Time Blindness - Understanding and Managing Time Blindness

I decided to resuscitate this blog with postings not only about me as a Manager but me, managing myself or my life. With that, I would like to start with some content from the article "Coping with time blindness and ADHD - 05.21.2024 by Kristina Lindgrenfrom" that can be found at UCI Health. 

As you know, ADHD is characterized by chronic impulsivity, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity that significantly interfere with daily functioning and learning. A lesser-known symptom is time blindness, which is a persistent difficulty in perceiving the passage of time and estimating task duration. This is linked to the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for executive functions like impulse control, attention, and goal-oriented behaviors.

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Understanding and Managing Time Blindness

• Time Blindness isn't Exclusive to ADHD:

  • While popularized in relation to ADHD, time blindness can also affect individuals with autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, and depression.

• Identifying Potential Time Blindness:

  • Consider consulting a doctor if you frequently:

    • Struggle to achieve your goals.

    • Have difficulty with daily productivity.

    • Are often late to meetings or events.

    • Frequently forget tasks or miss deadlines.

• Comprehensive Treatment Approach:

  • Addressing time blindness and ADHD typically involves:

    • Behavioral strategies.

    • Cognitive therapy.

    • Medication (if appropriate).

    • Consistent practice to improve executive functioning skills.

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Practical Strategies for Overcoming Time Blindness

• Rethink Your Relationship with Time:

  • Add Buffer Time: Allow extra preparation time (e.g., 30-60 minutes) for work or deadlines, and build in breaks between activities to prevent overscheduling.

  • Track Actual Time: Log how long tasks truly take to improve future scheduling accuracy.

  • Establish Routines: Consistent daily routines can help tasks become more automatic, requiring less conscious effort.

• Mindfulness and Limiting Distractions:

  • Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help you stay present.

  • Limit activities known to cause "lost time," such as video games or excessive social media use.

• Helpful Time Management Tools:

  • Low-Tech Timers:

    • Kitchen timers: The ticking sound can help with accountability.

    • Hourglasses: Offer a visual cue for time passing if ticking is distracting.

  • High-Tech Timers:

    • App timers: I like the session app 

    • Time recording: Toggl app is also a timer app but it also helps you track where you spent your time, day by day, or weeks or months. 

  • Visual Lists: Checklists, whether on a whiteboard or paper, help prioritize tasks and offer satisfaction upon completion.

  • Rewards: Motivate yourself by completing challenging tasks first and then rewarding yourself with an enjoyable activity.

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