Does anybody have recommendations for time management software for ADHD/autism/executive dysfunction?
-
What I'm looking for, here, is basically a cognitive prosthesis for executive functioning, specifically the stuff that involves *following* the plan, as opposed to forming one in the first place. Context switching, goal tracking, step-by-step organization, motivation... That kind of stuff.
In my head while I reread what I wrote, I can hear the Lost in Space intro announcer guy saying, "Loooooost in Tiiiiiime". It's really fitting. It's like my brain inhabits a dimension orthogonal to time, so I can't pinpoint where the heck I am.
-
Does anybody have recommendations for time management software for ADHD/autism/executive dysfunction?
Not the staying-on-task stuff like pomodoro. I struggle specifically with time blindness and task initiation:
1. I forget where I am in the process, what I'm doing, what needs to be done, when it needs to be done by, what's a priority, what happened yesterday, how long I've been working, what freaking day of the week it is, etc. (Also, can't estimate project duration to save my life.)
2. I struggle awfully with getting started in the first place. Any little disruption and my brain says I'm starting over again. My biggest problem seems to be that I have some much interesting stuff I'm working on, and it pains me to interrupt that flow to work on something comparatively dull but more urgent. A big part of that is because, odds are I will forget where I'm at with the cool stuff I was doing, or even forget to come back to it altogether.
@hosford42 I have resorted to keeping a journal because all the time management software that they tout so far has been woefully inadequate, and often requires far too much time and effort themselves.
-
@hosford42 have you tried any journaling thing?
@autisticplushy I have to remember to write in a journal, so no. lol
-
@autisticplushy I have to remember to write in a journal, so no. lol
@autisticplushy Also, I have to remember where I put the journal, if it's a physical object. lol
-
@hosford42 I have resorted to keeping a journal because all the time management software that they tout so far has been woefully inadequate, and often requires far too much time and effort themselves.
@sasutina13 What format does your journal take? Just a flat structure with dated entries? Or something more targeted?
-
@sasutina13 What format does your journal take? Just a flat structure with dated entries? Or something more targeted?
@sasutina13 And if you had your way, what would the software do that would make it useful to you?
-
@sasutina13 And if you had your way, what would the software do that would make it useful to you?
@sasutina13 I can't remember to use a journal, but an app might work better. But like you, I can't find one that suits me, so I'm thinking of maybe creating one
-
@autisticplushy Also, I have to remember where I put the journal, if it's a physical object. lol
@hosford42 there are ways to journal digitally, but that's the thing more suited for your issue that i can muster. Hope you find something.
-
@sasutina13 What format does your journal take? Just a flat structure with dated entries? Or something more targeted?
@hosford42 I am presently putting most everything in a libreoffice doc to make it searchable, etc., and to give me the means of transferring to a better utility in the future.
I was using Tiki but it broke badly and won´t restore from it´s own backups.
I got in the habit of journaling from previous jobs where a detailed written report of the day´s activities was required.
-
@sasutina13 I can't remember to use a journal, but an app might work better. But like you, I can't find one that suits me, so I'm thinking of maybe creating one
@hosford42 If there is a suitable app for linux or bsd I would consider it. I use phones only for phone call stuff.
I thought about making something but the design and features bits became overwhelming for me.
-
@sasutina13 And if you had your way, what would the software do that would make it useful to you?
@hosford42 I think I would have a journal plus todo list, in-app reminder with email option, optional instead of global nag function, a calendar/diary... That is all I can think of at the moment.
-
@hosford42 there are ways to journal digitally, but that's the thing more suited for your issue that i can muster. Hope you find something.
@autisticplushy What do you do with your journaling that makes it helpful to you? I'm having trouble imagining the use for it, which means I'm missing something.
-
@hosford42 I am presently putting most everything in a libreoffice doc to make it searchable, etc., and to give me the means of transferring to a better utility in the future.
I was using Tiki but it broke badly and won´t restore from it´s own backups.
I got in the habit of journaling from previous jobs where a detailed written report of the day´s activities was required.
@sasutina13 Sorry, I meant, what are you actually putting in the journal. Just dated entries? Or is there structure?
Like, for me, something that keeps popping into my head is, it would be awesome if I had a "goal stack". Like, here's my main goal. This is a subtotal of the main goal. And this is a subgoal of the subgoal. When I'm done with this subgoal, I cross it off and go back up one level to figure out my next steps.
-
@hosford42 I think I would have a journal plus todo list, in-app reminder with email option, optional instead of global nag function, a calendar/diary... That is all I can think of at the moment.
@sasutina13 I like it! This helps me match what my problems are with possible solutions, so I really appreciate it!
