Looking to the future

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Last friday I went to see a psychologist who specialises in autism, I was sent there because of my apparent lack of motivation (in general but primarily in aquiring and holding work). I told him that I often don't see the point in doing things and will only do them if told to by someone I respect, love or feel indebted to.

To my surprise he said it has nothing to do with being demotivated and that it is because of my limited ability to predict the future. By that he meant that I need much more information than others in order to "see" what's coming and my fear of the unpredictable prevents me from participating in coming events that are "out of focus". So I let others lead me, I rely on their foresight because my own is so limited in comparison.

He said this is not uncommon for people on the spectrum, so I'm wondering if others here can relate.

I find it hard to plan for and into the future. I find it hard to stick with a plan, and get distracted easily. I start one thing and then I'm doing something else, and my plans get lost and forgotten. So I tend to live entirely in and for the present, most of the time.

I don't know if this is similar. Your post rings a bell though.

I wouldn't mind having a job/career or even being in education, I just find it impossible to formulate a plan to make these things happen and then stick to it. It's not so much fear (anymore) as it is simply a brain issue (executive dysfunction, ADD)

I am motivated to work and learn and contribute and be helpful on my own terms, unfortunately those terms seem to limit my ability to live and function like a normal human being.

Anyway, what do you think about what he said?

It's not necessarily fear-related, I can't explain it as well as he did.

Formulating a plan is very difficult without first having a basic outline of what to prepare for. Having a goal is meaningless if you don't have a blade to cut a path through the thick growth of possibility.
He did mention something about distractions and that it has something to do with "our" tendency to live in the present. "Out of sight and out of my mind" a phrase that rings very true to me.

Edit: I just realised I probably should've posted this in the General Autism board.

Interesting thread... I can relate, though I had not really thought about it like this until you mentioned it. I happen to be bad about follow through with things unless I know every step I am supposed to take and what the end result is supposed to me. I know I have a hard time with concepts that are what... abstract? For example, I dislike going to the store for groceries, but can and do successfully accomplish this task because I know that I need to make a list, then know how much money to take, then I know how to get to the store, where to find the items in the store, how to check out, pack up the food, drive home, and last put the groceries away. I do not know how to do things like prepare for my husband retiring because I have not experienced it so it is not a part of my reality and it it is big, unknown, kind of scary, and completely a thing I fail to comprehend or even see as real. This is a concern for my parents who think I am just being irresponsible.

I completely need more info than others to do things. I do not like doing things where I cannot predict the end result, so I end up not doing a lot of things others seem to think I should do. My lack of give a damn does not help me in this, I know... I much prefer others to make the decisions or tell me what to do in a lot of cases. They seem to have a better grasp of things anyhow. I have other issues going on as well though. I can relate to the distraction thing... I also have change in my routines so that makes doing things hard. Add in executive dysfunction issues and I am the anti-'productive member of society'...

I dunno. I still see it as a motivation issue. I need good reasons for why I should do something, otherwise it's not gonna get done. If I feel that I should and someone else tells me that I should, then I will and I am much more likely to do so and follow through. Having external motivation works wonders for me. Self-motivation works too, but it's a bit more hit and miss.

Perhaps it is just that I can't see the future. Interesting insight, none the less!

Ugh, I should've taken more time to write the OP.

I did ask about why I seem and feel unmotivated and the "unclear future" thing didn't seem to explain that. I gave the example of my mother wanting to redecorate and eventhough I know the steps involved (she likes to redecorate quite often) I don't see the point. He stopped me there and said that was the issue, I don't see the "why" and so it seems wastefull to put effort into it.
He then asked me how much I think my mother does for me for which she doesn't know the "why" and then told me to try the same when she wants me to do something seemingly pointless. Apparently it ties into the whole empathy thing, if something has no valid reason for me, but does for someone else and my help is requested I should think on my relationship with that person and if I would value their help in something I want.

Another problem, which ties into the "unclear future" thing is that I rarely want something. I don't know if this hypothetical something is accessible, if it would improve my current situation or make any noticeable impact at all because I can't see that future, it doesn't exist and so I stop wanting it.

Sorry if I misunderstood what you were saying. xD

Yeah, that is similar to my experience again. My mom also likes to redecorate and move furniture around. When I was little, I used to tell her it doesn't make any sense. Why bother? It's all the same furniture and it seemed a bit pointless. I did end up helping, because I was asked to and because she's my mom, but it took me awhile to understand the whole social reciprocity thing. I understand now that it's a good thing, even if there's no immediate benefit.

Is that what your doctor was getting at? Or did I just miss the point again?

^ Nope, you got it.