Good Systems · public information library

What can I do at work to help someone when routines work for a bit and then fall apart?

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

Design routines that can restart after normal disruption.

What this can look like

A routine can break after a launch, leave period or busy week, then feel impossible to restore perfectly.

Why it can happen

A process that fails after leave, a busy week or a system change is too brittle. Keep the essential anchor, a clear restart point and a place to catch up.

What might help

Keep one restart anchor and a simple reset checklist. Treat normal disruption as expected.

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, build re-entry steps into team processes rather than blaming people for falling behind.

More info and original sources

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