Which Time Management Strategies Work Best for You?

"Time management is an executive function of the brain. Time management struggles are common for people with ADHD, even those who have some time management strengths. Keeping a “menu” of time management strategies can help, in case one stops being effective."

"The definition of time management—according to the book Smart But Scattered by Dawson and Guare—is understanding how much time you have, determining where to spend that time, and operating within time limits to meet deadlines. If you are someone who struggles with time, I want you to know: It's not your fault. Time management is a brain-based skill—an executive function controlled by the brain."

"For those of us who are neurodivergent, time management tends to be either a significant strength or a major challenge. This is common across all executive functions. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes this is a brain-based skill, which can lead to unfair judgment from others. If you are looking to improve your skills while judging yourself, please lean into self-compassion. Research shows that the more self-compassion we have, the better we are at working on the things we want to change."

"If time management is a huge challenge for you, it probably won't ever be perfect or as strong as your other talents—but you can definitely make progress by choosing strategies that work for your brain. For many of us, the difficulty is situational. You might be a pro at work, but struggle at home, where there is less external structure. You might simply lose track of time when the “scaffolding” of a formal environment is removed."

Time management is defined as understanding how much time is available, deciding where to spend it, and working within time limits to meet deadlines. Time management is an executive function controlled by the brain, so struggles are not a personal fault. Neurodivergent people often experience time management as either a strength or a major challenge, and lack of awareness can lead to unfair judgment. Self-compassion supports improvement by reducing harsh self-judgment. Progress is possible even when time management is not perfect, especially by selecting strategies that fit the brain. Difficulties can be situational, such as performing well at work with structure but losing track at home without scaffolding. A menu of time management strategies can help when one approach stops working.

Read at Psychology Today