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The straightest, most effective path to achieving the golden rule of efficiency is reduction.
people with ADHD suffer from a kind of “perfectionism” (often tragically, frustratingly unattainable, given the nature of the disorder) that makes them quite vulnerable to this misguided yardstick of organizing success.
And while the person with ADHD may occasionally put beauty before efficiency—she may in fact be a sock fashionista, who couldn’t possibly limit herself to two types of socks—she will only be able to indulge her fetishes in one or two areas of her life.
ADHD must ask herself: Has the number of my possessions been reduced enough, and my organizational system simplified enough, that it can be cleaned in a matter of minutes?
Don’t use your money to buy “stuff.” Instead, use it to procure helpful services.
IN THE MODERN AGE, OUR SOCIETY’S RAREST COMMODITY IS NOT GOODS, BUT TIME, AND THE ADHD SUFFERER—WHO REQUIRES MORE TIME ON AVERAGE TO COMPLETE A TASK—MUST GUARD HIS TIME AS THE
MOST PRECIOUS OF ALL HIS POSSESSIONS.
“being prepared” with an outsized inventory of every tool for every job will lead to clutter and chaos, but being resourceful with the few tools at hand will keep clutter at bay while playing to one of their greatest strengths—ingenuity.
WE MUST ALWAYS GO SHOPPING WITH A LIST AND PRACTICE STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE LIST TO AVOID OVERBUYING. LIMIT PURCHASING ONLY TO THOSE ITEMS FOR WHICH YOU HAVE AN
IMMEDIATE NEED OR USE.
I say running out of a needed staple is a TRIUMPH of organization! It means you responsibly bought the correct amount without tying up capital on excess.
Adhering to a shopping list eliminates the ruinous habit of shopping as recreation.
When we stick to the list, we limit our drugs to those that are
prescribed, and our homes (and lives) become healthier, simpler, and easier.
The most efficient organizing system for someone with ADHD requires a substantial reduction of materials because the straightest path to efficiency is reduction.
they know from experience that you can live without most things and replace the rest.
It is more efficient because you are managing less stuff.
Yes, you will be forced to perform small jobs more often, rather than large jobs infrequently, but there is no net increase in work, just in the style of the work.
And this frequent small job model
is a more suitable system for tho...
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In an ADHD home, no room should take more than two minutes to pick up.
keeping storage efficient while encouraging routine.
If we’ve purged so well that when the dishwasher (or sink) is full, there are no more clean dishes left, then cleanup is easy because it is quick and necessary.
The problem arises when storage areas fill up because too much is retained.
If you can’t use a hand-me-down or heirloom, or you don’t like it, give it to someone who can or does.
One album is charming, four boxes is pathological.
The bottom line is that you should keep anything that appeals to your taste and that you will use. If you like it but can’t use it, or if you can use it but won’t because you don’t like it, get rid of it.
When you receive a gift, thank the giver. Once you’ve thanked the giver, your obligations to the gift and the giver are over.
If you’ve been thanked and know your gift has arrived, you must never again inquire about it.
It
is both nobler and simpler to just donate all of your extra stuff to charity.
If the only habit you change after reading this book is the adoption of the Brutal Purge, you will have gotten your money’s worth.
In fact, any well done organizing job should result in the re-acquisition of a few mistaken
discards.
Purchasing is the villain; the manufacture and shipping of goods is the major culprit behind any item’s carbon footprint. Reusing and recycling combined cannot make up for those initial pollutants.
For those with ADHD, starting is usually easier than finishing.
we will always make the ease of putting something away take preference over ease of retrieval.
Use large waste cans in bathrooms, bedrooms, and the kitchen.
empty when they are full.
Use large, lidless indoor recycle bins that accommodate a week’s...
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A staging area is a space in your home that is designated as a way station, an interim storage area, or an area devoted to short-term projects.
Way Station Staging Area: Items in a way station staging area are actively in transit.
Interim Storage Staging Area: Items in the interim staging area need temporary storage until a specific date.
3 Project Staging Area: Dedicated project staging areas can help those with ADHD keep their paints, pastels, graphics, and paperwork off the kitchen table and away from the family room couch.
PROJECT STAGING AREAS WORK FOR YOU AND NOT AGAINST YOU IF YOU COMMIT TO USING THEM FOR ONLY ONE PROJECT AT A
Rely on tall open shelving for the bulk of your storage needs—the easiest method for putting something away is to pop it onto a shelf;
ease of effort always trumps efficient use of space.
Guard your rough storage areas—they have a price above rubies, for they are your only defense against
distracting and inefficient clutter in your living spaces.
I recommend over-the-door clip-on hangers for every room in the home.
