What are the essential tools that help organize someones life? Myself, I dont even have a wrist watch. I'm thinking that maybe I need to start arming myself for survival.

Post the item and a brief description of it's practicalities and I'll keep this top post updated with all the products. Lets try and make 10.

1. Wrist watch - I cant say how this comes in handy, I dont have one. But I'm sure it's useful.:)
2. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) - Organize appointments, to-do's, thoughts, and help you get to work everyday.:D
3. Computer - I dont know if this is essential. I find it more of a distraction than anything, dispite the fact I'm using mine to build an online business... oh, and would go insane without one.:o
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I don't wear a watch, either. But, I always carry my cell phone, which has a clock on it.

For me, my PDA Is the center of my attempts to keep organized. If I ever lost that thing, I'd be in some deep doo doo. Seriously, I wouldn't even remember when to come to work, and I'd barely remember how to get to work, lol. It's got everything I really need in it, including phone numbers, miscellaneous notes, appointments/schedules, to do list, and it can give me directions to anywhere I want to go with its GPS reciever.

My personal toolkit is: cell phone, PDA, desktop computer. Other things, I'm starting to add, like a filing cabinet and system for receipts and stuff, which I am going to start using next month to see where all my money is going to and coming from, for example, but it really does all begin and end with the PDA, ultimately.

I also use the computer, PDA, and cell phone: the computer to organize files, folders, and web bookmarks; the PDA (sync with computer and MS Outlook) for appointments, reminders, address book, grocery list, jotted notes, rolling lists (such as books I want to buy), task lists, and - coming soon, really - keeping track of daily expenses because one of my goals this year is to build a budget; and the cell phone for the clock, alarm function, and to call my voice mail to remind me of something. I also use email to send reminders between work and home, but maybe that's covered under the computer.

This thread is under electronic devices and gadgets, so you probably meant electronic tools, but here are three low-tech solutions that are in my toolkit.

To help make bill paying more prompt and enjoyable (no more $39 late fees for YOU, Citibank! Mwah ha ha :eek: ) I recently got a small envelope-style pocket file with dividers (Expandables Junior 13 Pocket File, about 5 1/2 x 10") and put checks, pens, and stamps in it. Receipts get stuffed in the back when my wallet gets too stuffed, bills get immediately separated from other mail and put in the front, and I have a reminder set up in my calendar 2 days before each payday to go pay what's due before the following payday and get rid of unneeded receipts. Having everything in one place lessens the likelihood that I'll be distracted while looking for stamps or wading through mail (what an interesting catalog...). I found the pocket file in the school supplies section of the supermarket. It's a small thing but it's making a big difference for me.

One other necessary tool I use is a glass ashtray. It sits on the bookcase 4 steps from the door. The keys go in there, period. Do not take off your coat, do not pass Go, do not bring the groceries to the kitchen first. The keys must, must, MUST go in there or I will be spending a lot of time later looking for them, probably running late, and being really, really p.o.'d at myself.
<O:p</O:p
Speaking of keys, I also “lock” my car using the lock/alarm remote control function on my car keys when I can’t remember where I’ve parked. That little beep and flash of the headlights is wonderful – don’t know how I managed without it before.

I have more paper organizers than I can count...ditto for file folders and file boxes...electronic organizers....computers with tons of electronic files that need to be organized and cleaned out....enough sticky notes to wall paper the place waiting to be read and tossed if not needed anymore....pens....binderclips.....banker boxes of paperwork....

I'm still paying off the holidays but I would love to have some spend just a half hour a day with me helping me get organized. HELP!!!!

I have tons of tools to be organized....too many to be organized.

