Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD, 3rd Edition: Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and Get Organized

by Susan C. Pinsky

I’m Late! I’m Late! Routinely look at calendars and to-dos in the morning (or the night before if that works better for you) and then set an alert 10 minutes before leaving for appointments. Set this alarm so that you will get there early. From Wes Crenshaw, author of I Always Want to Be Where I’m Not, I paraphrase this tip. “Plan to get everywhere 15 minutes early, you can use the extra time to play on your phone.” The reward element of this is what makes it so effective. Phone alarms and alerts are a game-changer, but no one wants to be beeped at all day long. Pair habits with daily routines, such as deleting emails on the Throne, looking at one’s calendar first thing in the AM, or discussing schedules with a spouse during dinner. This allows us to get through our day and function while keeping electronic alerts to a reasonable number. If you have trouble getting out of bed, it could be because you dread hitting the ground running. See if getting up an hour early and spending time relaxing (Soduku? Wordle?), allows you to ease into the responsibilities of the day. Break down tasks into smaller pieces and start always with the easiest task and one you can complete quickly—it gets you in the zone and starts the day with a win. When scheduling tasks always overestimate how long they will—take—if it should take an hour, schedule two. Try to give yourself an hour or two off at the end of each day and one day a week to relax. Organize your calendar to allow for pleasure in you...