How to Get Projects Done, On Time, Without Your Life Falling Apart in the Process
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- One of the biggest challenges ADHD brains face is project management -- in the past I've always tried harder, worked faster, stuffed more into my schedule.
But maybe there's a better way -- deciding which projects aren't even worth taking on in the first place.
This video is meant to help us get projects done, on time, without the rest of your life falling apart in the process.
Special thanks to research consultant Patrick LaCount
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"Let's face it, the projects that don't engage our brains wind up half done or turned in late. And those that do excite us? We wind up hyperfocusing on to the point that the rest of our lives fall apart in the process."
This could not be a better description for how I handle projects.
@@azalea_moon-kee these are the most painfully - but also enlighteningly -revealing UA-cam videos I’ve ever watched
@@orangejoe2147 last year when I discovered this channel, I watched about 2 or 3 videos a day, sobbing my eyes out the whole time because things finally made sense. it hurts but in a really good way.
@@peachy_lili Right there with you... been very emotional realizing my "character flaws " are basically different brain wiring.
What's wrong?
I'm in this picture and I don't like it!
She speaks truth.
Honestly, I don't even have ADHD, just poor time management in general, and this channel has soo many good tips and strategies that resonate with me. Instead of strategies that require you to already have good focus, these are often so much like friendlier and realistically doable for me.
That is probably true but I also thought I was on this channel just to get some good strategies even though I didn’t have ADHD but a year later and I have been diagnosed as an adult lol
Lol I'm gonna go for a diagnosis... Some time
You probably have adhd haha
How do you know you don't have it? Also you can have executive function problems even if you don't have ADHD
I'd say that just about every tip and strategy for adhd is a reasonable option for the neurotypical as well! As a manager, when someone is struggling with any component of self management, the answer is in looking to those that biologically struggle with self management.
Literally watching this while behind on multiple projects...
Yep!
Me too.... Ops
Same
I'm almost 2 college years behind
Hey Teresa, if you're still feeling low - take a breath, and believe that you will be ok!
There will be high points, and there will be successes. Somehow, my hyperfocus took me through the panic of undone work when I was younger, before I knew I even had ADD. Seemed like I would always stress, but manage to finish things in the nick of time. Even if it killed me to do it.
But the good news is, it won't be that way forever. There's some satisfaction in taking back some control from your wandering brain. I'm always trying to tell myself to pause and re-evaluate, and then I can make a better decision, and that makes me proud of myself. Positive spiral!
And also, what she said about time estimates is SO spot on. I've been trying to remember to multiply any time estimate by 2 or 3, because I always cram too much into a day. It may have been on this channel, I heard someone call being ADD is to just be wayyyy too optimistic about how much you can get done lol.
I finally completed my first project on time not the night before and got a 98% on it and I’m so proud of myself. Finally yes me and my ADHD is very proud
Congrats! That's huge
"OK, that'll take x amount of hours. 👉 Double it! What if I haven't done any of those things a bunch of times before? 👉 Triple it!!"
so damned accurate!
seriously, i think i need to legitimately apply this to my life.
Too true 😭
Jake J. Crenshaw thx!
Most important trick I learned when accurately estimating tasks at work.... love agile because it creates urgency on a weekly or biweekly basis. That's how I run personal projects now too...
Would very much like to see the "How to actually START the project." It's my hardest part.
try her "wall of awful" video
Agreed! My perfectionist brain teams up with my ADHD brain and will NOT allow it!
@@felixhenson9926 I feel you. I feel like I have to overcompensate just to keep up with everything. It can be exhausting. Getting started can be difficult. Good luck on your journey!
The biggest issue I find is assigning myself "get {project} done" as a to-do and then feeling like that's way too much to tackle so I never do. What has worked instead is breaking that down into the first action that needs doing for that project and assigning myself that, then when that's done doing the same for the next step in the process. It's easier said than done (breaking down the project into bite-sized chunks) but you know better than anyone how to do that :)
Heh I just built some idea furniture and wrecked the entire house. I got sick so asked my wife how I should take the problem cos I couldn't figure out where to start. She said: do the cardboard first, then the plastic, then the tools, and tidy the rooms last. That was enough for me to think no, I'll do it a better way. And got me started!
