Survival Tools for ADD - a list by LISAJAY

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About this list:

Things that help me cope (or would, if I had them) with life, despite my Attention Deficit Disorder.

Qualifications:

I live it every day.

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Viewing 1-10 of 23 Items

Sony ICDB300 Digital Voice Recorder

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

Here's my most important use for this product: when I'm going some place and need directions, I dictate the directions step by step into the recorder. That way I'm not looking at a map or a MapQuest printout while I'm trying to drive. Not everyone with ADD totally lacks a sense of direction, but for me it's an associated feature. Having the directions in the voice recorder just helps me feel safe on the road.

Also, I get some of my best ideas on the road, and having the recorder keeps me from losing them without reaching for a pencil while driving. Great when I hear something on the radio I want to follow up on. Just make a note.

I go through times when I use mine a lot, then I don't use it for a while. I guess I mostly use it when I'm on the go, and otherwise use pencil and paper lists.

Updated Apr 18, 2008

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2 comments

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Magnetic Pencil Holder

First to recommend

Description

This tiny kit consists of an amazingly strong magnet worn outside the shirt, a metal disk worn inside the shirt (for the magnet to cling to), and metal clips that can be put onto pencils or pens to make them cling to a magnet.

As someone who loses her pencil every time she puts it down, this is one system I can't wait to try! I would wear it on the sleeve of my shirt, down toward the wrist, to keep the pencil handy (and as a visual reminder to put the pencil there).

Updated Nov 9, 2008

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"Harry" Organizer

First to recommend

Description

I know it's wrong to covet things . . . but I do covet this, yes I do. It would keep oft-used things right there in sight and easily grab-able. And let's face it, Harry's got character, yes he does.

Updated Dec 7, 2006

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Timer on a Rope

First to recommend

4 people recommended this item

Description

Great way to make sure you hear the timer if you're cooking something, and easy to use.

For those of us with ADD, this is a great way to keep track of time for anything. Need to get in the shower in half an hour? If I'm on the computer, I might lose track of that. But not if I set this baby. It's right around my neck, so my chance of losing it is greatly reduced.

Also, we ADDers have a hard time getting started on tasks, especially big ones. What I do is tell myself "I'll just work on it for 10 minutes; I can do anything for 10 minutes." (This is where you set the timer.)

Ten minutes is usually enough to get my hyperfocus to kick in, so I often keep going and get a good part of the task done. Also, I'm very oppositional and I don't like being interrupted by timers, so this is a great way to be able to blow it off without getting in trouble.

I think only someone else with ADD would fully understand that last bit.

Updated Nov 16, 2006

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Active View Project Platform

First to recommend

6 people recommended this item

Description

I've had this on my desk for a couple of weeks now, and it really does keep information I need right at eye level for me. My to-do list goes on a sticky note on it. I put my planner there, open to the calendar monthly view, so I don't lose track of upcoming appointments and events.

I can also put things in it to get them out of my way when I need more desk space. It's a good place to put my palm pilot so I don't lose track of it.

I'm still playing around with this one, discovering how to put it to best use for me. Overall, a useful product for a reasonable price.

Updated Nov 8, 2006

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FranklinCovey Training Course - FOCUS: Achieving Your Highest Priorities

First to recommend

Description

For me, this was the starting place on the road to effective organization, time and information management.

My brother and his colleagues had been sent to this workshop by their boss, and he just raved about it. In fact, he became something of a zealot. He convinced me to attend, and I'm so glad I did.

This convinced me that storing information on little pieces of loose paper or post-it notes, which I would immediately lose, was a bad idea. It helped me learn to prioritize.

It's like any other life-changing system: it works if you work it.

Updated Nov 1, 2006

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1 comment

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Palm Z22 handheld

First to recommend

Description

This is Palm's least expensive, most stripped-down model, and is the tool I use every day. I keep it at my side, even as I go from room to room in my house. The function I use most is the calendar with the alarm. Every time I have something I have to do, I enter it and set the alarm to remind me. It's like most systems: it works if you work it!

Updated Oct 11, 2006

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ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life

First to recommend

Description

This is the most helpful book I've ever read about Attention Deficit Disorder. I keep it in the bathroom so that I will see it every day and consult it as needed. It's not just the "OMG THIS IS ME!" experience that makes it good. This is where I learned to keep things visible, use quick keyword filing, make and use a bill-paying kit (envelopes, stamps, pen, calculator, etc. all in one place), and numerous other strategies for managing not only things, but time and priorities too.

Am I organized now? No. But I'm BETTER.

Updated Oct 11, 2006

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A-Z Reinforced Expanding Files

First to recommend

Description

If you have ADD, the key to quick filing is key-word filing. For most papers, there will be a few key words that jump to mind. Your latest auto insurance policy comes in the mail. You grab your A to Z expanding file and put it under A for Auto or I for Insurance. When you need to find your auto insurance policy, where will you think to look? A for Auto or I for Insurance. Using this system, it will be one of those two places, which is a pretty quick search. This really keeps it simple.

Updated Oct 11, 2006

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Ziploc Big Bags

First to recommend

4 people recommended this item

Description

This is a must-have for anyone who has trouble staying organized. They are huge, so a great many things will fit inside, and they are see-through, so you can tell what's in there. Also, since they close tightly, you can use them to store things in the basement or garage that you otherwise might worry would get moisture damage.

If someone is coming over to visit and the house is a mess, just stuff all the clutter into these and take them to the basement. If you don't get around to bringing them back up for a while, nothing gets mildewed. And when you need to use something again, you can see which bag it's in.

Of course, those of us with Attention Deficit Disorder may forget to look in the basement . . .

Updated Oct 16, 2006

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LISAJAY

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My favorite category is "Miscellaneous."

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