James Donaldson on Mental Health - How to Help Yourself Get Organized

Writer: Rae Jacobson, MS Clinical Expert: Caroline Mendel, PsyD What You'll Learn Why does being disorganized cause problems?

How can you approach getting organized differently?

How can you find strategies that work for you?

Quick Read Full Article Don’t try harder, try differently Identify weak spots Use tools But don’t get bogged down in planning What actually works > what’s supposed to work Sustainability is key A few universal tips Stop beating yourself up, and start moving on When you’re disorganized, it can feel like you’re always one mistake away from disaster.

To outsiders, it might seem like if you just paid attention or tried harder, everything would be fine.

But for many kids — especially those with executive functioning issues or ADHD — figuring out how to get (and stay) organized isn’t as simple as “trying harder.” There’s no one way to become a more organized person.

It’s about finding the strategies that work for you, and sticking with them until they become habit.

Start by identifying trouble spots.

Maybe you can never find your keys so you’re always late.

Or you never seem to remember what the homework was, so you don’t do it.