-
@autisticplushy What do you do with your journaling that makes it helpful to you? I'm having trouble imagining the use for it, which means I'm missing something.
@hosford42 i dont do it personally, because i think i have a good enough memory and time management myself. But a lot of ND friends use it and it kinda works for them at some level. Maybe as a gamified version in an app, or writing in a "boring" notebook. And seems like it solves the issues of tracking anything relevant in your life (sleep, mood, etc) or any tasks or goals you have.
-
@sasutina13 Sorry, I meant, what are you actually putting in the journal. Just dated entries? Or is there structure?
Like, for me, something that keeps popping into my head is, it would be awesome if I had a "goal stack". Like, here's my main goal. This is a subtotal of the main goal. And this is a subgoal of the subgoal. When I'm done with this subgoal, I cross it off and go back up one level to figure out my next steps.
@hosford42 No real structure to it. It is more of a narrative with bullet lists of tasks and goals and such. Not much nesting of things, though. Tags don´t quite work in this format. I do review it frequently.
When I complete something I make a note on the day it is done.
-
@sasutina13 Sorry, I meant, what are you actually putting in the journal. Just dated entries? Or is there structure?
Like, for me, something that keeps popping into my head is, it would be awesome if I had a "goal stack". Like, here's my main goal. This is a subtotal of the main goal. And this is a subgoal of the subgoal. When I'm done with this subgoal, I cross it off and go back up one level to figure out my next steps.
@hosford42 I have a structured checklist form that I used for a job that I intend to adapt to just living and such... Just have to figure out what I need to put on it.
-
Does anybody have recommendations for time management software for ADHD/autism/executive dysfunction?
Not the staying-on-task stuff like pomodoro. I struggle specifically with time blindness and task initiation:
1. I forget where I am in the process, what I'm doing, what needs to be done, when it needs to be done by, what's a priority, what happened yesterday, how long I've been working, what freaking day of the week it is, etc. (Also, can't estimate project duration to save my life.)
2. I struggle awfully with getting started in the first place. Any little disruption and my brain says I'm starting over again. My biggest problem seems to be that I have some much interesting stuff I'm working on, and it pains me to interrupt that flow to work on something comparatively dull but more urgent. A big part of that is because, odds are I will forget where I'm at with the cool stuff I was doing, or even forget to come back to it altogether.
@hosford42 on the point of getting started, i went through a bit of a journey on that if you want to take a look and see if anything seems to apply to your situation https://brookmiles.ca/2017/01/01/learning-something-every-day-of-2016-december/
That spreadsheet also takes care of the "what have i done and when".
On general task planning and tracking... I use text files as my baseline. Never have to review/install/configure/update software, portable and cross platform. Write a list of things and put an X next to them when they are done, add anything that comes to mind to the list.
The spreadsheet and todo list are always open on my screen, so I'll see them frequently by accident if nothing else.
-
@hosford42 on the point of getting started, i went through a bit of a journey on that if you want to take a look and see if anything seems to apply to your situation https://brookmiles.ca/2017/01/01/learning-something-every-day-of-2016-december/
That spreadsheet also takes care of the "what have i done and when".
On general task planning and tracking... I use text files as my baseline. Never have to review/install/configure/update software, portable and cross platform. Write a list of things and put an X next to them when they are done, add anything that comes to mind to the list.
The spreadsheet and todo list are always open on my screen, so I'll see them frequently by accident if nothing else.
@hosford42 I will add that, when I started 10 years ago, I was thinking "why do i procrastinate so much?" and not "maybe I have ADHD, and also i'm exhausted".
In hindsight a big part of the problem was also just general fatigue from trying to work a full time job and also use all of my free time "being productive" instead of "getting rest". There's only so much you can do to manage yourself out of needing proper rest and regular physical activity.
-
@hosford42 I will add that, when I started 10 years ago, I was thinking "why do i procrastinate so much?" and not "maybe I have ADHD, and also i'm exhausted".
In hindsight a big part of the problem was also just general fatigue from trying to work a full time job and also use all of my free time "being productive" instead of "getting rest". There's only so much you can do to manage yourself out of needing proper rest and regular physical activity.
@brook thanks for this! And yeah, that last bit definitely applies to me, only I don't do it on purpose. I can't stand to twiddle my thumbs or sit idly. It bores me to death. My brain demands that I do cognitive heavy lifting or I am miserable. Even when I watch shows or play games, it's always stuff that makes me think. That's been a real struggle this last year with brain fog, fatigue, and extra poor sleep from undiagnosed diabetes. (So glad I know the cause now!)
