Description

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss time management – the ups, the downs, and the realities of living with this very common ADHD challenge.

They highlight the difficulty in balancing impulsivity, distractions, and hyperfocus, which often leads to underestimating time or losing track of tasks. Both discuss strategies like setting reminders, creating structured routines, and choosing self-paced work environments that accommodate their need for flexibility. However, even with these strategies, they note that burnout can be a risk due to the tendency to take on too much. Julie and Jel find that working in harmony with natural rhythms, like rural routines, helps them maintain a healthier balance. They emphasize the importance of recognizing limitations and scheduling recovery time after periods of intense focus.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Challenges and Habits: ADHD can complicate time management due to distraction, impulsivity, and hyperfocus. This often leads to underestimating time requirements or losing track of tasks when new interests arise​.
• Hyperfocus vs. Procrastination: Those with ADHD may procrastinate on necessary tasks, only to make up for lost time in short, intense bursts of productivity, sometimes right before deadlines. This cycle is taxing and often leads to exhaustion​.
• External Routines and Self-Structure: External routines, like school schedules or job expectations, can aid time management by providing structure. Conversely, self-imposed routines, like creating daily to-do lists and reminders, help manage distractions but are less effective without accountability​.
• Avoiding Burnout: Attempting to balance multiple responsibilities (work, parenting, personal interests) can result in burnout for those with ADHD. To combat this, Julie and Jel suggest recognizing limits and setting aside recovery time after intensive periods​.
• Impact of Nature and Routine: They find that rural life and natural schedules provide a grounding structure that helps alleviate some ADHD-related time management stress​.

LINKS

• Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE:  A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024)
• ADHDifference - Instagram

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