ADHD

[Slendersoul]

I am aware this has been discussed dozens of times, but I need advice/suggestions. I am an adult with ADHD. I am trying to organize my life using the GTD method and I am very overwhelmed. There is a lot to learn and I am struggling. I purchased the
audible book and the workbook, but my mind starts to wander after a few minutes of listening. If there are those of you out there who have ADHD (no meds) and are successfully using GTD can you please share with me anything you are using or have learned. I would really appreciate it. Ty.

 

[HelenM]

I'm not diagnosed but am probably ADHD. Or something! Anyway my best advice would be to take one little step at a time. It can be a lot to take in! Start with capturing everything you can think of that you need / want to do. You can do it a bit at a time if that's better.

As an aside I find audiobooks IMPOSSIBLE to focus on but you will know what works best for you. The workbook is very helpful to dip into. Weirdly I would also recommend the Reddit r/GTD and search for ADHD, often Reddit is a sinkhole but there's some good advice on there.

You will probably need to try a few different approaches to see what works for you, but I would recommend just using paper and pen to start with. It's really easy to get distracted with an app.

 

[gtdstudente]

I am aware this has been discussed dozens of times, but I need advice/suggestions. I am an adult with ADHD. I am trying to organize my life using the GTD method and I am very overwhelmed. There is a lot to learn and I am struggling. I purchased the
audible book and the workbook, but my mind starts to wander after a few minutes of listening. If there are those of you out there who have ADHD (no meds) and are successfully using GTD can you please share with me anything you are using or have learned. I would really appreciate it. Ty.

@Slendersoul ,

With all due respect . . . GTD is not a 'self-torturing' methodology

Wrap GTD around the ADHD gift vs. attempts to 'force' GTD on the ADHD gift?

Learn GTD to appropriately prescribe GTD to your life by adding [one GTD nugget at a time] to your current writing skills [one notebook to Capture OK . . . for one place to Review] . . . in a way, for encouragement, Capturing-&-Reviewing alone in one notebook 'is 40%' of GTD . . . take it as slow as you best see GTD fit ?

Ps. GTD for Teens is a great "reading starter and refresher" as well

 

[Gardener]

I am aware this has been discussed dozens of times, but I need advice/suggestions. I am an adult with ADHD. I am trying to organize my life using the GTD method and I am very overwhelmed. There is a lot to learn and I am struggling. I purchased the
audible book and the workbook, but my mind starts to wander after a few minutes of listening. If there are those of you out there who have ADHD (no meds) and are successfully using GTD can you please share with me anything you are using or have learned. I would really appreciate it. Ty.

Is the question about how to focus on the audiobook, or how to implement GTD?

If it's the first: When I'm trying to focus on something audible, it helps to have something to do physically. It doesn't really matter what--making paper clip chains, knitting, doodling, darning a sock, gardening, cooking.

And sometimes I need to listen to the thing several times.

So, for example, you could perhaps try listening to the audible book every night while you cook (if you habitually cook), until you've listened to it three or four times. And if you're me, you'll also have bouncy music playing at the same time. And possibly a not-too-interesting show on the TV. Yes, all at the same time.

In using GTD, there are some practices that just don't work for me.

For example, the two minute rule breaks my focus. Yes, it makes sense to, say, schedule a meeting in Outlook, rather than create a Next Action of, "Schedule Meeting," but--no. Absolutely does not work for me.

And I cannot support long lists. I think the purest form of GTD has all of the fully committed actions that you could do now, in your current lists. But, no. Absolutely does not work for me. The vast majority of my actions stay in Someday/Maybe, so that the lists from which I choose a current action are very short.

I suspect that there are other practices that I rejected so long ago that i don't even remember they exist.

 

[Slendersoul]

I'm not diagnosed but am probably ADHD. Or something! Anyway my best advice would be to take one little step at a time. It can be a lot to take in! Start with capturing everything you can think of that you need / want to do. You can do it a bit at a time if that's better.

As an aside I find audiobooks IMPOSSIBLE to focus on but you will know what works best for you. The workbook is very helpful to dip into. Weirdly I would also recommend the Reddit r/GTD and search for ADHD, often Reddit is a sinkhole but there's some good advice on there.

You will probably need to try a few different approaches to see what works for you, but I would recommend just using paper and pen to start with. It's really easy to get distracted with an app.

Reddit with an ADHD search is worth a try. Thanks!

 

[Slendersoul]

Is the question about how to focus on the audiobook, or how to implement GTD?

