With My ADD ADHD, Boy, Do I Need Structure
Structure is a basic part of coping with ADD ADHD. We need routine, schedule, organization. I always eat three meals a day. Go to bed about the same time each night. Brush my teeth twice a day. Have a quiet time every morning.
Good, that’s structure.
So, What Happened?
Closed my practice, December 2013; the practice had structured most of my week. 2014 was interesting – illness, treatment, moving. Upheaval, disruption, change. Chaos! Started volunteer teaching on Mondays – that was structure, but disrupted the rest of my week. That just ended.
So, What Now?
Well, obviously it’s time to get organized again. That’s easy for you to say.
I kept saying I’d get organized once the treatment was over. Then, once we were moved in. Then, once the teaching ended.
Well, that’s now.
Drawing up a new weekly calendar. Not done yet. But for example:
Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
Spanish blog marketing write guitar Spanish church
guitar blog clean desk
The Strategy
Those are priorities. I make sure to get at least those things done that day. Then I can do more (theoretically), but I’ll have those things done anyway.
So have I been procrastinating, or just too disorganized to get organized, or can I blame it on circumstances?
Anyway, it’s time to get with it. Now!
Did you hear me?
doug
Maybe tomorrow? Maybe.
Bonus Links:
ADDadultstrategies 
Yes, I heard you, Doug. And you and Ram are right – structure is so important to someone who has ADD!
I sure hope you have recovered from your illness, and are doing much better! I had an appt with my ENT today. He’s 62 and told my wife and I that he plans to retire within the next couple of years. Then he mentioned he has a serious illness. Sounds like you are enjoying your life now that you’ve closed your practice. That’s a very good thing!
I need structure badly, but distractions constantly disrupt my plans. I hope to one day have the structure in my life that you have. Fortunately, I’m improving with my hard core procrastinating!
However, it’s a battle. I made it my #1 priority each day to begin with cleaning off my desk so I’m not distracted with yesterday’s clutter. But it rarely happens. Too many distractions, and then I’m off to working on other things – with a messy desk!
Jeff
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jeff – i think starting off with a clean desk is a great strategy. if its important enough to you to work on, then i’d suggest a rule – cant do anything else til desk is clear. no email, etc.then you’ll have some slips but stick with it and it will eventually become a habit, a good one.
thank you for the comment and the good wishes
doug
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I’m still trying to get structure. Since I don’t get along with the weekly planer in my phone, I bought a nice looking cheap one of paper. I made entries of my new structure (monday, clean kitchen, tuesday clean bathroom, etc) and so far, I stuck with none. But I did already make important changes that I stick with (can’t go to bed until I do the dishes. If this fails, can’t cook until I do the dishes) and even though I still have an awful tendency for Impulse buys, I DO use the stuff I buy unlike before. The structure still needs to be set, but I try to stay positive and will do at least one productive thing a day. But I really need the structure soon, because I’m hoping to go back to college come Fall. Finish what I started!
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ram- progress, one step at a time. just stick with it. you can’t change everything at once.
thank you for commenting
doug
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