ADHD gadgets to help you get organized

ADHD adults generally suffer from chronic lateness, forgetfulness and a level of overall disorganization that makes simple life tasks difficult to master. Luckily there are gadgets out there to help you to organize every aspect of your life, from remembering what to pick up in the morning before you leave the house to making it to meetings on time and prepared. Take a look at some of the ADHD gadgets that can help you to get organized.

Smartphones

Your Smartphone can become your best friend if you are an ADHD adult. There are tons on features that can make you appear focused and in control. Day planners, meeting reminders, lists and customizable alarm sounds for different tasks can keep you on track with very little effort.

Key-Finders

The great thing about key-finders is that you can use them to find much more than lost keys. You can attach them to almost anything and with the press of a button you’ll be able to locate the thing you’ve lost.

Doorganizer

The Doorganizer is a nifty gadget that holds everything from eyeglasses to smartphones and more. It attaches to the door knob so you can store everything that you want to take with you when you leave the house. You can get them at The Container Store for a fairly reasonable price.

Intelligent Watch

These watches are great because you can set reminders at 15 to 30 minute intervals so you are more aware of your time and they are water-resistant so you don’t have to remember to take them off and put them back on when you shower.

ADHD sufferers can get relief from these organization gadgets but these tools can also bring a sense of normalcy and calm to those you love because they will come to know that they can depend on you just a little bit more.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

Design Tips: Accessorizing Your Home

Think about how you dress. The perfect scarf, belt, shoes, or jewelry can transform the same outfit from casual to elegant, conservative to trendy, or frumpy to fun. The same can be said of the “extra” elements we add to the décor of our homes.

We can be content to live in “straight off the mannequin ” rooms……………….this goes with this, that goes with that…the colors in that picture match the couch, etc., but wouldn’t it be more interesting to live in space with a little personality…more specifically your personality?

Personal touches can be anything from private collections, to special photographs and artwork, to keepsakes from memorable trips, to flea market finds that catch your eye and bring a bit of whimsy or interest to a grouping.

A lady I worked with just loved a small side table that belonged to her father, but worried that it wouldn’t blend with her newly decorated home and thought she might need to have it refinished in order to make the grade. But once we talked about how the imperfections now showing after so many years of use actually gave the piece its personality, and then realized that its history is exactly why she liked it in the first place, she made the decision to leave it just as it is. It works perfectly as an eclectic addition to her décor, as did a cherished pine hope chest salvaged from the basement……she added a bench pillow, placed framed family photographs above it, and it is a well loved and perfect addition to her cottage look bedroom.

You can also be creative in the use of objects….that potting table might make a great desk or a bar for outdoor entertaining….those carvings or rocks could be used as bookends, that antique trunk or chest may be the perfect coffee table.

The point is…..use what you love and you’ll love where you live….flawless can be a bit

boring..create your own perfection.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

How to Organize Your Finances

When your finances are disorganized you can find yourself falling behind on bill payments or eating into savings because you don’t have a clue how much money you really have at your disposal and even occasionally running into overdraft. To avoid the financial messiness that comes from a lack of organization try implementing the following tips.

Choose a System that Works for You

The first step to organizing your finances is selecting a system that fits your lifestyle. There is no point spending a fortune on a software program to manage your money if you are inclined to pick up a pen and paper and getting on the computer always seems like a chore. Choose a system that you are sure to use whether it is a simple notebook with columns for expenses and income or a sophisticated program with the ability to forecast future savings.

Consolidate Accounts (Credit Cards)

Instead of having several small accounts to track, keep it simple and consolidate them in one place. This means you get only one statement and you can track your withdrawals and deposits to get a real picture of what you have and what you spent. The same approach works for your credit cards. Maintaining only one credit card; preferably one with a low finance cost and airline miles or cash back incentive, means you are less likely to go over your limit.

Take Advantage of Automatic Payments and Transfers

Automatic bill payments and account transfers can take the hassle out of staying on top of your monthly expenses. They usually cost only a minimal fee, so it may be well worth it if the alternative is paying hefty late fees and incurring interest costs.

Make Time to Update Records

The best designed system in the world will only get you so far. You need to make the time to actually use it, input the data and update your records so they make sense.

