Stubby List

[lcdc1]

I learned this concept and idea from a book and my head doc today! A lot of ADHD'ers have to use visual prompts to get things done and to simplify tasks that are priority. BUT, if you are like me, my list is continuous and can be pages and pages long. Well the idea is to break things down in smaller doable chunks by priority. So a stubby list is a small post it or memo pad that you write out your 5 top items to get done for that day and only write those each day. My stubby list would look something like this:

1. Take the first 5 items off my paper pile on the counter and handle them.

2. Buy poster display board for the kids class.

3. Take toyota into get the oil changed.

4. Do 2 loads of laundry.

5. Call vet and schedule Dixie's appt.

I have a different stubby list at work related to specific priorities there.

Your stubby would be related to whatever you HAVE to get done that day and broken down to your specific issues!

I am having an issue in my life of paying bills on time and have messed up my credit rating and everything I have tried so far has not been consistent with me, so my head doc told me to take 5 items each day off the pile, take them to work and handle them at lunch when my meds are full on board! So I am starting that tommorow until the pile is done, may take a couple weeks or more, but I have to start somewhere! Once I get through the pile, then I will develop a system to stay on top of the bills and money issues, but this idea will get me started at least to deal with the mess that I avoid all the time.

[bugsmom]

It sound like a great system. I think I'm going to start a Stubby List.

Let us know how it works out. I think its a great start.

[lcdc1]

The book that I am talking about is called, ADD-Friendly ways to Organize Your Life by Judith Kolberg and Kathleen Nadeau. My head doc recommended it to me and that also references the stubby list concept of breaking tasks down.

[jj]

Even I could handle a stubby list I think. I really need that for at home. I like that it's called "stubby". LOL I think I'll try that too. I'll let ya know if it works for me. I have GOT to get a handle on some things I just pretend aren't there.

[John]

LCDC, I to have a issue paying bills on time. Some of them I set up to do an auto-matic checking account payment but not all of them yet.

I was watching a Dr Phil segment the other day and this person had what's called ''Visual Amnesia''. She could talk to you for hours but if she saw you later that day she would have no idea who you were. If you said to her, I'm so and so and we meet this morning she would remember. Just visually seeing you did nothing for her.
Just thought that was interesting.

[misty]

I never heard of Visual amnesia before John. I wish I had seen that show. It sounds interesting.

I remember reading somewhere that most people that seem to be highly organized are list keepers. I am extremely organized & also keep/make lists for everything. To do lists, grocery lists, lists of Bill's meds, etc, etc, etc. My biggest arguments with Shannon stem from my inability to handle the chaos that her disorganization causes. It just really drives me nuts when things aren't put away properly, her room is a disaster area, she can't keep track of assignments, or forgets to do her chores.

[lcdc1]

YUP, the stubby list is working for me and makes me feel much more successful when I can check 5 things off that are most important! I am still trying to get the mail system of handling 5 items a day on my pile! It is harder than you would think because I find things in there that just set me off, like the second letter of denial for surgery from my insurance company and then the letter saying my car insurance is going up 200 bucks a year and my medical insurance premium is going up and then a nasty past due from a doctors office! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I wanted to burn the whole pile and start over, but it was my fault for not following the plan I was supposed to. I looked at the 5 items in the evening before dinner and I am not supposed to do that because it is a hard part of the day for me to transition to home and meds are worn off. I am supposed to pick up the 5 items without really looking at them and take them to work and deal with them at lunch, so I am back on track and trying it again!