Personally I’d like hear some of your experiences with different types of organizational software, no matter if it runs on a PC, phone or the cloud:

  • What are you using and in what ways does it help you with the troubles you are facing with your ADHD?

  • Do you use different tools for different use cases (e.g. one to organize and track bigger projects, one just for reminders or one as a knowledge base etc.)?

  • Is there any software you would specifically avoid and how so (e.g. cause it is distracting, pricey or you due to lack of data privacy)?

  • Or is there things you’d really recommend to try out, because it helped you immensely in a way?

To start it off: Personally I got diagnosed as an adult rather recently. I somehow have haphazardly kept my life together without meds and ADHD-Therapy/Counseling/Coaching so far, but got no idea how. I made use of all sorts of organization methods and tools without it ever occurring to me that I could have ADHD.

Looking back it became painfully clear, I never consciously took my brain being different into account at any point. Therefore I failed very often and very spectacularly with my organization. I still do, especially at work.

Personally I use synched calendars (Thunderbird & Fairmail synched over Nextcloud) on my phone and PC at the moment. I also found I use ToDoList-Apps a lot (currently TickTick) to put at least some structure to my chaos. I am really awful with reminders though: I have too many and not enough at the same time. There is no structure to the types of reminders I have and I geht them from too many different sources. And sometimes they are too distracting or worse yet, sometimes not noticeable enough (Looking at you there, Outlook).

What have your experiences been like?

  • Leilys@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    1·
    3 months ago

    I’ve found to do lists to be quite effective. Just jotting down tasks I need to get to help keep them present even if we won’t be doing it immediately. I also like to give a priority number starting from 1 to more urgent tasks, so I know where to start.

    I’m also adult diagnosed ADHD. With non stimulant medication my short term memory has improved noticeably (so less walking through a doorway and immediately forgetting why you’re here).

    I have used 3 different tools more often so far for task tracking:

    1. Trello - good for making tasks into cards, and also creating a dashboard to links you need to regularly access. I have categories like pending and currently active so I know where my tasks are at.

    2. Excel - surprisingly great for this, you can see all your remarks and notes on each task at a glance. I use it kind of like a ticket system where I close and hide the rows of tasks that I’ve completed. Being able to see notes on tasks at a glance is also a plus.

    3. Pen and paper - when all else fails, pen(cil) and paper are really great for scribbling down tasks too. I usually fall back to this when I start neglecting my digital notes.

    My rule of thumb is to make things as easy to do as possible. Pack your bags the night before so you can grab your stuff and run out the next morning. Have your pen and pencil in easy reach so noting stuff down is as easy as possible.

    When tasks seem complicated with too many steps, breaking them down into individual items helps make it feel less impossible/daunting. I still deal with task paralysis from time to time, but this gives me the nest possible chance that I’ll get things done sooner than later.

    Additionally, I’ve read about accountability buddies. I don’t practice this often myself, but it does help to discuss and mention to a trusted or friendly colleague what tasks you’re working on. They can help you keep some accountability to your work by asking you about it later in the day.