prioritising, organising, thinking ahead and remembering.

Been having a think about this. I don’t have a huge issue with understanding time, but I can lose track if I get absorbed in something and Can really struggle with executive function/getting things done.

For me the answer (as much as I have one) seems to be routines, to do lists, breaking down tasks into small bite size components and making the more mundane but essential things in life as easy as possible.

As far as work is concerned I use an electronic calendar, plan tasks in and set it to remind me when I need to move on to something else. If I need to I ask for help with prioritising tasks and planning, especially if something unexpected has come up or if I’m getting overwhelmed with too many tasks! If it’s something longer term I find it helps to break it down into smaller tasks that can be put in the calendar, again with help from line manager if required. The reminder to switch tasks is very important for me! Also always allow a bit of spare time for ‘unexpected extras’ otherwise they completely throw me. Somehow I can cope with them if their is a specific box for it! 

For home I have routines that mean I get to bed at an appropriate time with tomorrow’s bag packed, get up and ready and on th3 bus with everything I need without the need to actually engage brain!

I also try to automate as much as possible, eg all my bills pay themselves these days, much to the relief of the power companies etc!

For everything else: also lists. If tasks overwhelm me they tend not to get done, so again breaking them down helps. 

If you’re a visual 5hinker you could use pictures/charts/colours etc instead of lists. 

Zomted has pretty much nailed it. To-do lists, sub to-do lists, reminders and calendars! Scribbling out each task or sub-task gives me a rewarding feeling. I need this stuff more for the boring mundane 'easier' tasks.  My brain switches off and becomes uninterested so I need micro-lists to break it down otherwise I will forget a step. Yesterday at work I had a classic example of a really simple task with lots of steps, here's what I needed to do:

• Look up a name from an email
• Search for reference number in a different system
• Look that reference number up on a financial spreadsheet
• Log that on a different spreadsheet
• Create a form
• Print it off
• Sign it
• Scan it
• Email it

I failed to do it correctly and in order on almost every single one after my first attempt because I got my list wrong, I listed the names I had to do rather than the steps for each one. So although I got satisfaction from crossing off each name, I could have completed this much quicker if I'd have thought about my list more. So it's not just about writing a list - it's about writing the correct list! I learnt my lesson :) 

Zomted has pretty much nailed it. To-do lists, sub to-do lists, reminders and calendars! Scribbling out each task or sub-task gives me a rewarding feeling. I need this stuff more for the boring mundane 'easier' tasks.  My brain switches off and becomes uninterested so I need micro-lists to break it down otherwise I will forget a step. Yesterday at work I had a classic example of a really simple task with lots of steps, here's what I needed to do:

• Look up a name from an email
• Search for reference number in a different system
• Look that reference number up on a financial spreadsheet
• Log that on a different spreadsheet
• Create a form
• Print it off
• Sign it
• Scan it
• Email it

I failed to do it correctly and in order on almost every single one after my first attempt because I got my list wrong, I listed the names I had to do rather than the steps for each one. So although I got satisfaction from crossing off each name, I could have completed this much quicker if I'd have thought about my list more. So it's not just about writing a list - it's about writing the correct list! I learnt my lesson :)