Key insights

• ⚙️ Existing tools may not be designed for ADHD and may not account for unique challenges
• 🗃️ Organizational systems can be difficult to maintain for individuals with ADHD
• 📅 The anti-planner is designed to help those with ADHD overcome emotional roadblocks and procrastination
• ⌚ Smart watches were not effective for the speaker due to sensory sensitivities and inattentiveness
• 💸 The envelope system, a financial management method, was challenging for the speaker due to forgetfulness and losing the envelopes
• 🔧 Adapting strategies for ADHD involves using broad organizational categories and digital systems
• 🧰 Tools designed by individuals with ADHD are more likely to work out of the box
• 🔄 Shifting thinking from 'this doesn't work for me' to 'what would need to change for it to work for me' is important for success with tools

Q&A

• Why is it worth giving tools a chance even if they initially seem ineffective?

  Adapting to a tool takes time and effort. Shifting thinking from 'this doesn't work for me' to 'what would need to change for it to work for me' is important for success with tools. It's essential to give tools a chance and not give up at the first sign of failure.

• Why should tools be adapted to fit personal needs, especially for individuals with ADHD?

  Adapting tools to fit personal needs is essential, as they may not have been designed with individuals with ADHD in mind. Tools designed by individuals with ADHD are more likely to work out of the box, and practice and understanding the tools' requirements are necessary for effective use.

• What is important for individuals with ADHD when it comes to using organizational tools?

  Adapting strategies to fit personal needs is key for individuals with ADHD. Broad organizational categories and digital systems work best, and using tools in unconventional ways can still be effective.

• Why did the speaker find it difficult to make traditional self-help methods work for her?

  The speaker struggled with traditional self-help methods like envelope budgeting and progressive muscle relaxation due to challenges with forgetfulness, sensory sensitivities, trauma, impatience, and lack of organization. Eventually, she found success by adapting these methods to suit her own needs.

• Why were smart watches and the envelope system not effective for the speaker?

  Smart watches were not effective for the speaker due to their sensory sensitivities and inattentiveness. The envelope system, a financial management method, was challenging for the speaker due to forgetfulness and losing the envelopes.

• What is the anti-planner and how can it help individuals with ADHD?

  The anti-planner is a toolbox of strategies designed to help those with ADHD overcome emotional roadblocks and procrastination. It contains 165+ different strategies, activities, games, challenges, and coloring pages, specifically tailored to be ADHD-friendly.

• Why can organizational systems be difficult to maintain for people with ADHD?

  For individuals with ADHD, organizational systems can be challenging to maintain due to their unique struggles with time management, organization, and sensory sensitivities.

• What challenges do individuals with ADHD often face?

  Individuals with ADHD may struggle with time management, organization, and financial management. Many existing tools are not designed with ADHD in mind and may not account for the unique challenges faced by individuals with ADHD.

• 00:00 Individuals with ADHD may struggle with time management, organization, and financial management. Many existing tools are not designed with ADHD in mind and may not account for the unique challenges faced by individuals with ADHD. Organizational systems can be difficult to maintain for people with ADHD. The anti-planner is a helpful resource with ADHD-friendly strategies.
• 02:59 The anti-planner, designed by someone with ADHD, is a toolbox of strategies to overcome emotional roadblocks, while smart watches and the envelope system were not effective for the speaker due to their sensory sensitivities and forgetfulness.
• 05:46 Struggling with traditional self-help methods, the speaker found it difficult to make systems like envelope budgeting and progressive muscle relaxation work for her. She eventually discovered that adapting these methods to suit her own needs was more helpful.
• 08:14 Adapting strategies to fit personal needs is key for individuals with ADHD. Broad organizational categories and digital systems work best. Using tools in unconventional ways can still be effective.
• 11:01 Adapting tools to fit our needs is essential, as they may not have been designed with us in mind. Tools designed by individuals with ADHD are more likely to work out of the box. Practice and understanding the tools' requirements are necessary for effective use.
• 13:50 Adapting to a tool takes time, it's worth giving it a chance. Shifting thinking from 'this doesn't work for me' to 'what would need to change for it to work for me' is important for success with tools.