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Executive Functioning Skills for ADDults

Project Management 101: Use Tools

See ADDult Organizational Software and Tools

Take inventory of tools that you presently own. Choose the tools you want to use to manage your life. Possibilities include:

• Calendar / Planner - choose standard or academic
• Large Wall Calendar for family activities and birthdays
• Magnetic Lists
• Computer
• PDA, handheld and/or smart phone
• Digital timer
• Spiral notebook w/ pocket dividers
• Three-ring notebook w/ pocket dividers
• Planner and calendar software

I use MS Outlook and sync with my handheld Palm T/X for appointments, alarms, phone book/contacts, important info, memos, projects and TO DO's, obligations at church, kids' activities and notes/lists.

Magnetic lists - I keep a magnetic shopping list on my fridge at all times. Tie a pen or pencil to the area (use duct tape if necessary to keep it there) and encourage your entire family to write down items needed as they run out. Occasionally my kids write down items such as "Ford GT", "Swimming Pool for Backyard", "New Bike" and we laugh about them together.

PDA's, handhelds and smart phones are now affordable and might be the best tool for an ADHD ADD adult. You can attach it to your belt and keep it with you at all times. If your cell phone is also a PDA, keep it on your person at all times. Do not put it down. Men do not carry purses, so a paper planner is difficult to keep with you. A PDA or cell phone with PDA capabilities might be the answer. Take a couple of hours or even days, read the manual and learn to use it.

Digital timers - these are available in the kitchen accessory section of stores and are great for keeping on task and knowing when to stop and change gears. Buy more than one -- these will get lost. Beginning a new task? Set your timer for a reasonable amount of time; I don't recommend more than one hour for any one task. You can always reset it for another 30 minutes or so if it is a time-consuming project. The digital timer I have has two warning beeps at 5 minute intervals before the set time. Helps with transition time. Set the timer again for the next task. Keep it with you at all times. Ladies, when you get on the phone, set the timer for 10, 15 or 20 minutes, then get off when time is up. You are master of your time. Don't let others dictate what you do with your day. Suggestions for using a digital timer:

• Stove - I set a timer whenever I put something on to cook to remind me to stir, check for boiling water, add ingredients, etc. Avoids ruining pots and meals.
• Laundry - I set a timer when I put a load on to wash to remind me to put it in the dryer or hang it on the line. No more sour laundry that needs to be rewashed.
• Pick up kids - I set a timer to remind me to pick up my youngest from his bus stop. Time slips away too easily . . .
• Cleaning - I set it for 10-15 minutes and clean away. When timer sounds, I stop until I am ready for another 15 minutes.
• Computer time - one child is on the computer and another wants a turn. I allow a 30 minute transition time and set a timer. Child has 5 minutes to get off after timer sounds (sometimes they need to save a game or project file).

Don't forget that you may have digital timers on your stove and microwave as well. We often have two and three timers set at one time.

Computer - Again, there are plenty of computer applications that will keep you on track while in the office, work or home. See ADDult Organizational Software and Tools for specific software ideas.

Spouse - although the Word of God says that a wife is a helpmeet, she is not her husband's mother. Using your wife as a PDA is not fair to her. Likewise, a woman depending so much on others that she cannot function independently of them is wrong, too. Use your tools and impress your loved ones with your efficiency.

Executive functioning is not out of reach for ADDults. If it is impossible to even use tools and lists, consider seeing a healthcare professional to discuss medication or alternative treatment. Do not just throw up your hands and declare that there is no hope. There is always hope in the Lord. He wants you to function effectively and be able to meet the needs of those around you.

Submitted by Michele Haynes.

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