I have:
cell phone which has a camera (photo caller ID!!! I'm a visual learner) and a calendar/to do list, alarms for wake up (less piercing than my alarm clock) and reminders.
I have a watch that reminds me to take my meds every 3h15mins
agenda that I designed myself based on one I saw on the internet - I have it in a small three-binder, with tabs for sections... notepaper, calendar (my photocopied pages, monthly tabbed pages that I bought), address (tabbed A-Z cards, business card holder) This is my lifesaver!!!! I keep most of my info in there. the layout of the agenda is the only one that works with my ADHD issues of needing to see the whole picture, but having trouble with the details.
I have sticky notes all over the place
a paper shredder... this sounds really odd, but the actual physical action of shredding notes and paper I don't need anymore really helps calm my brain down because it's a VISIBLE signal that I don't need to remember it. I shred all stuff that I have transferred information over to someplace else, or tasks that I've done, or to do lists that are no longer current etc. it feels wonderful to 'start new' because it has this remarkable feeling of helping to let go of the guilt attached to being behind all the time

what else?
coloured pens and pencils with a sketchbook to write down my ideas in a creative way helps calm my mind down before I have to sit down and tackle executive function tasks.

goals notebook: I picked up this idea from a motivation e-mail I get regularly... I choose a main goal, and write it out every day ('I will become organized and stay that way'). Under that I choose one thing that will help me achieve that goal on this particular day. ('I will become more consistent with checking over my schedule for tommorow and stay that way'). It works, makes me feel better. I have a flashy notebook for it.

separate pencil cases for my school bag and desk area... the transferring things back and forth was recipe for disaster. I also have pens in my purse all the time so I don't have to get stuck without one when I need one.

lanyards... for cellphone, housekeys. I hang up the keys on the doorknob AS SOON AS I GET HOME. If I open the window, I leave the keys near the window so when I go to leave I remember to close the window...

The coolest thing I have is an 'ADHD microwave'. The microwave I bought came with a reminder beep function that goes off every few minutes if you don't go to take the food out of the nuker after heating it... it's great. It drives my boyfriend nuts. I didn't know it came with the feature when I bought it.

i didnt exactly read your whole post...but i read the thing about the goals...

instead of writing them in future tense, you are supposed to write them in the present...such as "I am organized"

there are more details as to why this works...but basically, it tricks your brain into thinking it is organized, and will act upon that (obviously you have to work to achieve that...its not magic) but yeah...just a simple change like that may make a big difference :) and it cant hurt!

One other necessary tool I use is a glass ashtray. It sits on the bookcase 4 steps from the door. The keys go in there, period. Do not take off your coat, do not pass Go, do not bring the groceries to the kitchen first. The keys must, must, MUST go in there or I will be spending a lot of time later looking for them, probably running late, and being really, really p.o.'d at myself.

Taking things back into the realm of technology, I found (at Sharper Image, I think) one of those remote control beepers for the keyring. It would be a good backup to your ashtray. Imagine the panic when you're running late, and find an empty ashtray.... :eek: That little gem has helped me home in on my keys more times than I can count. :D

A Linear Thinking Wife



For me, my WIFE Is the center of my attempts to keep organized. If I ever lost that thing, I'd be in some deep doo doo.
and if she reads this post and see's where I called her a thing I'll also be in some deep doggy doo doo ..........................

For me, my pda is an essential tool also. Synchs with my work and home computer and my wife's pda. She puts in all the kids stuff then beams it to me. I put in things as soon as I hear about it otherwise it will never get put in. Then I add reminders that day, day before, whatever is necessary to remind me to do things. Email can also be a great tool. I will email things back and forth between home and work as reminders. Another nice feature is a voice recorder. My old cell phone had one built in. Was real handy for those things that would pop into my head while I was driving and I couldn't write it down. Later, I could usually remember I was supposed to remember something but not what it was. The recording was great for that.

For me, my pda is an essential tool also. Synchs with my work and home computer and my wife's pda. She puts in all the kids stuff then beams it to me. I put in things as soon as I hear about it otherwise it will never get put in. Then I add reminders that day, day before, whatever is necessary to remind me to do things. Email can also be a great tool. I will email things back and forth between home and work as reminders. Another nice feature is a voice recorder. My old cell phone had one built in. Was real handy for those things that would pop into my head while I was driving and I couldn't write it down. Later, I could usually remember I was supposed to remember something but not what it was. The recording was great for that.
Man, now I know for sure I need to get a PDA!
I always get tons of ideas that I want to remember, but I usually forget them before I get a chance to write them down!

