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Thread : Need Help/Advice On Getting Focused And Staying Focused On A Big Project  
28 Aug 2009 @ 1:11 PM
charlottejayne Join Date: Fri 1st May 2009
Threads: 2 Posts: 8
Need Help/Advice On Getting Focused And Staying Focused On A Big Project

Hello. I moved into my new apartment about 4 months ago and it needs to be decorated - nothing lavish - just a freshen up with coats of paint on all surfaces.

I have a friend who is able to help in small doses, so will be doing this job on my own mainly. My problem is that because this is - or feels like - a big project, I am having initial difficulties in getting focused let alone starting to do it. I am very concerned and worried that I will start with all good intentions but will not finish. In all honesty there isn't much to do - a small hallway, sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. I thought I would start with the smallest room first (bedroom) and finish with the largest (hallway and sitting room as they kind of 'blend' into each other).

If anyone has any ideas on how to start this project on a person's own and the will to carry on with it I would be very grateful to you. I do, like a lot of people with ADD, have the ability to hyperfocus on interested topics, and although I would like this done before Christmas I'm scared it won't be.

Thanking you all in advance for your help.

With blessings.

Charlotte.

P.S. I cannot afford a decorator and would like to say that I did the job myself.

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28 Aug 2009 @ 5:29 PM Reply # 1
Keith Bailey Join Date: Tue 24th Mar 2009
Threads: 7 Posts: 46
Small Doses

You wrote about your friend helping in "small doses." That is how many ADHD experts recommend tackling a project of any size. Break it down into smaller segments and look at a small segment as one project. I understand you frustration; procrastination was a huge problem for me. Projects that entailed mundane tasks flicked off my brain currents.

The holidays seem like a realistic target for your project. Pick a small segement and work on that.

www.adhd-information-exchange.com

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5 Sep 2009 @ 1:38 AM Reply # 2
Maria Join Date: Fri 4th Sep 2009
Threads: 0 Posts: 3
Big Project

Find a deeper meaning and purpose in why you want to finish the project. When you feel yourself losing drive and drifting off to other tasks remind yourself of why it's important to you to finish.

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5 Sep 2009 @ 1:38 AM Reply # 3
Maria Join Date: Fri 4th Sep 2009
Threads: 0 Posts: 3
Big Project

Find a deeper meaning and purpose in why you want to finish the project. When you feel yourself losing drive and drifting off to other tasks remind yourself of why it's important to you to finish.

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5 Sep 2009 @ 4:11 AM Reply # 4
alpert Join Date: Wed 16th Jul 2008
Threads: 0 Posts: 16
It seems to me ...

that you should have decorated before you moved in. This could have been done in a weekend. Now you're struggling to complete the job in 7 months!

I would suggest you hire someone to help you. There should be plenty of kids or adults available at affordable rates in this economy who can get this project moving and completed in a short time.

Paul Alpert (www.deltaplanner.com)

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5 Sep 2009 @ 7:23 PM Reply # 5
charlottejayne Join Date: Fri 1st May 2009
Threads: 2 Posts: 8
What Mr Alpert!

Dear Mr Alpert

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my thread.

Firstly: in regards to what you wrote about my having decorated before I moved in: I lease my apartment and I was not allowed to have the keys until the day I moved in. Secondly: it will not take a weekend to paint my apartment. Thirdly: and this is what irritated me the most with your response, is your suggestion of my hiring kids and/or adults to assist me in decorating. Are you a moron per chance? I have A.D.D. and O.C.D., which means that with my work I am a perfectionist, and the thought of hiring kids/adults to help me is a nightmare for my mental wellbeing as I would not be able to relax just knowing that they are messing up and not doing the job properly and to my taste/liking and my having to go over what they did. Do you know what website you are on or were you just surfing and thought you would drop by.

My grandmother would say that if you don't have anything sensible to say then don't say anything. I think you should follow her advice.

Thanks for nothing Mr Alpert.

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