: Friday Dec. 30th at 1 PM CST -- "Productivity Solutions for the Time-Blind."

"The Show Must Be Go”, “Life of Riley”
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

[petitechaos]

As soon as you said “when I make a schedule, I have opportunity to fail. And I do. Which makes me aware of my deficit, ” I started crying. I’ve never put into words why time management is my biggest stressor and the greatest source of anxiety. But you did for me. And it makes me so relieved to know I’m not alone in feeling that way.

[kr]

1:05 "I was twenty minutes late to my dining room." I felt this in my SOUL.

[MSAKspain]

The word schedule makes me panic, just slightly. I can feel it in my chest.

[DanceswithDustBunnies]

It goes the other way, too. Some tasks you put off because you think they'll take too long, but in reality, they can be done in much less time.

[EngineerJeff]

"opportunities to fail" Hit the nail on the head with that one. I'm a list guy, but I seem to never finish the list and have to make a new one, with stuff that didnt get done on the old-list going to the new one.

[mckenna]

This reminded me of the hint I heard once that goes... don't tell yourself that "class starts at 9. I must be there by 9." Instead focus on the time that you MUST leave the house (or DEPARTURE TIME). For ME, I will pass the toothpaste tube and go "Oh I have to put the cap on that... that'll only take a few seconds." Then I go in the kitchen and think, "I really should fill the washer and set it...that'll only take a few minutes". Etc. Etc. Etc. And soon I am leaving the house at a couple of minutes before 9 KNOWING that I will NEVER get TO class at 9. - - - How much better it is to focus on, "I need to leave the house at 8:30" which WILL get me there by 9.

[elk]

I often don't make a schedule, because I could be doing "more important things". Then, I forget to use it, and when I remember, I avoid it so I don't have to see how much I failed.

[HowtoADHD]

*UPDATE* -- I, too, find it intensely tedious to track how long things take me. Have I been keeping track for all my activities? uh, no. When I do, do I always *write down* my prediction? NOT HARDLY! But I will say this: even *beginning* to keep track of how long stuff takes me has already made a HUGE difference for me.

One shortcut I found is recording short activities in "voice memos" -- if I'm about to take my dog for a walk, I can easily start recording, say how long I think it'll take me, and stop when I get back -- and then I can name that file "walking the dog." And now I know taking my dog for a short walk before I have to leave for work takes 8 minutes, so I can't do it on my way out the door and still expect to get there on time.

Even if you don't plan on using a schedule, and even if you don't use this technique consistently, even if you end up adapting it to something completely different I really really suggest trying it!

[zachmorrow]

My problem with "tools" is I can never use one longer than a few days, then I forget to use it. Rinse and repeat.

[ADHDreWired]

Anyone doing the homework? It's never too late to do it. What tasks are you timing? We'd love to see your tasks with predictions and actual times.
Good luck.
And in the words of Brené Brown, "failure is such an imprecise word, as soon as we learn from it, it ceases to be a failure." Go learn something, and share your findings.

[ThatGirlWithAVoice]

“My aversion to schedules is it’s so many opportunities to fail” WOW - I started sobbing at that part. You’ve just put in to words what I’ve been feeling for sooo long

[scattyfi]

In replying to Eric you literally spoke my thoughts & reservations. I used to have pads full of lists but I gave up because there were hundreds of reminders of what a failure I was! Same way I stopped blitzing my home when my kids were away for the weekend, I put hours of hard work in & they'd come home & trash it in an hour or two. So I just left it trashed because they made less mess. I cleaned my toilet & bath regularly but the rest was chaos until it got to a point when we had no hot water or heating for several months because I couldn't clear all the areas needed to get a new central heating system. Then social services came & my kids had to live with their dad, they ignored my calls for 13 days but then came round & said they could immediately come back. I now pay someone once a week to help me tidy but I know I know how to do it even better than her but can't seem to make myself start! Recently started CBT & I'm trying to retrain my brain from all the bad habits. I really like your videos. You get me like not many people do. Thank you xx

[jessicapinto]

My sense of timing is so poor and so is my sister in law's, we both have ADD. We are neighbours and when her mum invites us over, she always takes off half an hour off the actual time. So, 1pm becomes 12:30pm because she knows we'll then be there at 1pm.
I love how her mum just looks at the fun side of it and the look on her face when we actually arrive early.

[SmnthasRelaxingMusic]

Oh, girl! I just paused it to comment and give you a *hug*. 20 minutes-late to your dining room! Oh my goodness! I am not going to die alone and broken - why? Because you are out there describing me to me! *phew* I cancelled my entire morning, 20 minutes late for each due to my being sick and not thinking clearly on the 'right thing to do'. I. Need. This. Channel. Thank you!

[ahndra]

Sis... you are singing my life with your words!😩

[TheRaunaq]

"20mim late to my own dining room "
sounds like me .. wait I am on the ADHD channel ... nvm everyone is the same here XD

[BOABModels]

I'm watching this 7 years in the future... A lot happened in those years.

[loganfirmin]

The thing with me is that even if I make the best schedule ever I'll still forget to follow it, that's the hard part.

[SirHackaLt.]

The fear of failure when having a schedule is a great reason to not have a schedule. I so get that. X

[genpoe]

"so that we don't stay up until 3am every night"
me, watching this video at 2:50 am: lol who does THAT