10 Tips to Get Organized with Adult ADHD | Counselor Jim West

By Published On: January 12th, 20183.9 min read

Although most people strive to keep their lives organized, many people struggle to accomplish this goal. Having ADHD can make organization even more difficult to achieve. Although this may feel like an impossible task, organization can be achieved through implementing a few simple techniques.

  1. Set Deadlines. When making important decisions, people often find themselves struggling with their choices. Individuals with ADHD are even more likely to distress over their possibilities and spend excessive time trying to make a decision. By giving yourself a specific time or date by which you must decide, you cut out unnecessary agony and waste less time worrying about your decision. It may also be helpful to break down your decision into parts and make your ultimate decision based on the part you find most important. This part could be cost, amenity, comfort, or anything else important to you.
  1. Make a list and do not over reach. Making a list or using a Note app on a smart phone will help you keep your tasks in line and will help make sure you do not get sidetracked. Keeping your list short and concise is essential to making the list doable. When you finish the item, delete it or cross it out.  If you put too many items on your list or over complicate tasks, you may become overwhelmed and struggle to complete the list.  If there are items you did not finish write them on the top of a new paper and throw out the old one.
  1. Don’t get sucked in. It is extremely easy to start a task and then find yourself browsing Facebook an hour later. Set an alarm on your phone or computer to ensure you are still on task when this timer goes off. If you find yourself getting sucked in to your phone or the internet, turn your phone on airplane mode or close all browsers on your computer to ensure you are only completing the tasks on your list.
  1. Set time for breaks and socializing. When making your to do list, add in time for breaks and socializing. Not only will these social times help you stay more focused when completing tasks, you will be better able to keep up with friends and meet new people.
  1. Join a support group. ADHD support groups can provide emotional support as well as guidance when completing mundane tasks. Meeting with your group members either online or in person when you have to complete boring or unwanted tasks will help these tasks seem more exciting and make them easier to complete.
  1. Reward Yourself. After completing your to do list, give yourself a reward or treat. Buying yourself a special gift or treat can be a nice reward but it may be even more beneficial to treat yourself to a fun experience or outing.
  1. Get rid of clutter. Clutter can cause you unnecessary stress and agony. Instead of worrying about where to put your rarely used household items, sort through them and get rid of any items you do not use. Sorting through your clutter can also be made easier through having a partner help you.
  1. Create a zero waste schedule. Your days may feel like they are jam packed with activities but in any given day, you have many unused minutes. Every time you find yourself with 5 minutes, or even 1 minute, to spare, fill that time with a task. In just a couple minute you could take out the trash, do some dishes, sort through emails, or complete many other small tasks.
  1. Implement a one in one out system. When buying new items, keep your home balanced by getting rid of a similar item you have not used or worn in a while. If you buy a new blouse, donate or sell an old blouse you haven’t worn recently.
  1. Take advantage of online banking. Make paying bills simpler by using online banking systems. Online banking will help you keep all bills in one place and help you keep track of statement due dates. You can also set up automatic payments to make your monthly banking transactions easier.

Videos and News Interviews below on ADHD by Jim West, MA, LMHC, NCC – ADHD Expert

NOTE: You can freely redistribute this resource, electronically or in print, provided you leave the authors contact information intact.

About the Author: Jim West, MA, LMHC, NCC is an Author, Communicator, Coach and Counselor specializing in ADHD, Defiance and Autistic Spectrum.  Most of his clients do not need medication or less medication for ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Mutism, Depression and more with diet adjustments and vitamins.  Here’s some complimentary video tips on Alternatives to Medication for Mental Health.  For more information call (407) 248-0030

author avatar
Jim West
Adolescent Expert, Jim West offers expert advice to Local and National TV News & Schools Internationally and provides phone or face-to-face counseling in the Orlando area. Jim is an Author, Communicator, School Consultant, Nationally Certified and State Licensed Counselor and specializes in counseling for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Jim has been interviewed for multiple TV, Radio, magazine and newspaper articles. He is president of Total Life Counseling Center and his Total Life approach accelerates the therapeutic & healing process by relating to children, adolescents and adults and incorporating wellness. Jim’s clients travel from all over Florida, England, Georgia, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas as he has been able to treat clients with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Depression and more with FDA approved supplements and Dietary Modifications. 85% of his clients have not needed medication or used less medication than when they first came to Total Life Counseling Center.

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Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, masters level therapists, Español counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, business coaches, and image enhancement coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. TLC’s family, trauma and marriage experts have been interviewed on National and Local TV/Radio over 200 times for their expert advice on Fox News, OWN, WETV, ABC’s Medical Minute and more. Our skilled counselors are relational, approachable and specialists providing therapy services in the Central Florida area including: OrlandoWinter ParkMetroWest, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, East OrlandoLake Mary, and Clermont, Boca Raton Florida, and Dallas, TX.

About the Author: Jim West

Adolescent Expert, Jim West offers expert advice to Local and National TV News & Schools Internationally and provides phone or face-to-face counseling in the Orlando area. Jim is an Author, Communicator, School Consultant, Nationally Certified and State Licensed Counselor and specializes in counseling for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Jim has been interviewed for multiple TV, Radio, magazine and newspaper articles. He is president of Total Life Counseling Center and his Total Life approach accelerates the therapeutic & healing process by relating to children, adolescents and adults and incorporating wellness. Jim’s clients travel from all over Florida, England, Georgia, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas as he has been able to treat clients with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Depression and more with FDA approved supplements and Dietary Modifications. 85% of his clients have not needed medication or used less medication than when they first came to Total Life Counseling Center.

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author avatar
Jim West
Adolescent Expert, Jim West offers expert advice to Local and National TV News & Schools Internationally and provides phone or face-to-face counseling in the Orlando area. Jim is an Author, Communicator, School Consultant, Nationally Certified and State Licensed Counselor and specializes in counseling for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Jim has been interviewed for multiple TV, Radio, magazine and newspaper articles. He is president of Total Life Counseling Center and his Total Life approach accelerates the therapeutic & healing process by relating to children, adolescents and adults and incorporating wellness. Jim’s clients travel from all over Florida, England, Georgia, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas as he has been able to treat clients with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Depression and more with FDA approved supplements and Dietary Modifications. 85% of his clients have not needed medication or used less medication than when they first came to Total Life Counseling Center.