(Good thing I just wrote this down. Now I'll remember it!)

A nice free feature with the hotmail calendar is that you can configure alarms to receive an e-mail and a SMS on your cell phone. A good pda replacement.

Oh! If you want to buy yourself a watch, look the I-Control turn 'n' pull series from Timex. It's the easiest alarm watch to set (12h max).

A Linear Thinking Wife




and if she reads this post and see's where I called her a thing I'll also be in some deep doggy doo doo ..........................What a great idea! I went for dyslexic husband with probable undiagnosed ADD! :eek: What was I thinking?!?

Scattered

Ok, I have a PDA, cell phone, computer, wrist watch, file folders, binders, everything! The only things I seem to keep organized is my school work, and that is only because I keep it all in my truck, always. But no matter how many organizational items, tools, ect I get; and no matter how hard I try... I only stay organized for about 10 days, then POOF :eek: it all goes down from there. Now I have an organized mess. I suppose this is progress, but no where near where it should be for me to get a real job. Any suggestions on how to keep it organized?

Any tips on how to keep your tech from breaking? So far, the only thing I've had that's lasted for more than 3 months is my cellphone.

My PDA lasted me a month before it stopped working, and even then it sucked before that, and my computer...gah...I was at one week between reformats and horrible crashes and the like..And watches? Don't even start with me, I've gone through 10. At least. CD players, MP3 players, my stuff breaks ALL THE TIME.


Anyone here use Apple computers? Better or worse? Easier OS to deal with than wintel products? More stable?

i got a real cool watch, its a ADD watch and it buzzes sometimes.it hlps keep me focussed. i just dont understand tyhose pda things or how to use them. if i got one it would probaly stay in thr desk darwer.

~ PDA/with built-in camera

must have a camera, because sometimes having ADD can make you to scatter brained to copy down information correctly.



~colored pens

changing pen colors every sentence or whenever the mood hits increases useful concentration time during study time. Not exactly sure why it works, but it works. Especially useful during dense passages of information that are extremely boring to analyze. \

~highlighters in different colors

color code your reasons why something is highlighted and be consistent in sticking to that code. In college, I had three different colors

Color one = stuff that was important for the test

color two = staff that is important to understanding the concept being taught

color 3 = stuff that interesting in its own right that I want to research independently later

Anything related to my personal notes in the margins was underlined with a regular ballpoint pen and had an arrow at the end of the under line pointing to the appropriate margin note





~laptop

got to be portable. I'm much more productive with the computer now that I can move it with me than I was chained to specific locations where there were desktop PCs



~a back up supply for everything that's important to you everyday life.

Forgetting to buy something that's important right when you run out or losing something that's important right when you need it most can throw off your state of mind for the rest of the day. Now, this isn't always financially practical, but just because you can't afford two PDAs doesn't mean you can't afford to back up all the information on your PDA to your computer. In more practical terms, you should have at least one backup of any personal supplies from makeup to soap to wash it off kept separately from your main supplies. This takes up about two utility shelves in my house of the various household/personal things involved. May sound overly convoluted, but believe me, life is easier this way.

~an emergency supply of pills set aside which are always kept in the same location -- at least a weekend's worth. This cover those times when you can contact with your doctor or your pharmacy has to order a pill because they ran out. You have no idea how many times doing this had saved my ***. I'm notorious for losing my pill bottles. Just make sure you rotate the contents out for new every time you get a refill on your prescription so the pills inside your emergency supply don't expire.

~a receipt box

you dump any receipt/warranty from anything you buy in here as soon as you get home. At the end of the month, you dump them in a labeled ziplock and move them to a more permanent location. Then you start over for the latest month.

If you have the right cell phone you should be alright. they now have so many organizational tools that you can have your own personal PDA in the form of a GMS cell phone. I keep appointments alarms and adresses right there plus I can write notes to myself. My phone also has a sound recorder that I use to record Ideas or notes to self. I find I do better when I hear them being played back to me.

