Time Management and Productivity

I'll start by saying, that I suck at time management. I'll pile on to that, that my productivity is zip, zilch, and nada, most of the time. I have no time management skills. I get overwhelmed easily when things get too big for me to keep track of. I also have ADHD. How do I know for sure I have ADHD? Besides two clinical diagnoses ten years apart, I've actually learned what it's like to be "normal", at least for a little while.

Since this isn't an article about ADHD, suffice it to say that meds have come into play in the past, and one specific med did the trick. For eighteen months I was "normal" and productive, happier than I'd ever been, motivated to get things done, courageous and a much better husband to my wife. Without meds, I'm nearly spastic. I feel lost and out of sorts, and when a few items come at me all at once, while I can handle them, prioritize them and get them done, it won't necessarily be timely or correct. It will simply be what I could accomplish while coping with the barrage that fractured like a broken mirror, within my mind.

Some might ask how this relates, but I'm sure you understand that someone with a serious issue when it comes to organizing, not only their sock drawer and cupboard but their thoughts in general, might have issues with Time Management and Productivity. That leads me to this article. I'm a writer as this post attests too. I'm not sure how good of a writer I am, but I know what I'm not good at, and that's planning to sit down right now and write.

You see, I didn't plan to write this article, now or ever, for that matter. I'm an aspiring author and Realtor and I'm so disorganized and scatter brained that I can't seem to get beyond the planning stages of anything I do. I'm a talented writer so I've been told, and I like the things I've read. I'm very good with people, face to face, when I'm in control of the situation, such as when you want or need something and know how to use it, fix it or whatever you want. I can make you happy by showing, tell or even just fixing it for you.

I just can't seem to plan, organize and execute my way out of a wet paper bag most of the time. Let me fly by the seat of my pants and I''m golden, until something I failed to plan for rises up and slaps me in the face. So, what's the point of this article anyway? Am I just writing to see myself type? DO I want you to feel sorry for me? The answer is no, on both counts. This article is about how someone, with or without ADHD, who struggles with planning and executing their dreams can overcome their struggles, without meds, with the help of great people like you and me.

Here's the rub, I haven't figured that one out yet myself. I really need an admin to sit next to me, to take notes, file away all of my ideas and goals, keep my schedule updated and so on. Basically, I need someone to do the dirty work while I do the creating. It sounds selfish, and it is, but ultimately that's what I need. Do I need it though? I hope not. I can't afford an admin right now. Sure, when I get published and when I sell or help some one buy that tenth house in two months, I can afford a part time admin, but until then?

I'm on my own for now, as I am sure thousands of others are too. For me, a big problem has been that I've never used time management systems before. I have, we almost all have. I have to clock in at 8 AM and Clock out at 5 PM. I've used the method of the alarm clock and watch or phone to manage the six times of day that governs my life. These I know so well because they're almost ubiquitous. Now that I'm having to figure out my time on a different schedule, and more importantly, that I'm really only accountable to myself, it's a problem when I can't keep track of my day. I've tried a Day Time, I've tried Google Calendar and a calendar in my email program, but they just don't work for me.

What I think I need, I'm not sure even exists. I've looked online, but to no avail. I'm going to list off what I think I want and need to get me over this time management and productivity shortfall. Let's start with access or ease of access.

I want something that's in my face and tells me what to do today. Like a boss, but not a boss. I couldn't handle that again.
I want it to be on my computer. I'd like to also have it on my phone and if I ever get a tablet, on that too.
It needs to be software that pops up on my screen as soon as I log in.
It should play my favorite songs right away to get me in the mood to have a great day.
It should pop up my schedule for the day in such a way that I can't ignore and is easily read.
It should also have a clickable link to projects and tasks I'm working on or need to complete that day.
It should include reminders of upcoming projects and tasks yet to be completed.
Within each item, I would want to be able to review notes I've made about those tasks and projects.
There should be links to resources I need for the projects and tasks.
I should be able to cancel, complete or just delete any of item.
I should be able to set priorities on each item and it shows them to me in that order, if I chose.
It should be able to hide away, or be small and sit on a side or top bar out of the way, or in plain sight.
And even more awesome functions

I wish this article was about me giving you a solution, but really it's me asking you if you've ever heard of this solution I'm telling you about. I have the feeling that developers aren't developing software for alternative lives. I'm a Fifty Something who didn't fit into the educational system at all. I don't learn like half the population does, the ones that text books, lesson plans and standard school curriculum's are created for. I was the outsider to my teachers. Most of whom just assumed I was lazy since I passed my tests without doing the class work. In truth, I just can't organize my thoughts and plan and schedule myself, even in a strict environment, the way half the people do. I get distracted so easily.

Squirrel!

I need something that can bring me back from over the edge.

This article is the opening salvo of what I hope is a short search, for a solution. I'm inviting, I'm even drafting you, the reader, to help me locate this mythical and mystical software or perhaps someone who could create it on a small budget. Crowd Funding anyone?