Executive Functioning: Organization

What is it?

Organization is the ability to keep track of things both mentally and physically. It is much more than just keeping everything “tidy”, it is arranging materials and thoughts logically. Knowing where everything goes and how to meaningfully group information together. With organization it is important to remember that it is more than physical space that has to be organized but mental space as well.

I’ve shared before what my brain feels like by picturing that scene in Jurassic park where Mr. DNA is surrounded by code numbers going all over the screen insanely fast. So imagine that happening while trying to organize a desk, you’re going to end up with something that looks a lot like my desk now, organized mess. Is it neat and tidy? Nope, but it is organized in the sense where I know where everything is. Is it organized logically? Nope, not at all.

And that’s just one example of physical materials. Organization can also mean keeping track of assignments, deadlines, instructions, or time. Or it could mean creating a routine to follow and stick to it.

For those of us with ADHD it isn’t about wanting to be organized, trust me I do WANT to, its about how our brain files things, we don’t have a clear mental sorting system.

Tools to try

Labels: Create labels of where things need to go

Chunking: Breaking up tasks or deadlines and doing a little at a time

Visual Schedules: Use pictures and time stamps to help keep to a routine

Visual Organizer: Similar to a schedule but for projects to structure thoughts before starting