Time Management

[Carrie12345]

I could really use some recommendations on time management books.  Books only, not websites, since I don't manage my internet time well!

 

I have to help my kids learn to manage their time, and I can't do that well when I'm so bad at it.  Obviously an employment focused book isn't going to do much for me, but a housekeeping book isn't going to cut it, either.  I do have ADHD with a knack for hyperfocus, so I get sucked into whatever I'm doing (important and unimportant) and then make mad dashes to be somewhere or do something at the last minute.  Other days, I might wind up trying to do 10 important things (like school planning, household budgeting, comparison shopping, phone calls, etc.) and wind up getting nowhere b/c I'm changing gears too frequently.

 

I know I need lists and some sort of routine/schedule (worked around our non-routine/randomly scheduled activities) but I also need motivational and inspirational words to get me there and to convince me to "protect" blocks of time for certain tasks.  I spent so many years with 1-2 small children at home, flying by the seat of my pants.  Of course I still have some arguments, messes, predicaments, and whatnot to deal with, but not at the same level as before.  I need to figure out how to transition!

 

Amazon has plenty of results, but any help in narrowing them down would be appreciated!

[kewb]

Getting Things Done by David Allen

 

he has a series of books but start with Getting Things Done.  Followed by Making It All Work.

 

 

Getting things done is business based but easy to apply to other areas.  The system is the system.  It is all about prioritizing and figuring out next steps.

 

Edited April 14, 2016 by kewb

[fairfarmhand]

Timers.

 

Lists.

 

Actually make that realistic, prioritized lists.

 

And sometimes, I group my things to do by morning, afternoon, and evening.

 

As far as making mad dashes, I realistically plan my get ready to leave time. For us, it's about 30 minutes. Set a phone alarm and DO NOT DO JUST ONE MORE THING when the alarm goes off. Drop what you;re doing and start getting ready to go.

[hornblower]

Use apps to lock you out.

One free one is called Cold Turkey

Rescue Time has more options and a free trial but after that it's a subscription - but it has some different features. Freedom is another one....

There are also apps for phones which are helpful -- let me know if you're interested in phone ones.

 

For books, GTD (mentioned above) is good.

 

I also really liked Manage Your Day to Day edited by J. Glei because it has entries from a variety of people and so instead of being one system, it's a bunch of great tips about how people work...

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[The Governess]

I second Getting Things Done.  I'm actually planning a re-read myself.  :)

[AprilTN]

If you listen to podcasts (I listen while I clean, exercise, or drive)  then you might like Organize 365.  She is currently doing a series on How ADHD affects getting organized.  

 

 

[Carrie12345]

Getting Things Done by David Allen

 

he has a series of books but start with Getting Things Done.  Followed by Making It All Work.

 

 

Getting things done is business based but easy to apply to other areas.  The system is the system.  It is all about prioritizing and figuring out next steps.

 

Arrived today!  Now I just have to make time to read it.  ;)

[OneStepAtATime]

Smart but Scattered and ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life are both great books.  However, you may need outside scaffolding to get things into place.  Is there a friend or your DH that could go through the books with you and spend at least a couple of days helping you get outside systems in place to scaffold you?  It is seriously worth it if you have someone who could help you get things into a more structured format.  Routine is your friend but it may take time to get that routine up and running without you easily getting derailed.