If it's the first: When I'm trying to focus on something audible, it helps to have something to do physically. It doesn't really matter what--making paper clip chains, knitting, doodling, darning a sock, gardening, cooking.

And sometimes I need to listen to the thing several times.

So, for example, you could perhaps try listening to the audible book every night while you cook (if you habitually cook), until you've listened to it three or four times. And if you're me, you'll also have bouncy music playing at the same time. And possibly a not-too-interesting show on the TV. Yes, all at the same time.

In using GTD, there are some practices that just don't work for me.

For example, the two minute rule breaks my focus. Yes, it makes sense to, say, schedule a meeting in Outlook, rather than create a Next Action of, "Schedule Meeting," but--no. Absolutely does not work for me.

And I cannot support long lists. I think the purest form of GTD has all of the fully committed actions that you could do now, in your current lists. But, no. Absolutely does not work for me. The vast majority of my actions stay in Someday/Maybe, so that the lists from which I choose a current action are very short.

I suspect that there are other practices that I rejected so long ago that i don't even remember they exist.

I was thinking the same thing. I need to listen to the audiobook a few times to really get a good grasp of it.

 

[Slendersoul]

@Slendersoul ,

With all due respect . . . GTD is not a 'self-torturing' methodology

Wrap GTD around the ADHD gift vs. attempts to 'force' GTD on the ADHD gift?

Learn GTD to appropriately prescribe GTD to your life by adding [one GTD nugget at a time] to your current writing skills [one notebook to Capture OK . . . for one place to Review] . . . in a way, for encouragement, Capturing-&-Reviewing alone in one notebook 'is 40%' of GTD . . . take it as slow as you best see GTD fit ?

Ps. GTD for Teens is a great "reading starter and refresher" as well

Thanks for the tips. I really appreciate them.

 

[schmeggahead]

There is a lot to learn and I am struggling. I purchased the
audible book and the workbook, but my mind starts to wander after a few minutes of listening.

Adult ADHD person here - my mind starts to wander also when studying David Allen's work. I use two tools to help focus: 1) I use the kindle ebook with narration to listen and read at the same time (it highlights the text that is being read). 2) I have a blank sheet of paper with a favorite pen to capture concepts.

This alters my engagement with the material. My aim is to capture concise concepts that I think will be useful based upon my experience.

One other technique is to carefully control my environment for reduced visual and audio distractions.

Hope this helps,
Clayton.

The best way out is through. - David Allen

 

[zedd]

The book Finally Focused by Dr. James Greenblatt offers suggestions for non-prescription nutritional supplements that the author recommends for treatment of ADHD.

 

[kingmonkeyno1]

ADHD'er here.

My advice is try not to master all of GTD all at once. This would be impossible for anyone, not just adhd'ers.

Focus on keeping it simple. GTD and allens thoughts in the book can go deep, and sometimes you assume you need to understand all the ideology .

I actually read the book over 15 years ago, and never fully implemented it, and came back to it just now. Interestingly some little bits stuck. For example, i always had in inbox, and tried to capture stuff best i could, and also figuring out the next action. My adhd brain sees the whole picture at once, and finds it difficult to get started, but more often than not, every project progresses one step at a time.

Try to keep it simple, and lean into it rather than trying to get it all mastered all at once. For example, start out just carrying a notebook and capturing things as they come to your mind......... process it later.

Not sure if its allowed to discuss here, but zen habits has a slightly different take on gtd, with the focus on building simple habits first.....

Good luck, and remember, just because you forgot to look at your lists/systems/planner for a few days, doesnt mean you just cant pick it up and begin again. Dont have to throw the whole thing out the window!

 

[gtdstudente]

ADHD'er here.

My advice is try not to master all of GTD all at once. This would be impossible for anyone, not just adhd'ers.

Focus on keeping it simple. GTD and allens thoughts in the book can go deep, and sometimes you assume you need to understand all the ideology .

I actually read the book over 15 years ago, and never fully implemented it, and came back to it just now. Interestingly some little bits stuck. For example, i always had in inbox, and tried to capture stuff best i could, and also figuring out the next action. My adhd brain sees the whole picture at once, and finds it difficult to get started, but more often than not, every project progresses one step at a time.

Try to keep it simple, and lean into it rather than trying to get it all mastered all at once. For example, start out just carrying a notebook and capturing things as they come to your mind......... process it later.

Not sure if its allowed to discuss here, but zen habits has a slightly different take on gtd, with the focus on building simple habits first.....

