05/30/2024
A little story for those of you who have ADHD and who also like to read. Do you often find yourself going in circles in your home trying to get things accomplished but instead you find yourself getting off track?
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Kat and I have severe ADHD. I am also very unmedicated and because of that I struggle to keep my own home in order. 😐
So if you relate to the above, do continue to read!
I have some tips that will help you get your home together more easily.
But first, a little story about me.
Off and on throughout my life I have been a waitress. To be honest , I was a damn good waitress who was able to handle multiple tables at once. I was pretty good except for the times that I would forget what I was going into the kitchen for. 😆
When you have ADHD your brain functions faster than most people. And sometimes this can be a smooth train and other times it can be a train wreck! 😬
As a person with ADHD, you often know what people are going to say before they say it. Other times you are able to multitask unlike no other. So for me being a waitress fit me perfectly. I also believe that being able to handle the general public with all of its multiple personalities, wants and needs, has been a positive factor in my life as to why I'm such a good professional organizer. It's helped me to meet and greet people openingly. And I truly know how to serve people out of true willingness not greed.
But I digress.
One of the things that managers would teach servers in the service industry is something called "Full hands in. Full hands out."
What that means is you are required to always have your hands full with something that helps the restaurant move smoothly. Whether that is a plate of food or a broom to sweep up the floors, never leave the back of the house with empty hands!
The managers that enforced this rule saw an increase in productivity and teamwork. It didn't matter if the food in the window was yours or not. You ran it. And if you didn't you were seen as lazy and selfish.
Now back to you for those of you who have ADHD. Why am I telling this story?
It's because you have the hands mentality but not in a positive way.
For example you are on your way to throw a load into the laundry. Then you distractingly look at the floor. You'll see something completely irrelevant. You then pick it up. The next thing you know you're off task. You're looking at this object and your brain kicks into over gear. You become unfocused at the original task- TO START A LOAD OF LAUNDRY! 😂
Now I believe it is okay to stop at some point to pick up that object. However, do it only after you've finished your initial goal. Force yourself to complete whatever it is you're needing to do first. Then go back whatever it was that didn't belong there if it ties into your next order of operation.
For those of you who have ADHD you know what it's like to "squirrel". I still squirrel. But if the item is irrelevant to my next goal, I leave it alone. I walk away.
Back to the full hands analogy.
Whenever I'm working with a client I bear in mind the "full hand" mentality. Every minute that I spend not being productive isn't serving my client. This is how I'm able to be amazingly effective with decluttering or organizing areas in record time.
I waste no time. I waste no energy. I am focused. And anything I put in my hands will help me instead of hindering me.
Time is money for my client.. and I don't want my projects to go over budget or to take forever.
So in short, keep your hands and your mind focused as much as possible. ✋ ✋
Pick up that next object if it assists you. Work in one area and one area at a time unless that area needs to be addressed additionally to help you with the next or current job. Do not move onto something completely irrelevant and distracting.
If you must work in another area briefly, make sure that it ties into the current task.
Take short breaks if needed. Hydrate when hyper focused. Play music to keep your brain silenced. And at the end of the day you'll be amazed at how much you've accomplished!
I hope this long post makes sense. But I also know that at this current time I myself am PROCRASTINATING! 🤣🤣🤣
After all, if you are indeed ADHD stricken you know how easy it is to find something else more appealing to do for the day. 😆
So if you will excuse me... I need to get back to my (unpleasant) chores for the day. 😁
And I hope this tidbit of information has helped you in some way!😀
