I ask each person to then consider what might get in the way of her actually doing that task in the next week. We then discuss methods of overcoming the obstacles that arise. This assignment will often lead into a discussion of time management. Many of the adults I have worked with mismanage their time because they assume that it will take much less time to complete a task than it does. I often ask each client to estimate how long he thinks it will take to finish a project and then to write down how long it actually took.
Most people are quite surprised at how far off their estimates are.
Part of the group work, then, is to learn to allot realistic amounts of time for projects. This helps prevent one from always running behind. When obstacles to task completion do arise, the group provides a safe place to discuss what went wrong and to figure out ways to move on to the next step. It helps break the pattern many adults with ADHD have of constantly berating themselves for perceived failures. It is a place where individuals can begin taking responsibility for times they mess up without condemning themselves for it.