Time & Best Laid Plans

Time can be brilliant and daunting. One moment you’re on top of the world, the next you’re rushing around trying to make sense of your schedule. This episode is all about how our brains struggle with time and why it sometimes feels like there’s never enough of it.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the clock and wondering where the day went, you’re not alone. In this show, we talk about how the dyslexic or ADHD mind often perceives time differently. We also share a few practical ideas that might help you adapt when hours disappear and tomorrow feels like yesterday.

Why Time Is the Devil

“Time is the devil, it sneaks up on us and does not play ball with the way our minds work. This was never so obvious as today.”

In the podcast, we explore how time can feel like a trickster. One minute, you’re relaxed with a hot drink; the next, your phone pings reminders of tasks you forgot. If you’ve got a creative or neurodiverse brain, it’s even trickier. It can be easy to get lost in whatever sparks your interest, while routine chores vanish into the background. Before you know it, you’re chasing deadlines and feeling that sinking sense of time slipping away.

But there’s more to the story. We talk about acknowledging that time will never fully fit into neat, predictable boxes. Part of accepting this is finding ways to work with your natural thinking patterns, rather than forcing yourself to track every minute.

The Unpredictable Nature of Time

Time isn’t just about hours. It’s deeply connected to emotions, focus, and mindset. On days when you feel energised, you’ll probably move through tasks quickly. On tougher days, five minutes can feel like an hour.

We uncover how the ADHD or dyslexic mind toggles between hyper-focus and drifting attention. That sense of flow is spectacular, but it can swallow hours without warning. By understanding this ebb and flow, you can carve out specific slots where you avoid distractions and let yourself dive deep, while still keeping a light awareness of external commitments.

Simple Methods to Tame the Clock

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. You’ve got to experiment. Here are a few pointers we highlight in the episode:

• Use a timer or a visual clock to see time passing in real-time.
• Break big projects into small chunks to make the work feel less daunting.
• Build in short breaks to avoid burnouts from over-focusing.
• Celebrate small successes—a completed task fuels motivation.

We also chat about how to structure your environment so your mind won’t run off course. For instance, leave your phone out of sight for an hour if you really need to stay on track.

Mindset Matters

A lot of people think productivity tips alone will fix everything. But your relationship with time is also influenced by your mindset. If you beat yourself up for every missed deadline or late arrival, it’s harder to move forward.

Our guest talks about coping gracefully when things slip. Sometimes, instead of panicking, pause and see how you can adjust. Even five minutes of reflection can keep you from spiralling into guilt. The more you can accept that time is flexible, the easier it is to adapt. This mental shift can be a game-changer if you’re prone to time-blindness.

Finding Your Own Rhythm

Between tight schedules and a busy world, we often forget we’re not all wired the same. One person’s perfect routine might be overwhelming for you. This episode reminds us to create a system that respects our unique energy levels and ways of thinking.

We dive into:

• Experimenting with morning or evening work times to find your sweet spot.
• Learning how reward systems help refocus the dyslexic or ADHD mind.
• Being gentle with yourself if progress isn’t linear.
• Creating simple rituals (like a daily to-do check) that anchor your day.

These tips might seem obvious, but they’re a powerful step toward building a sustainable pattern. It’s about establishing a framework that honours who you are, instead of battling your brain’s natural wiring.

Key Takeaways

• Time is tricky, especially for creative or neurodiverse minds.
• Context-switching is real—try focused blocks for crucial tasks.
• Mindset and self-compassion are as vital as any tool.
• Small strategies, like visual timers and micro-breaks, can help radically.
• Figuring out your own routine might take trial and error.

Feeling intrigued? We’d love for you to listen to the full episode. You can find the podcast player at the top of this page. Give it a play, and let’s keep exploring how to better dance with time.