How to get things done...? | ADHD Information
I'm just wondering how everyone gets things done?
I'm a college student and have a lot of trouble prioritizing and with time management. Any suggestions would be very helpful.
I just really avoid doing the things I don't want to do, and put them off to the last minute; have a lot of trouble just getting in there and getting something finished.
I have a daily planner, which is "REALLY" organized, but despite what I write in it I always seam to drift off and not really use it; I can write down what I need to do, but actually going through with it is a different story.
Any suggestions? Thanks
I just typed about two pages worth of stuff. Unfortunately I hit the wrong button and lost it all(I was typing for an hour man). Anyway, here are a few suggestions.
1) Keep a calendar that corresponds with your day planner and post it where you can see it at the beginning of every day--out of sight, out of mind rings especially true for those with add...
2) Use different colored pens/markers for different areas requiring your attention(e.g. school, work, personal, etc.)
3) Break you study sessions up so that after a certain amount of time studying you reward yourself by allowing yourself to do something fun and stimulating(e.g. I like to take a break from my text books by reading some material I find REALLY interesting...get creative). This tip is powerful. It is the basis of operant conditioning which is one of the most powerful shapers of behavior--good and bad--known. It was powerful enough to prompt B.F. Skinner into declaring that there "is no freewill"--just conditioning. I disagree but anyway.
4) Make a list of places where you really enjoy studying and that you find are environmentally conducive to good study sessions(e.g. I like the big chain bookstores first, coffee shops and diners second, libraries third, etc.). Once you have your list prioritize it so that if, for example, you get to a place and it's too crowded or something you can simply go somewhere else with out wasting too much time.
Personally I find study partners distracting(I'm a solo type person), but if it works for you do it.
5) Make several copies of your too do lists and post/keep them in several places where you see them all the time--always keep your tasks in front of you.
6) A daily planner is good but the problem is if you can't easily access your days list of things to do you probably wont pull it out much and end up not utilizing it. I suggest that you keep a calendar on the wall, right under that keep a planner, and in your pocket keep a simple wallet that has a mini pad and pen in it. Then what you do is you do all your detailed planing in the planner. This should function as a three tier system: Planner has all the hardcore planning and details; it functions a a portable medium you can take with you when you want to sit down for a lengthy planning session, calendar has the weekly schedules(i.e. daily lists updated weekly), and on a daily basis you jot down the items onto your mini pad(which you take with you) and follow that for the day.
7) Make a blueprint for your life--a plan. This should include longterm goals, midterm goals, and short term goals. There are plenty of books on goal setting. Read one or two and experiment with what works for you. Everyone eventually develops their own sort of personalized system. What I mention here works for me and is still in constant stages of being tweaked here and there, etc. Find what works for you; these are only suggestions.
8) Prioritize your daily list to reflect your overall goals. Your daily tasks should take you closer to your goals--even if it's one task a day. Learn the difference between urgent and important. Urgent reflects things that demand immediate attention but are not necessarily important(e.g. telephone rings; it's a call from a friend that will take a lot of time away from your study session--it can wait. Study session is important, phone call is urgent).
9) Keep your to do lists short(maybe 5-8 items with maybe 3 being really important). Experimenting should help you find the right number for you but don't overwhelm yourself with a list of 20 items. Also, don't expect to get everything done on your list. It seldom happens that way. Even though planning is important, things seldom go as planned. Planning is more of a proposition we make to the All-Mighty and then we go seek it. Man proposes and God disposes. Without planning though we can expect to get nowhere fast.
10) Try a supplement called power drive. Find it here http://www.t-nation.com/index.do It's used by bodybiulders to strengthen the mind-body connection and is very good for periods you need to really focus. I've read that caffeine boosts its effects as well, but I don't use caffeine--makes me anxious.
Hope this helps.
Peace.
la ilaha illa Llah - 'there is no god except God'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power, and the like. http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/pillars.shtml
kronicdaydreamr38294.1084953704Iron discipline. Just remember that you need 3 times the self discipline that other people need, and maybe you'll be able to manage 2 times. :)
deang008: thanks for the reply. 
livingwithadd: I've read a bit about it, never tried it. I have only resently been diagnosed, but have dealt w/the prbs all my life.
