Executive Skills

John said on Sun Nov 20, 2011 at 06:03 pm

I have PPMS but still work full time. I forget things. I spend at lot of my time on my computer. One of the best tools I use to help is a free application called “Wunderlist” that works on my iMac computer at home, as an App on my iPhone and has a web based application for my Windows PC at work. All of these applications are linked. In Wunderlist I have a todo list called “Work” where I can add things I need to do for work. I also have a list called “home”. Wherever I am I can add to either list. So if I am at work and I remember something I need to do at home then I can add it to the ‘home’ list on the Wunderlist web application. When I get home it will have been automatically added to my application on my iMac. Or if I am out somewhere and someone asks me to attend to something I add the task to my Wunderlist iPhone app and it automatically appears on my work and home computers.
Each task can (optionally) be given a date in which case Wunderlist will also email me on the day to remind me.
For this to work for you it is necessary to get into the habit of telling it all your important tasks. Then tick them off when you complete them. Just Google “Wunderlist” to find it. It’s simple, It’s easy, It’s free.

Rodney said on Thu Sep 8, 2011 at 08:36 am

I got addicted to palm 12 years ago (before diagnosis) and I have used them since.  Before my “gadget” I would just finish by deadline.
With the palm, I could set earlier goals, with intermediate tasks to accomplish whatever goals are needed.
Now that I no longer work (disabled) my phone and computer replaced the gadget. 
I have timed tasks in phone with alarm and have a to-do list on my computer desktop.
My handwriting has always been awful, hence typing it is far superior to writing it.
The multiple writings help me remember through repetition.

Heather Evans said on Fri Jul 22, 2011 at 11:46 pm

A of white boards & a black board, just to write appointments, phone calls, etc. I know it’s already been mentioned, but this has help make life a bit easier. Tried books-but kept forgetting where i put them, though they were better than bits of paper everywhere but where i needed them! So boards are a lot better, 1 in hall, 1 in kitchen & mini black board in front room. Took me a little time to remember look & check whats on them, but got there in the end!

Lucy said on Sat Sep 25, 2010 at 09:25 pm

Anything I can use that will serve as a reminder for things, I use!  At work I use a diary for one specific area of my job, a very large calendar on my wall for daily, weekly and monthly tasks and I also have another calendar for tasks that need to be done on a quarterly basis!!
On top of that…post it notes which I stick on my pc screen! In the mornings I check my diary and calendars and from there make a list of priorities. It seems to work.

At home, I have a diary on my desk. As & when I have appts, or something that I need to do, I write it down in the diary. In my kitchen I have a big calendar which is a duplication of my diary….

My mobile phone alarm is set up for when my medications are due and I keep keys, purse and mobile altogether in the same place.

Zofia Taylor said on Wed Aug 4, 2010 at 08:43 pm

When l remembered that before l had MS l had been a bit of a disorganised ditherer and yes had forgotten to get dinner because l was gardening or whatever for example it was time for a think.Result?l now give myself a present of time to just go with MY FLOW.The only aim of that time is that l have dinner ready when my husband gets home.I find that l do indeed enjoy what l have achieved because l had no goal or time limit to worry about and often no idea of what l want to do in the first place.

Chris said on Sat Mar 27, 2010 at 10:28 am

I have an iphone. Always used a palm for business but forgot my phone sometimes so now all in one! Daily beeps to do injection; lists; emails…everything in one place but backed up. Also access to internet and emaills when out means that things get done when remembered and not ofrgotten after a long day.

One job at a time is also a good tip. Turn off pc if doing forms, turn off phone if needing to do something urgently; turn off tv if needing to discuss something with OH etc.

Try and explain to people I know and if I go to a meeting with a large number of people but otherwise rely on jotting down thing I want to discuss.

I have found that I worry less about unimportant things!!

Chris

Ann Onymous said on Fri Mar 19, 2010 at 08:24 pm

I have MS and am an advocate of Hatha yoga.  Each session, we have a mantra, which we repeat over and over.  The carry-over from this experience is to have a single mantra for just about every simple task I undertake.  My mantra before I try to execute any action is ‘Do I have a plan?’  This may apply to getting out of my chair -
Do I have a plan?
* Make sure my feet are planted securely on the floor
* Check that my walking aid is well in place
* Wait until tremor subsides
* Place both hands on the arms of the chair
* Push up from the chair with both hands
* Steady myself before I move off

or getting out of the shower -’ Do I have a plan?’ 
* Lift up the right arm of the shower chair
* Dry myself whilst seated
* Swivel round on the chair to place my feet on the cork mat
* Call my husband or carer ro open the shower gate
* Left hand on the upright pole
* Right hand on the seat of the shower chair
* Rise with assistance

What is your plan?  I’d love to hear.