I always take waaaaay to many projects. So far I'm: learning Spanish, working on 2 fanfictions, planning my youtube channel, taking a art class, volunteering at the library. I'm probably forgetting some other things too. This will help me manage my projects!
This makes sense. So doing too much is part of the ADHD mind. Explains a lot
“A project taking less time does not mean it will take no time”
Thank you.
Yes, sometimes when I've found a shortcut I feel like I've found a time loophole. 🙄
I'm pretty sure I don't have ADHD. I don't know whether I can comprehend what it's like having ADHD. One thing I'm sure, this channel is not just ADHD haven. With your help (and Vlogbrother's, which were the reason I even discovered this channel), I've picked up meditation, I've tried creating and sticking to a schedule (emphasis on tried) and I started working out. You have literally helped me through what I thought was normal, constant boredom and no desire to reach for my goals. I sincerely hope you keep on working on this saving grace of a channel. You are an inspiration. Best of wishes for you and your fiancé, you deserve it.
As with most coping skills offered to people with developmental disorders (like ADHD) or mental illnesses, the skills can help many others who don't have those diagnoses too!
What a good human being she is! Teaching people how to ADHD and spreading awareness with such a smile and sympathy and in the meanwhile showing us that bigger projects as a youtube channel are possible.
Thanks for this channel!
As a professional project manager, I can honestly say this process is one of the simplest and best things to do before starting business projects as well. Too often, businesses commit to delivering projects they haven't counted the costs on and they end up failing because they didn't know they could or know how to say no. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
So I've been struggling with time and my perfectionism at school, crying from anxiety every day and this video, which I've seen before but not while at school showed up on my main page and I can't explain how much this has saved me. I'm working on a project worth 10% right now, it's due in 4 hours and I have 3 other projects (that are worth double and +) to finish/start for tomorrow and thursday. NOBODY HAS EVER TOLD ME I CAN DECIDE TO JUST NOT DO SOMETHING. NEVER OCCURED TO ME. This has saved my life and instantly boosted my mental health. Frickin lightbulb moment. I cannot thank you enough (and the internet witches for knowing I needed this video right now). Thank you so so so much :')
Once again finding myself saying "THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING!" I need to ask: has anyone else diagnosed for awhile but only started watching these videos and interacting with the community been nonstop amazed by all the similarities and finding so many connections to things we may have thought had nothing or little to do with our ADHD? I can't even provide an analogous example to what I've been feeling this past week, any would be a disservice!
I am 400% interested in the follow up video. Getting started at all is literally my biggest obstacle.
One more question you can ask (or two) : Does this align with my values and Goals? Does volunteering/working for this company align with my goal or value and help me to achieve it this (week/quarter/month/year/life)?
For example: Someone offers you a pay big bucks project, working for a mega biz. That may solve your short term: pay off loan, but does it align with helping local community value? Not always an easy answer. - Maybe work short term and then use some money to purchase CSA. That is just an example and as I write this I may be making this more complicated than I originally meant . Oh so ADD. Anyway thank you for this! AND big thanks for the pdf handout. You are making such a huge difference in the ADHD community in ways you can't imagine.
"Sleep counts! Yes, youuu!"
ahahahaha, BUSTED! 😅🤣
Oh my gosh!! This is perfect! My therapist recommended you after diagnosing me with the attentive part of ADHD, what she calls EFD, executive function disorder. I'm always drowning in all these cool new projects I want to do, but have nowhere to start or don't have motivation to finish them. Thank you so much for these tips, it'll probably save my sanity. 😅
This completely changes my attitude towards planning and scheduling. It's not a list of things I "HAVE TO DO OR ELSE I'LL BE A FAILURE!" It's a checkbook that tells me what I can afford to spend my time-dollars on. Not "have to," but "can do." Thanks a million!
YES!!! The "Getting it actually done" video would be amazing!