I'm pretty sure it would help, the whole meeting the demands of someone else or feeling you have to do it for another seams to help. I had a big time study partner last semester, who would call me up all the time to ask questions, I had no clue, but her calling me would in a way motivate me to learn the stuff myself, just so I could have an answer for her when she asked.
What's the cost $$$ for an add/life coach? seams expensive.
hahaha I'm right there with ya! I'm in college too and I most definitely don't get things done! I have the intention of doing things, but i get side-tracked way too easily and I never get things done!
I have a daily planner, but I lost it....not good! I actually just started goin to the library to study about a week ago....I still get distracted and talk to people and all that stuff, but my school has a nice library with lots of quiet places. I tend to get more done there than at my apartment where there are SO MANY OTHER THINGS TO DO!
Sorry I don't have any other advice....I would recommend tryin out the library though if you can find a quiet spot with not too many interferences
GOod luck!
Have you ever thought about working with an ADD Coach?[QUOTE=StrangeShadow]kronicdaydreamr: wow, thanks a lot, really appreciate the tips. My planner is color coded =).
now I just have to move the giant calender that's behind my door to a better location. 
And shove some post-it(s) in my wallet. I reall appreciate your response, sorry things got deleted the first time, can't imagine how many times that has happen to me.
[/QUOTE]
You're welcome. Hope it helps. Also, don't get discouraged if nad when you fall off of your routine from time to time. We all do that. The main thing is to just steer yourself back on track again.
Peace.
kronicdaydreamr38295.5393402778[QUOTE=MafiaKiddo]LOL there are post-its all over my house. Everything from when to pay bills to time to re-order the dogs heartworm pills. Everyonce in awhile I actually have to eliminate and reorganise the post-its they seem to multiply it can get a bit overwhelming. lol[/QUOTE]
Yeah, keeping the post-its "pruned" is a definite priority. Otherwise, you end up not knowing your head from your arse.
i went to barnes & nobles today, and was gooing through a number of college survival books, and ADD books, there was even one "college survival for people with ADD and LD" but I had to order it, it was a reference in another ADD book I looked at.
Anyways, I got a lot of helpful ideas, and hopefully will make it back there later to buy those books, so I have them on hand here at home.
Can't believe I was in there for 4 1/2 hours, time flew, especially while reading.
But I guess we all have those time lapses, I forgot what the tech name was for doing that. lol
kronicdaydreamr: wow, thanks a lot, really appreciate the tips. My planner is color coded =).
now I just have to move the giant calender that's behind my door to a better location.
And shove some post-it(s) in my wallet. I reall appreciate your response, sorry things got deleted the first time, can't imagine how many times that has happen to me.
[QUOTE=floofthegoof]Iron discipline. Just remember that you need 3 times the self discipline that other people need, and maybe you'll be able to manage 2 times. :) [/QUOTE]
exactly, I always tell myself, "this should take ppl 1 hour, so count on taking 3 to get it done"
LOL there are post-its all over my house. Everything from when to pay bills to time to re-order the dogs heartworm pills. Everyonce in awhile I actually have to eliminate and reorganise the post-its they seem to multiply it can get a bit overwhelming. lolLOL[QUOTE=StrangeShadow]The KEY is learning how to not care if you %$#@ up. Cause we all do. Just laugh it off, tell yourself (in your own way) that things will be fine, after all, when you wake up tomorrow, it'll be another day (and chances are we'll partially forget about it).
If you can get your mind use to the fact that you ARE gonna mess up, then it can handle it better, and from there you can teach yourself how to get back on tract, leading to better organization and better control of time. [/QUOTE]
I completely agree with this. Our self esteem is everything. We have to learn to forgive and love ourself, otherwise our lives will be completely %$#@ up.
Whew, I relate to all of that! Especially the "time lapses"; I have noconsciousness of time passing, everything takes a long time, there is no
"quick run to the store" or a "quick bite"; and this even applies to days,
weeks, months & years! I sometimes am astounded that years have gone
by, when so much still seems like "just yesterday"....
I have terrible time management & organizational habits; coaches haven't
worked, heck, even the wrath of the IRS hasn't worked. I do fortunately
show up on time when I have a gig (I'm a musician), and always pay my
bandmembers promptly, as I do my monthly bills; but that's about it.
