By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – September 17, 2018
Organization isn’t always pretty; in fact, it can be downright ugly, and many ugly organizational systems are more effective than pretty ones. If you look up the word “organized” in the dictionary, you see words like structured, controlled, and systematic. Now, while these are great descriptors, it makes me think of warehouses in rows and columns. I’m not saying that type of system isn’t effective, but it just doesn’t work for me. What it really comes down to is whether I know exactly where something is when I need it.
Continue reading “Ugly Organizing Systems Are Not All Bad”
Adults with ADHD often struggle with going on vacation, as well as school and business trips, primarily because of the challenge involved in packing. They’re hard on themselves because they think it should be easy.
ADHD isn’t so much a deficit of attention but rather an issue of self-regulation—the ability to vigorously engage the executive functioning brain to override the automatic brain.
ADHD stimulant medications are classified as Schedule II medications, which means they have a high potential for abuse and as a result are controlled substances. Medications like Adderal are in high demand on college campuses as a study aid. Many with ADHD are lured by friends to share medications and sometimes sell them, which constitutes a felony act. In a rising trend, many ADHD students are unaware of the punitive consequences of ADHD drug diversion, and it has become a hot topic. Many resources talk at students on the topic which mutes the message.
Are you worried about the long-term effects of taking ADHD stimulant medications? You should be. You should also be worried about the long-term effects of NOT taking ADHD meds. All too often, I find people demonize medications prematurely or don’t put them in context. Mind you, I’m not pro medication, but I am anti suffering, especially in the face of ignorance.
Are ADHD meds addictive? Well, are they? Yes or no? Can’t somebody answer my question? Apparently not. Oh, sure, the “ADHD doesn’t exist” crowd might be quick to suggest the meds are addictive, but I’ve found it virtually impossible to find a definitive answer to the question from a credible source.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. What is Obvious Depends On What We Attend To (what I call a WODOWWAT). It is hard for most people to “get,” but hundreds of times a day, our own attention obstructs what is obvious. Examples of it are everywhere. The reason you don’t realize it is because you are not looking for evidence that you are attending to the wrong thing; rather, you miss it because you are more focused on looking for evidence, proof that you are attending to the right thing. 
You may be reading this because the idea of organizing caught your eye. Many of those with ADHD label themselves as disorganized when they see the clutter around them or think of the odd ways they manage tasks. The truth is, however, that much of their “disorganization” is simply based on how it looks.