The 5 'Must Haves' for an ADHD Friendly Office - By: Jacqueline Sinfield

Organizing yourself at work so that you can achieve what you know you are capable of is a challenge for adults with ADHD. However there are five simple techniques that are easy to implement, and the results will leave you feeling productive and proud of yourself.

Whiteboard -People with ADHD like to be able to see all the projects they are working on at once in case they forget one. Since it's not usually possible to have all your projects in clear sight and maintain a tidy work environment, a whiteboard is a great office accessory. It will help to stay on track and not forget anything. Use your board to write down all your on going projects and update it regularly.

Timer -Use a simple kitchen timer to help keep you on tasks for work that requires concentration. Concentrating takes lots of effort so it's natural to want to avoid it. However if you know you only have to concentrate until your timer rings, tasks are no longer overwhelming. Set your timer for 30 minutes at a time. Only work on that task until the timer goes off. If you feel like checking email, picking up the phone or taking a walk... do it after your timer goes off.

An Idea's Notebook -When you are working on a task, it's easy to get distracted with lots of thoughts, ideas, and worries about the tasks that you aren't working on. Have an idea's book next to you and jot those thoughts down and then go back to the original task. You will be able to focus much better, safe in the knowledge you won't forget those concerns. Using a notebook not a piece of paper is much preferable since it's less likely to get lost.

Healthy Snack -No matter how well intentioned you are, you won't be able to concentrate or focus if you are hungry. Keep a good supply of non perishable healthy snacks close to hand and never let yourself get too hungry, almonds, raisins and V8 are a few examples.

Clutter Free Environment - This can be tricky at first, but once you have experienced how happy you feel when you walk into your office and you see clear surfaces and the floor, there is no going back. Nothing distracts you, or makes you feel overwhelmed and eats into your time like clutter. Take 15 minutes a day to clean your office and then once it's ship shape spend a few minutes each day doing maintenance.

Copyright (c) 2010 Jacqueline Sinfield

About the Author

Jacqueline Sinfield is an ADHD coach and author of the book, Untapped Brilliance: How to Reach Your Full Potential as an Adult with ADHD. She has worked in the healthcare field for nearly twenty years. She has an Honors degree in Psychology and trained & worked as a nurse in England before moving to Montreal, Canada where she has her own private coaching practise. http://www.untappedbrilliance.com

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