Good luck, and remember, just because you forgot to look at your lists/systems/planner for a few days, doesnt mean you just cant pick it up and begin again. Dont have to throw the whole thing out the window!

@kingmonkeyno1

Liking to fully-functioning 'GTD building-blocks' . . . one trust-worthy GTD block at a time?

 

[kingmonkeyno1]

I'm not diagnosed but am probably ADHD. Or something! Anyway my best advice would be to take one little step at a time. It can be a lot to take in! Start with capturing everything you can think of that you need / want to do. You can do it a bit at a time if that's better.

As an aside I find audiobooks IMPOSSIBLE to focus on but you will know what works best for you. The workbook is very helpful to dip into. Weirdly I would also recommend the Reddit r/GTD and search for ADHD, often Reddit is a sinkhole but there's some good advice on there.

You will probably need to try a few different approaches to see what works for you, but I would recommend just using paper and pen to start with. It's really easy to get distracted with an app.

Adhd'er here, totally concur with your points. Reddit is a good source. Also, agree that pen and paper, even with its potential drawbacks has been the cornerstone of me sticking to it. Way too easy to start looking at optimum apps, or just any other digital distraction.

 

[gtdstudente]

I am aware this has been discussed dozens of times, but I need advice/suggestions. I am an adult with ADHD. I am trying to organize my life using the GTD method and I am very overwhelmed. There is a lot to learn and I am struggling. I purchased the
audible book and the workbook, but my mind starts to wander after a few minutes of listening. If there are those of you out there who have ADHD (no meds) and are successfully using GTD can you please share with me anything you are using or have learned. I would really appreciate it. Ty.

@Slendersoul

Harnessing Attention/Brain/Mind can be so challengingly difficult . . . however . . . once one seemingly arduously gets GTD to satisfactorily function, then 'everything' else seems so much easier/manageable ?

The only way out is an objectifiable brain ?

 

[fooddude]

I was thinking the same thing. I need to listen to the audiobook a few times to really get a good grasp of it.

With all due respect. If you have ADHD, I bet "your good grasp" is to become an expert. If you do that you will never implement the system. Every one seems to make this more complicated than it is. Looking for the perfect tools, calendar etc. Start with you projects list. Just a list. Not a whole series of next actions. Look at item one. What is the very next action. If it is call or text someone. You've just found you need an @phone list. If it is research or email you've found your @computer list. I currently only have 8 next action context lists. I have the very next action on a context list. I would never have all the next actions on my project list. Just the next one. I only have project support for very large or complicated projects. Even then I only have a few. And those will be moved to reference when complete. Hope this helps. All The Best.

 

[dtj]

I am aware this has been discussed dozens of times, but I need advice/suggestions. I am an adult with ADHD. I am trying to organize my life using the GTD method and I am very overwhelmed. There is a lot to learn and I am struggling. I purchased the
audible book and the workbook, but my mind starts to wander after a few minutes of listening. If there are those of you out there who have ADHD (no meds) and are successfully using GTD can you please share with me anything you are using or have learned. I would really appreciate it. Ty.

Give yourself some grace. GTD can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be. Maybe consider reading/listening to the resources a couple/few times before jumping in, hoping you have the ultimate silver bullet for your organizational woes. It's a process that takes some times many iterations. That's why many adherents read the book yearly, in order to make use of their new POV from further down the trail. To torture a sports metaphor a bit, put together a coupla base hits before expecting the grand slam.

 

[boomer70]

As others have said, don't try to set up a whole system at once. Use baby steps. I think David said that if you only implement some steps you will see value. I simply just started capturing and using the 2 minute rule and built from there. Just that felt great. I am a pretty faithful GTDer now but it took years to get here.

 

[Bill Myers]

I'm a card-carrying adult ADHDer. I found The Getting Things Done Workbook to be more helpful than I can put into words. It's an easy, quick read. It makes the concepts super-easy to understand and implement. And then you can tackle the Getting Things Done book already having a firm grounding in the core concepts, which will make it less overwhelming.

 

[johanbertil]

Also have ADHD here (or ADD more specifically). I really wish there could be an extensive article or book written about this subject (GTD with ADHD). It took long for me to understand it, and I echo the previous opinion that the Workbook made it easier. I also want to say that I understood Allens book Making it all work much better than the "real" GTD book, so I really want to recommend that one (I feel it has been a bit in the shadows in the strong light of the original GTD book.)

I have also read that some people recommend the GTD for teens book, even for adults. Maybe that is a good idea for people with ADHD?

