I hope wherever you are, you're staying cool and hydrated!

I've talked about my dad before, but I don't think I mentioned that he was always late—always! It was a source of many an argument between my folks and a running joke in our family.

Even years after he has passed, dad's lateness remains legendary!
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It's one big reason I'd rather be early for pretty much anything and can't even be fashionably late no matter how hard I try.

Recently, a client shared with me that she believes she has ADHD after listening to a podcast and recognizing herself in the description of symptoms shared, one of which is 'Time Blindness."

I have known my client for a long time. Way back in the day, we were colleagues and then I was her boss, and we have remained friends throughout the many intervening years.

At some point early in our relationship I just accepted that it was beyond her ability to be on time.

So, her self diagnosis makes so much sense to me. Her revelation also enables me to coach her more effectively, which I truly appreciate.

Understanding how people perceive and process information is a big interest of mine and has been critical in the work I do and have done for decades.

But, I'll be honest, I never really thought about chronic lateness as an indicator of a larger issue and that's on me. I should know better.

While time blindness is still being studied and understood, generally it shows up in a variety of ways beyond just chronic lateness, including:

• An inability to judge how long things take or how much time is left
• Difficulty planning into and/or for the future
• Missed/forgotten appointments and/or deadlines
• Procrastination
• Poor organizational skills
• Trouble making or sticking to a schedule

Here are some of the tactics my client is finding the most helpful in managing this confounding issue:

1. Alarm Yourself​
   ​Don't just put things in your calendar. Add multiple reminder alerts beginning an hour before.
2. Rock the Clocks​
   ​Place clocks in all your rooms so when you look up you see what time it is and can always check how much time has passed.
3. Break It Up
   ​Before you dive right into larger tasks or goals, cut them up into small bite-sized pieces you can get done in one sitting or session and add them to your calendar.
4. Make It Routine​
   ​Use the above tactics to set up a daily routine that includes consistent sleep, exercise, hydration, and healthy eating, which otherwise might be difficult.
5. Take Notes​
   ​Keep a journal of how you're feeling. When emotional obstacles arise, identify the trigger, feeling, and fear. Look for patterns to address and overcome self-criticism and internalized negative feedback.

Maybe you relate to the struggles of time blindness. Maybe you know someone who does. Or, maybe, you simply live in the world and likely have or will encounter individuals who, knowingly or not, do.

Remember, what looks like laziness, inconsideration, and/or disorganization may legitimately be a sign that someone is struggling and needs our empathy and support.

One way to do so is to pass this message along to anyone who might benefit from the above.

Until next time,

PS—If you missed it, before vacation I shared some helpful advice for Every Breath You Take.

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