Why do I forget what I’m supposed to do at work?

PostedOctober 17, 2025

UpdatedOctober 18, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

ADHD forgetfulness at work is a common challenge, especially when it comes to managing tasks, deadlines, and details. If you’ve found yourself frequently forgetting what you’re supposed to do, or missing important deadlines, it could be due to the impact of executive function difficulties, which are central to ADHD.

Executive function includes the brain’s ability to organise, plan, and prioritise tasks. For individuals with ADHD, these skills are often impaired, leading to difficulty in remembering tasks and staying on top of work responsibilities. Forgetting what you’re supposed to do can stem from being easily distracted, struggling with time management, or having difficulty breaking down tasks into manageable steps.

Why ADHD leads to forgetting tasks at work

Here’s why ADHD forgetfulness can impact your work:

Difficulty with task management

People with ADHD often struggle to organise their work. Tasks may seem overwhelming or disjointed, and without a clear structure, it’s easy to forget what needs to be done next.

Time management challenges

ADHD can cause time blindness, where it’s difficult to gauge how long a task will take, leading to procrastination or forgotten deadlines.

Trouble prioritising tasks

When faced with multiple tasks, it can be hard to determine which ones need attention first, leading to neglecting more important tasks in favour of less urgent ones.

Easily distracted

In a busy work environment, distractions can easily pull your focus away from what you’re supposed to be doing, leading to missed steps or forgotten instructions.

In conclusion, to reduce ADHD forgetfulness at work, it’s helpful to implement strategies like to-do lists, reminders, and prioritisation techniques.

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert guidance tailored to your unique situation.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Zoning out & Forgetfulness in ADHD.

Avery Lombardi, MSc

Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.