Do you switch between projects or stick to one?

[starrykitten]

Admittedly, I'm not writing from the ideal environment. I wanted to get out of my house to read, so I came down to an artsy bar, and the music and crowd level are louder than usual.

But I digress.

I was just trying to read a book I have to review, and then I wanted to switch and look over some quotes I'd marked in another book that I want to use in an essay I'm writing. Aside from times you hyperfocus on a task, do you find you do best if you switch between projects frequently or focus on one?

Today I'm feeling pretty calm and generally able to focus better than usual (the Strattera is finally kicking in, I think!), but I still am finding the need to keep switching between projects. That might always be there, even with the right med, I don't know.

[alan1]

Switching from one thing to another is how I spend my entire day. As a retiree, I can do what I want. Switching keeps everything constantly fresh. How much time is spent on any one thing depends on how much thinking power is required. I might practice my musical instrument in 15 - 20 minute increments 8 - 9 times a day interspersed with various house chores, gardening, eating, reading etc. My work life was like that too. How my wife can sit at her desk and focus for hours, upon hours is totally beyond me. When I was a student I was always amazed at how fellow students could study for hours on end. At the time, I was undiagnosed. When I finally got a diagnosis as an adult, my whole life suddenly made sense.

[CheekyMonkey]

I switch, mostly. If I hyperfocus my focus is usually as long as an NT's focus. If it is a really strong interest then I can get stuck on it pretty good.

I joke with my friends that I learn in 15 minute intervals. I'll spend 15-20 minutes before I've gotten frustrated or bored, then I move on.

It makes it easy to have conversations with all kinds of people though. I have had so many interests and know a little bit about everything, so that can work in my favor sometimes. I may never be an expert at anything, but that's okay!

[starrykitten]

Originally Posted by alan1

When I finally got a diagnosis as an adult, my whole life suddenly made sense.

I felt exactly this way.

I'll try to go easier on myself about needing to break tasks up into increments. With writing, conversations, and sometimes reading, I can fairly easily hyperfocus because all three are so important to me. But other things--not so much.

[splinter]

I agree with alan1 and I can't wait to the day I retire and can do things in the order that I find agreeable. I switch from one thing to the next which keeps me interested and given enough time I do complete it all but the day is normally too short.
At work I have to stick to one job at a time so take small breaks by cleaning up or sharpening my tools that kind of thing so it is still seen as being productive.

[hanikamiya]

I switch, when left to my own devices. I'm fine with that and fine with that, I get my stuff done that way. My problem arises when I can't decide on which task to do next, and constantly think about whether I shouldn't be doing something else, because then I don't get anything done.