Yahoo calander also offers great oportunities fpr getting organized and sends text messages on whatever appointments you choose --up to 5 a day.

the idea about the ashtray, goodone. My husband and i are both ADHD (chaos is the norm). We walk into the house, all keys, wallets and cell phones go on the shelf nest to the door.
Another life saver is a dry marker board. Make sure that it is large enough to include ALL details. Another thing is organizing your to do list accoding to the calender date/day that corresponds to the items. And scratch off the to do list as you complete the item. Keep the list visible, hold it in your hand if you have to. Sounds silly, but the heck with the other people. They don't have your to do list.

Currently, my much needed essentials are:

My PDA
My watch
My Wallet
My mp3 player


My pda syncs with my computer but I usually enter the info right when I think about it, sometimes just in the note-pad on my pda, and I can later transfer the scribbles to a more perm. location...

My watch is a Steinhausen(sp?) and has 4 smaller dials that tell me the day of the week, the date, and the month... I can't count the number of times this has saved me from forgetting which day of the week it is...

My Wallet contains all my identification, and small slips of paper I might need in the near future (school return slips, etc.), and a small allotment of cash... although I normally don't buy things on impulse, better safe than sorry... there's enough there for essential things, Gas if I run out in the middle of nowhere without an ATM around, etc.

My Mp3 Player is a philips gogear 30 gb. I have it for moments where I quite simply HAVE GOT to focus... is small(er) and fits right into my pocket.

God, yes! The Mac was designed to make it easy to use for end productivity, not technicality. All software is supposed to have very similar sets of menu commands, for instance. And, most importantly, the Mac OS operating system user interface was designed to be what is called
transparent
and
intuitive.
Transparent, meaning, one should just be able to focus on the work one is doing, say, writing a letter, making a flier, organizing a list, etc, and not get lost in the details of using the software to get those results. I must say..this forums software is pretty nontransparent and somewhat kludgy compared to some more streamlined forum/bulletin board software that is out there...its very Wintel-ish. Elegant is the word used to describe smoothly running easy to use software. Go to a Mac store and try out their new computers, it will impress you.
Intuitive as in...you dont have to think about it to use it, you just sit down and you can. Thats how Apple introduced the Mac the first time. They didnt say anything, they just invited people to sit down at a show and just told themn how to open up the drawing program and people marveled at how easy it was to just do it. No one had ever used a mouse and a graphic user interface before. lol

WIndows users, please note! I am not trying to get into a debate about Windows OS vs Mac OS. This is just specific/germaine to computing for ADDers. I am not trying to sound superior at all. To each their own!
Don
disclosure: I did meet Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, at a Grateful Dead show in Palo Alto once, via a mutual friend. I um dont quite remember it though, lol...just happened to be at a particular time in the um experience.

Yikes...Setting a PDA is too much for me to do at the moment. Thanks for the tip re/ Timex alarm watch. I'm just starting to use a timer today. Hopefully I won't lose it.
Also Hoping and Praying my new med (been on it for one week) will kick in. Adderall 10 mg, once per day. I take in in the AM and promptly fall asleep! I'm more behind & later than ever! Maybe a tiny bit more focused??? Not sure? Still SUPER DISORGANIZED!!!
Addeline

The best thing i have ever purchased (didn't know it at the time) was my Blackberry! This is a must in my opinion. I use it for my cell phone, setting alarms, making notes, sending emails, it has it's own messenger for other Blackberry users, it uses the "Mike" network (walkie talkie), has a calander, games on it for when i'm really bored, internet browser, the date and time are in a big font so i just have to glance at it, it also has a calculator.

I know I'm going to catch some ridicule for this, but here goes nothin'.

I have trouble with electronics breaking down or going bazerk on me, especially when I have some kind of emotional up or down. I've read before that some people's personal electrical field affects electonic devices and I pretty much believe it in my case. If I am extremely upset or extremely angry, I can guaranty that my computer will lock-up, shut down or freak out in some way that day.

When I was about 5, I grabbed an electried fence and got "stuck" for a bit before an adult that was nearby noticed and pulled me off. I remeber passing out and then waking up scared and crying, but nothing else about the incident. I sometimes wonder if it threw me "off" in some way.

i like what you say mix some good stuff there what do you all use that you have find helpfull with adhd AN MUCH MORE triks you use to hlpe you an so on dorm

The thing that has made all the difference for me is the OSX laptop I got in September. I LOVE it. I still have so much more to learn. But I use it as my calander/organizer/internet learning resourse/reminder...

