I'm trying to figure out ways to keep myself stay on track and implement what I have chosen to do. Not necessarily big things, but for example to really turn off the computer at the time I've decided I need to do it.

It would be interesting to get your input on this. How do you do to make yourselfs do what you've planned to do and not what you in this moment most feel like doing?

I don't have a clue -- I don't do it, especially when it comes to the computer. I will be watching this thread, hoping that somebody else has a clue that might come in helpful!

Scattered

I'm trying to figure out ways to keep myself stay on track and implement what I have chosen to do. Not necessarily big things, but for example to really turn off the computer at the time I've decided I need to do it.

It would be interesting to get your input on this. How do you do to make yourselfs do what you've planned to do and not what you in this moment most feel like doing?
I'm waiting next to Scattered for someone to come along with good advice on this too!

In the mornings I tend to get sidetracked on random household chores (when I should be getting myself ready for work). The other day I found myself re-installing a curtain rod at 6:30 in the morning. It had fallen down two days earlier ...why on earth did I feel so compelled to put the curtain rod up at that time of day??? I hadn't even had breakfast or taken a shower yet, but by golly that curtain rod had to get put up immediately. I'm slowly getting better at "catching myself" before I get off task --although obviously I'm not even close to having mastered this.

On the weekends, I am the worst about getting off-task ...actually I might be equally as horrible during the week, but I blame my off-task behavior on me feeling tired or needing to relax from a tough day at work. Unfortunately, "catching myself" only seems to work in the mornings ...cuz I've been in real big trouble due to tardiness at work. Aside from "catching myself" in the mornings, I haven't discovered any useful strategies.

However, I have recently downloaded a program that turns the computer off for you! I used it for two nights last week & it worked really well. As soon as the computer shut down, I went straight to bed ...I wasn't even tempted to turn it back on ...except the second night I did turn it back on cuz I wanted to see what would happen --it just turned itself back off again! I lose sooo much time on the computer, so I'm hoping this will really help me --at least in terms of not staying up all night on the computer.

If anyone is interested, here are links for two "automatic computer shut down" programs that can be downloaded. There isn't much info provided on the YaSoft program. I felt uneasy about this program due to the lack of info, plus I liked all the bells & whistles on the other program. So, even though YaSoft is completely free, I'm opted for the Sleepy program. It looks like a better program, plus I feel more confident that it won't harm my computer. So far, so good...

YaSoft Switchoff (free)
http://www.yasoft.km.ru/eng/

Sleepy Auto-Shutdown Software ($25, offers a free 30-day trial)
http://www.sleepysoftware.com/

Giving credit where credit is due... I orginally heard about these programs several months ago in the ADDvance newsletter from NCGI (http://www.ncgiadd.org)

http://http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utilities/Access_Control_Utilities/Auto_Shutdown.html

Download this program. Set the timer, and once your PC shuts down, leave it off!!!!! Do what you have to do [will power:D] and then you can go back on until next shut down time. ;)

I'm trying to figure out ways to keep myself stay on track and implement what I have chosen to do. Not necessarily big things, but for example to really turn off the computer at the time I've decided I need to do it.

It would be interesting to get your input on this. How do you do to make yourselfs do what you've planned to do and not what you in this moment most feel like doing?ok, since this thread hasn't been flooded with posts I'll try to dig deep within myself and see if I can pull up any tricks I've ever thought up that worked.

I too stay on the computer far too much. All day if I can get away with it. Which really doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me - I mean, we're ADD right? So how can we focus so damn long? And I can stay just here reading and posting and chatting all day and night, even weeks if I could stay awake that long, before I finally wandered off to do something else. You mentioned the computer as an example, and I wonder if that is the hardest thing for us to pull ourselves away from? How does it hold our attention for so long? Do ADDers typically enjoy human interaction more than average folk? No...because I can also plug into a computer game and play it forever till my eyeballs fall out. But I figured out why I do that - I play matching games...like match 3 or more colored balls to clear them. Or word games like boggle and such. It's organizing, sorting. And I feel I've accomplished something when I get all the balls cleared or piece together all the letters to spell words. I think it's a way of combating a chaotic life, it feels good to get control of something. To finish something. Plus, and this is the ADD plus area, my mind can finally rest while I'm working those puzzles. I sink into them and my brain zones out. It's like the only time my brain can lay back and rest. Super focus. I wonder how many ADDers have problems getting off the computer? I get bored with everything else. I don't watch tv. Nothing else holds my attention like the computer. And if I didn't have access to a computer I'd do a lot more stuff that needs done. So I know that I should throw it out, but my brain is sOOooOOoo tired! It feels like I'm in the hospital recovering when I'm on the computer. It's only lately that I use it so much, but I can certainly see how this could go on forever for some.


