Devices of Distraction

Time is the only thing we have that we can't make more of. Money can be earned. Food can be grown. Time, on the other hand, is gone forever once it is spent. Since time is so Precious, one might expect us to be more judicious with it's use. My problem is this. The more I try to manage my time, the more time seems to slip away. Many such time slips occur while using my organizational strategies, skills, and tricks. In fact, the more technical the system, the more It seems to fail for me. I recently took an online test to determine how my ADD effects my life. This test was designed to help provide a "personalized" list of tips, strategies, and techniques to help keep me on-task and distraction-free. Once the test was complete, I received my personalized plan of action. With these nine pages grasped firmly in my nail-bitten hand, I set out to reinvent my life and live efficiently and productively. Or so I thought. Suggestions from the plan: This comes from a great site on ADHD resources. My resonces are interspersed throughout in color.

Develop structure and neat habits—and keep them up.

Hmmm. Structure. Sounds good. ... Keep it up??? Whoa. is that possible?

• Create space. Ask yourself what you need on a daily basis, and find storage bins or closets for things you don’t. Designate specific areas for things like keys, bills, and other items that can be easily misplaced. Throw things away that you do not need.
  

Great idea. Can I have some space please? But i might need it later. I have a place for my keys, I just never keep my keys there.

• Use lists. Make use of lists and notes to yourself, which are useful in keeping track of regularly scheduled tasks, projects, deadlines, and appointments. If you decide to use a daily planner, keep all lists and notes inside it.
  

This I have done. I have pre-printed lists for regular (weekly, daily, monthly) tasks. It works when I can keep up with them. I find it difficult to keep to the list though. Or... I spent too much time working on the list itself than the tasks outlined thereon. Now I can't find my day planner. :(

• Deal with it now. You can avoid forgetfulness, clutter, and procrastination by filing papers, cleaning up messes, or returning phone calls as they come in, not sometime in the future.

Probably the best advice I could get. Now for the application of said advice. Once I get distracted (bored) all bets are off. I intend to make the call or answer the mail... I just... forget.

Tame your paper trail

If you have adult ADD / ADHD, a major part of your disorganization might be with paperwork—in endless piles or even strewn across your kitchen, desk, or office. If you take some time to set up a paperwork system that works for you, you can streamline handling the paperwork in your life. Designate an afternoon to get yourself set up for success.

Key words in the above are ," that works for you." I have set up countless systems, but I can never seem to stick with them. I get distracted, bored, overwhelmed, etc.

• Set up a filing system. Use dividers or separate file folders for different types of documents (such as medical records, receipts, and income statements). Label and color-code your files so that you can find what you need quickly.

Again, great advice that will work if worked. I have yet to make it work for me..

• Deal with mail on a daily basis. Set aside a few minutes each day to deal with the mail. Either trash it, file it, or act on it.

This goes along with the phone calls spoken of above. Setting aside time with so much going on and so many distractions is certainly easier said than done. It is not that time is not there. It is a matter of "finding" the time. (MAKING TIME is a better term here.)

Understand time

Adults with attention deficit disorder often have a different perception of how time passes. In order to align your sense of time with that of your friends, office mates and family, use the oldest trick in the book: a clock.

• Become a clock-watcher. Use a wristwatch, timer, alarm, PDA or computer—anything that keeps accurate time and is within your sight at all times. When you start a task, say the time out loud or write it down. Allot yourself limited amounts of time for each task.

And when the task is not complete within the allotted time????

• Create a daily ten-minute routine. Attend to filing documents, processing daily mail, paying bills, and other mundane tasks on a daily basis for the same amount of time, and preferably in the same order. If you have a regular process to follow, you can be sure you aren’t missing something important. If you have only ten minutes, you will know when to stop.

Again, do I stop when the time is up or the job is done? I do see the value in this for email handling. It reduces the likelihood of, "browsing the stacks." (The tendancy I have to let myself drift to other related topics or tasks.)

• Give yourself more time than you think you need. For every thirty minutes of time you think it will take you to get someplace or complete a task, add ten minutes.