And I know some people don't like her/it, but I subscribed to the FLYlady, and I'm learning alot through the emails about organization/routines. I know it's not really an electronic resource, but the info. comes through an electronic resource ;) . Lately, she's been on a health kick, but I think what she's suggesting to people are simply reminders (i.e. exercise and drink enough water) of what is known to be healthy and beneficial.

I saw the reference to the Timex watch, which I will check out. I would like to find a watch that has multiple alarm options. I used to use my cell phone, but the provider was sold off to another company and I couldn't use the phone I loved. I got a new one that just doesn't do it for me, but it was expensive, so I feel like I can't justify getting another one.

I've seen a lot of references to using different colors in terms of highlighting materials, interestingly, I like the idea, but I've never been proficient at doing that.

Anyway,

Thanks everyone :)

I love my Palm Pilot(same as PDA?). I can keep info in one place. I know that I could add extra stuff to help me organise but for right now I'm sticking to the basics.
I also love my microcassette tape recorder(not digital) I put directions on tape instead of writing it down so that while I'm driving, instead of having to look down at the directions, I can just listen and back it up if I need to hear it again. I also have it handy to say what I need to do-it's quick-I use my small tape recorder alot. When I have to do alot of housework and feel overwhelmed I use my tape recorder and make a decision and estimate how long it will take to do a task and say it on tape like "do this and that in 10 minutes"-It helps me to concentrate on getting things done because I just focus and try to beat the clock or alarm. Then I do some other task or tasks the same way and it helps me to pay attention.
I also wear two watches(I get teased alot but it helps me.) One is digital and the other is "analog?-just a regular old time watch and big enough to see easily. I can easily decide with the analog (sp?)as an example- how much longer i have to be dressed and ready to leave on time for apointments, etc. and can "see" how much time I have.Its hard on a digital because I have to add and just can't "see" how long it will take or see the time I have for the day. I use the digital(I like something like a Timex Expedition-it has a timer-for counting down/three alarms/chrono for counting up/date and what day it is -Monday,etc.) I can multitask and not forget to check on what I'm cooking with the timer. I can use the alarms for my meds. or any reminders and on vacation I use it as my alarm to wake up(I also use my palm too). I don't know what I would do without my watches!
Sorry this was so long but... hope this helps!

my life revolves around Yahoo! I use calendar, address book, note, portable favorite websites, briefcase (to upload important files). Wherever I go, if there is a way to access the internet, I have everything I need and can update it - most impotantly, I cannot lose it.

Sometimes I print my month view calendar (or 2 or 3 months) when I go to a place I know I will have to be making a future appointment.

