| Prioritization is one of the things that's totally abhorred | | | | nailed. If you can chunk down things down yourself |
| by people with ADD. Logical, linear-thinking people have | | | | then you're going to save yourself an immense |
| no problem when they sit down to write out the steps | | | | amount of time. And there are a lot of folks with ADD |
| to a project---the first thing you do is step one, then | | | | that have enough attention to detail to be able to do |
| two, then three. And linear thinking people have no | | | | this. |
| problem with that. ADD people, on the other hand, | | | | Some ADD people just can't do it because they can't |
| have a horrible time thinking one, two, three. Because | | | | maintain focus. Trying to chunk things down and make |
| we say A, D, 27, 17, 0. And it all makes sense to us. | | | | lists like that will drive them insane. Ultimately, they're |
| Add people see the big picture, but even more... the | | | | distracted 15 times while they're trying to chunk a |
| universal picture, about how things fit together. | | | | project down. |
| Because of that, randomness seems perfectly normal | | | | There are two answers, if you have this type of ADD. |
| to us. It makes sense, where linear-thinking people just | | | | If you do, you can get someone to do the chunking |
| don't get it. | | | | down process for you. He or she can iron out the |
| Except, what happens because of this is that ADD | | | | details for you and when they report what they are, |
| people trying to prioritize a huge project get | | | | they need to be laser specific. They need to put a |
| overwhelmed. That makes it extremely hard to get | | | | project into a simple list of tasks, and they have to be |
| their ADD mind around the project. | | | | very clear on what it is that you need to do. |
| The skill ADD people need to learn is "chunking," which | | | | But if you don't have the money to hire an assistant, or |
| is basically breaking a huge project down into chunks. | | | | you don't have anyone else who can do this for you, |
| So let's take for example something really, really simple | | | | what can you do? |
| like clean your room, okay? And let's say that you've | | | | Well, one of the things you can do is to write things |
| spent the last, I don't know, 3.5 weeks just walking in | | | | down, like on a to-do list for example, you can use a |
| and out of your room and just dumping things | | | | system that will allow you to crank through these |
| everywhere. You know what I'm talking about, if you | | | | things. Number one there's never ever ever, under any |
| have ADD. I mean you got piles on the dresser, you | | | | circumstances, write down an idea. Only write down a |
| got piles on the desk, you got piles on the table, you | | | | task. Okay. In many cases, an idea can also quickly |
| got clothes on the floor, half eaten sandwiches | | | | translate into a project. |
| somewhere. | | | | Once you get the chunks figured out, then set your |
| You look at that and say, "Good grief. When I'm done | | | | ADD-friendly system. One category will be for things |
| here, there's the kitchen, and the bathroom, and the | | | | that can be done or that need to be done quickly. |
| living room, and the garage is a mess, too! How can I | | | | Another category will be for intermediate tasks, things |
| get this all done? | | | | that can wait, but need to be done in the next phase. |
| Here's the key--chunk it down. That's totally important, | | | | And finally, categorize those things that need to be |
| and here's what it looks like: | | | | done, but can wait for a while. |
| OK, start with the top of the dresser. Clean that. If you | | | | After you're done with the first category, move to the |
| think of one area at a time, it works better for people | | | | second, and do the same thing. Do the same for the |
| with ADD. It will work for your kids with ADD, too. Tell | | | | third category, too. Then, you'll have the whole thing |
| them, "Clean the top of your night stand. Pick up your | | | | done before you know it. |
| clothes from the floor. Dust your furniture." If you do | | | | Maybe this system seems too simple for you, but |
| this, one thing at a time, it will work. Give yourself or | | | | when you have ADD, it's just an easy way to get |
| your kids one area a day. | | | | projects completed, no matter what they are. Big |
| Chunking things down is the big price. Some people | | | | projects can overwhelm people with ADD, but they |
| have trouble with chunking things down, though. Some | | | | may be very important to you. So, think in chunks, one |
| people can do this, and if you can do it, you got things | | | | bite at a time, just like the man eating the elephant. |