My 17-year-old daughter told me the other day that I had better be organized if I was going to help other people be organized.

Teenagers do have a gift for getting straight to the point. 😊

Her comment stopped me in my tracks—not because she was wrong, but because she was right. It also got me thinking about how the systems I use to run my coaching business might actually be helpful to others—especially adults and families navigating ADHD.

Whether we have ADHD or not, there are a few areas of life that consistently need structure. If they’re ignored, they tend to slide quietly (and then not so quietly) into chaos.

Over the years, I’ve noticed three areas that make the most significant difference:

1. Planning time
2. Managing paper
3. Writing things down

None of these requires perfection. All of them need ongoing attention.

1. Planning Time Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Support

One of the most helpful habits I’ve developed is setting aside 30 minutes at the start of my day to review my schedule and identify my priorities.

During this time, I:

• Review my calendar
• Look at what actually needs my attention that day
• Check emails and voicemails
• Orient myself to what’s coming

This isn’t about controlling the day—it’s about reducing cognitive load. Research in executive function consistently shows that planning time supports working memory and reduces overwhelm, particularly for ADHD brains that are constantly juggling incoming information (Barkley, 2022; Brown, 2023).

One technique I still rely on is printing my weekly Outlook schedule on a brightly colored piece of paper—my “flexible copy.”

This paper will serve as my working document for the week. I cross things off, add post-it notes, shift tasks, and make changes as life happens. The color makes it easy to find among all the other things on my desk.

As a nurse, we used a similar tool during shifts and called it our “brains.” Years later, I still find this approach incredibly useful.

2. Paper Needs a Home—or It Will Take Over

Paper management is one of those deceptively simple areas that can quietly undo our best intentions.

Near my desk, I keep a small file drawer—and most days, it’s open. I like being able to see what’s inside. Visibility matters for ADHD brains.

Inside, files are arranged in a way that makes sense to me:

• Frequently used documents toward the front
• Less frequently accessed materials toward the back

This isn’t about having a perfect filing system. It’s about preventing paper from piling up on my desk and becoming mentally overwhelming.

Research on ADHD and organization shows that external structure—visible, accessible systems—often works better than internal reminders alone (Sibley et al., 2023). The goal isn’t order for order’s sake. The goal is containment until you have the time and energy to sort things more fully.

3. Writing Things Down Is an Act of Kindness to Your Brain

Even though I consider myself fairly organized—and yes, my memory is still mostly intact—I’ve learned not to rely on it exclusively.

With busy days full of interesting people, I noticed how uncomfortable it felt when I couldn’t immediately recall details of a client’s progress between sessions. Not because I wasn’t paying attention—but because memory is not a storage system. It’s a process.

To support myself, I keep a simple “chart” for each client. It’s nothing fancy—just a brief form that allows me to jot down essential details quickly.

Before our next session, I review it. When our coaching relationship ends, I dispose of the notes appropriately.

This practice reduces mental strain and allows me to show up more present. Studies on ADHD and executive functioning consistently emphasize that external memory tools improve performance and reduce anxiety (APA, 2024).

The Most Important Thing I’ve Learned About Organizing

Here’s the part that matters most:

Organizing is not something you “finish.”

It’s ongoing.

I genuinely believe the universe’s natural state is chaos. And while I may be cosmically fighting a losing battle, I’m determined to win a few meaningful skirmishes along the way.

Organization isn’t a personality trait.

It isn’t a moral achievement.

And it isn’t proof that you’re “doing life right.”

It’s a practice—one that supports your brain so you can focus your energy where it matters most.

If organization has felt hard or elusive, that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means your brain needs supports that work with it, not against it.

Start small.

Pick one area.

Adjust as you go.

And remember: consistency matters more than perfection.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What systems—or non-systems—have worked for you?

Where does chaos tend to creep in?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Updated Research Context (2026)

• Barkley, R. A. (2022). Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved.
• Brown, T. E. (2023). ADHD and executive function impairments in adults. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
• Sibley, M. H., et al. (2023). External organization systems and ADHD outcomes. Journal of Attention Disorders.
• American Psychological Association. (2024). ADHD and cognitive load management.