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ADHD and Procrastinating: Should I Do This?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Symptoms & Diagnosis, ADHD Time Management, Blog

Procrastination is a complex topic. It is not just about managing your time better. First, I want to look at the connection between values and procrastination. I have come to understand procrastination through my own experience with it, as well as through conversations I have had with my clients. While it is certainly not a habit endemic only to people with ADHD, as we all put off doing things, it is certainly prevalent among adults with ADHD. For some, procrastination causes little concern. For others, procrastination can prevent them from reaching their dreams, like graduating from college or working in their chosen career. Want or Should The first step in addressing procrastination is being able to distinguish between those tasks that you want to do and those…

ADHD and Managing Interruptions
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ADHD and Managing Interruptions

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, ADHD Time Management, Blog

  On many occasions, my clients ask me how to manage interruptions when they are trying to do work, either in a home office or in a work place. As staying on task for adults with ADHD is often challenging, having outside interruptions can prove to be “the straw that breaks the camel’s back.” There are strategies to handle this, though. Making A Choice Does it seem rude to you not to talk to someone when they come to your office or cube? If it does, you may knowingly or unknowingly be holding one or more the following assumptions.  “I have no choice in the matter.” “If I tell someone that I am busy, whatever I say will be rude.” “Since I allow people to…

Planning and Commitment – The ADHD Way
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Planning and Commitment – The ADHD Way

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, Blog

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.” ~Peter Drucker Planning as a means of making a commitment, especially for those with ADHD, is key to execution and completion. Yet, you may say: “Planning stifles my creativity.” or “The only way I can get something done is if I do it at the last minute; that is just the way I work.” If this is you, ask yourself the following questions: Is my way of operating working well enough for me?  Is there a cost, like stress, that I do not like? Am I able to make and follow through on commitments that are important to me, that are in sync with my values? Am I reaching my goals? Do…

Planning Your Time: When Good Enough Is Perfect
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Planning Your Time: When Good Enough Is Perfect

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, Blog

Are you an adult with ADHD? Do you get overwhelmed by your To Do List or do you consider it just a useful tool? I hope that you fall in the later group. However, I know that for some The List, as I will refer to it, has an ominous power over them. I am sure that you have heard or even said some of the following comments. “I have so many things on my list! I can’t talk now. I am crazy busy.” When you become overwhelmed by The List, remember that you created it. So, you can change it at any time. Really, you can.

Does Your Life Feel Like A Trip to The Mall?
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Does Your Life Feel Like A Trip to The Mall?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

When I walk into a mall, which I do not do very often, I almost immediately become overwhelmed. How do you respond when you are flooded by so many choices? Do you walk into every store, and buy whatever catches your eye? And then you get home and beat yourself up for spending too much money. But you do not know what to return, so you keep it all. Alternatively, do you feel incapable of making any choice? You may walk into every store in the mall. But besieged by so many choices, you don’t buy anything. This is my usual m.o.! Mega Mall of Life These two approaches to making decisions about commitments are common for many with ADHD.

Are You Trying To Defy The Law of Physics?!
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Are You Trying To Defy The Law of Physics?!

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

If you have been following my writing for a while, you know that I think quite a bit about values and their relationship to Adults with ADHD being able to reach their goals. One of my recent goals, admittedly short term, was to ensure that my daughter enjoyed her birthday. But, rather than actively planning, I thought about it and thought about it…until the day finally arrived. It was 5:00 am the day of her birthday, and I literally bounded out of my chair to go to the 24 hr store. In spite of the fact that I was inundated with work, I was able to pull off the morning celebration. What finally prompted me to get into motion? I reminded myself of the importance…