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Thread : Backwards Scheduling  
16 Jul 2009 @ 8:58 AM
notcrazylazyorstupid Join Date: Sat 11th Jul 2009
Threads: 2 Posts: 8
Backwards Scheduling

Here's something that helps me. I have a difficult time with a larger block of time and often find myself saying, "oh, I have plenty of time to chill" and later find myself flying out the door almost late to work or an appointment.

To combat that, lately I've been working backwards. For instance, I just now got back from dropping my son off at daycare. I have an appointment at 9 am. It will take 10 minutes to get there. With a five-minute cushion, that's 15 min. 8:45. It will take me five minutes to grab my purse and check that I have everything. 8:40. Half-hour to shower, dress, and do my hair. 8:10. Ten minutes to walk and feed the dogs. 8:00. So now I know I have exactly three minutes from now to stay on the computer before I have to get going.

When I do this I always do a double take--how could I possibly need that much time? Turns out I do!

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16 Jul 2009 @ 9:54 AM Reply # 1
Kim Join Date: Thu 16th Jul 2009
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Backwards Scheduling---Brilliant!!!

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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16 Jul 2009 @ 11:02 AM Reply # 2
notcrazylazyorstupid Join Date: Sat 11th Jul 2009
Threads: 2 Posts: 8
Added bonus

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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17 Feb 2010 @ 1:25 AM Reply # 3
Special Ed Assistant Join Date: Thu 27th Mar 2008
Threads: 7 Posts: 18
backwards...

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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22 Feb 2010 @ 11:50 PM Reply # 4
atrain Join Date: Mon 22nd Feb 2010
Threads: 0 Posts: 2
interesting

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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22 Feb 2010 @ 11:50 PM Reply # 5
atrain Join Date: Mon 22nd Feb 2010
Threads: 0 Posts: 2
interesting

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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10 Mar 2010 @ 7:26 AM Reply # 6
whatsinaname Join Date: Wed 10th Mar 2010
Threads: 1 Posts: 3
backwards...

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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9 Aug 2010 @ 12:14 PM Reply # 7
abrandnewme Join Date: Mon 9th Aug 2010
Threads: 0 Posts: 1
it really works

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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Last edited by abrandnewme : 9 Aug 2010 @ 12:17 PM. Reason:
24 Aug 2010 @ 12:59 PM Reply # 8
MrsMagnum Join Date: Tue 24th Aug 2010
Threads: 0 Posts: 3
Wow! Going to try this.

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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4 Sep 2010 @ 9:35 AM Reply # 9
rabrx Join Date: Sat 4th Sep 2010
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backwards scheduling

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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.
rabrx said: I also have found this helpful for certain key appointments - now if I could just make my little scribbled notes into a template with the main common timepoints, this might really become a more useful tool. We moved to the country a few years ago and into a 2-story house with more animals. Everytime I leave the house it takes at least 10 minutes to get all situated rather than before when I could walk out in 2 minutes. so I was always rushing to appt.s. Getting a little better all the time.

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15 Sep 2010 @ 8:09 PM Reply # 10
ADD RN Join Date: Wed 21st Nov 2007
Threads: 11 Posts: 358
I never tried backward scheduling

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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