Organized Enough® LLC   
                             Kathy Schlegel 

   Professional Organizer, Organizing Coach, Speaker, ADHD Expert
  • Organizing and Productivity Coaching for ADHD Students
  • Life Coaching for Adults with ADHD                                                      Garnet Valley, PA   (610) 299-5191
  • Speaking / Presenting                                                                                       Millersville, PA  (717) 872-7424
PO Box 64, Millersville, PA

Time Management


Students who have trouble with organization often do not realize that Time Management and Organization are two separate issues.  A person can decide that "someday" they are going to get organized, but until they look at their schedule realistically, and schedule what they plan to do to get organized, it won't get done.

Procrastination is a major problem for those with Attention Deficit Disorder.  Most people know they have to break things down into smaller parts so that it doesn't overwhelm them.  However, the smallest part is often even smaller than you think. 


For example, a student may need to start on their project and know they need to go to the library as the first thing.  However, what is really keeping them from getting started is that they don't know when the library is open, and they don't have the phone number for the library to find out.  Therefore, the first thing they have to put on their list is not to go to the library, but to find the phone number of the library.  Then, they need to call the library and find out when it's open.  After those two steps, they can plan to go to the library.


Below are some helpful tips to gain control of your time:


Write things down! Take time to plan!  Keep a planner and use it and take it everywhere!


Advanced Planning (Minimize your stress level and maximize productivity!)

Do whatever you can in advance.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Rely heavily on your list.

Complete ASAP, keeping priorities in mind (Is this the best use of my time right now?)

Change thinking from waiting till the last minute to doing whatever you can in advance.


Addresses and Phone numbers next to appointment on To Do List.


Highlight most important appointment in red. Use colored pens.


Use call sheets/web-site, e-mail list, etc.


Calendar in Your Notebook, with a Divider That Says "Calendar"

Enter all projects, book reports, research reports, school holidays, half days, birthdays, vacations, Dr. appointments, tutor appointments, after school activities, etc. onto the calendar.

   

Refer to your calendar everyday to plan a homework schedule.  This is   where they will see that if they have something planned tomorrow and an assignment is due the next day, then they need to schedule it "tonight."


Each child should be responsible for their own calendar.  This is a key to self-management. But be patient, it will take time.


Projects

A written plan, step by step, that maps out the process by which the assignment will be completed.  This is the key to getting started.  This should be done as soon as the assignment is received.  Use project planning sheets available.


Visual reminder of every step

  • what needs to be done
  • what supplies are needed
  • when it is due, etc.
  • a deadline for each step


This helps to think in advance, and not the night before it is due.


Short definable goals - One completed project

Click to Read More..


THINGS TO REMEMBER

? EVERYTHING (ALL YOUR STUFF) NEEDS A HOME (you can't put it away or find it

again unless you have a place to put it)

?     YOU NEED A SYSTEM FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO (a step by step way to get it done)

?     YOU NEED A ROUTINE FOR THE THINGS YOU DO ON A REGULAR BASIS -

(what day of the week will you do it, and what time of day will you do it - i.e., homework, laundry, getting gas in your car, cleaning up, getting up, going to bed, etc.)

ATTEMPT LESS - WITH MORE FOCUS - Overwhelm only causes us to become paralyzed and get nothing done.

?   Pick one thing you need to do.

?   Tell yourself that no matter how many other things you have to do, you will only focus on that one thing for a certain amount of time, (i.e., for the next hour I will work on the paper that is due, for the next 15 minutes I will straighten up this room)

PROCRASTINATION IS INDECISION - What is keeping vou from getting started?

  • Do you know exactly what it is you are supposed to do? If not find out.
  • Do you know when it is due?
  • Are you missing anything you need to accomplish it? If you are, begin to gather what you need. Is it a phone number? Is it supplies? Solve one problem.
  • Are you trying to be perfect? This is one of the main reasons people procrastinate. It doesn't have to be perfect! It sometimes just has to get done! Keep in mind the

thought that "Good Enough is O.K." HOW WILL YOU FEEL TOMORROW -   IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE THIS TODAY? HOW WILL YOU FEEL TOMORROW -   IF YOU DO ACCOMPLISH THIS TODAY?

Time Management

Monthly calendar in front of notebook with a divider that says calendar. It is a reminder and a plan-ahead strategy tool. Enter all projectrs, book reports, research reports, school holidays, half-days, birthdays, vacations, doctor appointments, after school activities, etc. into the calendar.

Refer to the calendar every day to plan homework schedule. If you have a dr. appointment, etc. the day before an assignment is due, due it ahead of time.


How to Change a Habit

1.  Tell the truth about the habit you want to change.

2.  Choose a new habit to replace the old one.

3.  Commit to the new behavior.  Practice it.  When will you apply it?  Where will you be?

What will you be seeing, hearing, touching, saying or doing?

How exactly will you think, act and speak differently?

4.  See yourself carrying out your plan.  Act as if your new habit is already a part of you.

5.  Start with a small change.  Just try it once.  Then once a day.

6.  Get support from others.  Have someone call to remind you.  Or call or email someone when you are successful.  Think of how you can reward yourself when you are successful.

7.  Practice, Practice, Practice.  Accept the feeling of discomfort that comes with trying to create a new habit.  The more you practice it, the more it will begin to feel natural to you.  Trust the process.

*from Becoming a Master Student, 9th edition by Dave Ellis (Houghton Miflin)

 Perfectionism

It's hard to believe that a person who is totally disorganized could really have a problem with perfectionism, but it's true.   Many people with ADD tend to want to do things perfectly. Perfect isn't always possible, so it doesn't get done at all. The Counseling Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, gives some possible reasons for perfectionism. I have listed the ones I see most in children and adults with ADD.

?       Fear of failure - Perfectionists often equate failure to achieve their goals with a lack of personal worth or value.

?       Fear of making mistakes - Perfectionists often equate mistakes with failure. In orienting their lives around avoiding mistakes, perfectionists miss opportunities to learn and to grow.

?       All-or-none thinking - Perfectionists frequently believe that they are worthless if their accomplishments are not perfect. They have difficulty seeing situations in perspective.

?       Believing that others are easily successful. Perfectionists tend to perceive others as achieving success with a minimum of effort, few errors, emotional stress, and maximum self-confidence. At the same time, perfectionists view their own efforts as unending and forever inadequate.

What can you do? Allow your child to relax the rules they have set for themselves as to how perfect something has to be. Let them know that "good enough" is o.k.   They need to see that turning in a paper that is "good enough" in their opinion, may earn them a very good grade. It is at least better for them to work on their paper with a relaxed "good enough" attitude, than to be so stressed about perfection that they never get it done at all.

The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything. - Edward John Phelps, American lawyer and diplomat (1822-1900)