People with AD/HD often use the "everything in plain sight" method of organization to keep reminders in view. Learn AD/HD friendly ways to rid yourself of paper clutter.

Traditional methods of personal organization and filing often don't work well for people with AD/HD. AD/HD-er's have unique strengths and weaknesses that need to be incorporated into any routine or system of organization before it can be successful. Many people with AD/HD need visual reminders, but keeping papers in sight quickly results in piles of clutter. There is a way to keep everything in sight and organized neatly at the same time.

Study Existing Habits

Any new habit or routine you want to establish must take into account the existing habits you already practice. The most important habit to look at is where the mail usually ends up and set up your paper processing space there.

You Will Need:

A basket or container to create your "Bill Paying Kit"

A trashcan preferably located directly under your paper processing space

A small filing cabinet or crate with file folders

One RED clear plastic sleeve/folder - your "action file"

Clear organizing containers or slots labeled with each family members name

Several vertical plastic magazine holders

Several index cards

Set a Bill Paying Date

Usually it is the first and the fifteenth of each month but set aside two days a month, one in the first week and one in the third, for bill paying.

Go to whatever calendar you use to record appointments, and circle those two dates in a bright color for the entire year. If you use Outlook or Google calendar, set a reminder as a reoccurring appointment.

Setting up the routine

When you walk in the door, go directly to your paper processing area and start processing:

First - Sort and throw away catalogues and other bulky mail. Magazines can be stored in the magazine holders until you have time to read them and then dispose promptly. Only save catalogues you intend to order from immediately, otherwise toss it. Another one will show up in a few weeks or you can always order on-line.

Second - Throw away all junk mail unopened. Again, unless you plan to buy something immediately, don't bother even looking at it.

Third - Sort and "deliver" mail to each family members' slot or container.

Fourth - Now sort the "important mail" into one of these four categories:

Bills to pay - Anything that requires payment

Phone calls - Any item that requires a phone call to be made

Action items - Any item that requires a written response such as the return of a form etc.

Important documents to file - Any item that must be saved, such as tax documents that you will not need to refer to often.

Fifth - Place each category where it belongs. Bills go in your bill paying kit. Action items go in your red action file folder. Phone calls go wherever you keep your "To Do" or "To Call" list, or in a container next to the phone. Important documents are placed in the proper file cabinet folder for storage.

Additional Set up

File cabinet- Use the index cards to create an index of your important files. List exactly what documents you will store in the cabinet, (Birth certificates, tax forms, insurance policies etc.), and tape the index to the file cabinet for easy reference.

Bill Paying Kit - Stamps, return address labels, envelopes, calculator, pens and a clear plastic storage bag to hold all small kit items. Four manila envelopes marked:

"Bills to be paid by the 10th"

"Bills to be paid by the 25th"

"Receipts"

"Paid"

A nice basket with a handle to hold it all.