This is exactly what I needed to know!
Thanks everyone for sharing your perspectives...here's mine...I'm still not as organised as most people though. I keep it simple coz I am lazy...I'm down to just 2 things and here's how they work for me.
#1, a swanky phone...
I had the chance to get a top-of-the-range phone for half the normal price (a friend bought it in Japan) and it is the principal source of my organisation and peace of mind when out on escapades in the crazy world.
The alarms can be tailored to what day and the length of time the alarm goes for, repetition, snooze, etc. I have about 5 alarms set, and I set one if I have to do something inportant.
I can, at least, jog my memory just by being reminded there's something to remember. If you see what I mean.
If something's really distant and I'll forget it there's the calender but it's pretty annoying to use. I try to keep my organisation simple as I forget to use it if it's too much effort. I have chronic 'bone in leg' syndrome, as mother used to say heh heh...
The alarms are mostly about work (the manager is an anal timekeeper, even though she's barely ever in on time grrrr), there's one to wake me up, one to say I need to think about leavin' the 'ouse, one to say I should be at work and call in late. And for the weekend there's one to allow for satisfactory sleep-in without wasting the whole day in bed. Which I am still wont to do.
It also has things on it to distract me from that prickly anxiety that plagues me on the way to and from work (I usually end up in tears - very embarassing), the most awesome games, internet to surf, music to listen to, and even (tho rarely) I actually use it as a phone.
But I hate talking on the phone...hee hee...
#2 my bag!
This bag is my life, and if anyone would like the instructions for this bag I will happily furnish them with it.
But it's a bit too much work if no-one's interested ;) hee hee, lazy me. It's easy to make and looks kinda cool, like the slings they use to carry babies in some parts of Mexico. I think it would make a nice weekend project for families mebee? It'd be an awesome schoolbag, because the kid can tailor it easily to what they like.
I like writing instructions actually, it's good practice.
So, this bag is super comfy to wear because it has a really thick strap and you can change sides. It needs to be because you can fit three day's worth of shopping in it. Or a night's worth of beer :) (uhm...mebee daddy would like one too...hee hee)
Seriously, it has capacity.
So I can leave all the stuff I need in it, even when I'm at home I leave my wallett, keys and phone in the small pocket of it. Other permanent installations include (to keep me amused and calm outside) a book, a notepad, a nice fountain pen I enjoy using to encourage me to actually use the notepad, a migrastick (I get weirdo weather-sensitive tension headaches so I find this indispensible - I was getting through a packet of painkillers in a month and then they stopped working. Time to switch to harmless and natural, thought I. I was right...this stuff is excellent), roll of mylanta, vitamin pills, Yeah anyway I'm going on a bit now aren't I?
Apologies for length ;)
Audrey

Spida,

I'd be interested in bag instructions. I LOVE making things. In fact I love it too much. I think I have a fabric store addiction. Well its cheaper, healther,and way more decoritive than crack. :D This bag sounds like it'd be a great thing for when I go to grad school. Can't stand backpacks, too boring. :)

The "CP" Control Panel here on the ADD Forums is an indispensable tool for me!

For example, I really wanted to throughly read everyone's post in this thread, but because of time constraints today I am unable to! Therefore, I typed this quick reply, then I will come back later, read everything, and post the tools that I use to get organized!

Peace,
*~ §EEK ~*

Yeah that's pretty much my favourite passtime too. Do you know how you think? Spatially, visually, etc? I'm a spatialist. Reel spacey heh heh...
It's gonna tek a day or so to sort it, so watch this space!

Sorry...I forgot one...
Internet banking. Merci Dieu for internet banking. The day after I get paid, all my money goes out towards saving, credit card, phone, rental and electricity bills, and of the remainder all but $100 goes to a saving account. Then every 3 days I get another $100 to spend. Works a charm, after years of getting into immense strife with credit cards and student loans and overdrafts.
If you want to use it but don't know how, this is what I find works for most of my absent-minded customers who find organisation next to impossible. And I am, of course, the authority on disorganised :D
First, ask a staff member for a mini-tutorial. There is no reason that the teller will refuse, but ask for an appointment if it's busy so you can have their full and undivided attention. List the features you need to know about so you can write down how to do them as it is explained to you. Keep it small and leave it in your wallett (it would be irresponsible of me not to say at this juncture that you must never write down your login details).
For the sake of 20 minutes calculation you pretty much don't have to worry about your finances on a day-to-day basis, although you can tweak the schedules you create very easily. Unless you are trying to live outside your means ;)
Yes I do work for a bank (I know, big oops, leaving it soon), but I live in Australia and internet banking is pretty much the only free way to do most things. So this an anti-mercial :D Also, I have seen how being introduced to this tool can be a real relief to some people. Hope this helps!

yeh i love makeing things as welllllll an like shoping also i dont find it boring art books an info my thing AND DEF BETTER than crak lol dorm

I dunno...you can get some good crack these days...


KIDDING!!

I need a "universal translator" a la Star Trek. So when I say: my usual dumb insulting thing, it comes out as I intended it to. "Wow you look nice today"

FIM...
Hot damn, I so know what you mean.
Even a 'mute' button would be cool...
Do you ever wonder if we sound as bad as we think we do?