This is really helpful. All of your videos are, but this one in particular for my current situation. I've gone for years knowing that I have ADHD, but not knowing all the areas in which I am effected. Your videos have pulled me out of the darkest point of my life by shedding light on that for me. I was diagnosed at 12 years old and at 21 I am JUST NOW understanding my own condition. Thank you thank you thank you. Just KNOWIG why I do the things I do, and that not everyone actually deals with this, is so relieving. I've been shooting myself in the foot with University to the point I considered dropping out because all my trial and error was for not. I fell into such a viscous cycle of working so hard, falling off the horse, becoming discouraged with my performance and not feeling like I was given the opportunity to show my true strengths, and repeat. My dissatisfaction with my own performance was NOT a true reflection of my abilities, and I felt so discouraged to even try anymore. I have high hopes for my future semesters now that you have given me some tools to try and face my ADHD head on.
"I did this to myself" feels very empowering regarding a huge to-do list x
This is a very good one. I am always running out if time doing things that are not that important..
I'm 90% sure I have inattentive ADHD but my parents don't believe it because of ADHD myths. I've tried to explain but they're not listening.
Any tips?
Kaci Read ask to see a therapist? If it's really not a thing, then you must not have it right?! Otherwise, ask them for their sources & convince them with science? Look up articles on the biology/ science of ADHD, maybe hard evidence Will help to convince them?
The ADHD Diary thanks I'll try that
Kaci Read Next time you have a checkup, ask your Dr about it. If the Dr thinks you have it, your parents will have to accept it. I went through the same thing, and now I'm taking meds that really help.
Go to your school counselor they can diagnose you with it. Then with the papers they give you go to your doctor for meds.
I do too, and I know that it's hard to deal with people who don't believe you (especially parents), so I'd suggest seeing someone else about it. A school counselor, your doctor, whoever else. Maybe even a teacher. Just someone who you can talk to without your parents shutting you down. Good luck!
I don't have diagnosed ADHD but everything I do makes so much more sense the more I watch these videos
"we're not usually great at estimating time"
And that's how I'm working on my thesis for 5+ days and being halfway with the remaining things while I expected it to be 2. And how I spent one and a half hour with a "kinda 20 min long" session of excel formatting.
Your videos are BRILLIANT.
I mean. Almost definitely I do not have ADHD. But I did almost fail my exams last year because I just couldn't do anything. I couldn't start work, I couldn't concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time, I missed a whole bunch of important deadlines and meetings. And now I'm just starting my this-year set of exams and discovered your channel and oh my. It's been incredibly helpful. Especially the pomodoro thing, although I do struggle to concentrate for that long, and I look at my phone to see how long I have left and ALWAYS open something else and remind myself to close it. Anyway. Thank you, this is amazing, and since finding your channel a week or so ago, I've managed to start work, get some important shit done, and feel so much better. Sorry for the ramble but THANK YOU. And now, to work. xx
My wife just shared this with me, I cant believe I have not had this resource for my brain before. My son has many of the same issues I do, keeping rocking these videos!
Yes do cover the journey from having scheduled something to actually doing it! Task initiation is a
Struggle
me: " let me check my schedule" 4 years later: " oof I remembered!"
your analogies are the best ugh
I’m hyper focusing on starting a support group for parents with a brain child and adults with adhd. There’s a giant need in this community as far as I can tell.
Love the “triple it’” so funny.
After 55 years, I was diagnosed with ADHD....even I didn't totally believe that :) then I found this channel!! I seem to be the textbook version.....who knew? NO ONE. haha, it certainly explains a lot! thanks to you and also Dr. Hallowell.
Vanessa me too at 45 y diagnostic with ADHD. I DID MASTER WITHOUT KNOWING THAT, i worked naturally by mind mapping and I succède. I worked and then married and here starts the problems, managing time and priority. I STOPPED WORKING for my family sake and my sanity😆. Wait kids to growth up a bit and go back to work
I'm always learning new things that are related to my add. Someone's I wonder if I have a personality at all, lol
72 and trying to figure out how to handle this. No IDEA that almost all my "quirks" have gone back to ADHD!!