All I've effectively done here is restate your question in a more longwinded way. LOL It's such a good question though. And I want to hear answers. I hope there are some. Reward systems? nah....I'd just do what I want and give myself the reward too. Is it lack of self discipline? Lack of motivation due to a tired brain? Is there any med that will help?


One thing I do to try to get my errands done is to make daily lists with EVERYTHING on them that I need to do. I am so forgetful I have to write it in detail. I use little colorful Post-It notes and stick them around the sides of my computer monitor (the best spot since I'm so often at computer lately staring at the monitor). The colorful Post-It notes pester me from time to time when my eye catches them. I put off what I can for the next day, and when I'm running out of time I run out and do what I absolutely must that day.


Every night I tell myself, "Tomorrow I'm going to get SO MUCH done!" but, of course, that rarely happens. As I said, I feel like I'm in recovery in a hospital trying to heal my brain into working order.
If you have the luxery of being able to being able to stay up all night and sleep til noon the next day, you could wake up knowing that you'll play on the computer or read or relax that night, and run around getting as much done early as you can. And doing things as fast as you can helps. Oh I know a trick I use, like with filling out forms or housework - I give myself a time limit, whatever I feel I can stand at that time - whether it be 10 minutes or 1 hour, and I set the timer and go like heck. You'd be awful surprised how much you can get done in 15 minutes of dead heat run. Sure, you'll break things in your rush, and step on people's feet, but you'll get an astonishing amount done. Then when that timer goes off, sit down, have a refreshing or warm drink, smoke a cig if you do (don't fall for the 'just one computer game' ploy, you know you'll play just one more over and over until it's midnight). I don't know if any of this helps, but it's all I've got.

Hum i have trouble like a lot of you doing anything done. Thank God i have 3 little slaves i can manipulate in doing atleast one chore a day each LOL . I am not to addicted to the puter , but i have to admit that since i have found this forum , i have been a lot more than usual. Men ! it's so cool to finally see other people who struggle with the same stuff. I know that i feel a lot stronger now than i was last week. It's a wonderful feeling.
You know what my biggest trick i have found years ago, is to stop stressing about time and things to do in a certain time. I gave up on it , to stressfull. I will never be organize, i will never be able to work in a ''normal '' time frame like most of society do. It's a very freeing experience to finally let go of it all. No matter how many post it's , or even i would have my chores etch on my hand i would still found a way around it. Cause i have major problem commiting to something IF i dont feel like it at that particular time to do it.
I wish i could be like my friend and do my washs on monday, clean my living room on sunday ect. Hell, i hardly remember wich day we are half the time.
Ok my house could be cleaner, but i dont stress about it if people come, i know i am not a slob, i am just me and you know it's ok to be just me. My qualities or who i am deep down is a lot more important for me , then having a clean house.

Ok there are still some stuff that no matter what have to be done. My trick,, :eek:
hummm not very a normal tricks but it works great for me. I know i have to pay my bills and check the oil in the car atleast once a month. So what is to only thing that happen for sure once a month for me..Yes my period (menstruation).
That day no matter want i get all my bills round up and pay them, and i get in the car and go check the oil.

Digitl who is looking for a newer trick when she hits menopause:eek:

Here is what I have found helpful.

Do FIRST the things that need to be done that do NOT include the computer. It sounds simple but there is more to it.
How I accomplish this is make an ALWAYS visible list of things that I need to get done. The list usually only includes the important stuff that has immediate and negative consequences if not done. Like paying the bills or calling people that require a timely response.
AND THEY ALL HAVE SPECIFIC DATE OR TIME DEADLINES.
Sometimes the deadlines give me a little cushion so that if I need to call someone by Tuesday next week I will write "by Monday" to get some sense of urgency. Also, if I forget to call them on Monday I don't feel like a butt for calling them on Tuesday.

To keep track of this stuff I use a small dry erase marker board mounted on the side of my kitchen cabinet. It is visible to me from most of the first floor of my house so it never is "out of sight, out of mind".
The trick is to manage your areas of weakness. If you know you'll get sucked in for hours on the computer then pick one or two NON-computer things that you MUST get done before rewarding yourself with computer time.

When you start out it will be small steps and you must congratulate your self for the little things. Try it by just putting one or two things on the board. Get those done and erase them. Then do whatever you want after that.
Start with things that are easy if you must, like making the morning coffee or brushing your teeth...or even going to the bathroom. In the first 30 days it's most important that you develop the habit of using this tool more than accomplishing anything big with it.

Once you've developed the habit of adding things to the board and getting them done you can gradually increase the importance of the items you list on the board.
You'll be amazed how quickly you'll find yourself getting things done and out of the way so you can go get lost in the computer....guilt free!