I sound worse than I think I do....always

I like this thread! I'm a gadget geek, but have tried to scale down. It's kinda weird for a girl to be carrying around lots of gizmos in my already-stuffed backpack or purse. For me, PDAs (Palm OS) work well for me if the screen isn't cracked :(. It allows me to sync up media files, medical software programs for school, pics, mp3s to a SD card, games, and of course, my calendar; I can color-code to differentiate school stuff from other stuff.
I am a rookie to the boards (LOVE this site!) and am looking for an uploadable neurofeedback/biofeedback game.

Huh? (you ask). I'm right now reading Dr Amen's book which advises to "avoid prolonged exposure to Video or Computer Games...harmful to many vulnerable ADD brains." Whoa. 2 yrs ago I was so addicted to Monopoly and Frogger on my Palm...would even play while waiting at stoplights while in driving in car.

My crazy question: Does anyone know of those ADD-friendly biofeedback games that stims the mentioned brainwave activity compatible for Palm OS?
Hmm...if I had the resources (and time) from studies, I'd try to get one invented--but if YOU happen to make an ADHD-friendly game inspired by this post, it'd be cool to sport over 10% of your profits :D.

Right now, my Palm's screen is cracked (gah!:mad: ), but I use my cell phone's Tools (like Timer, Alarms, constantly to remind myself of stuff like; when to leave, when to walk away from the computer, etc.).
Also, I have a dog who fetches stuff for me if I'm in one of my heightened-focus modes. :p

Awhile back I posted some of my helpful stuff-but I had read some posts about different watches that were helpful. After some hyperfocusing on different types of watches I finally decided on a medos watch from epill. What I liked/like is that it has 6 alarms, which can be set to vibrate or chime, as well as different timer options (I like the countdown & repeat) and a stopwatch. I like that it can be set to vibrate so as not to be disturbing while I'm working. Since my schedule has changed now in the summertime, I've found it helpful for taking my meds on a more timely basis. It wasn't too difficult to set up either.

:)

Awhile back I posted some of my helpful stuff-but I had read some posts about different watches that were helpful. After some hyperfocusing on different types of watches I finally decided on a medos watch from epill. What I liked/like is that it has 6 alarms, which can be set to vibrate or chime, as well as different timer options (I like the countdown & repeat) and a stopwatch. I like that it can be set to vibrate so as not to be disturbing while I'm working. Since my schedule has changed now in the summertime, I've found it helpful for taking my meds on a more timely basis. It wasn't too difficult to set up either.

:)Have any links Knighttime? :)

I need a new watch! I have a Nike watch I really like but the band keeps breaking and you have to send it via mail to have it repaired or even to have the battery replaced, which is a hassle!

Anyway, my Niki watch was Waterproof, (I have to wash my hands a lot in my job), it has (3) Three alarms, (I used one to wake me up, and 1 to remind me that it was almost time for bed LOL), I can set the watch for Military Time (Important for me because I work in a hospital), It has 5 Timers which I set (1) one timer for my lunch breaks (So I wouldn't stay away for to long), a 2nd timer as a 15 min break timer, and I used the 3rd and 4th timers as 5 min reminder timers setup to go off after the lunch and break timers, (In case I got side tracked after the first timer's warnings).

Does your medos sound like it might work for me?

Thx :)

Good Morning Seek,

Here's an address-I'm not sure if it will post as a link.

http://www.epill.com/medose.html

I think the watch could work for some of your needs, but I'm not sure of all of them, or you might modify the way you use it.

It looks like it can only be set up regular time, i.e. not military, although it does have a PM indicator.

It has 6 alarms, so you could use 3 of them like you were on your other watch, and you still have 3 more you could use.

There's only 1 timer-so that would be difficult, unless you could use the alarms in it's place. But the timer has a countdown and auto-reset function that I've found helpful.

While I didn't see anything on the page regarding waterproof, on the watch it says water resistant; you could call them to ask how resistant...

