Calenders | ADHD Information

I'm trying to figure out some ways to help keep track of myself a little better and quit forgetting everything.  I've heard some people talk about using calenders, and I usually have one, but i put it up and look at the pretty pictures, now I've gotten one to ACTUALLY USE!!! I put all my appointments and major event on it, and then ran out of ideas.  Is that all you can really use a calender to keep track, or what?  I figured some of you guys have probably come up with some pretty clever solutions over the years. 

thanks for any help, Tyler

I have four calenders around the house and three diaries, one for the house, one for work and one for days off. My trick is I write everything down on each so that's seven times a night I write my appointments, things that need paying ect. Even I remember to do things after writing it that many times [QUOTE=Peita Pan]I have four calenders around the house and three diaries, one for the house, one for work and one for days off. My trick is I write everything down on each so that's seven times a night I write my appointments, things that need paying ect. Even I remember to do things after writing it that many times [/QUOTE]

7 times?  OMgosh, Peita!  Repetition helps

I use my cell phone, I keep it with me 24/7 so it is only 1 thing to keep up with.  It has a calender where I put my work schedule. It alerts me for  meetings, apts, etc.  Can keep up with my meds on it too.  (Also connect with ADHDnews on it while I'm working.  shhh!)  It has been my life saver. 

Hehe peita!  I would still forget.  And the more times I had written it, the madder I would get at myself.  I do things the opposite way.  I write something down once and only once.  And then I am really obsessive and careful about where I put it. 

I stick with my day runner for all phone numbers, business cards, checks, bank card... (yes I have stuff from 5 years ago in there)  For appointments - I email myself and/or call myself if it is something I have that same day or over the weekend. 

If it is an appointment in the future, I get reminder calls whenever I can. (pdocs are great for that )  If all else fails, I use two (maximum) post-its.  There can be more than one thing on a post-it, but only 2 of them at any given time.  Any more and they all blend into the scenery.  I put them in really obvious, akward places where I can't help but see them in time to make the appointment.  I can't open my purse, or use my toothbrush, or drive my car without physically removing the post-it.

I still miss stuff sometimes - only foolproof way to not have ADHD moments is to become a nervous wreck.  IMO. 

Good luck! Hope you find what works for you.

 

     I thought about a palm pilot, but instead used to put my appointments in my phone and the phone would call me to remind me.  However, the equipment is only as good as the operator.  So, needless to say I did screw up a few times and it didn't remind me.  I was so cocky about having this handy dandy phone that I didn't write it down, thinking the phone would do the hard work.  So I missed a few appoinments and went back to the reliable day runner.  I have one that fits in my purse and I use it for a wallet too so I'm always going into it.  I keep my drivers license, credit cards, stamps, everything in there.  Helps to organize coupons and those nice gift certs. you get for eating out but never get to use because you can't find em until they expire.   

     I have a huge wipe off board calendar that I have stuck to the freezer door on the fridge.  It's the size of the freezer door.  Which makes it at eye level and its the first thing you see when you walk in the kitchen.  It also has sections for phone numbers.  A place to keep a list for groceries, bills to pay, or people to leave you notes.  It's big and the squares on the celendar part are big enough to write alot of stuff.  My kids are old enough to write things down that they need to remember on there too.  The hard part comes at the end of every month remember to wipe it off and get it set up for the next month. 

There's something out there just screaming ADHD! Those palm pilots - they were always so damn expensive but I've noticed an older one like the palm III is around 50 bucks or less.  They say they can keep 5 years of appointments and they have multiple reminder alarms and other time saver software.  Plus you can get all these free programs to make things easier.

I think I'll be getting one and I'll let you all know if it helps.  I think it just might!

haha, I think I'd lose the palm pilot, it's small and expensive, great losing material  and Reisa, the post-its in awkward places is a good idea, as long as I remember to read them before I move them.