July / Organized Space Works: ADHD / ADD?

Hope your summer is going well and you are staying cool and organized.

Time is On Your Side

For those of you who have challenges with time (and who doesn't) I recently recorded a new podcast called "Time is On Your Side" on a site called "It's All About Women." It's just as relevant to men as well. This amazing site features therapists and other professionals giving support, inspiration and guidance. Let me know how you like the podcast. Here's a link:

http://tinyurl.com/n8jd2wf

Our feature today focuses on an important topic that affects many people:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

A number of my clients have been diagnosed with ADHD/ADD and many more say they have it but have not been diagnosed. In this feature, I will call this condition ADD. ADD is a neurobiological disorder which affects the neurotransmitter activity of the brain. People with ADD display certain behaviors: distractibilty, impulsivity and sometimes hyperactivity. 

Not to diminish the serious nature of this condition, many of us all feel as though we suffer from ADD – but it's not ADD at all. Actually only about 4-6% of the population has ADD. What many experience is actually a symptom of the unmanageable pace of modern life, combined with sleep deprivation, experience greed and technology overload. These tips may also be helpful to anyone who suffers from perfectionism, procrastination and disorganization as well as those with ADD.

Some of you may recall a video I cited called "Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder." I'm sending this link again because it's worth watching again. This doesn't just happen with age. Often, it occurs because we have far too many demands on our attention. Here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MrlAvr7F9o

What is ADHD/ADD?

I've been fortunate recently to attend trainings offered by a number of noted experts in this field as part of my certifications at the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). I want to share some of the ideas I've garnered:

People with ADD are often creative but have challenges with executive function, the higher skills of self regulation that help close the gap between intention and action. This impacts the ability to plan, follow through, sequence, prioritize, manage emotions, and use their strengths in an organized way. It creates problems with time and space management as well as struggles with distractibility, detail management and multiple task coordination. These issues may result in negative feelings because of their high expectations and idealized sense of what they can accomplish. 

Managing Life With or Without ADD ... 

Aside from treatment, there are many everyday strategies for productivity and routines for memory support to help fill in the gaps. Having good systems in place creates better outcomes. Being organized helps us stay on track to have a bigger life. 

Here are some strategies and ideas:

•  Life is messy. Imperfection is the natural state of things. We are always cleaning up. Once you get organized, focus on daily, weekly, monthly maintenance. Many tasks take only seconds during our day but save hours in the long run.

• People with ADD have trouble organizing time, things, thoughts and data. Building structure and simple systems into your environments and work will reduce stress and add productivity. 

• Create simple organization systems. A hook on the wall near the door or a bowl on a table makes a handy place to keep your keys as you enter. It takes 30 days to create a new habit so be patient with yourself. 

•  Build on your strengths. Spend time doing things you are good at. Don't define success by other's standards.

• Define one space for work. Keep all your tools there. Just being there will help focus your attention.  

• Don't work, work, work until you are exhausted. Take a break or switch tasks. Transitions are often difficult so you get stuck in doing or hyperfocusing, hung up in the weeds, thinking time, attention and energy are infinite resources.

• Challenge your beliefs. They may not be based on hard evidence but on patterns of behavior played out for so long that they've become limiting ideas. In those cases, you may need to untangle your thoughts and modify your thinking to move forward. A cognitive reframe helps to manage our emotions. 

• Don't rely on your memory. The brain is a big-picture tool. It's not good at remembering and reminding. Keep a notebook with you at all times to capture notes, tasks and reminders.

• Having a lot of ideas is a gift but this talent can also defuse your energy and distract you from getting things done. Use your notebook as a parking lot to store your ideas so they aren't lost or top of mind. Then move on with the immediate tasks at hand. 

• Slow down, simplify, eliminate. Your brain may be turbo-charged and your biology may be wired for roller coaster rides – but slow and steady often wins the race. Focus on what's essential and important. Underschedule: buffer time decreases stress. Create a game plan to avoid filling your time with trivial pursuits. 

• Create a simple bedtime routine so you can wind down. Regular sleep and waking hours promotes good sleep patterns. Working or eating just before bed do not support restful sleep.

• Manufacture motivation. Don't just wait until you are in the mood to do all those unappealing jobs. It probably won't happen.  It's ok to feel uncomfortable. Face the tasks with easier steps to warm up. Often just getting started primes us to get engaged. Try setting a time limit. "I only have to do this for 30 minutes." Shrinking formidable tasks into tiny steps can help us reach even the most ambitious goals. 

