help me complete tasks please

[ijack]

I realize this sounds so stupid, but this is an area that I really really struggle with and I would love some tips. I have ADD and have been medicated for 2-3 weeks and it's helping so much, but I still have a ways to go.
I really struggle with having a to-do list and making sure I'm completing the right things in the right order. I do great with stuff that has a set deadline, but things that don't often get left behind. I'm not sure an EC planner is the answer (I lost my last planner) and actual paper lists get lost pretty easily too. How can I better plan out my day and remember the smaller things I should be doing when I'm not doing the urgent stuff? What are your tricks? I realize most of you are going to say "just write a list and look at it," but it honestly isn't that easy for me.
Thank you!

[Deleted]

what about a list on your phone? there are plenty of apps.

if you are distracted by the other features of your phone, move all your other apps to the 2nd or 3rd page and just leave productivity apps (calendar, to do list, calculator, clock) on the first page.

[ejpint]

I have to have one paper list that I work off of. If I'm struggling to prioritize, I bucket things into A, B and C priorities. A is stuff that has to get done right away, B can wait a couple of days, and C tends to be ongoing, little things. I then take my morning list and highlight. Pink = A. Yellow = B. Green = C. I have to make myself do this every single day, first thing, and carry over things from the day before. I review it at night before I go home.

I'm guessing you have a lot of ongoing projects - things like Gantt charts don't really help me, I have to do a project outline, working backwards from the ultimate deadline, and create individual deadlines for each small piece. Otherwise I fall back on my old college routine of "oh-shit-this-is-due-tomorrow-i-have-to-stay-up-all-night-and-throw-something-together", or "sorry-my-computer-deleted-my-results-i-need-another-week". Do you have MS Project at work? I've heard good things from co-workers in your field about it.

You may ask if your company offers some continuing education courses on organization or execution.

[Ashley&Scott]

I have an alarm/reminder on my outlook for reoccurring tasks that I otherwise forget. If I'm in the middle of something else I just hit snooze.

[definitelyO]

Can you set reminders via outlook?

[ijack]

I ignore reminders pretty easily. I like the idea of making a new list each day - maybe that will get me in the habit of paying more attention to it.

[Deleted]

I make a list every morning on a post it and stick it in my calendar. It has helped me a lot.

[definitelyO]

I try to make a list at the end of the day - so I've already been working, know where I'm at on projects, etc.. and can just come in the next morning knowing where I need to start.

[ejpint]

Aug 22, 2012 12:21:45 GMT -5 ijack said:

I ignore reminders pretty easily. I like the idea of making a new list each day - maybe that will get me in the habit of paying more attention to it.

I will say, I really have to force myself to do it. It's too easy to not, and then get sucked up into the internet or waste time staring around. I have major time management issues if I don't start the day off this way. I've had days where I'll somehow completely blow off the first three hours of the day before I go, "Crap, I need to make my list!"

[Mrs.Beagle]

Make a new list every day. Take the list from the day before and move things over.

That always helps me. If I don't use the list from the day before, I always forget something and then scramble to do it lat minute.

[hbomdiggity]

This may not help you, but I am a scheduler. So I have tasks and then I give them due dates. I try and estimate how long each task will take me. This allows me to prioritize and move things around to get done in time.

My problem is that I am not good at estimating and procrastinate. So that task I had wanted done mon/tues I am still working on :-( in my defense I figured our standard template would work, but it won't so instead I'm kinda creating something from scratch.

[flygirl22]

I have tried a LOT of different methods but there are a few I still use. I don't have ADD, but I apparently have a lot going on. I also use a planner but I know that you said you know that doesnt work for you.

I have a board that I will write the dates on (months, weeks, days, really depends on how far apart your deadlines are). I use sticky notes in different colors to denote the lead time of the action I need to complete. So Purple = I need to start this 1 week in advance, Yellow = 1 month, etc... I stick the sticky note where it is due. It's a visual queu to know I have something due. I also have a separate area in that board to move items that are in someone else's queue and I need to wait for them to finish it.

I have also tried an inbox system where I have different colors noting how critical it is to be completed that day (wasn't as visible to me so it didnt work as well)

I also use the task feature in Outlook to track action items, it give you a little meeting notice to start the tast, or task is due in 5 days, etc. Depending how you set it up.

[aurora]

Aug 22, 2012 12:29:31 GMT -5 ejpint said:

Aug 22, 2012 12:21:45 GMT -5 ijack said:

I ignore reminders pretty easily. I like the idea of making a new list each day - maybe that will get me in the habit of paying more attention to it.

I will say, I really have to force myself to do it. It's too easy to not, and then get sucked up into the internet or waste time staring around. I have major time management issues if I don't start the day off this way. I've had days where I'll somehow completely blow off the first three hours of the day before I go, "Crap, I need to make my list!"

I am laughing in sympathy about this exchange as I sit hear reading GBCN instead of working on the To Do list I have on my computer.

I like using Google Calendar and tasks - it's easy to move things around to different days as priorities and deadlines change. Although, I do have to say that when I'm really overwhelmed with too many things on my attention it actually helps a lot to write things on paper, too.

[barefootcontessa]

I coach people with ADD. In my experience, the most effective way to deal with ADD is to establish routines so you create habits. If you create a master list of things you need to do, you might want to establish a habit of looking at the master list and planning your day each evening before you go to sleep. And then review that daily list in the morning. Try to tie the routine something you enjoy. For example, maybe you use your coffee time to review your daily list you created the night before, if you enjoy coffee. If you find that you are too rushed in the morning, try to shift some of the morning work to the evening so you can free a little time to yourself in the morning.