| For adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, tips for daily | | | | or simply "right before bed." |
| planning. | | | | Most adults with ADD find that the best time to plan is |
| Copyright (c) 2007 Jennifer Koretsky | | | | late in the day, when they are more alert. This works |
| For adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), details | | | | easily, as you can plan for the following day rather |
| are a drag. We tend to see the big picture and want | | | | than stressing about it before you go to sleep! |
| to jump straight to the finish line, wishing we could skip | | | | 2. Review Your To-Do List. |
| all the steps in between. Unfortunately, this perspective | | | | If you don't already use a to-do list, create one! |
| often causes us to become overwhelmed when it's | | | | Review it during each planning session so that you can |
| time to start a project. We know where we want to | | | | see not only what you have to do, but also what you |
| end up, but we don't know where to start. | | | | have actually accomplished during the day. |
| The same is true for day-to-day life. Adults with ADD | | | | Re-write your to-do list, removing completed items and |
| often start the day knowing what should ideally get | | | | adding things that came up during the day. Move the |
| accomplished, but not sure where to begin or how to | | | | most important and urgent tasks to the top of the list. |
| prioritize. Boredom and frustration set in, making it | | | | Break large projects into 3-5 steps that all go on the |
| difficult to finish what we set out to do. This often | | | | list. |
| leads to stress and guilt, which can spiral into more bad | | | | 3. Review Your Calendar. |
| feelings, and less action. | | | | Take a look at your daily planner (you are using one, I |
| In order to avoid this scenario, adults with ADD can | | | | hope!) See what appointments you have scheduled |
| learn to make daily planning a routine. | | | | the next day. Block off the times in your planner, along |
| Here are 3 Easy Steps One Can Take to Develop a | | | | with your travel time. Then, begin to schedule in time |
| Daily Planning Routine: | | | | for the tasks on your to-do list. |
| 1. Plan the Time to Plan. | | | | Taking just 15 minutes a day to plan alleviates much of |
| Decide on a time of day when you can consistently | | | | the day-to-day stress of life with ADD, and helps |
| take 15 minutes to plan. It can be a set time (8:00 PM) | | | | adults move forward. |