Sometimes it is amazing to see how people with ADHD writes, because it is similar to me xD I haven't gotten my diagnosis yet so-
I am so eager to see what you post everyweek or whenever you can. they have helped me so much with my ADHD
I was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder when I was young. The way it was explained to me is that I have trouble paying attention. My doctor prescribed me Ritalin. I hated the way that I felt on the medication and decided that it wasn't worth taking. My life has been tough and I'm constantly asking myself what's wrong with me. I found these videos yesterday and I'm so glad I did. I've misunderstood what ADD and ADHD are for over a decade and I feel like I'm finally starting to understand the way that my mind works. If I would have known the trouble not taking my medication would have caused me I never would have stopped. Thank you so much. I can finally go get some help
Legit love this SO MUCH. I keep blank forms in my disc bound bullet journal (; for when I think committing to a project sounds like a good idea. I also used it as a guide to help create an emotional de-escalation worksheet (lovingly referred to as, "Should I Freak Out About The Thing")!
Love this! Yes, I'd love the follow-up video you discussed, but only when you have time. Congrats on getting married!
A video on actually following through with projects would be A+++ :)
My job plays into my ADHD well. There are so many interesting problems that capture my attention. I'm a software developer and we use an Agile framework called Scrum (which can be used in any team or group setting). Part of Scrum is breaking down the project into tasks and sub-tasks for the team. There are several times that I will start a task and pass them off to team members. I get to set the direction of the task, and they get the satisfaction of completing it. It's win-win.
I love your videos cuz I have adhd myself. I live with my aunt,uncle,and dad. We have had multiple meetings with my school counselor but my aunt and uncle never follow through with the strategies they get for me.My aunt and uncle tend to say things like try harder or just tell yourself to focus.My dad also has adhd so it’s hard for him to focus on me and work at the same time.Every time I try and show my aunt and uncle your videos or even mention adhd they get annoyed like uuuggghh not this again
The story of my life😣. Your présentation is outstanding💖💖💖
This time analogy is awesome. I'll use it. Thanks!
You set me straight, I didnt realize I was a compulsive project maker till now. I just thought I was being lazy for not doing all of them. Thing is I cant
I love the editing. The jumpiness of the angles ensures I don't get distracted when watching them as well haha. #ADHD
I never do the thing; I put it off until it becomes almost due and then rush around trying to get it done. I know I do this and I know I should change but even though your channel has given me strategies to do this less it can sometimes seem like the strategies to help get something done become part of the to do list...which i haven't even started.
Yes I would appreciate a video. Especially how to start a project if your in lazy mode when the project due date is faraway.
Just got diagnosed and your channel gives me so much hope and motivation! You are a life saver! THANK YOU!
I remember the time when I was in the executive commitee of three different associations and doing sports on a competitive level and had to admit myself that my quality of work suffered from this circumstances. Only later I got diagnosed with ADHD and nowadays I have just one chore beside my job of running a small business. I‘m much more aware now how I tend to underestimate tasks because I‘m so excited about doing it.
Wowee 😁🥰
That's so kind of you to offer the PDF. Thank you.
I kind of know lots of what you mentioned and did it before. I'm not diagnosed but experience a fluffy brain and brain fog from time to time so these structures help me maintain good care for what's left from my health and sanity🧠🤗
That "sleep counts" comment was a haymaker punch right to my soul.
Discovering this channel was great! Thank you Hannah Hart! I was diagnosed with ADHD last year and I've been binging these vids all day!
You're a freakin godsend. I'm so thankful this video was recommended today. You just saved me a lot of trouble :D
Oh my gosh you're mic drop was wonderful! Great content!
You should totally do the video on how to get things done! As a college student who often gets paralyzed by the feeling of "OMG i have to do ALL THE THINGS", this would be immensely helpful.
Time as a resource. That's something I'm still learning, recently diagnosed with ADD.
Omg Jessica you posted this on time! I just started my final year of College and it's also the busiest. I love you so much. 😍
Understanding adhd is so important learning our flaws and how to correct them is life changing yalls videos r changing lifes I know it has mine and still learning. knowing I am not normal makes me feel so NORMAL lol
I absolutely instituted the waiting period for buying anything. I give myself a few hours to ponder, check my bills that are due, what are the bigger purchases I'm saving up for? Then if I'm still not sure if I've thought it through level headed, I sleep on it. Usually the next day I'm deleting half of my Amazon cart. But some I go for, because it brings me so much long term joy having the new thing!! I'm getting magsafe chargers for my house and car!! Current hyperfocus besides crochet, mobile phone technology 😏 S22 Ultra on its way to my house now 🥰
I finished watching and @howtoadhd I feel like you read my mind and are watching my life. I can't wait to try out this pdf! If it works as well as I think it will, my wife (and me) will be VERY happy :)
This is EXACTLY what I needed. Thank you so much!
