[medicalfox]

I have homework to do and it's very easy, but I don't know why I just can't seem to focus doing it. I don't understand why I can't focus on doing it. Any thoughts on how to get going on a task? When I finally start something I can finish it, but starting anything is so hard. I wish my strattera kicked in :/

[medicalfox]

Seems like I didn't even focus on this thread, sorry about repeating myself

[Arwen_78]

I'm having the same issue right now. Then again I have also had a long day at work. I've had a hard time this last week with everything actually.

I'm also on Strattera but on my 7th week. I think it's working but I wish I knew how to help myself get started on what I NEED to do. I just do want I want to do

[avlady]

I hope your meds work soon!!!

[Maus5321]

I get that, Getting started is hte story of my life, I hae never been able to do it. If you figure out please let me know the secret.

[joyrjw]

I can relate. If I had a secret way to get past this, I would definitely say. I hear with many people Strattera takes a while to start working, like an antidepressant.

[Miswimmy1]

Strattera can take up to 8 weeks to reach it's full strength. Sucks, I know. But once it's built up, it does work... :P

Anyway, yep, I have the same problem with starting tasks. What helps me is making the thing interesting. It helps get you motivated. For instance, if I'm trying to work on a homework assignment that's boring, I might write it in glittery pen and in fancy cursive (instead of normal printing). Or if I have to type it, I might choose a fun font and a fun color (and then just format it after I'm done typing it).

[BlueInanna]

Those are good ideas. I have trouble getting started too. I can make lists all day long. But it's like I can't separate them out and find the starting point. So overwhelmed

[omofca]

Yes. I have very simple work too yet it's too monotonous for me to get into. I start working on it at the last minute and rush through. I ****ing hate it because it might keep me from a diploma. I'm interested in stimulating things not boring routines.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[TheNextOne]

Join the club. I've been putting off university stuff for the last two weeks and instead have just played video games and done whatever else I felt like. I tell myself everyday that I definitely will start today, then I get up at 3pm (5 hours later than I was supposed to). That's okay, I'll just start at 5 pm instead, no big deal.....5pm rolls around; Hmmm, I could always eat now, I need lunch so I'll push it back to 6pm. 6pm now, time to work.....I really should but I'll just finish what I'm doing now then start. 8pm turns up....10pm.....12am.....2am I really should start now....actually it's too late now, I can't concentrate properly, I'll do it tomorrow. Rinse and repeat.

[yellowfrog268]

Same here.

The more monotonous the task, the more I shove it aside.

It's like I need a deadline or a challenge in order to be interested.

Here's an interesting little tid bit on motivation

http://www.livescience.com/20026-bra...r-slacker.html

[BlueInanna]

Wow interesting article thanks for sharing. Comtrary to what i feel they are alluding to, I do have a high work ethic, and have always worked. But something puts a wall between me & getting things done. I have a disorder I want things better but something is wrong with me getting in the way . I obviously need to figure out how to get the dopamine. No longer taking adderall because of the bipolar.

[SeekerOfLife]

I also have ADD. What you are describing is procrastination. I hate it when I do that. I only seem to do things that absolutely have to be done. I sleep too much (depression). I guess for me I have to figure out what will motivate me to do my stuff.

[aidan1970]

Originally Posted by TheNextOne

Join the club. I've been putting off university stuff for the last two weeks and instead have just played video games and done whatever else I felt like. I tell myself everyday that I definitely will start today, then I get up at 3pm (5 hours later than I was supposed to). That's okay, I'll just start at 5 pm instead, no big deal.....5pm rolls around; Hmmm, I could always eat now, I need lunch so I'll push it back to 6pm. 6pm now, time to work.....I really should but I'll just finish what I'm doing now then start. 8pm turns up....10pm.....12am.....2am I really should start now....actually it's too late now, I can't concentrate properly, I'll do it tomorrow. Rinse and repeat.

That is SO accurate!!!!!

[RTerroni]

All of the time, and I have an ever harder time finishing tasks.

[peacefulplace]

I'm not sure if I have adhd, I was diagnosed with it but needed further testing. I have trouble starting tasks and get distracted with other things ad infinitum, even if the tasks are easy. They require concentration and time sink so I dread them. Once I get started it's fine, but I can fall off track by getting distracted again. I'm ok doing the ones I can daydream through.

