Good Systems · public information library
What can I do at work to help someone when they lose track of time so easily?
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 time expectations explicit and review whether they are realistic.
What this can look like
Two people can hear “end of week” differently when there are meetings, approvals, client work and interruptions in between.
Why it can happen
People may estimate, transition and prioritise differently, especially when work is interrupted. A team system should not rely on hidden assumptions about time.
What might help
Name the actual date, time, dependencies and expected effort. Review whether the timeline still matches the work.
What the research helps explain
Executive-function research describes attention, working memory and flexibility as limited, context-sensitive processes. Australian work guidance recognises that cognitive demands, time pressure, role clarity, support and control can shape whether work is manageable.
What can vary
Do not infer a diagnosis, capability level or private health information from a work pattern. Ask about the task conditions, provide equitable options and handle performance concerns fairly.
For this situation
For you, plan backwards from delivery points and leave buffer for actual work, not only meetings.
More info and original sources
Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.
- Executive Functions — Explains attention, working memory and flexibility in goal-directed tasks.
- Job demands — Australian guidance on cognitive demands, role clarity, workload, control and support.