Be Ready for Tax Season

Finally, instead of going crazy at tax time keep a file with all the pertinent data throughout the year so it is easy to put together before the deadline. Whenever you collect a receipt that may be deductible it should go in your tax file so you won’t forget to claim.

Organizing your finances doesn’t have to be a gargantuan task. If you start with a well-planned system and simply follow-through you’ll get the results you want and it won’t be hard to stay organized throughout the year.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

Key Components of an Organized Press Release

If you have news you want to get out then a press release is a great way to go about it, but if you’re not organized your efforts may very well be wasted and your good news may end up being just a small blip on the industry radar. To avoid this fate take a look at some of the key components of an organized press release.

Make the Objective Clear

Without a stated objective your entire press release could fall flat and your audience might miss the point entirely. To be sure your message is clear try not to include too much information. Instead focus on the core reason for the communication so there is no chance that a reader could get lost on other details.

Proofread and Polish Your Text

One of the most common mistakes is neglecting to proofread your finished text. It only takes a little extra effort but giving your document a final check before you send can save you from making silly the errors that portray your image in a negative light.

Identify Your Target Distribution List

Your target distribution list should include all the names and contact information for the people with the power to spread your message. You may have editors, journalists or freelancers listed but you should also categorize your contacts according to priority and the frequency with which their material is published so you can send your press release at a time that is convenient for their next available deadline. Of course you should also make sure the journalists are a good fit for the information you want to distribute. Don’t simply forward your press kit because you have their name and contact information.

Have Stated Goals for Every Press Release to Measure Success

Your goals should be for your eyes only so they are not to be included in the press release that is sent out, but they are nevertheless integral to the organization of your material. These goals help to focus your efforts so your press release is concise, effective and timely.

After you have sent out your press release don’t forget to follow-up. Just because you’ve sent it doesn’t mean your job is done. You may need to give reporters and journalists reminders about your story, so developing a working relationship with these people can go a long way towards your success.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

How can a timer keep me on task?

A secret strategy for productivity management is the implementation of a simple timer to make your results more productive. Take a look at the following steps for information on how this is done.

Choose the Timer

You can use a stop watch, an ordinary alarm clock, or the alarm on your cell phone. The point is to get something that allows you to track a predetermined amount of time. The timer can count down or count up.

Choose the Type of Task Wisely

Not all tasks are conducive to timing. If you have to depend on others to provide essential information or input, it’s probably not a good task for using a timer. Use a timer for tasks and productivity you have control over.

Race the Timer

If you have a difficult time staying focused, set your timer and race it. This creates urgency and helps you to overcome outside interruptions.

Work For 25 Minutes

Research has shown that working in smaller blocks of time can actually increase productivity. By setting your timer to 25 minute intervals you give yourself a fairly short burst of time to concentrate on a project or task before taking a break.

Take a Short Break and Repeat

When you take a break it should be for no longer than about five minutes. You can use this time to stretch your legs, get something to drink or simply to clear your mind. When this time is over you should get back to your project and reset your timer.

Using a timer in this way can have a huge impact on your overall results.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

Outsource and Delegate

Today's news about Congress fighting over the Payroll Tax cut reminds me quickly why I choose to outsource and delegate some things.

As a business that has employees, we have to provide payroll regularly. And I am SO glad that I have an accountant that handles all our payroll. I don't want to keep up with all the ever changing payroll and IRS rules.

For instance, if this payroll tax cut is extended for just 2 months as proposed, I would have to remember to change the payroll tax deductions in 2 months. Or if the payroll tax cut is passed for one year, I would have to remember in one year to check to see if he payroll tax cut is still in place OR I would have to have payroll software that is ALWAYS current and up-to-date. Because failing to do so would cause big problems with the government!

Whew that's a lot to think about...when would I have time to actually work my job? While I have accounting that needs to be done in my business, I don't want to be an accountant...that's why I outsource that to the professionals and I can focus on being a professional organizer and not a professional accountant!



Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/ http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com /; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

Total Money Makeover - Recommended Reading

If you are struggling with debt or tired of being stressed every time a bill comes due, I would encourage you to do a Total Money Makeover. Dave Ramsey is the ultimate guru of not only money management but the guru for digging yourself out of a financial mess! The Total Money Makeover is a great place to start getting your life back in financial order!


Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/