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:

---

Building a Strong Coaching Practice

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

Where to Begin?

January is the king of months for those looking to... Read More

Business Coaching Legacy: Reflections on What You Want to Leave Behind?

Updating my will has been on my mind for quite... Read More

Media Underload! The Stress Reducing Psych-Diet

The war, taxes, the economy, increased health problems, crime on... Read More

Do You Ever Give Up Coaching Employees?

In principle, we don't want to give up coaching employees.... Read More

What Is A Personal Trainer

Imagine stepping into the gym for the first time in... Read More

Live Healthy - Six Steps To A Healthy Life

Six steps we can take to reduce our risks for... Read More

After July 8, Pay This Amount

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

How to Deal Effectively with Anxiety

Every human feels anxiety on occasion; it is a part... Read More

Simple Tips to Move Forward on the Job

Someone I know wants to move into another job in... Read More

Why Don?t You Just Stuff It ALL?

You got busy at work, got busy in your marriage,... Read More

We Are the Five People We Associate with Most

Last month I was invited to participate in a charity... Read More

Progress Reviews: Your Key To Effective Coaching

One of the most effective ways to help your staff... Read More

How to Create Your Ideal Life - Excerpt from Individual Power

When I lost it all, I felt powerless. During my... Read More

What in the World is Life Coaching?

In my speaking engagements I have often compared coaching today... Read More

Pecked to Death By Ducks

Ever been in a situation where it seems like minor... Read More

Success at Work : People Skills : Complaining

Do you know an individual at work who is a... Read More

Plug in Your Systems for Success

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

The Power of a Scope

We all know the power of a scope if you... Read More

Do you know WHAT MAKES ME MAD?? It makes me SO MAD I just want to...

Sound familiar? If you want to manage anger, the only... Read More

Emotional Dependency or Emotional Responsibility

Emotional dependency means getting one's good feelings from outside oneself.... Read More

Business Career Executive Coaching Article -Motivator, Discipline and Desire

"There is a certain combination of desire and discipline in... Read More

Is Your Life Coach Manipulating You? Five Signs to Watch For

Did you hire a "life coach" to help you sort... Read More

What is the Success Lesson in this Story?

One of my clients gave me permission to tell you... Read More

Strategic Checklists

I've been through a couple of checklists in the past... Read More

Masterminding Success - How to Start a Masterminding Meeting?

Masterminding is about a group of like-minded, achievement-oriented individuals who... Read More

5 Keys to Powerful Communication

As a coach that specializes in marriage, couples and family... Read More

Searching For Your Calling ? Quest or Curse?

Judging by the extraordinarily positive reader response to Po Bronson's... Read More

Fear of Intimacy

Emotional intimacy is one of the most wonderful experiences we... Read More

Are You Worth Investing In?

Do you realise that if you're green you're growing and... Read More

Top Ten Things to Build a Bridge and Get Over

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

Identify Your Two Rich Horses

The naked truth of person is that we are still... Read More

The Rewards and Risks Of Personal Freedom

We all need to decide whether to "play it safe"... Read More