There is a second wave hitting the planner industry (update, I think we’re in a 4th wave) because the pace of life is continuing at high speed with no end in sight. People are trying to take control of their lives to maintain some sort of balance. Women are calling me daily saying that they need to get back to using a planner. Some say that the new high tech gadget their husband bought for them just didn’t cut it.
We have a large number of women who are just not ready to give up good old paper that they can open up and have in full view. Personality type, learning style/behavioral tendencies, and way of life are factors women must consider when trying to stay on top of it all. And honestly, time management does not come easily to everyone.
First, I will share my experiences and knowledge. Then, we will take a look at learning style/behavioral tendencies. Finally, you will read about personality types and solutions.
Personal Experience
My ADD Test
When I went to “my” testing, I certainly thought that I had ADD. Case in point, I did not. I have a situation called busy-ness. It is what has happened or is happening to most of us since joining the computer revolution. The psychologist who read my test results stated that I just have more to do than one person can do alone.
And, because I care about and love to help people, I often used to have trouble saying no, thereby adding too much to my already busy schedule. He said that because there is so much, I think about and deal with each day, my brain has a hard time bringing things to the front of my mind when I need it. It already has info being temporarily stored there.
My Own Words
“My short term memory takes a leave of absence because there is too much clogging up my mind.” He also stated that there was a class I could take to help my short-term memory. I have yet to take it. I’m too busy.
My Own Analogy
When you are using a computer, it has only so much RAM (Random Access Memory). While you may have a lot of space on your actual hard drive, the RAM is what processes the information of the programs that are open and in use. If you open up too many applications, your computer will tell you that there is not enough memory to open up that program. (At least back in 2003 it did this.)
You must first close some of the things you are working on to free up RAM. It is the same as your brain. When you have too much information on the desktop of your brain, you might have trouble bringing more information to the forefront unless you free up some space. Therefore, you must write down some of that information to release it from your thoughts, freeing up space to work on the next project or issue.
Speaking To Women
The more women I speak with, the more women I hear talk about experiencing memory loss, feelings of being overwhelmed or inadequate, and exhaustion. They need help scheduling, with time management, home, and office organization, and in general making order of their chaos. They NEED support!
Women (and men) are constantly searching for helpful tools to manage their busy-ness. However, we also need to address the many who have AD/HD tendencies and need a more simplified way of keeping track of everything.
ADD – ADHD
As more women became aware of ADD and ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder), many of them figure that they must have one or the other. Why, because many of us have some of the “symptoms” of ADD or ADHD.
I’ll slightly touch upon AD/HD to give you an idea of what I’m talking about, and then move on.
1Diagnosing AD/HD in an adult requires an examination of childhood, academic and behavioral history. The problems need to be rooted in childhood but persist into adulthood.
AD/HD symptoms often arise in early childhood.
AD/HD is diagnosed using the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSMIV). To meet the diagnostic criteria for ADD or ADHD, symptoms must be evident for at least six months, with onset before age seven.
Diagnostic criteria (as it pertains to children or and adults) are as follows:
Inattention:
a. often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
b. often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
c. often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
d. often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
e. often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
f. often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
g. often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books or tools) h. is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
i. is often forgetful in daily activities
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity
a. often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
b. often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
c. often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
d. often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
e. is often “on the go” or often acts as “driven by a motor”
f. often talks excessively
g. often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
h. often has difficulty awaiting turn
i. often interrupts or intrudes on others
Now that you’ve seen a list of symptoms, you can tell WHY many of us think we have AD/HD.
Continue onto Personality Types and descriptions >>>
For more information about ADD and ADHD, visit chadd.org. They are a great resource.
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