Organizing the ADD Mind

Organizing the ADD Mind

By: Kiera Rain, Bay Area Professional Organizer

	I work with ADD Clients on a routine basis, and I wanted to share some proven methods with my loyal followers. Forward this email to someone you know with ADD. 1) File It, Don't Pile It!  Some people fear the "out of sight, out of mind" phrase, but when your paper clutter is purged and then neatly filed and clearly labeled, it's a godsend in saving time and space in your office! Plus, you create a better work flow and an increase in productivity. You are able to manage things easier and faster, while staying focused. If you have ADD and Paper Clutter, it is strongly recommended that you work with a Professional Organizer. 2) The Less Containers, The Better!  Many mistakenly assume that as a Professional Organizer, I'm morphed into a sales rep for the Container Store. Not so. I do not sell items, and I am very talented in using what you already own so that in most cases, you don't have to go out and buy more. Stuffing everything into boxes and containers is NOT going to solve your problem. You have to Sort--Purge--Organize. And when you organize, you choose quality storage over quantity of storage. 3) ONE place for everything, and everything in it's place.  I know you've heard this one before. And it's a golden rule, especially if you have an ADD mind. ONE place for the kitchen scissors, not two. "ADDers" (term I've coined) easily get overwhelmed and confused about WHERE things should go. Eliminate the problem by dedicating ONE place for each item. 4) Labels.  Those who aren't ADD don't really need labels (exception being with filing) but it works BEAUTIFULLY with ADDers. They are helpful reminders where everything's rightful home is. 5) Follow-Through.  This is the BIGGEST CHALLENGE ADDers face. They get side-tracked, overwhelmed, and they try to multi-task too much, when they should be focusing on ONE TASK AT A TIME, and not stop until that one task is completely finished. It is extremely beneficial for ADDers to work with Business and Life Coaches to keep them on track. And as a Professional Organizer, I provide Organizing Coaching in each and every session I have with a client. This helps ADDers stay accountable, focused, and FOLLOW-THROUGH. 6) Routine Schedule.  What helps with accountability and follow-through, is a routine schedule. Create a weekly routine schedule, listing all of your work/home/relationship/school/financial/etc responsibilies. Example/Extra Tip:  Pay your bills on the 15th of every month. This mid-month break helps after paying a huge chunk to rent/mortgage on the 1st. Call all of your debtors/utilities/credit cards/etc and ask them to change your due date to the 20th of every month. Sit down and pay your bills on the 15th of every month so you are never late again and no longer incur fees and increased interest rates. Do automatic payments to help take off the stress too. Watch this insightful, humorous YouTube Video on Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oHBG3ABUJU