Using ABA to Tackle Time Management at Work

In this episode of Everyday ABA, Paola, Brittanny, and Leslie take on the topic of procrastination, time management, and overwhelm at work using the lens of applied behavior analysis. From debunking the myth of multitasking to unpacking why we avoid important tasks like documentation, the team explores how ABA principles—like task analysis, stimulus control, response effort, and the Premack Principle—can help professionals build sustainable work habits. They share real-life tools that actually work, from sticky notes and paper planners to Outlook hacks and habit stacking, all with the goal of improving treatment quality and reducing stress. Whether you're a BCBA, RBT, or just someone trying to stay on top of your workload, this episode offers practical, evidence-based strategies you can start using right away.

 

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After listening to the episode listeners will know how to: 

• Describe how ABA principles can be applied to time management.
• Define the concept of multitasking and explain its impact on clinical effectiveness.
• Identify the behavioral function of procrastination in workplace settings.
• Analyze the ethical implications of poor time management in clinical settings.

 

References: 

Ainslie, G. (1975). Specious reward: A behavioral theory of impulsiveness and impulse control. Psychological Bulletin, 82(4), 463–496.

Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.

Mackenzie, A., & Nickerson, C. (2009). The time trap: The classic book on time management (4th ed.). AMACOM.

Steel, P. (2007). The nature of procrastination: A meta-analytic and theoretical review of quintessential self-regulatory failure. Psychological Bulletin, 133(1), 65–94.