*EXTREME* Chronic Disorganization!!?

Question

I have had horrific time management skills/ organization skills for as long as I could remember. Even my elementary school teachers complained how messy/disorganized I was.

Well, now that I'm 17, this problem, (along with procrastination) has compounded. I almost didn't graduate because I kept procrastinating learning how to swim for the swim test (grad requirement) and I didn't pay attention to all the forms I had to fill out for graduation. I knew about these, but I completely forgot about them. I kept procrastinating on downloading an application for an internship for college students (I have two jobs already, but my primary one is only for HS students, and now that I'm graduating, I need another), and now it's too late. I only have one school notebook to do my homework, take notes, and put notices in because it's easier than having to stop and select the right binder/notebook to put stuff in. (I'm pretty busy, with school and work).

I usually work until 6 after school (plus all day on Saturdays), but when I'm at home, I'm so lazy and tired! Help, this problem is ruining my life! How can I stop my procrastination and stay on top of things without devoting hours a day on cleaning?

No, in other words, "How can I tackle this problem without cleaning for hours a day" (what are some planning/organizing methods that'll only take up to 40 minutes at most?)

Answer 1

Use some sort of a calender or planner, and fill it out, leaving time to do everything. Break projects into small parts, and take breaks in between. Write everything down that you need to do, and fill it out every night before you go to bed. Keep all papers in a folder that you keep with you, and go through it and fill things out and put them on the other side every day.

Answer 2

I think we're labeled ADD. I'm 77 and still looking at my apt wondering where do I start? So I do Yahoo instead!! I made it through HS and college by finding something I think is "auto-genic" memorization. Cram late the night before a test; set the alarm for 3 a.m.; awake in a semi-sleep state where my "critical super-ego" is still asleep. I'd go over the material once, fall asleep and then rush to class and simply pour out the answers! I didn't know what real thinking was until I went to Berkeley (in my '30's) and ran rats from Tollman's bright strain, and started designing new types of trials. It was exhilerating (I still can't sp! and no sp check here! This led me to learning re right-brained dominance (analytical and organized) and Left-brained, more creative in thinking new ways. I may have this turned around--but I started out life Left handed and was switched to R in the 1st Grade. It messed up my speech, everything, let alone, any confidence I had. My SECOND year in 1st Gr with the same teacher that had flunked me, left me hating school and not so keen on myself, either. But at 32 yrs of age, those rats taught me more than all the years prior! And sent me off on a life-time of learning. I paid off my 3rd student loan the year I retired--at 66, after getting a Calif. teaching Certificate (a 5-yr grad program at Berkeley); an MA in Counseling and Guidance; and took all courses for a Ed Specialist degree, but didn't take the boards. I loved the 5 yrs teaching Kinders; the 15 yrs, therapist with very troubled adolescent young women in a residential treatment center; and the last 6 yrs, with severe behavior disordered adolescent guys! We (the guys and I) devised a way of decoding their apparent irratic bhv by diagramming their bhr, and found out that they were obtaining all their basic emotional Needs (Wm. Glasser): Belonging, Power, Freedom and Fun! They took those patterns back to their Family of Origins when the bhrs were formed (This is Piaget's Formal Concrete Cognitive stage) and WHY they HAD to form COVERT bhrs inorder to get their Needs met (due to illnesses, unemployment, alcoholism etc in the family). As they discovered these, they began relating in positive ways with each other and adults! Their grades went up and most got their diplomas. I'm making a visit to that area soon and hope to be able to contact some of the parents (and the ex-students, if they wanted to) and see how much of their learning transfered to adult living!---- Don't let Right-Lobers define YOU!! You can do things they'd never be able to do. You look at the Big Picture and enjoy the creative life around you. KAISEN philosophy--there is always a better way, or something like that! VALUE your own make-up and orientation to life!! You are unique and have contributions to make in this world!!----Oh, PS, I once handed in a term paper on Piaget--10 yrs LATE!! Basically, because I couldn't get it to suit me. The prof took it and gave me an A! I found all sorts of "new" ways Piaget's Cognitive stages could work to further learning! Primarily, dropping down to the Pre-Concrete stage of diagramming! It's more accurate in transferring info than verbal communication--and is now a field in high tech--Information Technology! My favorite saying was, chaos is simply creative potential! ") I KNOW you'll make your own creative way through life!!!

Answer 3

Make lists! Make a list of all the things you need to get done this week. Take them on one at a time and mark them off the list as you accomplish them. This helps you to stay on track and also see how much you've accomplished. I know l;ife gets overwhelming for all of us, just take a deep breath and do the first thing on the list and then move on from there. It really does help. Maybe you are working too many hours and trying to do your school work too. Maybe you could cut your hours to just part time so you could have more time to concentrate on school. Good luck.

Answer 4

In other words "how can I work on my problem, without working on my problem"? You can't! Either accept that you will always be a failure or decide to physically and mentally "do" what is necessary to change. It requires action. Sorry, I know this isn't what you wanted to hear. But it is the correct choice.

Answer 5

Determination to change, that is what you seem to need urgently! Stop reflecting on and worrying about past failures and urge yourself strongly to start a new leaf, and you will soon find yourself floating in an ocean of confidence and good feelings!

Answer 6

give yourself some pain when you dont do it. like a bat. give it to your friend and give him permission to wack you if you dont do x right now.