If you like this article, or have something to share on the topic, please post a comment!

May/June: Organizing Systems

Due to popular demand, the Organized Space Works newsletter will go back to a monthly format starting July. My fans say they miss it so we're getting back on track into a monthly system. 

And speaking of systems, this feature is about setting up systems. A few simple ideas and a little effort goes a long way. It helps make everyday life more enjoyable to see beautiful shelves and closets, and it's great to find items you need easily. What a concept!

I ask clients not to buy products until we determine their needs and create a custom plan for their spaces. Most people already own random organizing products and without a plan or system, they don't function effectively and often these become part of the clutter. 

What is a System?

The dictionary says a system is "a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole." As we sort like-with-like and weed out the excess, the next step is to create a system. It can be a collection of jars, baskets or boxes to contain items which have a common purpose (kitchen supplies for cooking) or live in one space (office supplies near the desk) or used together (sewing supplies). Now we know exactly where our things can be found.

Systems create access and clear boundaries. In a store, items are arranged by departments so we can locate them easily and see quickly what's in stock: nails live in the tool department and threads in the sewing department. Similarly, think of your home that way. If you take a shortcut and just stash things all mixed up in a cabinet or closet without a system, it's hard to recall where things have landed.

Corral Small Items 

A collection of hardware, spices or buttons can be organized into a system using small food jars at little cost. Use an assortment of jars with good shapes and sizes and plain lids. Soak off the labels in a bowl of hot water. If any glue residue remains, use one of my go-to products GooGone. Wash and dry the jars thoroughly and organize your items inside. Once they are all filled, label them even if you can see what's inside. This last step is critical. Attractive uniform labels will help you create a system that functions well and looks great on a shelf.

Shelves and Supplies

Most people just place books on shelves without much thought. Office supplies lie about, toiletries are scattered and food is stashed in a cupboard randomly. Clear bins and revolving trays work well inside a closet or pantry to create a system for toiletries or food. 

Open shelves in an office can be beautiful if books are artfully arranged, and boxes for supplies are colorful and neat. Don't forget to label the boxes to indicate extra printer paper, tapes, staples, sticky notes and all those small supplies we all have. A box for receipts will save time and trouble when you need to return an item. 

In a drawer dividers help to keep supplies you use everyday available. In a kitchen a crock will keep cooking utensils at bay. Order is attractive and much less stressful.  

Paper and Files

Papers often land in piles on every surface of the home. A well-made file cabinet is the most effective system for papers. In a small space, attractive file boxes serve the purpose. Files must be labelled and must also be systematized into departments. 

An in-box on or near your desk will hold papers and mail which you need to process (read, act, file or toss). A desktop file organizes action items and a cup holds pens, letter openers and scissors. Even your desk has departments.

Systems Help You Maintain Organization

With systems, you know exactly where to put things after each use. If you are creating a new system, avoid the dollar store or random purchases. It's best to buy quality items in a place which stocks the same things all the time so you can always add to your system. Bins from different manufacturers of varying quality and size can cause problems. They don't stack neatly and when they become separated, it's a real time-wasting chore to fit the right lid to the bin if each one is slightly different. If you need help creating systems in your home or office, email me to schedule an appointment.

My Podcast on Getting Organized

I was recently a guest speaker on a website called “It’s All About Women,” which features therapists and other mental health professionals talking about life challenges. It's actually relevant to both men and woman. “Why Can’t I Get Organized, Once and For All” runs about 18 minutes. Here is a shortcut link to the podcast. It's now also on YouTube, shortened to 15 minutes. Hope you enjoy it!

Listen on It's All About Women

http://tinyurl.com/atrc99r

Listen on YouTube

http://youtu.be/PEmCGvSEC3U

Win a Free Hour

After you listen, write a comment for a chance to win a free hour on your next organizing session. May the best comment win! And while you’re on my blog, look at the past entries too to learn some surprising things.

Look forward to seeing you soon!

What Does It Take to Get Organized?

A place for everything and everything in its place  

Grandma was right … and now it’s even more important because we have so many more objects and events in our lives. If you don’t designate proper storage, the whole space becomes a messy heap. Better to treat your lovely things well and be able to function effectively without extra stress. 

Sort like with like  

When you see that you own 12 scissors or 24 black tops, it’s a bit easier to purge the excess. Keep the treasure and toss the trash.

Find it fast  

Keeping like items together means you’ll always know where to find it and you won't overstock. Keep all office supplies together, all toiletries together, all make up together, all paper products, all cereals. You get the idea.