My dilemma, which I've never yet figured out, is why I put off doing even
things I LIKE & WANT TO DO!!! I remember, even as a kid, putting off,
then having my parents drag me into the bathtub, which once in, I'd never
want to get out! Go figure......
Any ideas?hahaha good call! I might still think that the rest of the world is what has the problem lol!!....I just know that I'm different!
Ok, so my last post may not make as much sense to others as it does to me....I kinda just realized that, sorry!!! haha when I said that it's hard not to accept the fact that you're %$#@ up, I meant that it's hard not to accept the fact that you're different from other people.....not necessarily in a bad way! I mean, I do get frustrated by my lack of the "time concept" and by the fact that I'm quite un-productive.....but I wouldn't give anything for the way that I am!! Impulsiveness and living in the moment may not always be the best thing, but I love how spontaneous it makes my life....I don't know if I have a totally different perspective and outlook on life because I think like an "ADHD-er" or if that's just how I am.....but I absolutely love the way that my brain works! Although....it does seem to be a problem when it comes to getting things done when they need to be done!!! A lot of people don't understand that I AM TRYING!!!! Many people just kind of use their ADD/ADHD as an excuse....many people are diagnosed simply because they are lazy, not because they actually have ADD/ADHD! It would also be nice to be able to just relax and hang out without getting restless at times.....but not all the time, because I like going out and doing things. I would hate to spend every day just sitting around doing nothing! What a boring life....in my opinion at least...I mean why would you want to waste what little time you may have just sitting inside watching tv or playing video games or movies or what-not!?! Alrighty......enough writing for now.
peace out hehe
hahaha if you've got ADHD as bad as I do, it's pretty hard to NOT accept the fact that you're %$#@ up!! Although, I still suck at organization and time management!! I've tried everything under the sun and nothing seems to work! Well....except the library thing that I mentioned in my last post, but it only helps a little! I end up spending most of my time "taking breaks", talking to people (or should I say meeting new people hehe,) eating, or sleeping!
I agree Shadow. Most people like to lump us ADD'ers as messed up or deficient in some way. I talked to my Psych. Professor a looong time ago about this and his opinion was that ADD may have been an advantageous trait in the past when people were in the hunting and gathering phase. Now we have so much stimuli from every direction we may not have evolved fast enough to catch up. We have unique gifts and shouldn't forget that. Myself being a psych major I can tell you that there is a VERY high correlation between those who are intensely creative and brilliant and some form of ADD/depression/anxiety(they tend to run together--not always). There is a price to pay for being gifted.I read that we have trouble with "doing" things, not because we can't, but partially cause we "know" we will get distracted, it will take forever, or wont get done because of previous experiences.
problem not being we can't pay attention, but that we pay attention to too much, we notice everything...why do you think the CIA contacts ppl with our delima.
Some of us are worse than others neurologicly, BUT sometimes we have these prbs cause we are scared to fail, and jack things up again like aways,
The KEY is learning how to not care if you %$#@ up. Cause we all do. Just laugh it off, tell yourself (in your own way) that things will be fine, after all, when you wake up tomorrow, it'll be another day (and chances are we'll partially forget about it).
If you can get you mind use to the fact that you ARE gonna mess up, then it can handle it better, and from there you can teach yourself how to get back on tract, leading to better organization and better control of time.
That's cool you play in a band, what kind, and what instro? I played the drums in high school, center snare 2 years haha, only two years drums took 1st at indoor champs. =D
How'd you do that cool quote thing?
Schwep
I tend to think that we are "evolved" compared to the rest of the world, I jokinly tell myself we are the next step in humn evolution, whenever I here ppl talk about it. Our neuro-transmission-receptors have evolved making it more likely that we survive in this present fast paced world. We can endure long hours of hard work, think faster, and are faster on our toes; with a very little amount of sleep and/or rest. The rest of the world has to catch up to compete with us. =D
Truthfully, most of the ppl I have met in the science/medical field, that are briliant minded, have ADD/ADHD. =D
[QUOTE=kronicdaydreamr]I talked to my Psych. Professor a looong time ago about this and his opinion was that ADD may have been an advantageous trait in the past when people were in the hunting and gathering phase. Now we have so much stimuli from every direction we may not have evolved fast enough to catch up.[/QUOTE]
haha! I just read that in a book a couple days ago!
