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4th out of 44 books
—
14 voters
ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
A professional organizer and a renowned ADD clinician join forces to present this guide that addresses the unique needs of adults with ADD. It offers organizing advice that ranges from self-help to utilizing the help of nonprofessionals to using professional assistance.
Paperback, 266 pages
Published
August 30th 2002
by Brunner-Routledge
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This remains a slow read, though it isn't the book's fault. The shock of recognition that comes every few pages elicits an emotional response from me, and then I need to put the book down for a few days and read something else.
Update: I seem to have lost the book. And honestly? I think that it's the book's fault. Given the subject matter, there should be a chapter that deals with what to do in this eventuality.
Update the Second: It may be permanently shelved, as just too deflating. Lots of vari...more
Update: I seem to have lost the book. And honestly? I think that it's the book's fault. Given the subject matter, there should be a chapter that deals with what to do in this eventuality.
Update the Second: It may be permanently shelved, as just too deflating. Lots of vari...more
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Jul 23, 2011
MissJessie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
organizationally challenged individuals
Recommended to MissJessie by:
Good Reads
I am not ADD but am organizationally frustrated and often can't seem to get it all together in the the life-organization area.
This book has some very helpful ideas to help the organizationally challenged. Much of it is material you have heard before, but the suggestions regarding breaking tasks down into manageable steps were very helpful to me. Also the recommendations regarding the visual cues to tasks (which I had been using in a similar way already) were very helpful.
The book had more space...more
This book has some very helpful ideas to help the organizationally challenged. Much of it is material you have heard before, but the suggestions regarding breaking tasks down into manageable steps were very helpful to me. Also the recommendations regarding the visual cues to tasks (which I had been using in a similar way already) were very helpful.
The book had more space...more
Got a hold of this audiobook some time back and figured might as well give a listen.
The way everything is presented just seems as if someone were to give you this, they are probably insulting you or your intelligence. The people featured in the book (first name only, of course) sound fictional and probably are exaggerated composites of people the author knows. The way they are described makes them sound like children who never learned even the most basic discipline, the terminology author uses (...more
The way everything is presented just seems as if someone were to give you this, they are probably insulting you or your intelligence. The people featured in the book (first name only, of course) sound fictional and probably are exaggerated composites of people the author knows. The way they are described makes them sound like children who never learned even the most basic discipline, the terminology author uses (...more
VERY helpful, although I can't compare to other ADD organizing books or even general ADD help books because this is my first. But what I can say is that normal organizing books for non-ADD people do not work for me because even if they are great for others, they do not account for the difficulties ADDers face. All the difficulties I face were described in this book, even ones I wasn't conscious of until I read them! Not all of the chapters were on problems relevant to me, but I still found it he...more
I totally started somewhere in the middle of the book when I picked it up off the floor and one of the headings caught my eye. Then I went in bits and started to clean as reading the tips triggered a sorting mood. The ones I couldn't work on but look good, I dog-eared the summary pages for later. I also dog-eared the ones that I started, so I have something to remind me that I started to implement whatever and might want to check how that's going.
It is a lot to take in. I definitely recommend st...more
It is a lot to take in. I definitely recommend st...more
Full disclosure: I don't have ADD, but NLD (nonverbal learning disorder). Different name, but I tend to share a lot of ADD traits: Poor executive function, easily distracted, difficulty prioritizing, etc. With me, if it's not written down, it's like it doesn't exist--I'm that person with post-its stuck everywhere. I thought this book was a good overview and I felt like the authors "got me" better than a lot of other organizational experts do. That said, if you've already spent some time seeking...more
I love this book. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!
I recommend this book to almost all of my clients with ADD and even to some who don't but could really use a good book in helping reorganize many aspects of their lives.
How do I love thee?
-Organized in an easy to read format. It acknowledges and accounts for the short attention span and is set up to help keep your attention.
-Summary at the end of each chapter.
-Suggestions in each chapter about improving the selected issue separating the options by th...more
I recommend this book to almost all of my clients with ADD and even to some who don't but could really use a good book in helping reorganize many aspects of their lives.
How do I love thee?
-Organized in an easy to read format. It acknowledges and accounts for the short attention span and is set up to help keep your attention.
-Summary at the end of each chapter.
