I've used backwards scheduling before too. It helped but not enough, so I "fell off the bandwagon" using it. However, after reading how you're implementing this strategy, I now realize it didn't work for me because I was only accounting for the time it would take me to get to my destination plus fifteen extra minutes. I knew I'd need to shower, grab my purse, make sure I had everything, etc but never actually made myself add up how much time I would need--BEFORE---I left! Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting!!.

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Kim, I'm so glad what helped me might help you. That's why I decided to post :)

As an added plus, I ended up being ahead of schedule in terms of showering, so I was able to add in a bowl of cereal (I had forgotten to schedule breakfast! doh!) and I rode my bike instead of driving. The appointment was to take an orientation quiz for work, so the exercise really helped with my mental acuity.

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I find this very exhausting to figure out every time it seems... especially when I have to do it for EVERYTHING.However, seeing as I am consistent at one thing - consistently late for the bus... I really need to tell myself to grow up and suck it up, princess.

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I have never tried backwards scheduling but maybe will try it. The morning would be easier if you could shower at night, and make childrens lunches in evening if possible. You should allow more time than needed to arrive on time. I am sometimes late because I lose track of time.

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I have never tried backwards scheduling but maybe will try it. The morning would be easier if you could shower at night, and make childrens lunches in evening if possible. You should allow more time than needed to arrive on time. I am sometimes late because I lose track of time.

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Thank you for sharing this - this is exactly what I need to start doing! I'm new here and already so glad I joined!

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Thanks for sharing this, as it just reinforces a practice that really works for me. The more truthful I am with how long each task will take, the better my chances are for, not only being ontime, but... GASP... being early!

A great quote I once heard is "the only way to be ontime is to be early" and rings so true for me.

Once you try this method a few times and see how successful it is, the more likely you are to remember to use it! :: smile ::

- Vicki, 55. Diagnosed @ 50.

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I am relatively new here, and already I feel like I am among friends. Amazes me how many of us experience the struggles of AD(H)D. I have a really hard time getting out the door because I save EVERYTHING to the last minute. I am going to try backward scheduling. I like the way you have included everything, and maybe by allowing a certain amount of time for ONE task, I can actually focus on that one task, instead of saying that, for example, from "6:00 to 6:30 Make the bed, shower, get dressed". Thanks for the tip.

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Special Ed Assistant said: I find this very exhausting to figure out every time it seems... especially when I have to do it for EVERYTHING.However, seeing as I am consistent at one thing - consistently late for the bus... I really need to tell myself to grow up and suck it up, princess.

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so how does it work? I am not dumb but I haven't been able to get it to work for me. Any suggestions (Judi)

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I just thought everybody did this when a planner isn't appropriate (ie. carpooling with kids, running errands)

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Here's what my understanding is of the method. Typically, we'd schedule our day like this (example of my day today)

-) 12:00 to 1:10 - Read the Paper

-) 1:15 - 2:00 PM - Pick up Mom from work

-) 2:15 PM to 3:00 PM - Finish Reading the paper

-) 3:10 to 4:30 PM - Apply for more jobs

-) 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM - Explain Paper to friend

-) 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM - Work on Project

-) 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Family Time

The above schedule is a mixture of what I'd like to achieve today and what is realistic. But lets start things backwards and see where we'd like to be at the end of the day.

-) 10:00 PM close everything and be in bed

-) 30 Mins to shower brush teeth and planning for tomorrow - So start at 9:30 PM

-) 2.5 Hours of Family dinner and time today - Start at 7:00 PM

-) 2 Hours to Code on my project - Start at 5:00 PM

-) 1 Hour to explain a Paper to a friend - Start at 4:00 PM

-) 2 Hours to apply to Jobs - Start at 2:00 PM

-) Pick up mom at 1:30 PM - Leave at 1:15 PM

-) 1 Hour to Read a Paper - Start at 12:00 PM

Big change in a schedule planning from what I started. I'll try this and see how it works. One thing I've learned is that I can never stick to the schedule 100%. Its either because its not possible to fit in and predict all events of the day (or maybe I'm just horrible at it). So if I end up getting diverted by a few mins, I'll try not to curse myself. Anyone, please correct me if I'm wrong here.

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ADD RN said: so how does it work? I am not dumb but I haven't been able to get it to work for me. Any suggestions (Judi)

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I've used backwards scheduling for years but if I don't check with someone else I usually underestimate the travel time. I will fool myself into allowing 15 minutes for a drive that always takes 45 minutes. If I go over the plan with my husband he will do the reality check (and I don't believe him and think he's being too conservative)

If I estimate the time accurately then I spend longer on things or add something into the schedule and I'm late again.

If I stick to the plan, estimate the time accurately, only do what I have to do to get ready, I'm feeling so confident that I forget to look at the clock and I'm late again.

I've tried putting the time in my calendar earlier to fool myself but then I remember.

My family and friends have mentioned occassionally that they tell me to come earlier than other people because I'm always late. Kind of embarassing but I get angry that I'm there with time to spare and could have been doing something else.

Honestly I would rather be late than early. If I'm early I will find something to do and then end up being late.

I've done it at airports often. If I arrive at the airport without having to rush and beg the agent to let my bags get checked then I start walking around. If the flight is scheduled to leave at a certain time I think 5 minutes prior is enough for me to be at the gate....they want me there 15-20 minutes early. I can't sit around waiting.

I still do backwards scheduling all the time but I know Im still going to be a little late.

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I'm glad you wrote this! I started backwards scheduling (although I never thought of it in those terms) 5 years ago & it completely "cured" my problem w/ lateness. Once I started planning backwards (ex, 20 mins for bus to come, 20 mins for train to come, 5 mins to walk to train from house, etc.) I started getting to work on time or early. It takes a little time to get used to doing it but it becomes second nature pretty quickly. Now I do it automatically when trying to figure out how long it will take me to do things. It feels really good to not always be running late : )

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