Does anyone else have this problem and if so what do you do to overcome it? When I am off from work I get so focused on the most nonproductive things. I can sit in front of the computer and waste hours not accomplishing one single thing! My house really needs to be cleaned and I really need to work on my online classes (obviously that’s not what I’m wasting time on the computer doing) but I just can’t make myself do anything else. When I am at work it is a totally different story. I am very productive and get lots done. Why can’t I be like that at home!?!?!? :confused:

Does anyone else have this problem and if so what do you do to overcome it? When I am off from work I get so focused on the most nonproductive things. I can sit in front of the computer and waste hours not accomplishing one single thing! My house really needs to be cleaned and I really need to work on my online classes (obviously that’s not what I’m wasting time on the computer doing) but I just can’t make myself do anything else. When I am at work it is a totally different story. I am very productive and get lots done. Why can’t I be like that at home!?!?!? :confused:

It's a matter of priorities... At work you are almost forced to do what needs to be done whereas at home, you have free will... Write down your priorities that need to be accomplished at home :)

YES

I had to get away from it.
....life is passing me by.

I had that when I was on ritalin!! I was "hyperfocused". I felt really annoyed I couldn't pull away from the computer for 3 hours straight. I still don't get motivated with adderall, but once I make myself start doing something, I keep doing it until it is finished. I almost feel patient.

Maybe you should reduce your dose?

My psychologist told me to get a small notebook and make sure it has a home (mine is the coffee table and my purse) and never let it leave your sight. Before you go to bed, write down the tasks IN ORDER that you are going to do the next day, and even number them. Just break even the simplest task down. 1. Wake up and get ready. 2. Go to school. 3. Go to the store and pick up groceries. 4. Make dinner. 5. Wash the dishes 6. Read 15 pages 7. Write in the notebook. 8. Have a glass of wine! (or some other reward).

It seems tedious, but trust me, you feel organized and a sense of accomplishment when you get to cross off things on the list. Plus if I am on the computer, and i find myself hyperfocused, I look down, see how much more I have to do on my list, and I always always always leave a reward for the end of the list :)

Plus the notebook is helpful for grocery lists, recipes, or any other random thoughts I have in the moment of zoning out...

Do you take your medicine on the weekend? If any?

Your problem is one of structure. Build in the structure and compliance will show up.

The list and notebook are great. I use a calendar that I like and a pen that I like and they are where I can get at them. I do this with research and writing as well- schedule out X amount of time to do (task). Then go to the next task. If you are taking a class, you will want to schedule the next task to be something flexible enough to be planned forward. So you might say 2 hours for this online module, next task is reward time. If the online module goes 20 minutes long, you delay the reward for 20 minutes.

Structure is a key element though. I find that if I have no structure, I have no results.

Does anyone else have this problem and if so what do you do to overcome it? When I am off from work I get so focused on the most nonproductive things. I can sit in front of the computer and waste hours not accomplishing one single thing! My house really needs to be cleaned and I really need to work on my online classes (obviously that’s not what I’m wasting time on the computer doing) but I just can’t make myself do anything else. When I am at work it is a totally different story. I am very productive and get lots done. Why can’t I be like that at home!?!?!? :confused: Im an Xray tech, and I know you as well as I can have 10 or 12 hr days...sometimes I just hace to mentally regroup...or have time doing those things, after a day of pt care...

Or immediate response to a critical pt... Im not an expert, but my experience has been that down time or doing something like cleaning or online courses, is best left to a day off, usually the 2nd day of my "weekend" which is Weds...I work Thurs thru Mon...:)

Do you take your medicine on the weekend? If any?

Yes, I take it every day.

Your problem is one of structure. Build in the structure and compliance will show up.

The list and notebook are great. I use a calendar that I like and a pen that I like and they are where I can get at them. I do this with research and writing as well- schedule out X amount of time to do (task). Then go to the next task. If you are taking a class, you will want to schedule the next task to be something flexible enough to be planned forward. So you might say 2 hours for this online module, next task is reward time. If the online module goes 20 minutes long, you delay the reward for 20 minutes.

Structure is a key element though. I find that if I have no structure, I have no results.

Sounds like a good idea! Thanks!