-Suggestions in each chapter about improving the selected issue separating the options by th...more
This book has some good ideas and helpful suggestions. The authors clearly understand their subject matter. That's why I didn't rate it any lower. However, I am very glad this was not the first book I read on the topic or I think I would be in a state of despair now. The two authors are a counselor and professional organizer. They are not only of the opinion that such services are the best way for someone with ADD to succeed (and they're probably right there), but that such services are the only...more
I literally have to play the game they suggest to get to work on time. It really works, people are shocked to see me there before the bell rings.
I love this book because I feel like I make sense now and am not quite as weird.
I love this book because I feel like I make sense now and am not quite as weird.
One of the problems with ADD books is that the people who purchase them are ADD. :) They don't get read. I've owned this one for awhile. Probably high time I read it, eh?
2 likes · like · see review
At last, a book that actually demonstrates an understanding of the ADD brain, and gets why normal organising methods just don't work for us. I felt like it was written for me. Uh, probably because it was.
Even the typography and layout is ADD-friendly. It's one of the few books I haven't struggled to stick with - it has large typefaces, clear headings, short sections, and lots of graphical elements. I wish all books looked like this.
I had one lightbulb moment after another while I was reading it....more
Even the typography and layout is ADD-friendly. It's one of the few books I haven't struggled to stick with - it has large typefaces, clear headings, short sections, and lots of graphical elements. I wish all books looked like this.
I had one lightbulb moment after another while I was reading it....more
Great explanations from real life examples of how ADD/ADHD makes organization and decision-making difficult, and lots of practical tips for managing and working with ADD/ADHD traits to form new habits. I particularly like how the book is laid out to be friendly to the attention challenged reader - concepts and tips are presented in short, telegraphed, and easily digestible sections, and the key points of each chapter are repeated in different ways so they aren't lost. Clearly written and a very...more
Nov 25, 2008
Ariane
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who has even WONDERED if they have ADD
I had scoured over a dozen ADD books at the library, took 2 home and this was the best. Easy to read, great techniques and tips. Simple explanations about what kinds of thinking will work well for ADD. Don't know if I have ADD, but enough similarities that made me instantly bond with the reasoning in the book. For anyone who feels like they can never get anything finished, has a multitude of ongoing projects, can't get ahold of daily living tasks, watches too much TV, reads to escape, and food a...more
I read this on Kindle and I think it would be better for adults with ADD to have a physical copy of the book to flip back and forth more easily.
That said, it was a very helpful book. It is well laid out and easy to use. The repetition was helpful, acting as reminders to previous chapters. The regular examples,'Is this your story?' bullet points and Review lists made it very user friendly for someone with ADD.
I live in the UK and this book relates more to USA than the UK, which was a little irri...more
That said, it was a very helpful book. It is well laid out and easy to use. The repetition was helpful, acting as reminders to previous chapters. The regular examples,'Is this your story?' bullet points and Review lists made it very user friendly for someone with ADD.
I live in the UK and this book relates more to USA than the UK, which was a little irri...more
I have lots of books on organizing, and this niche title is a wonderful reference. First, it is written compassionately, with the latest scientific understanding of how a mind works when under the influence of ADD. Second, it offers many suggestions for organizing yourself DESPITE yourself. Most books on clutter and organizing give lots of detailed instructions, which can frustrate and confuse people with ADD. ADD doesn't mean you can't pay attention...on the contrary, hyperfocus is one of the m...more
Unlike a lot of self-improvement books I've read, this one gets to the good stuff quickly. There are ideas and tips that I can put into practice right away, that don't require a massive paradigm shift or a week off of work to put into position. I've never understood how authors who write books about and for A.D.D. people don't seem to get that WE HAVE A.D.D. and don't have the "stick-with-it-ness" of "normal" readers. I will be re-reading this one and keeping it on my shelf as a reference.
This book is very basic and easy to read. Kolberg and Nadeau show a clear understanding of typical ADD behaviors and the problems they lead to in daily life. They present a variety of realistic, concrete suggestions for getting more organized. I preferred the ideas I could do myself; chances that I'm going to hire a professional organizer are zilch.
This book is only for you if you are highly distractible and extremely unorganized. But if you are, it's a must.
This book is only for you if you are highly distractible and extremely unorganized. But if you are, it's a must.
Also for Senior Project. Very helpful. I found it interesting how many of the strategies the authors recommended I had already incorporated into my routine.
I do want to say, for the reviewers who are complaining that this book is boring - it's not meant to be read straight through. It's like a manual - when you need help, you consult it. I did read it straight through, but I took notes on it and treated it like research, not entertainment reading.
