View Full Version : ADDult procrastination tip


Salsa
03-13-04, 11:29 AM
I'm awful at procrastinating I get into ruts and have a way of NOT GETTING THINGS DONE. I'm currently not working and am working together with Vocational Rehab. as far as that is concerned (too many issues to go into-- will probably include job coaching, etc) so until that happens, I'm at home a lot.

I told myself the other day that I was not going to get on the computer (or do ANYTHING FUN) until I got 10 projects done-- and so I did. Not little projects either. Big ones. (Like washing the floor, cleaning out cabinets, drawers, my desk, vacuuming, a load of laundry, cleaning the stove, cleaning the sink, cleaning the bathroom, etc). I did it yesterday and today too. it works. My house hasn't looked this wonderful in a long long time......and it's rubbing off on my daughter, Amy. It's Spring Break and she had to do 10 things this morning before the TV or computer came on-- or she could go out and play. (Her things are smaller-- like practicing her violin, morning hygiene, washing dishes, making her bed, cleaning her room, taking out recycle and garbage, etc). Well, she did them. And without complaining! (It's been a very nice morning)!

I think it works because with ADHD it isn't that we don't want to get things done it's just that it's hard to get started and it's hard to decide when things are done. (It involves two Executive Functioning problems that I've posted about before: "SET SHIFTING"and "INITIATION"). The number 10 tells me what I have to do before I can do the "fun things" (like get online or play my banjo). The funny thing is that I end up having fun doing my work. I also put on music when I do my work. Upbeat music. It helps a lot. I played "Herman's Hermits Greatest Hits" this morning.

~Sandy

PS My 9yo daughter hasn't been receiving an allowance but asked me if she might be able to. I told her that if she does 10 projects a day (I gave her a list of things for ideas) during Spring Break/5 things on School Days, I would give her $5 a week for her allowance. (Talk about motivation). :)

Lafnalot
03-13-04, 12:01 PM
Great idea!!!

Garry
03-13-04, 01:19 PM
Great idea Sandy

Good to see you again

Salsa
03-13-04, 02:58 PM
Thanks. BTW, We rest on Sunday. (Even God only worked 6 days). :)

Nucking_Futs
03-13-04, 03:46 PM
We too started our kids on a chore system that can earn them money but they are only allowed to make money when chores pertaining to them are complete i.e. personal hygeine, bedroom is cleaned and clothes hung up and their animals are taken care of. I feel it teaches them responsibility for themselves and shows no one is going to pay them to take care of themselves.

Ace
03-13-04, 09:57 PM
Good for you, Sandy. That's wonderful, and I am glad it works for you. One question from someone who would like to make it work like it does for you:

Who causes you to keep on doing what you intend to do . . . and delay your reward until after you've done your ten things? I do what I am supposed to do for a while, and then I realize I'm being my own mom and I quit.

=Not good at being my own "mom".

fasttalkingmom
03-14-04, 07:07 AM
It must be the time of year..... I did the same thing yesterday.... But it sounds like you got way more done than me. I got horribly side tracked. :o

Salsa
03-14-04, 01:29 PM
I printed up some stuff from Fly Lady. I'm going to give it a go.

http://www.flylady.com

This is what I printed:
http://www.flylady.com/pages/FLYingLessons_Routines.asp
http://www.flylady.com/pages/FlightPlan_Detail.asp

Originally posted by Ace
Good for you, Sandy. That's wonderful, and I am glad it works for you. One question from someone who would like to make it work like it does for you:

Who causes you to keep on doing what you intend to do . . . and delay your reward until after you've done your ten things? I do what I am supposed to do for a while, and then I realize I'm being my own mom and I quit.

=Not good at being my own "mom".

Wanting a nice house. Counting to 10 projects is what really helped me. When I hit 10 I knew that I could reward myself. The house looks great now.

I will probably get burned out at this rate, though. Right now I'm on a high/hypomanic. When I'm like this I can go for hours and hours. (I'm getting more like 20 projects done a day, even though I'm only aiming for 10). This probably won't work when I'm on a low/depressed. I need more of an even keel. (Did I tell you that I'm also Bipolar)??

I like the Flylady routine.

~Sandy