Keep it simple

Stash items close to point of use. Store items you use often in the most accessible way. If you use everyday plates, store them in the easiest to reach cabinet. If you use a certain reference book daily, store it  within arm’s reach of your desk. 

Containerize and label

Small items in a box or bin are easier to store. They won’t become lost or messy and therefore they will create a sense of order. Be sure to label everything, even if the containers are clear. It’s so much easier and faster to find things that way.

Flow in and out

Many maintain the 1-in 1-out rule. If you get a new book, one goes out. Keep a bag in the closet for donations and when it’s full, move them on. If your shelves are overflowing, donate 2 for 1. Keep things moving in and out for good flow.

Maintain the systems

Create a ritual daily to put away things and weekly ritual to do routine chores. I like to spend an hour in the morning tidying up, making the bed and putting away any purchases from the day before. I don’t have to do it in the evening when I’m tired and this routine supports my busy life by keeping things in flow.

My Podcast on Organizing

I was recently a guest speaker on a website called “It’s All About Women,” which features therapists and other mental health professionals talking about life challenges. I speak on “Why Can’t I Get Organized, Once and For All.” It runs about 18 minutes. Here is a shortcut link to the podcast. Hope you enjoy it!

http://tinyurl.com/atrc99r

After you listen, come back and post a comment for a chance to win a free hour on your next organizing session. May the best comment win! And while you’re on my blog, look at the past entries too to learn some surprising things. 

What You May Not Know. I'm A Flea Market Junkie.

Since flea market season is approaching, I want to let you in on a little secret. While I'm a Professional Organizer, I'm also a passionate collector. I have beautiful books on interior design, from European villas to industrial salvage funk (see my Pinterest boards).

I collect cookbooks with pictures of savory stews styled in antique tureens, kitchen paraphernalia and serving pieces, and many antique and vintage items. These fuel my passion for interior design and cooking.


My home is filled with both antique and modern furniture, all functional, some of which I've had since my first apartment. I love treasure hunting at thrift shops, estate sales and flea markets. You get better quality and timeless design. As a designer, I purchase rarely ... only when an object inspires my soul.


I'm not a minimalist and I've never aspired to be one ... although I admire those beautiful spare homes of polished concrete and steel, every object culled from the Museum of Modern Art, and that one large vase, a stunner filled with exotic leaves. The mundane items are hidden behind walls of storage. Love that – but ordinary bare bones homes make me sad. I like a home to have personality. 


William Morris is often quoted as saying: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” 


I've collected for decades so I also love to simplify. In fact, de-acquisitioning is my new hobby. I've been downsizing my collections for years, weeding down to the best and offloading the rest. I help my clients do the same. I've come to realize there's only so much I can use and enjoy. 


Here’s the lowdown about collections:


• If they could talk they would tell you they want to be out in the open. That means clean, not dusty and proudly displayed, not hidden. Only keep those you can care for. Like too many cats, collectables easily get out of hand.


• They want to be cherished. Even better they'd like to be used. Pull out that lovely old silver set you inherited and enjoy it every day. Find a way to organize your treasures so they are accessible.


• Books look beautiful when artfully arranged on the shelves. There are many ways to do it if you have the touch. If not, hire someone like me, so you can enjoy them forever.


• Like birds of a feather, collections like to flock together, like with like, among their friends. Put all that pretty pottery you've been collecting on the console, rather than spreading it out one by one throughout the house. Miraculously, it becomes a cohesive, thoughtfully displayed collection, rather than clutter.


• Use an organizing principle whether it's shape, color, or contrasting sizes and textures. If you like change, create a fresh tableau each season, storing others until it's their turn.


• Dispose of broken bits and pieces. Keep the treasure, toss the trash. Donate lesser pieces. Your collection will be more precious and you'll feel good about doing good.


• Be sure the items you collect are worth acquiring. Not every tchotchke you see is worthy to be in your home. Please refrain from collecting every dollar store owl in the universe, or coins and plates advertised as “newly-minted collectables.”

• Don't forget the cost of owning is not just the cash. It's time to take care of your collection which can entail carting it home, finding a space, getting rid of something else (real estate is expensive), repairing, washing, dusting (repeatedly), polishing, packing and paying for a move, maybe even storing someday. So be sure the item is worth it.


Treasure those vintage, antique or collectable items of beauty and function which can be had for a pittance. I predict you will love them for years to come. The search is half the fun. Happy hunting!