This is fantastic. Thank you for all.the wonderful videos and helpful tips. Can't wait to start working harder on getting my ADHD to work with me in my life and not against me. ♥️♥️
I notice I can do projects really well on school subject that interest me and those that don't I just procrastinate and when I get it done it's not as good compare to others students.
I've recognized myself as adhd by watching your videos (I didn't pay attention to the tips by my psych and friends) and they are helping me so much!
This video could not have come out at a better time! Thanks for the help!!! ❤️
I just finished 1 section of my midterm I've been dreading too much to start because of your video. It only took me 25 minutes. I've been terrified of it for 2 days.
I plan to start looking for a job tomorrow.
These videos remind me (as I prepare (try to) for Passover)… “it takes ELEVEN DAYS to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barena…In the FORTIETH YEAR… “you have stayed long enough at this mountain,…”
double it ! Tripple it ! QUADRUPLE IT !!!
Henceforth, I shall refer to my schedule as my "Time Budget": it reminds me of the limited, transactional, and valuable nature of my time. My dad told me growing up, "Pay yourself first." He was referring to putting money into savings consistently and automatically, but I find the phrase especially useful when applied to time management and prioritizing tasks. As ADHDers, we tend to put other people's needs and wants first and put ours last.
I'm from Egypt and I just have realized I have ADHD. I will go to my doctor in a few hours so he can help me with dealing with ADHD. Thank you
watching this in the desperate hope that it might save me in the future.
I have three long essays to write, two of them were due in yesterday : /
you know, i really don't know what i'd do without this channel
Your homework, lol. Just kidding. I'm behind on some unit summaries in my college classes, too. I'm also trying to get a diagnosis of ADHD so I can get some help and extra time (like I won't waste that, too) on assignments. ADHD is a disability and if you have a diagnosis, your school has to help you.
@@bradbunnell1891 yep, luckily i managed to get some DSA funded mentoring so hopefully I might get better with this. to be honest I had extra time to hand in assignments last year and it only made me hand them in late on a different date. but having extra time in tests is always a plus.
good luck with your diagnosis
Definitely interested in that completing projects video! Thank you for this one, I forgot how important these kinds of things are in the first place, but it's usually where I go wrong in the first place. (COUGH, my terrible undergraduate research project experience.)
My thing is I start projects but then get to bored of them and don't finish them unless I have to.
I was too adhd to finish watching this video all the way through. Feels bad.
Dezzerkas it was really just a rehash of combination of previous videos.
Live Q&A about wedding on the 28th and new Q's form
That's what comment scrolling is for! ;)
Hahahha I was halfway through and put it in my 'watch later', then forgot about it for weeks and know I had to start over...
Awww, an early congratulations to you and your darlin'! That's so exciting, and I wish you both the best life can offer.
On topic, this is an awesome video that kinda came when I needed the most, as I'm in the planning phases of a cosplay. Thanks for the tips, I'll be using your template soon.
This video just hit me with a double whammy!!!
girl you just changed my life with the phrase "i will let you know tommorw"
Those examples about moving are WAAAY too on topic for me currently. If only I had seen this video earlier, instead I tried to pack my boxes by thinking about them
I would respond “I’ll let you know tomorrow” and then forget to budget/consider it… and then be asked again to now urgently do that, depending on my mood at that time I might sway the budget one way or the other… often second guessing my eventual decision.. struggle is real.
I was just about to say it when you pointed it out in the end of the video.
Its easy to make a schedule. But that schedule will be gathering dust after making a super enthusiastic schedule that you follow for maybe... 3-4 days? :P
But yes routines is sooo importan to be able to coop with ADD/ADHD.. Schedules however are mission impossible for me.
