How Do YOU Stay Organized?

Hi all, I just got tested a few weeks ago for add, and it confermed what I already new. I have add. I was wondering if there is a support group for persons that are Blind and have add.

I am not having a pitty party, but it's a huge paine to be Blind and have add. so I want to lern from others that are going threw life with add and are blind. thanks for reading this post.

Microsoft Outlook: Contacts, Calendar, Tasks, Reminders, Notes

Contacts: I keep all of the information I need for the contact. The obvious: Address, phones, email address, directions to their location, Spouse and Children info, birthdays & anniversary (Tied to reminders) The detail depends on the contact. Groups include: Family, friends, co-workers, doctors, business contacts like insurance, or any vendor I could need to remember.

Calendar: Tied to contact info, ALL Appointments: doctor, haircut, vacation info: hotel/airline reservation, events for my kids or wife, I mean Everything that I must remember. I will invite my wife to all events, so she knows my appointments and I know hers because I have her invite me. Alarms are set for calendar events with enough time to get to the event and/or be prepared for it.

Tasks: When I think of something that needs to be done, I try to create a task and set some sort of deadline. Sometimes it's a list of things I'd like to get done in the upcoming weekend. It can be recurring tasks, like: Changing the air filters, rotating tires, monthly dog medications, monthly prescription re-orders and so on. Tasks can be long term things i'd like to do as well. I set reminder alarms to help with keeping the task timing on track.

Reminders: I use heavily, as mentioned above. The key is having the reminders go off when and where they can benefit me. So my pc, laptops and iPhone all work in harmony with various sync applications. Microsoft Exchange (Work stuff), Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, (Calendars for all) there are great To-Do, list and organizational apps for the iPhone.

Notes: I make notes to remember gate codes, passwords, alarm codes, good formulas, a quick list, directions, medical records, anything that I usually needs at some point and don't have turns into a note.

Electronic organization has saved my A$$ets since the late 90's when I saw that Outlook was more than a list of phone numbers. When I saw the Nokia 7100 cell phone that also would sync with Outlook I knew most of my forgetfulness would be eliminated forever :-) I would not even find out I had ADD until 2009, so somehow I became a very organized ADDer. If only electronic organization could have helped with my impulse control :-)

YYZ

told my doc that iphone was my new best friend, can put everything on it and take photos of business cards and instructions etc. he said yes, but only if you don't lose it. ;-)

Just before finding out test results, I finally figured out a system that works.  Being a full-time college student at 29 is difficult on its own let alone disorganized.  I put in all important dates in my phone's calendar.  I put in all exam dates, meetings, start and end of quarters and even lunch dates or gatherings.  I try to keep things listed and simple.  If there's too many words, I won't read it all.  I also have a notepad so if I'm out somewhere and think of something, I put it in my phone.

I know you mentioned devices but I'd like to share some thoughts on keeping studies organized.  I have difficulty in classes.  I study all day, between 10-15 hours of school work 6 days a week.  If I'm not in a position to ask a professor or fellow classmate I put a sticky note on the page next to where I have a question with the material.  I then write down my question so it's flagged and ready to be asked when I find someone.  This also works well with any homework questions or issues with material in my notebooks.  I started adapting this to my free time reading as well. 

For schedules, notes, grocery lists, to do lists, I use paper not electronics.  I made my own date book with a 5x7 spiral book of lined paper.  A month to each 2 facing pages.  Then 2 pages of notes, to do and whatever else I need.  Paper is visual.  I pull it out of my purse. It's all there.  I can flip through the pages.  I tried electronic organization and everything was hidden, it took too many clicks and too much time to get there and you could only see one data bit at a timeand then you had to click yourself back out.  I need a calendar where I can see the whole month at a glance.   I need a page where I can see my whole to do list and make notes or cross things out.  On electronics,  old stuff disappears so you can't go back and review what you've done or anything else.  The electronics won't meet me half way on anything.  It's their way or no way.  I find the electronics primitive, confining and uncooperative.  Paper rules!

#1  Notepads.  Everywhere, always accessible.  Keep at stack at the desk, file the old ones by month.  I have found nothing is as good as a pencil and paper for recording thoughts and to do lists.  I transfer personal items onto my google task list (this syncs with my gmail account and an app gtasks on android)

#2 Google Calendar.  Syncs with my phone (android / iphone), plus my wife's does too.  Critical.

#3 Mint.com.  Allows me to do all my finance stuff in one place. 

The other thing I do is put large white boards in conspicuous places.  You can white board write on windows and mirrors too.  Like if I keep forgetting something, I can write on the mirror the night before "pick up your script on the way to work"

My 2 biggest org tips are create a literal path to success:  note in middle of path, laundry basket in easy reach of shower area, and know when something isn't worth it, like dry cleaning, or buying lunch instead of struggling to remember getting it from the fridge.

What if you try to help your ADHD husband with all of that and it still doesn't work? I have mounted white boards on magnets to the back of our doors, a big white board calendar, another generic calendar with repetitive stuff / chores. I pay almost all of the bills, shop, etc. I hire out anything big that I can afford to hire out. He tries for a few days, maybe a couple weeks and done. I can't keep reminding him about everything - I'm sick of holding his hand and I don't want to be "an enabler." Any suggestions?