Good Systems · public information library

What can I do at work to help someone when they cannot start things even when they matter to them?

People come here to understand why something in everyday life feels harder, different or more costly than it should — and what might make it work better.

Short answer

Make the task start visible instead of assuming importance creates momentum.

What this can look like

A brief can say “prepare the proposal” while leaving the owner to guess the first action, scope and finish line.

Why it can happen

A person can care about a task and still need a clear first action, scope and priority. This is good task design for everyone, not evidence that a staff member has ADHD.

What might help

Write the first deliverable, decision owner and definition of done. Check that the first move is genuinely usable.

What the research helps explain

Australian ADHD guidance and international consensus evidence describe ADHD as affecting everyday functioning for some people, including attention, planning, memory, time and follow-through. At work, practical supports and fair design can be useful without identifying anyone as having ADHD.

What can vary

Stress, sleep, health, task design, role clarity and preference can create similar work patterns. Do not diagnose employees, seek private medical information or make support conditional on disclosure.

For this situation

For you, set the first deliverable, owner and checkpoint before asking why work has not begun.

More info and original sources

Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.