[QUOTE=kronicdaydreamr]Myself being a psych major I can tell you that there is a VERY high correlation between those who are intensely creative and brilliant and some form of ADD/depression/anxiety(they tend to run together--not always). There is a price to pay for being gifted.[/QUOTE]
haha, that's true, most of my friends are either ADD/ADHD, Bipolar, have depression, xt...ext..
[QUOTE=schwep]How'd you do that cool quote thing?
Schwep
[/QUOTE]
like this? just hit the button on the top right in every box marked "quote". Once you get use to it you can just add them using [ Q U O T E ] at the beginning and [ / Q U O T E ] at the end of typed statements. =D
I tried to do that on an earlier post it it erased everything
schwep
kronicdaydreamr wrote:
[QUOTE]Myself being a psych major I can tell you that there is a VERY
high correlation between those who are intensely creative and brilliant
and some form of ADD/depression/anxiety(they tend to run together--
not always).Ê There is a price to pay for being gifted.[/QUOTE]
I strongly agree, many of the musicians I work with, who are the most
talented, all seem to be undiagnosed ADDers! It's amazing, and sad, too,
because it's too often those less talented, but more organized, who get
further & do more, than those who are the true artists, those that people
REALLY need to hear!
As for not doing things due to worry about screwing up, for me at least,
that is far from true. I would much rather complete my projects & have
them "fail", than suffer the agony of FAILING TO DO THEM!!!
yeah, I think I get over doing something and it failing better than dealing with not doing it. Both cause some real messed up responses from me (they say "we" wear our emotions on our sleeves), but the idea that I did give it all and it wasn't good enough is a little easier to deal with that trying to cope with I never tried, or didn't finish.
the first makes me feel like I wasn't good enough, but the second makes me feel like I blew it when I could have suceeded.
Yeah I thought of something else - MINIMISE - throw stuff away. ADHDers are terrible for hoarding, because we cant seem to be able to organise ourselves very well.
Have a big Chuck Out. And minimise your belongings - this keeps us heaps organised.
[QUOTE=Rae70]Yeah I thought of something else - MINIMISE - throw stuff away. ADHDers are terrible for hoarding, because we cant seem to be able to organise ourselves very well.
Have a big Chuck Out. And minimise your belongings - this keeps us heaps organised.
[/QUOTE]
rofl, I'm doing that right now! Just got distracted for a good 2 hours while checking my e-mail, haha =)
[QUOTE=kronicdaydreamr][QUOTE=StrangeShadow]hehe...I'll tried that a few times cause I love reading too, but I end up getting carried away and going on forever. 
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Me too...read the update to my last post:
Actually that is the way I reward myself for studying; by reading somethings REALLY interesting(e.g. for every 45-60min. of study I read something I like for about 20-30min. )....then I take a "study break", then I go grab sumthin to eat, then I need sumthin to wash the crumbs down with so I get a soda, then I use the jon, then on my way back to the study table I chat with the librarian about local goings on and such, then I make a call on my cell to my buddy in CA, then I remember I have to study for..er...sumthin so I head back to the table only to play a challenging game of paperfootball...then I uh...wait a minute...ummm..oh yeah!!! Then I study again...until my next break--hehheh.
[/QUOTE]
rofl sounds very familiar. =)
Happy Thanksgiving .
[QUOTE=spaced]Thanks you two - that's excellent advice. I've never tried working in groups, but I know what you mean. Part of why I go to the library is because there are other people studying there, which makes me default to studying instead of defaulting to fiddling with my keyboards or something. Also, it's quiet, and even if I goof off, the only way for me to goof off is by reading something other than what I'm meant to be reading, which isn't all that bad. :)
[/QUOTE]
Actually that is the way I reward myself for studying; by reading somethings REALLY interesting(e.g. for every 45-60min. of study I read something I like for about 20-30min. )....then I take a "study break", then I go grab sumthin to eat, then I need sumthin to wash the crumbs down with so I get a soda, then I use the jon, then on my way back to the study table I chat with the librarian about local goings on and such, then I make a call on my cell to my buddy in CA, then I remember I have to study for..er...sumthin so I head back to the table only to play a challenging game of paperfootball...then I uh...wait a minute...ummm..oh yeah!!! Then I study again...until my next break--hehheh.
