This is another tip I learned during my time in the
military. I can’t for the life of me
remember who suggested it, but I thought it was a great idea and filed it
away. It’s very simple and very
low-tech. When I was in the military, I
worked in facilities where PDAs and electronic devices weren’t allowed
(smartphones weren’t yet mainstream), and I had limited access to
computer-based resources. This is a good
way to help manage your time and obligations if you can’t use mainstream
technology on the job or you can’t afford exorbitant data plans. It’s also great for people with “on call”
jobs and those with family obligations that require a lot of flexibility. It divides tasks by function rather than
time, so if that works better for you than a rigid schedule, have at it.
What you need:
· A pack of 3in x 5in index cards
·
A paper clip
·
A pen
·
A monthly calendar
·
Your work/class schedule, syllabi, and lists of
recurring obligations
Step 1) Write down
all your major & recurring obligations for the month on your monthly
calendar
Step 2) Divide your
“life” into several major categories, such as “Work”, “Personal”, “School”,
“Fitness”, etc. Make a card for each
category. Don’t go crazy…3 or 4
categories is adequate. These cards are good
for ONE WEEK.
Step 3) Write down
your obligations/assignments for THAT week on the appropriate card as a
checklist, and note the meeting time or deadline and location. Also include any errands, chores and goals
that you have, with a deadline annotated.
It makes a nice, uncluttered space that you can add to as
appropriate. Check off or cross off each
task as you complete it.
Step 4) On the back
of each card, make notes about preparations, assignment specifics, etc.
required for the items on the front of the card.
Step 5) On another
blank card write “Shopping List”
Step 6) Stick a blank
card on the back of the pile (for notes, ideas, etc), clip them together, and
put them in your pocket, purse, backpack, etc.
Step 7) At the end of
the week, go over your cards and repeat the process, carrying over any
recurring events or tasks that didn’t get completed. Don’t reuse cards.
An example card may look like this:
Front:
“Work”
o
Monthly report (Due Monday, by 4pm)
o
Staff meeting (Tues, Rm 104, 10am)
o
Give standardized “New Employee” briefing (Thursday,
conference room, 8am)
Back:
o
For monthly report: collect time cards, summarize monthly
accomplishments
o
For staff meeting: remind staff about the New Employee briefing
o
For presentation: make coffee, make hard copies of slides, set
up laptop and projector, dry run
Like any other system, consistency is the key. Keep the cards with you at all times. A stack of 5 index cards takes up NO space
and it can go virtually anywhere with you.
Write things down RIGHT THEN, and make sure you get all the required
information. Always double-check your
cards with your monthly schedule.
DISCLAIMER: This
particular tool requires a little more situational awareness than more rigid
ones. You need to have a solid grasp on
how to allot your time for various tasks.
I don’t recommend this as a PRIMARY tool for people just learning to get
their ADHD under control, but you can definitely use it to supplement other
methods.
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