Hope that helps, good luck,
KnightTime :)

Thx KnightTime

U'R welcome Seek-if you get it, or find something else, let us know what you think. :)

U'R welcome Seek-if you get it, or find something else, let us know what you think. :)I sure will! :)

BTW, love your cat pic! :)

Thx :D
It's a pic of my DH's cat, Fred, named after Fred Sanford (don't know how old you are, but that's a sitcom from the '70's called Sanford & Son), and it's a perfect name for the cat, who is as cute as can be, but a major terror-gets into everything, including electronics!...As I try to lead back to topic :)

The watch. Mine has 5 alarms, which are the most helpful things. :)
I used to use a planner--didn't work very well. I would spend lots of time using it, then forget to look.
1. WIFE Helps you keep track of time, things to do, how well you're doing, how to get somewhere, etc. Can vary tremendously, esp. depending on brand. ;)

Johnny,

Tha is so funny, even though I think it was just a Freudian slip: The WIFE helps, but varies depending of brand... If misinterpreted, you could become a feminist's target - and rightly so.

Seriously now, I've been thinking about buying a wif.. watch. But I can use my cell phone. What do you think is the major difference?

I used to have a PDA and frequently forgot it or found some excuse to not carry it with me ie: too bulky for pockets or whatever. So of course I frequently did'nt have it when I would inevitably need it. I now have a Treo 650 cell phone with the PDA in it. This is my second PDA cell phone and is the best one I've found yet. I realized that I never went anywhere without my cell phone and now I don't have an excuse not to carry the PDA because it's built in. It's excellent. A little bulky but good sound quality on calls unlike the blackberry. It does everything a palm does. I even have programs for work. The new 700 model even has the GPS navigational ability. My alerts will sound and my wife will ask me, "what's it reminding you to do now?" and I sometimes say, "to breathe." Ha Ha I'm so funny! Anyway, motorola has just released a much thinner PDA phone and I think it runs on windows but I'm not sure. If you're watching the new season of Entourage it's the one Eric, Vince's buddy/manager, uses on the show. Great tools.

Speaking of keys, I also “lock” my car using the lock/alarm remote control function on my car keys when I can’t remember where I’ve parked. That little beep and flash of the headlights is wonderful – don’t know how I managed without it before.
I'm a bit of a latecomer to this discussion, but... I do this all of the time. It's saved me a lot of time wandering around parkades and parking lots.

I remember with my first car, when I was in university, I spent a good half hour casing the parking lots trying to find my car on more than one occasion. Parking was hard to find, so you'd take what you can get. Some days at work I can't even remember which level of the parkade I'm on, and unfortunately, the range on my car remote isn't that great...

I bought a Pocket PC back in 2003 and although I'm usually excited about using new gadgets, I never really "got in" to using this as an organizer... Now, I believe I just didn't realize how useful it could be. I dug it out recently and was poking around with it - and with searching up software upgrades, I found a few links of how A.D.D.'ers can use Pocket PC / PDA's ! I plan to give it another chance... Hope these will be of use to you.

http://add.about.com/od/adultadd/a/PDAs.htm

http://www.staywithmehere.com/PDA_Tips.html

http://www.addresources.org/article_pda_paige.php


Distrait :D

Speaking of keys, I also “lock” my car using the lock/alarm remote control function on my car keys when I can’t remember where I’ve parked. That little beep and flash of the headlights is wonderful – don’t know how I managed without it before.
<!-- / message -->Training myself to only lock my car with the remote (rather than by hitting the power lock button as I get out) has also cut down significantly on the number of times I lock my keys inside, usually still in the ignition.

For some reason, though, I always seem to know where my car is ... I even automatically remember where my mom's or my friends' cars are if I ride someplace with someone else. I think it stems from the years I drove a seriously small car (Geo Metro convertible) and could NEVER see it, so I got in the habit of making a mental note of where it was.

I tried the PDA route a few years back. The first was a Palm, and trying to use it to jot down ideas/notes proved to be difficult for me. I had the palm alphabet down pat but it just wasn't fast enough, so pad and paper sufficed.

I tried a new-er compaq ipaq which to say the least was slick, however I just couldn't integrate my life with it. I tried it for a month then got rid of it as well. Now I pretty much have the old school pda, a small notepad and a pen.

Will a PDA also be a good thing for a child?