kronicdaydreamr38316.1294907407By the way, do you two sleep or are you insomniacs like myself? ;)hehe...I'll tried that a few times cause I love reading too, but I end up getting carried away and going on forever.[QUOTE=kronicdaydreamr]By the way, do you two sleep or are you insomniacs like myself? ;)[/QUOTE]
"sleep, we don't need any stinkin' sleep!" haha
[QUOTE=StrangeShadow]hehe...I'll tried that a few times cause I love reading too, but I end up getting carried away and going on forever. [/QUOTE]
Me too...read the update to my last post:
Actually that is the way I reward myself for studying; by reading somethings REALLY interesting(e.g. for every 45-60min. of study I read something I like for about 20-30min. )....then I take a "study break", then I go grab sumthin to eat, then I need sumthin to wash the crumbs down with so I get a soda, then I use the jon, then on my way back to the study table I chat with the librarian about local goings on and such, then I make a call on my cell to my buddy in CA, then I remember I have to study for..er...sumthin so I head back to the table only to play a challenging game of paperfootball...then I uh...wait a minute...ummm..oh yeah!!! Then I study again...until my next break--hehheh.
I usually sleep pretty soundly - running between 5 and 20 miles a day will do that :)
However, there's this black cloud called TERM PAPER hanging over my head like a tombstone at the moment, and I've been completely stymied as to how I should start this thing. Now I'm outlining exactly what I'm going to do after I take a nap, as per your suggestion, and then I'm going to take a nap.
I drink warm milk with a bit of honey in it when I can't sleep and I want to.
I'm really digging this thread. Thanks to everyone for adding to this delightful heap of good advice.
I have a question for everyone who's in or remembers clearly being in school (especially anyone who's in a highly competitive school and feels like their feet are getting scorched daily by having them too close to the fire):
How, when you find yourself faced with an assignment that seems really huge (so colossal and heavy that you can't even start on it), do you get it done?
Thanks!
[QUOTE=Saxman7]kronicdaydreamr wrote:
[QUOTE]Myself being a psych major I can tell you that there is a VERY
high correlation between those who are intensely creative and brilliant
and some form of ADD/depression/anxiety(they tend to run together--
not always).Ê There is a price to pay for being gifted.[/QUOTE]
I strongly agree, many of the musicians I work with, who are the most
talented, all seem to be undiagnosed ADDers! It's amazing, and sad, too,
because it's too often those less talented, but more organized, who get
further & do more, than those who are the true artists, those that people
REALLY need to hear!
As for not doing things due to worry about screwing up, for me at least,
that is far from true. I would much rather complete my projects & have
them "fail", than suffer the agony of FAILING TO DO THEM!!![/QUOTE]
Hey Saxman,
You are right on. A little organization and planning(as well as persistence;))can take mediocre talent to the top. That's why it is so crucial for us ADD'ers to get some organizational/planning/goal setting skills--then watch out world. Sure it may take us more effort and practice but eventually these things become habits and ANYONE can pick up a habit--good or bad. :)
[QUOTE=spaced]I'm really digging this thread. Thanks to everyone for adding to this delightful heap of good advice.
I have a question for everyone who's in or remembers clearly being in school (especially anyone who's in a highly competitive school and feels like their feet are getting scorched daily by having them too close to the fire):
How, when you find yourself faced with an assignment that seems really huge (so colossal and heavy that you can't even start on it), do you get it done?
Thanks!
[/QUOTE]
Hmmmmmm...should I give you the right method or my method--truly a "do as I say not as I do" question. Well, I generally need a little fire under my butt; I don't know why but generally I wait till the deadline is VERY close...like breathing down my neck, and then I cram. It works for me if I don't have too many commitments and unfortunately it works well for me(most of the time) and that's why I, more often then not, end up in the same situation. However, I'm turning 30 soon and even now I'm beginning to realize that putting that kind of stress on myself is going to take a toll. Recently I did it the right way(or at least closer to it) which is to take a project, break it down into pieces, and get them done one after another until you finish the whole enchilada. It took more discipline but it payed off in less stress and less tax on my mind and body. So I suggest doing it that way; break it down into pieces(on paper), then put the plan to a calendar so that you are getting things done in regular intervals until it's complete. Simple and effective. Remember KISS(not the band);).
