Why Daily Planning is So Important for Adults with ADD

For adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), details are a drag. We tend to see the big picture and want to jump straight to the finish line, wishing we could skip all the steps in between. Unfortunately, this perspective often causes us to become overwhelmed when it's time to start a project. We know where we want to end up, but we don't know where to start.

The same is true for day-to-day life. Adults with ADD often start the day knowing what should ideally get accomplished, but not sure where to begin or how to prioritize. This often leads to stress and guilt, which can spiral into more bad feelings, and less action.

In order to avoid this scenario, adults with ADD can learn to make daily planning a routine.

Here are 3 Easy Steps One Can Take to Develop a Daily Planning Routine

1. Plan the Time to Plan

Decide on a time of day when you can consistently take 15 minutes to plan. It can be a set time (8:00 PM) or simply "right before bed."

Most adults with ADD find that the best time to plan is late in the day, when they are more alert. This works easily, as you can plan for the following day rather than stressing about it before you go to sleep!

2. Review Your To-Do List

If you don't already use a to-do list, create one! Review it during each planning session so that you can see not only what you have to do, but also what you have actually accomplished during the day.

Re-write your to-do list, removing completed items and adding things that came up during the day. Move the most important and urgent tasks to the top of the list. Break large projects into 3-5 steps that all go on the list.

3. Review Your Calendar

Take a look at your daily planner (you are using one, I hope!) See what appointments you have scheduled the next day. Block off the times in your planner, along with your travel time. Then, begin to schedule in time for the tasks on your to-do list.

Taking just 15 minutes a day to plan alleviates much of the day-to-day stress of life with ADD, and helps adults move forward.

© Copyright 2005

Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She encourages clients to increase self-awareness, focus on strengths and talents, and create realistic action plans. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm

In The News:

---

The Long Way

I wrote you about four years ago, when my eight... Read More

Top Ten Things to Build a Bridge and Get Over

God must love Top Ten lists because she made so... Read More

Can You Say No?

As a manager you are constantly being asked to do... Read More

Choosing The Right Coach

Coaching has become a very popular way for people to... Read More

Communicating with Case Studies

Not long ago, I made a partnership pitch, on behalf... Read More

Budda In Your Back Pocket

The other day I was late for something. Not very... Read More

Executive Coaching and the American President

Perhaps no one better than a former U.S. president has... Read More

Plug in Your Systems for Success

Have you ever noticed that so many of us who... Read More

Throw a No-Heat Party for the Planet

Is it really possible to have loads of fun, and... Read More

Good, Good, Good, Good Intentions

I always do a lot of thinking about good intentions... Read More

Be A Champion Communicator by Becoming a Chameleon

Recently, I worked with a client who was having a... Read More

Coaching Prime Time

An awful lot of fantastic coaching has been coming out... Read More

How to Choose the Right Coach for You

So you want to hire a coach but with so... Read More

What Is Executive Presence?

Often our clients refer someone to us for Executive Coaching... Read More

Could You Be A Workaholic?

If you need to put on boots and grab a... Read More

How Empathy Can Reduce Your Anger

Jim, a 42-year old engineer was teaching his eight-year-old son... Read More

Building a Strong Coaching Practice

As a person who has been around the coaching profession... Read More

Successful Change Starts With A Shift In Perspective

Like so many in corporate America today, Susan needed more... Read More

Personal Strategic Planning

I have a few questions for you ---What if we... Read More

Listening Skills In Relationships

Recently, when out to dinner with another couple, my husband... Read More

How To Gain Control Of Your Life

"The latter part of a wise man's life," said Jonathan... Read More

An Example of Allowing a Desire to Arrive on Its Own

I don't know why, but it seems we trip over... Read More

Truth About Life Coaching School Accreditation

With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this millennium,... Read More

Are You At The Point Of No Return?

There is a point at which everything becomes simple and... Read More

After July 8, Pay This Amount

You undoubtedly go through this, too. A few times a... Read More

Choosing The Perfect Coach

So, you're ready to start coaching. You either have some... Read More

The X-factor

Would you agree that today most of us have the... Read More

D.I.S.C.I.P.L.I.N.E.

What does this word really mean anyway? According to Webster's... Read More

Still Wondering About Coaching?

A friend called me the other day from Lower Alabama.... Read More

Poise, Posture, and Performance

Good posture is seen to have many advantages. From an... Read More

10 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Went Into the Real World

I must confess, I laughed when I saw that Maria... Read More

Worth Waiting For

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 22,... Read More

What Dost Thou Speaketh? Hey, Affirm This Way!

Articulating repetitive statements with emotion will inevitably connect you to... Read More