There's NOT time for one more thing….
If you’re like most people with ADD / ADHD, you probably struggle with being on time.
There are many different reasons that individuals with ADD can be chronically late for meetings, appointments or social events. One common reason for many people is believing there’s time to fit in “one more thing.”
It could be trying to fit in one more task before leaving, or one more errand before getting to your destination.
The problem comes when you believe that “thing” you want to do will take a far shorter time than it ever could in reality.
Does this happen to you?
DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT
You need to arrive at a doctor’s appointment at 2:00. (In fairness to the doctor, that really means you should get there by 1:55.)
It’s 1:50, so you think you have time to run down the street and pop into the drugstore to buy something you need. But by the time you get to the drugstore, find the item you need on the shelf, wait in line at the check-out counter and get back to the doctor’s office, it’s likely to be several minutes after your 2:00 appointment time.
You may pride yourself in getting there on time, but you actually didn’t – because you tried to fit in one more thing.
MEETING A FRIEND
The same thinking might throw you off at home as well. You should be out the door to meet a friend for lunch, but decide at the last minute to clean the kitchen counter… which then leads to five more minutes of putting things away and deciding what to defrost for dinner.
You end up 10 minutes late, when you could have been on time. The “one more thing” meant your friend had to wait for you.
There are two faulty assumptions in “one more thing” thinking.
The first assumption is that being on time means squeaking in right on the dot. In many professional or business situations, it would be more comfortable for the other party if you were a couple of minutes early.
The second assumption is that the “one more thing” will take about two minutes. In reality, almost nothing does!
- Try this: Pick a task you might typically try to fit in when you have a few minutes to spare. Then time how long the entire thing actually takes you. Chances are, that “two-minute” task took at least ten.
Tweet ThisNext time you catch yourself trying to fit in one more thing, look at your watch and ask yourself if you REALLY have at least ten minutes to spare.
FREE REPORT: 11 Reasons for Lateness
Getting rid of the “one more thing” habit could help cut down on some lateness, but there are a number of other potential late triggers as well.
CLICK HERE to download my free report
"Why Can't I Be On Time?
11 REASONS FOR ADD / ADHD LATENESS.”
Learn personal strategies to end lateness for good