I do want to say, for the reviewers who are complaining that this book is boring - it's not meant to be read straight through. It's like a manual - when you need help, you consult it. I did read it straight through, but I took notes on it and treated it like research, not entertainment reading.
I will write a review later, when I've tried some of the solutions that the book offers. So far it seems practical and helpful, although a bit repetitive. But hey, it's supposed to be a book for people who keep forgetting things, so this is a plus:)
I'm not sure whether I have ADD (that is, a neurological condition) or not, but I certainly could use a good advice on the subject of time-management and organizing. If you an expert in this area, do not read the book, it will only annoy you.
I'm not sure whether I have ADD (that is, a neurological condition) or not, but I certainly could use a good advice on the subject of time-management and organizing. If you an expert in this area, do not read the book, it will only annoy you.
I constantly refer to this book and have read and underlined it twice. It is one of the most helpful organizational books I have ever read. I'm not sure I am ADD, but almost everything seems to have been written just for me. I am on a constant quest to be organized, and this book has helped me more than any other book I have read on the subject.
I finally found a book that understands why I want to deviate from a schedule the minute I've created it. Instead of some complicated system that makes me feel even less organized, ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life offers practical advice that's straightforward to implement -- like giving yourself a bedtime. For someone who has struggled with mornings her entire life, this is way beyond practical. Here's my advice though, don't read the book from cover to cover. I was totally overwhelmed b...more
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It's written a little simplistically, but it has some really good ideas for getting things organized when you have ADHD. For me, half the value is in recognizing and relating to the various examples of how ADHD presents people with certain challenges in just managing what seemingly should be everyday, routine tasks.
I felt like this book was over-hyped a bit, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have good ideas in it. A lot of this hit home for me, such as the tendency of people with ADD to over-commit, not open mail promptly, stay cluttered, etc. When I remember to implement some of these tips, they can be quite helpful.
This is a psychologist and a management consultant/organizer who have collaborated to give successful tips to adults with ADD on keeping their lives on track. I highly recommend this book to those whose ADD symptoms find distractedness and inability to finish tasks at the top of the list.
One of the best books out there both for adults with ADD and for Professional Organizers like myself. The book is set up to be reader friendly for ADD readers but also gives great info for professionals. I am actually re-reading this book as the information contained is always needed.
Another great book that is excellent because since I have ADD I have tried to find ways that I can organize that would be using my ADD and so it is not holding me back. This was excellent! I am trying to implement many of these ideas from here as well! It was great.
Interesting book, i picked it up thinking "if it works for people with ADD maybe i can find some useful organizing routine", but i realized how i could better handle dealing with people i know that have these problems as a level 2 solutions partner (solutions that involve a not professional helper).
I was surprised by and i like the part on how to deal with reading materials, i always make a point to read every single word instead of just skimming.
23/05/13
http://postmasculine.com/read-faster sums...more
I was surprised by and i like the part on how to deal with reading materials, i always make a point to read every single word instead of just skimming.
23/05/13
http://postmasculine.com/read-faster sums...more
I found this really helpful even though I dont have ADD. It is very clear and has simple yet effective ideas. Some of the book was not relevant to me, but gave me ideas about how to approach organising problems.
Jun 17, 2009
Annette
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone with adhd
Recommended to Annette by:
Denni, Stephanie H.
I absolutely LOVE this book!!! I feel like this book was written especially for me. Here are three reasons why I love this book: 1)the large print, 2) short chapters, 3) cute graphics. The best part is, the strategies in this book really work! I have implemented a lot of the ideas in this book and I feel less stressed, less overwhelmed, and more in control of my life!
This is another one of those books that I checked out from the library and then after I read a few chapters I was frustrated that...more
This is another one of those books that I checked out from the library and then after I read a few chapters I was frustrated that...more
This book is full of fantastic ways to organize your life, particularly if you have ADD. People with ADD often have to use coaches to help get them on track. While I'll almost certainly need a coach in the future, this book helped me organize my life in meaningful ways:
*Banish bureaus. I use a large clothing rack so I can easily see what clothes I have AND they stay ironed.
*Give-away-bag. Use a plastic trash bag to organize clothes you want to give away. Leave them there for 3 months. If you hav...more
*Banish bureaus. I use a large clothing rack so I can easily see what clothes I have AND they stay ironed.
*Give-away-bag. Use a plastic trash bag to organize clothes you want to give away. Leave them there for 3 months. If you hav...more
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