Coping with Lack of Focus / A.D.D.

1.  Clarify the purpose of each space in your home

What type of work or play will you do there? What tools (or toys!) will you need? Which items will you need most often? Put these in the most accessible places. Put things you’ll use less frequently in more out-of-the-way places.

2.  Categorize using intuitive words or phrases

When organizing, create several general categories to sort into. As an example, when sorting a box full of papers, you might use these labels: Trash, To Shred, To Do, To File, Ask Spouse/Partner/Kids. Use words that are intuitive to you. For example, you may think of To Shred as “Papers I Don’t Want Identity Thieves To Get Their Grubby Hands On.”

3.  Label everything

Give yourself visual clues as to what belongs where. Label drawers, binders, files, project sleeves, shelves, bins, and anything else that contains items or papers. The number one cause of “system failure” (when an organizing system gets bogged down and no longer works well) is lack of labeling.

4.  Use color coding

Color code files, projects, and even papers with colored folders, stickers, binders, or project sleeves. Let your brain help you find things by creating associations, like “Things to do” are red, “Things I’m waiting for someone else on” are yellow, and “Things I need to research” are blue.

5.  Step out projects

Try not to think of a project as a whole. Instead, break it down into manageable steps. Sit down and write an outline of the project before jumping in. What’s the first thing you need to do to get started? Do you need to gather more information? Buy something you need to do the work?

6.  Establish rewards

What would motivate you to start and complete a given project? Choose something meaningful to you, something you wouldn't ordinarily do or get. How about a concert you want to see, money towards something special, a day to yourself with no kids or hubby, a spa treatment or massage? Put some thought into this and make it something you really want. Then use your desire for inspiration! If you’ve broken your project down into steps, choose a smaller reward for accomplishing each step, such as a fancy latte’ at Starbucks, a new book, or 15 guilt-free minutes to call an old friend.

7.  Limit distractions

Stay in one place for as long as it takes to complete the task. Close the door so everyone else knows you need quiet time to focus. Turn off the ringer on the phone and check your messages later. Have someone watch the kids for you for two hours so you can have the uninterrupted work time you need.

8.  Use a timer for focus

Set a timer for 15 minutes and dig into whatever you need to do. When the timer goes off, take stock. Are you still focused on the task? Have you left the room and started something else? Are you spinning your wheels because you don’t have enough information or the right tools to move forward? Get back to the project and set the timer for another 15 minutes. Continue this until the task is complete, then allow yourself to feel great about the progress you’ve made!

9.  Focus on your accomplishments

Give yourself credit for the progress you’ve made, even if a task or project isn’t yet finished. Every little step towards completion is something to celebrate! Don’t focus on how much is left to do, or on your negative feelings about the task. Stay positive, and think about how great it feels to be moving forward.

10.  Reward yourself!

Remember the reward you set in Tip #6? Make it a point to give yourself the reward, and always, always, allow yourself to feel good about your accomplishments!

Copyright 2008 by Cara Kinning, ORGANIZED FOR LIFE

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Organized for Life      www.organizedforlifeonline.com     (804) 330-0997