Running Late…Again?
Little changes to your routine go a long way toward helping you show up on time, every time.
I'm late, I'm late for a very important date. No time to say hello, good-bye, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late.
These famous lines from the 1951 Disney movie Alice in Wonderland make me wonder: Does the White Rabbit have ADD? He sure seems to have trouble sticking to his schedule.
Time management is a big problem for people with ADD. Everyone is late on occasion, but many ADDers run behind schedule more often than not. They are late to meetings. They stand up their friends. They pick up the kids late from school. They leave others waiting as they scramble to finish last-minute tasks or find misplaced wallets, cell phones, or keys.
Use what works
You're probably not late for all of your appointments. Some people who would never dream of being late for work are frequently late for social appointments. Think about the strategies you use when you are on time, and use them for all of your appointments, personal and work-related.
ADDers don't intend to be inconsiderate or disrespectful. But because of chro- nic tardiness, they're often perceived that way. That misperception is one of the reasons why people with ADD have trouble maintaining good relationships with friends, family members, and co-workers.
What it means to be "on time"
ADDers often think they should arrive at the scheduled start of an appointment or meeting. Big mistake. It's always safer to plan on arriving 15 minutes early. That way, if you run into traffic or experience some other delay, there's a good chance you will still make it on time.
When setting a time to get together, take a lesson from effective salespeople: Underpromise and overdeliver. That is, say you'll be there by such-and-such a time, but get there early.
If you're worried that you might become bored if you have to wait, bring along a book or magazine—or plan on using the time to write a letter, make a phone call, or take a walk.
How long does it really take?
Time yourself on frequently traveled routes. You may be surprised to find that your "10-minute" trip to the grocery store really takes 20 minutes. Stop underestimating your transit time. If you're planning a trip you've never made before, look up the route on an online service, like www.mapquest.com , to find out how long the trip will take. If you'll be traveling during rush hour, add an extra 20 percent to your estimate.
Not one alarm, but two
Starting with the time of your appointment, work backward until you figure out when you need to leave your home or workplace. Set an alarm clock or watch (or a cell phone or computer) to go off five minutes before that time—and a second alarm to go off five minutes later.
If you get derailed…
To promote kinesthetic learning, “bury” a fossil in a Rice Krispie treat and have a child pull it apart with his hands to “dig” for the special item.
When the first alarm sounds, stop whatever you're doing and jot a quick sentence or two on a sticky note indicating where you left off. Try to be out of the door before the second alarm sounds. If you need help making these calculations, take a look at ADD Planner (www. addplanner.com ) or a similar program.
Getting out the door
If you're among those who suffer from I-can't-find-it syndrome, the best remedy is obvious: better preparation. Think about what you'll wear, and lay out your clothes in advance. Place everything you'll need to take along by the door in cubbies labeled by day. Think about where you're going, and make sure you have good directions and the telephone number of the person you're meeting—in case you get lost or run into traffic.
Because they're so distractible, it's almost impossible for many ADDers to make it out the door on time. It can help to develop a system that stops you from doing "just one more thing."
Some of my clients find that they can avoid being sidetracked on their way to the car by reminding themselves of what they're doing, out loud and repeatedly: "I'm going to the car, I'm going to the car, I'm going to the car." Other clients use some sort of visual cue, such as the dial of a Time Timer device (www.timetimer.com ). Find what works for you.
Imagine failure—and success
ADDers often underestimate the consequences of showing up late to important meetings. To counter this tendency, spend a few seconds imagining what the waiting person would think and feel. What would she say? What sort of facial expression would she have?
Now imagine the look of approval and the friendly greeting you get when you show up on time. Bask in that feeling of success as you move toward your goal.
Michele Novotni, Ph.D., is a psychologist and coach in private practice in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
This article is published by permission from ADDitude Magazine ©2005. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. Subscribe to ADDitude online or via toll-free phone 888-762-8475.
Home | About Michele Novotni | Articles | Blog | Contact
© 2006 Michele Novotni, Ph.D.
Design by K.K. McConlogue