Have you tried using Google calendar? I do understand what you mean. I failed for years to follow complex/enthusiastic schedules, have you tried something very basic?
Brilliant analogy, thanks for this video
Wooooow, este video me fue muy útil e hizo que mi corazón se reconfortara un poco, era lo que necesitaba escuchar. Justo hoy tuve una crisis muy fuerte que me hizo cuestionarme por qué he aceptado tantos proyectos en este momento de mi vida, al punto de hacerme sentir exhausta y sin motivación para poder realizarlos. ¡Gracias por estos consejos! Gracias por compartirnos que es posible y que es cuestión de organizar y priorizar. Btw, tengo ADHD y soy actriz. Abrazos para ti, querida. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I feel seen 😭 I have a project due TODAY, but I haven’t started 😅 I also have a problem of “Oh I have to be at this appointment in 15 minutes, so I’ll leave then!” Without considering walking to the car, traffic, leaving the car and then it’s been thirty minutes 🙃 so now I triple whatever the time is (or at least double) and it’s helped me not be late to everything (just fewer things 😂)
you can track the time it takes you to do stuff using a time management app like Toggl.
you set up the projects, and then when you work on them you click a timer, and turn it off when you stop - if your on mac check out In Time from the app store which is a addon that keeps a box floating above every window reminding you to track your time.
I'm still struggling to commit to using it 100% due to being a disorganized mess but for what i have tracked its been super useful to see how long i studied for a particular subject.
I even have a procrastination task to see how long i spend doing nothing...
I’m about to have to start a huge project for my English class soon and this is so helpful, thank you!
I just love your Channel!!!
Did anyone ever try pausing this episode when Jessica flashes up the list of things to do? LOL! Anyway, awesome job on what you do!!! Please keep up the good work!
I was writing a story tale, but I was commited to do an article before, but I was like not knowing which one to decide, but this help me a lot today. I'll check how's going 😄😄
I ❤️ you! As soon as I get myself focused as I go back to work next week I'm totally going to be using this tool for my entire life!
Deff gonna print out 52,824,791 of these
I'm learning too, more and more. People are quick to call you a people pleaser, but don't stop coming at you with vicious peer pressure themselves. Manipulation, much?🤷🏾♀️
Oh thanks so much! It's so true!
One of the best videos ever!
Yes please on the follow-up video! Ooooooo what about a video on GTD?!...
Another great video! Thank you!
That was fantaaaastic and so awesome! Thank you
You're so welcome! Glad you found the video useful! And thank you so much for the support!
i sat down to watch this and then spaced out 2 minutes in and am now rewinding the whole video😭
There's a movie about that that time bank you talked about! It's called "Time out", cool concept, a bit cliché sometimes but with good actors (Cillian Murphy, and Justin Timberlake's mommy (wtf))
Voilà voilà, really nice video, new french adhd brain in the army!! And seriously great channel, you really help.
(actually not diagnosed yet but first appointment soon :D)
Oh and I'm happy for your wedding, I assume marying another adhd is ideal if not necessary for your partner to feel this empathy...I mean it's really hard to explain it to someone who has no idea what it is. I need to download your little paper for this haha
Also I think it would be prettty pertinent to make a video about adhd and canabis, apparently it would have been identified as a viable treatment for adhd, and it affects our brains differently anyway..need to dig deeper
That was helpful. I feel lame that I can't do that naturally. My wife is a master planner. We also have 4 kids and we both work from home (making comic books). My biggest problem is taking on too many freelance jobs because we need money, and if there aren't really good paying jobs, I have to take more to accomodate, and then getting way backlogged and going way slower than I think I will on everything and then everything snowballs from there. There's a question in there somewhere...
HORRIBLE at judging how long things will take. And even if I wasn't there isn't enough time to do everything anyway.
^ Wow, I think I might have ADHD. Kidding I've been diagnosed and take medication. Slightly better at--SQUIRREL!!!
I would like you to do an episode on doing project. Because i don't understand myself. I have the time, the tool and i want to do some of my project, but for an obscure reason i always found tings to be distracted... when it is time to start. In fact that problem is now so huge that i avoid thinking about starting project... because i never do them anyway...