We know all too well how difficult it can be to stick to the time. Time blindness, especially since the use of social media, has become a bit more of a challenge than most of us would like. Especially for those with ADHD, time-blindness can set your day in the wrong direction more often than we would like to admit.
What are the symptoms of time blindness?
- Estimating durations: Underestimating and running out of time, or overestimating and getting caught up in unnecessary delays.
- Pacing Yourself: Struggling to find the right speed for tasks. Leading to tasks taking way longer than expected or a constant feeling of rushing against the clock to get something done.
- Time Awareness: Poor sense of time passing, a natural sense of time passing, making it harder to prioritize a task or plan your day effectively.
- Procrastination: Leaving tasks until the last minute because you feel like you have more time. Or a job may feel like it will take much longer than it really does. Hence, you may be pushing it off until the last minute.
- Difficulty Switching Tasks: Moving from one task to another. This happens when you are so focused on one activity that you lose track of time and have difficulty switching gears.
Tips to help you with time blindness:
1. Set Alarms and Timers: Time flies. Instead of just setting a reminder, it’s best to use regular timers. You can use a smartwatch to set multiple timers. I often set one for each 3–5 minutes, and one at the halfway point precisely, when I know I need to be out the door in 30 minutes. This helps me stick to it. Other options are using a Timer app or egg cooker.
The Time Timer is a great visual version. They also have a free app version to try the functionality properly.
2. Time Blocking: This one is easier said than done. But write it on paper and make it digital. Time-block all your tasks. If you think it will take you 15 minutes to perform a task? Block a 20-minute break after, so you can use that break to finish it in case you really need a task done. Try not to block things out for longer than 90 mins without breaks. And during a break, make sure you set a timer on your phone before you start using apps such as TikTok or Instagram. Even better, use the shortcuts app on your iPhone or focus on Android, to automatically set a timer or switch off an app after so many minutes of use. That will keep you from getting distracted.
3. Use an analogue clock: Really? Yes! Well-designed analogue clocks actually help your brain visually see time passing by.
4. Get an accountability partner: Share your schedule or goals with a trusted friend, family member, or work buddy. Let them help you stay on track and remind you of your time commitments. Or stay in a muted Zoom or Google call, to make it feel like you are together and checking up on each other. The Flow Club app is a great way of doing this with other individuals ready to start focussing.
5. Time Estimation Skills: Work on your time estimation superpowers by reviewing the time it takes to finish each task at the end of the day. Then, consider the time it took you to do your tasks to time block all your next ones. Even better! Set an alarm and block time in your calendar to do so.
Good luck!