When I read the first GTD book from 2001, in Swedish, I thought it sounded cool, but I had no idea on how to implement this in my life. His examples is a lot for an office/corporate guy with a million things to do, and at the time I was just a student without a job, so I didn't really understand how this was for me. It could also be that the translation was a bit bad

I hope nobody gets offended but, as all writers are a writing from their cultural context, the great David Allens book is written from an American (often corporate, like people who have board meetings and a boat) perspective, and even though most of it's totally universal, the principles I mean, some of the cultural references or language I feel does not speak to me, or rather are so far from my reality, and some times different from the Swedish culture.

But when I read Making it all work I understood much better, but sadly never implemented it. (This was 10 years ago). Now I have finally started to implement it but with ADHD it feels sometimes very overwhelming, especially with long lists. I have decided not to check the Someday/Maybe list so often for example, or maybe even not capture "all" crazy mindblowing ideas in there, it just creates guilt for me, even though many things there are good stuff. I also like the "pure" GTD project list with no "subtasks", it makes it a lot less overwhelming.

Another great concern I have is what I have read that several psychologists and books on ADHD recommend, namely the ABC method. Just prioritizing tasks with ABC, which is an easier method, but goes much against what David Allen teaches. They also recommend that, again against GTD, that you put the ABC (maybe color codes) tasks on a calendar, even stuff that is not strictly time bound (as GTD recommends). So if that is researched to have worked, I am a bit thorn between maybe GTD is not for me, but also I have seen that GTD has worked so far.

Any thoughts on this? The ABC method can also feel very overwhelming since you are supposed to prio your tasks every day, and just looking at a calendar full of tasks (maybe recurring tasks like showering or washing, but never the less) can also feel very overwhelming. Also I have managed to implement GTD kind of good for my working life (even though I am really a beginner), but not very good in my personal life (yet).

 

[Bill Myers]

Any thoughts on this? The ABC method can also feel very overwhelming since you are supposed to prio your tasks every day, and just looking at a calendar full of tasks (maybe recurring tasks like showering or washing, but never the less) can also feel very overwhelming. Also I have managed to implement GTD kind of good for my working life (even though I am really a beginner), but not very good in my personal life (yet).

Sometimes doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, etc., can be wrong, just as we can be. I'm not saying the are in this case. But they can be.

Also, I think their advice presupposes that you don't have a complete and clear inventory of all of your commitments at every level. In that case, ABC priority coding may make sense. But I always found it to be a burden, because priorities can change rapidly and unexpectedly.

I won't offer advice, but I'll tell you what I've been doing. I've decided to go "all in" with GTD. The results can't be any worse than when I leave my life unmanaged, which I have done for periods spanning years. So it's low-risk for me. And I'm finding the results so far have been encouraging.

(Since I've been on this forum for something like 10 years, some may be wondering why in God's didn't I go all in with GTD years ago? Well, I tried. But I was unconsciously resistant to some of it. The workbook really helped clear some roadblocks for me).

 

[johanbertil]

Sometimes doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, etc., can be wrong, just as we can be. I'm not saying the are in this case. But they can be.

Also, I think their advice presupposes that you don't have a complete and clear inventory of all of your commitments at every level. In that case, ABC priority coding may make sense. But I always found it to be a burden, because priorities can change rapidly and unexpectedly.

I won't offer advice, but I'll tell you what I've been doing. I've decided to go "all in" with GTD. The results can't be any worse than when I leave my life unmanaged, which I have done for periods spanning years. So it's low-risk for me. And I'm finding the results so far have been encouraging.

(Since I've been on this forum for something like 10 years, some may be wondering why in God's didn't I go all in with GTD years ago? Well, I tried. But I was unconsciously resistant to some of it. The workbook really helped clear some roadblocks for me).

Thanks for you answer! They can sure be wrong, I have met several that I thought should work with something else Yeah I guess the psychologist recommend that because it is so simple, and I guess it is a much better method than to have the total unorganized chaos (that I have had) that many with ADHD struggle with. The ADHD book that I read, that the medical care here recommends to every one, also recommends some kind of "capturing", namely a notebook that you later use to put your actionable items on the ABC-list. But it's far from a complete inventory of course, and does not include any review or processing of the "in"

I also have decided to go all in, finally. What i struggle with is of course procrastination, actually doing the stuff, but finally I have started to do the weekly reviews.

Curious to know what you mean by "card-carrying"? Do you write next actions on index cards or is your whole system paper-based?