Does this apply to my "daily ten minute routine?" I recognize this when I am pulling reports for something. I always take longer than I anticipated. I guess if I lower the bar, I won't disappoint myself as much eh?

• Plan to be early and set up reminders to leave. Write down appointments for fifteen minutes earlier than they really are. Set up reminders on your computer or on paper to get yourself out the door on time.

I fortunately, don't have this problem. I am generally on time. I may take longer once I am there, but I arrive on time.

Decide what’s first

Because adults with ADD/ADHD often struggle with impulse control and jump from one subject to another, completing tasks can be difficult. Big projects also might seem tough to tackle because of all the small steps needed to get to the end result. You can overcome feeling overwhelmed by organizing what you need to do before diving in.

• Prioritize. Ask yourself what is the most important task you need to accomplish, and then order your other tasks after that one.

How do I figure out what is most important or first?

• Take things one at a time. Break down large, seemingly overwhelming projects or tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

Eat the cow a bite at a time. I understand this. It just seems "more efficient" to take bigger chunks or combine steps. Even though I know this is not the best practice.

Learn to say no

Impulsiveness can lead adults with ADD/ADHD to saying yes to too many things, whether it be agreeing to too many projects at work or making too many social engagements. But a jam-packed schedule and too many tasks can lead to you feeling overwhelmed, overtired, and behind. When you spread yourself too thin, the quality of your work suffers and you end up not finishing things you began. Turning things down will help you improve your ability to accomplish tasks, keep social dates, and live a healthier lifestyle. Check your schedule first before committing to something new.

Very true. It is the odd irony that those who are busiest are the ones looked to to do even more.

Make a plan and keep it: manage your ADD / ADHD with a daily planner

One method of improving time management is using a day planner. Effective use of a planner can assist help you manage time, remember responsibilities, and remain organized. You may have tried a day planner in the past and had unsuccessful experiences, but this may be because you haven’t gone about it in the most effective way. Learning to use a planner is just like learning to use any tool—practice makes perfect.

I just keep loosing mine.

So, this is just a part of my "personalized" tips. They read nearly word for word like the general tips found on countless sites dedicated to ADHA. I have no doubt the systems and tips outlined are quite useful for the population at large. I have seen in my own life, how many can help me be better organized. I have made some observations, however.

Be careful not to let the cure become the sickness.

Don't become so distracted by the list, PDA, or filing system that you become distracted by the system. Spending too much time "running the system" can steal time and productivity.

Be careful not to let the structure pin you down.

Much of what makes these systems work is the structure they provide. This structure provides a framework for getting routine tasks done. The challenge comes when the non-routine occurs. Maintaining the flexibility to deal with the out-of-the-ordinary is key in many jobs.

The true show of your mastery of these techniques is in the ability to handle the unusual and return to the system once things settle down. Returning to "business-as-usual is the key to coping with distractions.

Don't let your tools of success become devices of distraction.

Computers, cell-phones, PDAs are all wonderful devices. The can provide schedule-keeping, to-do lists, and communications. The danger to the person with ADHD is the potential for distraction. An email arrives and you find yourself cruising the web. You check you appointments and find yourself working in your contacts list to "organize" them. Limit the use of these devices to their intended purposes. Answer the text and put the phone down. Check your email and close the web browser. Check the appointment and put the PDA back on your belt.

For some, this sounds like common sense. To the ADD adult, it sounds a bit like asking a toddler to turn off the TV when his favorite cartoon is starting. For some it means turning off certain notifications to the phone. For me it means limiting the number of feeds I have sent to my phone. I turned off the web service to my phone so I could not waste time in the rabbit warren of the web. (and to save money)

Life is full of challenges. If we approach it with discipline and a sense of humor we can overcome many of those challenges. Work habits are just that. Habits. You must develop them over time. You may have to break old habits and replace them with new ones. We must remember to keep from being frustrated when we fail. It takes time to break and build habits. just pick up the pieces and carry on. oh yea... remember to ... PAY ATTENTION! ;)