What helps me is to think of the task in a comforting way. Like a peaceful meditative ritual. I loathed having to take a shower before but now I love it because it became part of my procrastination repertoire.
I can't stand reading school issued texts because I have trouble reading (can't concentrate unless interesting content and/or I have distracting thoughts/daydreams inspired from every line I read so I'm slow). The deadlines also cause me frustration because of that limitation. I think this cycle of frustration can be overcome if I pick something I dislike more than this task and use this task as means to procrastinate the one I don't like more.
I can't stand the pressure/anxiety/inefficiency from cramming things at the end (I used this since I was a child to get things done but now I can't be bothered to and just miss the due date) so I just think of the reading assignment as something to delay that, since reading is much more peaceful/comforting and preferable. So I'm procrastinating the crash by doing the tasks that I used to procrastinate on. Procrastinception!

[medicalfox]

Originally Posted by TheNextOne

Join the club. I've been putting off university stuff for the last two weeks and instead have just played video games and done whatever else I felt like. I tell myself everyday that I definitely will start today, then I get up at 3pm (5 hours later than I was supposed to). That's okay, I'll just start at 5 pm instead, no big deal.....5pm rolls around; Hmmm, I could always eat now, I need lunch so I'll push it back to 6pm. 6pm now, time to work.....I really should but I'll just finish what I'm doing now then start. 8pm turns up....10pm.....12am.....2am I really should start now....actually it's too late now, I can't concentrate properly, I'll do it tomorrow. Rinse and repeat.

Lol literally me this whole month. I have a ridiculous amount of essays to do and it's a tad bit overwhelming. I was hospitalized last month so essays and assignments built up while I was away :/

[Just Carmen]

I have a really hard time doing monotonous tasks. I find that if I combine the monotonous task with something I find interesting to obsess on simultaneously, I do much better. I work at home for my husband and it is dull stuff. Between accounts, I am now coming here to read and keep me going. It always has to be something or I just can't get started. I am really bad about keeping a routine. I have to force myself to get up, shower, dress, housework etc. Loud music helps with housework but I still struggle with most things.

[yellowfrog268]

This is something I struggle with frequently.

Medication is helping though.

[steelfang]

Yeah I'm battling that right now actually. I have a big lab final on Wednesday and am supposed to be finishing up a lab report right now.

Keep in mind that every student has problems with procrastination though.

[Arwen_78]

Originally Posted by steelfang

Yeah I'm battling that right now actually. I have a big lab final on Wednesday and am supposed to be finishing up a lab report right now.

Keep in mind that every student has problems with procrastination though.

Going by at least one of your post, what are you trying to say here? Maybe I'm being misunderstanding here but are you ADD or are you trying to say that we're lazy or that we are just talking out our butts?

I'm sorry but the way that you have worded your post just falls short of what people who tells we are lazy, that we should try harder, and that ADD/ADHD isn't real.

[Yoda]

I am ADD and can't take stimulant drugs because of another drug I take. Tried Strattera and it did nothing.

I have a LOT of trouble starting tasks. Even fun ones like calling a friend and setting a date for lunch. Now I am embarrassed because it has been like 2 years since I last saw her and she gave me her phone number.

I was searching "procrastination" when I found PC. Now I avoid tasks by being here but at least I enjoy y'all.

[Arwen_78]

I hate how hard it is to start the simplest task. Like when I notice others birthday because of Facebook. It seems to always notify me at the wrong time too, so then I just forget or don't say anything because I haven't to others.

[TheImpossibleGirl]

Starting a task is for sure the hardest part. I wish I could tell you I had figured out the secret to doing it.

The only thing I could suggest is sometimes I can talk myself into it. Like if I'm writing a paper, I tell myself "just write the first paragraph and you can have a cookie" or some such.

[theadhdtechie]

Sometimes when I can't get started on something, I've used apps to keep reminding me over and over, and eventually I'll get started. They just have to be gentle reminders (not annoying ones).

This works for me. Has anyone else tried it / thought of trying it?