It is well known that people with ADHD have some issues when it comes to organisation. We struggle to prioritise work, easily get distracted and constantly juggle several things, often leading to disarray. However, these tips can help you cope with your symptoms and take back control, turning chaos into calm.
1 – Set Realistic Goals & Deadlines
Whereas goal-setting may not initially seem that central in organisation, knowing what you’re working towards and what the deadline for these goals are can help you form a more structured route towards them. Try not to create too many goals at once as this can lead to feelings of overwhelm, but having a few long-term goals along with more imminent priorities are important.
As a minimum, try writing down your tasks that need to be completed that day and prioritise these. Every goal you write down should have a timeframe attached, which will ensure you don’t spend too long on one task and consequently neglect another. This way, you can better organise your time and resources to ensure you hit your goals by the end of the working day.
2 – Set Timers & Reminders
Setting goals is important, but if you can’t remember when your deadlines are then this can lead to last-minute stress and juggling. Therefore, make sure to set reminders for yourself and set times for tasks as you complete them to ensure you stick to your schedule.
Using the calendar app on your smartphone is a simple yet extremely effective method for keeping track of your personal goals and tasks on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Similarly, your smartphone timer app is great for monitoring how long you spend on each task. However, a better option for important events and meetings would be putting them in a team calendar and set up email reminders for the whole team.
3 – Regularly De-Clutter
Creating a clear desk space will help you become more organised, meaning you won’t misplace to-do lists, important items, or have a million different post-it notes with different tasks scattered around.
Get into the habit of organising your desk each evening before you go home so that it is ready for your next working day. Where possible, go paperless and set up a filing system to help you categorise and later find important items. You should also try designating particular items specific homes, such as keys and bills that can easily be misplaced. Not only will this help you organise physical items, but having a clear space to work can help you have a clear mind and tackle things head-on.