[QUOTE=spaced]I'm really digging this thread. Thanks to everyone for adding to this delightful heap of good advice.
I have a question for everyone who's in or remembers clearly being in school (especially anyone who's in a highly competitive school and feels like their feet are getting scorched daily by having them too close to the fire):
How, when you find yourself faced with an assignment that seems really huge (so colossal and heavy that you can't even start on it), do you get it done?
Thanks!
[/QUOTE]
break it up into parts/sections.
if you can, set aside a particular time (about 3 hours), on a particular day, at a certain time where you consentrate on nothing but that...you'll only work for about 1 hour/ to 1 1/2 hours in truth, thanks to your neurotransmitters.
use the first time to map out a plan, of what "exactly" you're gonna do for each time. if you get done early w/your plan, then get a jump start on the part/section of your project.
try to work in a group...although it is 100 times easier for us to consentrate alone... we work better in groups...it's more of a motivational thing...like studying with a group...if the group knows how to study... if not, become the group leader/motivator yourself... ask the people to explain something to you, then be able to explain it back to them or to someone else, that's how you'll know you know it, if you can teach someone it, you know it.
in a way you get motivated to compete, because you will automatically wana be the best, and know more, explain more, and know it more indept...
plus when someone asks "you" a question, it'll kill you if you don't know, and you'll turn the world upside down to find the answer just so you can tell that person, because now you feel needed and that they are relying on you and that you have a purpose or short term goal.
...it may sound funny...of you can say, not for me...but honestly, this is the way our minds work...if you do this you "will" succeed in what you are trying to do...
the """problem""" is most of us can't seam to find the time to do this...haha
the """good thing""" is once you get soooo use to this you'll do it automatically on your own and wont even need other people... you'll actually figure out "how to learn" =D
take it easy.
[QUOTE=kronicdaydreamr][QUOTE=spaced]I'm really digging this thread. Thanks to everyone for adding to this delightful heap of good advice.
I have a question for everyone who's in or remembers clearly being in school (especially anyone who's in a highly competitive school and feels like their feet are getting scorched daily by having them too close to the fire):
How, when you find yourself faced with an assignment that seems really huge (so colossal and heavy that you can't even start on it), do you get it done?
Thanks!
[/QUOTE]
Hmmmmmm...should I give you the right method or my method--truly a "do as I say not as I do" question. Well, I generally need a little fire under my butt; I don't know why but generally I wait till the deadline is VERY close...like breathing down my neck, and then I cram. It works for me if I don't have too many commitments and unfortunately it works well for me(most of the time) and that's why I, more often then not, end up in the same situation. However, I'm turning 30 soon and even now I'm beginning to realize that putting that kind of stress on myself is going to take a toll. Recently I did it the right way(or at least closer to it) which is to take a project, break it down into pieces, and get them done one after another until you finish the whole enchilada. It took more discipline but it payed off in less stress and less tax on my mind and body. So I suggest doing it that way; break it down into pieces(on paper), then put the plan to a calendar so that you are getting things done in regular intervals until it's complete. Simple and effective. Remember KISS(not the band);).
[/QUOTE]
haha there we go, the short version! said perfectly. =)
...what's KISS(not the band)?
[QUOTE=StrangeShadow][QUOTE=kronicdaydreamr][QUOTE=spaced]haha there we go, the short version! said perfectly. =)
...what's KISS(not the band)?
[/QUOTE]
LOL Shadow. KISS=Keep It Simple Silly(usually people say 'stupid' but I'm a nice guy);)
Thanks you two - that's excellent advice. I've never tried working in groups, but I know what you mean. Part of why I go to the library is because there are other people studying there, which makes me default to studying instead of defaulting to fiddling with my keyboards or something. Also, it's quiet, and even if I goof off, the only way for me to goof off is by reading something other than what I'm meant to be reading, which isn't all that bad. :)haha... thanks =D