Why can't I follow directions?

Post Reply New Topic

Even the dumbest people can do that.
I can't do it.

I am just like you i can't follow directions. I read directions to put my childs toy together and can't follow that or understand it. If i am driving somewhere and have directions to get somewhere i can't follow them, so i depend on others to drive me to places. I do try though but i am also overwhelmed when reading directions too because of too much material to take in.

Maybe you're a step by step learner. Too many instructions at once is chaos to my overloaded brain. I have to write it down in point form and commit to one task at a time.
Don't worry I used to be horrible at it then I worked out my own system.
I almost had a meltdown over trying to make a pumpkin pie once. I was so confused about what ingredients to put in first.
Oh and when people tell me to put certain ingredients with food I'll just throw it all in, unless given the exact instructions.

Not to sound mean, but hey, at least you can drive... I'd be Death on Wheels if I was turned loose in a street. No depth perception, ya know.
But yeah, directions are hard too. Maps? Ugh...

Breaking things down step by step works well for me as well.

I'm the opposite. I have to understand the whole, what the entire "pattern" is, before I can successfully follow the steps. Step-by-step is always frustrating for me, because most instructions leave out intermediate steps, or have extra, superfluous ones. So I read them all the way through, and find out how they fit together before I start. I'm really good at *writing* instructions because I can see the whole and figure out how to get there.

It's that same pattern thing that makes me an outstanding proofreader; it isn't that I see transposed letters or a word misspelled directly, rather I just see the pattern of the page is off.

I used to be able to do that with computer programs; I was handed two inches of printout once, told there was a mistake, and in less than 20 minutes without understanding what the line-by-line meaning was, had correctly isolated the section of code that was giving the programmer trouble; I didn't know why it was wrong, but I knew the pattern didn't fit.

It's always the whole pattern for me.

THIS describes me to a tee. Thanks for sharing.

I think normal people have this problem too because I found out in high school some people cannot read the list of rules and follow them, they need to be read to them by the coach or teacher. My brother is like this too. I don't see how this would be any different than directions. I wonder how they even survive the world because I doubt bosses would read it to them and other people so perhaps they ask a friend to read it to them or a family member.

I have to read things over and over to understand them and keep looking at the picture. With driving, I tend to look on Google maps so I know what to expect on the way and it makes it easier for me. I am less likely to make mistakes and miss my turns.

Break it down into pieces is what I do. I look at one thing at a time. I do the same with driving too.

Personally I think it's because they don't explain it clearly enough. Be clear and maybe I'll get it quicker.

I understand what you mean. This is the main reason I was diagnosed. I struggle if people give me verbal instructions that have multiple steps. I prefer written instructions

I was never good with verbal instructions. I cannot ask someone where a place is and then get there after being told so. It's better if they are written down or if I had a map, they can just point to the area and tell me what road it's on and what is around there and mark it. If I am in the store and I ask for the restrooms I can follow that because I go with the direction they pointed and I look for the sign. Most stores are shaped like a rectangle or square so that is easy.

I cant follow directions either. I always had that problem even looking at directions and putting something together is very difficult for me. As far as directions and driving I learned to use my gps but even that had to be showed to me.

Sometimes the pattern is key for me, but that usually comes into play in problem-solving, rather than following directions.

I do find if I dive into directions, step-by-step, without absorbing the overall intent first, I'll get halfway in and realize I've missed something important. What I usually do, is read through the directions, step by step, sometimes highlighting the key elements, allow myself time to absorb it, then go back and start doing it for real.

Also, if I just dive right in, sometimes my own anxiety will cause me to do things too fast, or exert a little too much force and screw the whole thing up.

Verbal instructions are useless to me, I can't remember them to save my life. Gotta have it written down. If you give me verbal instructions, be prepared to repeat yourself, while I make notes.

As far as why, its an Executive Function thing.

Hmmm. Four year old thread. Oh, well, I'll reply to the OP and hope she/he notices:

If the dumbest people can follow directions and you can't, that means you are not dumb.

Actually, for me it depends on the directions. Some things imported from Asia with assembly instructions have very poorly-written instructions, since they were translated from Chinese or some other Asian language by someone whose English is only rudimentary.

On the other hand, back in the day, Heathkit made electronics kits with absolutely clear, easy-to-follow instructions. They were famous for the quality of their instructions. I built an amateur radio transceiver, without understanding the first thing about electronics, because their instructions were so good. Too bad they are no longer in business. I'll bet you could have followed their instructions.

At this time, I feel that Executive Dsyfunction is my biggest issue (which ultimately leads to anxiety and stress). Without a doubt, there are benefits to my personal “wiring” -- I see patterns/relationships, much better than others. But, following verbal directions? I don't even try. While I could be wrong, I sense that my difficulties following verbal instructions is related to a whole bunch of things including my difficulties engaging in adhoc unstructured conversation with others (aka socializing).