Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder affects children, teens and adults and is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. People with this disorder struggle with organization, which can affect their ability to succeed at work or school and their relationships. Children, teens and adults can improve their organizational habits by focusing on getting and staying organized every day.
Take Small Steps
HelpGuide reports that people with ADHD should not take on huge organization projects, because they'll probably become frustrated and burned out. Instead, people with ADHD should take small steps to become organized. For example, an adult should not set out to organize his entire house in one weekend. He should pick one room per weekend to organize until they're all done.
Spend Time with Children
Children who are diagnosed with ADHD struggle to stay organized at school and at home. Parents can help their children get organized by spending time near the end of each day working on building and maintaining good organizational habits. Parents can take 10 to 15 minutes to help their children file away loose papers, organize their backpacks for the next day and pick up stray objects and toys in their room. If this becomes part of their daily routine, they might even begin to do it on their own without the help of their parents.
Increase Motivation
Many people need to be motivated to change their habits. If you usually throw your jacket on the couch and pile the mail by the door, what's going to make you change on long-term basis? Motivate yourself to get organized by setting up a reward system. For instance, if you wash all dirty dishes after dinner for one week instead of allowing them to sit for days, reward yourself with a manicure or a long bubble bath. For children, motivation is important as well. If your child struggles with ADHD, reward him for getting organized. For example, you could allow him to stay up 10 minutes later than normal if he picks up his room and organizes his backpack each day.
Pick Up Regularly
Once you get organized, things can get messy again in a matter of days if you don't continue to focus on organization. If you spend time in a room of your house or at your office, don't leave that room or your office until you've spent 10 minutes reorganizing. This way you'll clean things as needed instead of having to spend whole weekends cleaning and organizing. Set up systems that help you stay organized. For instance, have a recycling bin next to the door, so you can throw in your junk mail right away instead of piling it on the dining room table. Have plastic storage bins in each room for your children to put their toys after playing with them. Put a basket next to your front door and place your keys and wallet in it when you get home from work. Then you won't spend time looking for them the next morning.
