ADHD-Friendly Podcast with Patty Blinderman
Episode #226: Are You A Time Optimist?
Release Date: February 18, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Patty Blinderman explores the concept of being a "time optimist"—the tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take or to overcommit, particularly common for people with ADHD. Patty shares her own recent experiences, practical ADHD-friendly tips, a highlight product, and a book recommendation. She rounds out the episode with practical strategies to help time optimists tilt the playing field in their favor.
Key Segments and Insights
1. Celebration: Volunteering Win
[01:36 - 06:47]
- Patty shares a recent personal victory: She finally completed her long-postponed application to volunteer at her local library after outsourcing the in-person drop-off to her child.
- “I finished it in my own ADHD Friendly way… I outsourced it.” (Patty, 02:09)
- Unexpected Benefit: Cleared just in time for a library seed event, and her help was needed as others had backed out.
- Takeaway: Finding workarounds and leveraging support can help accomplish things that feel overwhelming.
“It just felt like a big win all around that not only did I get the form turned in a way that worked for me, which was outsourcing it to one of my kiddos to drop off, but I also got it in in time.” (Patty, 03:17)
- Patty also reflects on matching volunteering opportunities to your comfort level (e.g., declining the crowded "Comic Con" event).
2. Product Highlight: Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray
[07:34 - 12:23]
- New Gardening Gear: Inspired by the seed library event, Patty bought peat pots, soil, and plant labels to start growing from seed—something new for her.
- Product of the Week: Urban Decay All-Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
- “I've been using this every day since right after Christmas. And it's just a simple little, you take the little cap off, you get a little shake and then you just close your eyes and do a little misting.” (Patty, 10:18)
- Reduces makeup transfer, keeps eyeliner and mascara in place, and doesn’t irritate her skin.
- Not a makeup expert but found this product a game changer.
- Product attributes: Waterproof, sweat/transfer-resistant, $18 on Amazon.
3. ADHD-Friendly Tip: Double or Halve (inspired by James Clear)
[12:26 - 17:48]
- From James Clear's "Atomic Habits": What habits could you double or halve to make a meaningful difference?
- Doubling: “Which activities in your life, if you doubled them, would make your life meaningfully better? …Double the number of pages you read a day… double the amount of time you're exercising…” (Patty, 13:24)
- Halving: “…Which activities in your life, if halved, would make your life meaningfully better? …Cut my sugar intake in half… half the time that you spend scrolling on your phone…” (Patty, 14:53)
- Key insight: Moves away from all-or-nothing mindset; small, manageable changes are effective.
- Memorable analogy: Doubling the distance run (“run to one mailbox, then try two”) to show baby steps.
4. Main Topic: Are You A Time Optimist?
[17:51 - 37:00]
What is a Time Optimist?
- Definition: “The tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take. We also tend to overestimate how much motivation we're going to have in the future…" (Patty, 18:13)
- Often assumes things will go smoothly—doesn't factor in delays or interruptions.
Why Does This Happen (Especially for ADHD-ers)?
- Time blindness: “We don't have a strong sense of [time]. It just feels like time just kind of slips away from us.” (Patty, 20:36)
- Weaker working memory: Past experience isn’t informing future estimates.
- Executive function gap: “Our planning doesn't equal our doing.”
Where Does It Show Up?
- Underestimating time for tasks that invariably get interrupted.
- Not accounting for the “invisible steps” (e.g., prepping a volunteer form means more than just dropping it off).
- Scheduling appointments with no transition time.
- Overcommitting by not checking if the energy/motivation will be there later.
- "I'll just do it after work"—without considering existing plans or fatigue.
Impact of Time Optimism
- Chronic lateness, embarrassment, shame.
- Overpacked schedules, stress, missed deadlines, burnout.
- “The real problem isn’t that you can’t be on time or that you’re not good at honoring commitments. It’s that you lack a plan for what works for you.” (Patty, 28:08)
5. Strategies for Managing Time Optimism
[29:10 - 37:00]
- Triple your time estimates: “If I go back to my 10-minute example…triple it. That means give yourself 30 minutes. If you don't have 30 minutes, find another time to do it.” (Patty, 29:19)
- List the invisible steps: Break down multi-part tasks—e.g., not just “submit application,” but “find form, fill it in, sign, drop off.”
- Plan for future you: "If…then" scenarios—plan how to support your future (often lower-energy) self.
- Plan for 'good enough' or have a Plan B: Lower the bar when perfection blocks action (e.g., just sort laundry if you can't wash it).
- Use real time estimates: Track how long recurrent tasks actually take; use your own data instead of unreliable mental estimates.
“If you're a time optimist, remember it means that your brain is wired for hope. You're hoping you have the time to get it done. It's a positive thing. We just need better systems to support that optimism to be accurate.” (Patty, 36:28)
- Experiment with one strategy this week and share results. Patty encourages listeners to contribute their own experiences.
6. Book of the Week: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
[37:29 - 39:35]
- Middle-grade novel, also a DreamWorks movie.
- Story of Roz, a robot learning to live in the wild.
- “Really quick, enjoyable read…Kids and younger [or] read it to them and they'll just love it.” (Patty, 38:26)
- Patty rates it 3.5/5 and recommends it for middle schoolers and as a read-aloud.
7. Memorable Quotes
- On starting new things (James Clear):
- “You should attempt things that are difficult enough to guarantee some early embarrassment, but important enough that long-term regret is unlikely.” (Patty quoting James Clear, 39:48)
- On personal growth:
- “I know I can’t learn unless I start. So this quote so spoke to that fear and small side of me that keeps me small and reminded me that if I don’t start, I’ll never learn and I’m never going to get better.” (Patty, 41:02)
Notable Moments
- Patty’s Down-to-Earth Tone: She models self-acceptance and a practical, encouraging approach to ADHD-related challenges.
- Time Optimist Re-framed: Patty reframes time optimism as hope and potential—a positive that simply needs better structure.
- Practical Tools: List making, time tracking, and realistic energy planning are emphasized—never shaming or guilt-inducing.
Timestamps of Importance
- Celebrating a Volunteering Win: 01:36 – 06:47
- Product Highlight (Urban Decay Spray): 07:34 – 12:23
- Double or Halve Tip: 12:26 – 17:48
- What is Time Optimism: 17:51 – 21:24
- Examples/Consequences: 21:25 – 29:06
- Strategies for Support: 29:10 – 37:00
- Book of the Week: 37:29 – 39:35
- James Clear Quote: 39:48 – 41:41
Final Thoughts
Patty’s episode is a resource for anyone struggling with time management, especially those with ADHD. She blends humor (“I'm not great at keeping plants alive!”), relatability, and actionable strategies—making the advice engaging and non-judgmental. The call to try one new time-optimism strategy and share results fosters a collaborative, supportive environment.
Quote to remember:
“You should attempt things that are difficult enough to guarantee some early embarrassment, but important enough that long-term regret is unlikely.” (James Clear, quoted by Patty at 39:48)