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“Nothing” is the secret to structuring your work

vangemert.dev

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Re: “Nothing” is the secret to structuring your work

#171

Earlier quoted context omitted.

recently diagnosed ADHD -- any tips on strategies?

Structure your routine(s). Default rules save you a lot of cognitive load. Avoid scrolling apps. Avoid touchscreens for a couple of hours after waking up. Try to work a few pages of long form reading into your daily routine. It will become easier to remain focused for longer over time. Don't fall for grand schemes and definitive solutions. We are prone to manic-depressive cycling as we think we've solved everything n…

This is great meta advice, definitely take heed.

I would add - going for a walk and having a shower are both excellent circuit breakers.

Re: “Nothing” is the secret to structuring your work

#173
post #66

Wonder how many people don’t even shut down their work computer. I shut down work computer every day and every day in the morning I start it up. Sometimes if I really have something I didn’t finish and want to start on early in the morning then I leave it running with all apps open.

But why should you ? I just do this if a new MacOs Version is installed.

Co workers always have issues like their WiFi being crap, all kinds of other issues.

Once they reboot all goes away.

If they would reboot once a week they would save couple hours of cursing and being annoyed every week.

Re: “Nothing” is the secret to structuring your work

#174

The author found something that works for them, but for some folks who have working memory issues (i.e. ADHD), using visual cues as reminders is one of the top tips in ways to address the issue. This can seem messy to some, but for those that need it, it is a lifeline. As a contrast to the author, if I put something in a drawer, it might be months before I remember it, even if it was something that absolutely needed…

I agree with your point, that you need to find something that works for you. I have ADHD and use the start-from-zero or as I would call it Inbox-Zero method personally

FWIW, I do aim for inbox-zero for email, and similar for chat apps (Slack/Teams). Otherwise it piles up and gets overwhelming. I'm referring more to things like - "only the exact thing you're currently working on open" part. I agree systems are needed. For me it's Obsidian for notes, inbox zero, and OneTab extension to allow me to remove tabs without fear of "losing" them completely. I've learned that it's also a trap to over-complicate my system, even something like Todoist which is fairly minimal was semi-problematic, although I may come back to it - just using manual TODO checklists in Obsidian with a small table that pulls them all into a single dashboard file for reference.

Re: “Nothing” is the secret to structuring your work

#175

The author found something that works for them, but for some folks who have working memory issues (i.e. ADHD), using visual cues as reminders is one of the top tips in ways to address the issue. This can seem messy to some, but for those that need it, it is a lifeline. As a contrast to the author, if I put something in a drawer, it might be months before I remember it, even if it was something that absolutely needed…

recently diagnosed ADHD -- any tips on strategies?

Resist the urge to over-complicate things. With ADHD, it's really easy to hyperfocus and end up building a "beautiful" system that doesn't work at all for you. Then you give up and start all over. So instead, pick small things that you can incorporate into routines, which are a saving grace especially with ADHD - just include enough space for a bit of flexibility so it doesn't get stale/boring.

For instance, I have a morning routine which ensures I'm "presentable"/etc. When I start work I immediately create the day's note, go to the previous day and review, copy over any ongoing tasks, etc. My day note is the same thing every day: Things I did, Things I need to do, Meeting notes (important meeting notes get extracted to their own file), Random notes. Then setting in to work. Evenings are bit more flexible and the weekends tend to be the wild west, bit of a reset so I don't feel "trapped" in a cycle, etc.

I do struggle with weekly/monthly or longer intermittent routines. Even stuff like doing bills (automated as much as possible), re-ordering prescriptions, etc. So it's always a process.

Last thing so as not to go too long - not everyone runs into this, but in case you've gotten down on yourself at times and now realize it might be ADHD, give your self a break / forgive yourself. Same thing going forward. Not an excuse, not continuing to seek improvement, but realizing that when you stumble, there is a reason and it may not be something you can actually control. Reflect on what you could do to prevent it in the future, but do it without self-blame or criticism. Be kind to yourself, in other words.

Re: “Nothing” is the secret to structuring your work

#176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

recently diagnosed ADHD -- any tips on strategies?

Routines. Exercise. Meditation. Medication. Self-forgiveness. Spatial reminders. Celebrate your differences, acknowledge your limitations. For inattentive type, try forcing transitions when someone interrupts you. Walk to a new room together. For hyperactive type, try planning out multiple synergistic things to do in parallel towards the one goal.

This is a great reminder that I need to re-incorporate exercise into my routines, thanks! It fell out a little while back, and it has a very positive effect overall.

Re: “Nothing” is the secret to structuring your work

#177

The author found something that works for them, but for some folks who have working memory issues (i.e. ADHD), using visual cues as reminders is one of the top tips in ways to address the issue. This can seem messy to some, but for those that need it, it is a lifeline. As a contrast to the author, if I put something in a drawer, it might be months before I remember it, even if it was something that absolutely needed…

recently diagnosed ADHD -- any tips on strategies?

Get on medication as soon as possible and if it doesn't work try another.

Re: “Nothing” is the secret to structuring your work

#179

The author found something that works for them, but for some folks who have working memory issues (i.e. ADHD), using visual cues as reminders is one of the top tips in ways to address the issue. This can seem messy to some, but for those that need it, it is a lifeline. As a contrast to the author, if I put something in a drawer, it might be months before I remember it, even if it was something that absolutely needed…

recently diagnosed ADHD -- any tips on strategies?

I found this good, especially about getting "momentum": https://youtu.be/JsT3KPYJFl4?si=pUhJRnTEfj1t0J4y
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