Rahma said on Wed Feb 3, 2010 at 12:31 pm

I keep a post it note & pen next to my bed, if I remember something that needs doing I write it down immediatly. It works!!

Anne said on Wed Jan 20, 2010 at 04:30 pm

I carry round a notebook at all times at work and write down all my actions (and everyone else’s) as they come up, then review it regularly. I find it actually keeps me ahead of the game - I tend to know more about what’s going on than my MS-free colleagues with better memories but less organisation And know one suspects anything other than that I like notebooks
Since I’m in the software business, I also developed a desktop application (Qlockwork) to automatically track what I do at my PC for me. Now my company sells that to MS-free consultants and lawyers who can’t remember how to bill for their time!

Linda said on Fri Oct 16, 2009 at 09:57 am

If my husband is out of the room when I want to ask him to do something for me I set myself a ‘reminder’; I put something in an unusual place, where I can’t miss it, or where he can’t miss it.  For instance I might throw a pen, the cat’s brush or a cd across the room to land on the sofa where he always sits.  He then knows to ask me what it is a reminder about.  I can set myself a reminder by putting a pen or a tissue or suchlike on the computer keyboard - once prompted I can always remember what I need to do.  I single square of loo paper placed on the sofa on my way back from a ‘visit’ means “Not much left on the roll, please get down a new one”!

Eugenie said on Sun Jun 14, 2009 at 04:02 pm

In addition to using organizational techniques such as written to-do lists and scheduling tasks, I also factor in my need to rest and regroup throughout the day.  These may be only 5 minute breaks, and I find if I do this, I greatly reduce the frequency of the overwhelmed, short-circuited sensation where I can’t get things done.

For instance, at work, I may take my lunch to my car, rather than eat in the break room.  My colleagues are very friendly and fun to be with, but sometimes it makes my brain over-stimulated and then I get a brain freeze.  So I eat in my car, then use the remaining time to practice deep breathing (I highly recommend yoga and/or meditation for MS). 

No matter how busy I am, I am very careful about how much I schedule for myself in a day, and I leave “holes”.  Resist the urge to book yourself solid.  Leave room for mini-breaks, to sip some tea, step out for fresh air, or even just close your eyes and breath..

heather said on Sat Jun 13, 2009 at 09:19 am

I have 2 white boards,one a monthly schedule,with boxes so you put the dates in ,for apointments ect. the other is a plain one, i can list what has to be done. they are magnetic too. i also have on my trolley paper and pen handy for things i remember i have to do when i am out in the car ect. so when i leave the house i put it in my bag. i,m terrible at concentrating on one job at a time ,so scatter-brained, so i have a timer.  like i give myself, say 30 mins to do a task that really needs doing, the timer diciplines me to keep focused, and i have to stay with the task till i am finished or when the timer goes, it hangs round my neck. i am not going from task to task achieving nothing ,like a headless chicken!

Gyn said on Fri Jun 12, 2009 at 01:12 am

I wear my cell phone around my neck (on vibrate). It has a voice recorder and I set up a shortcut key to record memos then write them down when it is convienant. This allows me note things as soon as I think of them.

Mari said on Mon May 25, 2009 at 12:02 am

Thank GOODNESS for Post-It Notes! ..

..I write most of my reminders on Post-it Notes and stick them onto VERY obvious places where it’ll be hard for me to miss them - eg on mirrors (bathroom, bedroom, hallway etc), fridge door, the top of my computer screen (at eye level), or even slap-bang on the latch of my front door (where I HAVE to see the note if I want to leave the house! :o)

I generally use different coloured Post-Its for various tasks - (I tend to use the multi-coloured packs which have different coloured sections within the block). For example - I generally use Yellow for shopping items or lists, Pink for appointments, Blue for work-related tasks, and Green for ‘other’. I always try to use a nice thick pen when writing the note, ..and I often use symbols, smileys or ’ ! ! !‘s if I think it’ll help catch my attention or nudge my brain a bit easier.

I recently had a wonderful coloured ‘ladder’ of Post-It notes running down the side of my kitchen doorframe, with a range of reminders such as “Clear rubbish out of car”, “Phone Jim”, “Chiropractor appt Tues 10.30”, “Video BBC1 prog Fri 12.45”, “Send Tax return”, “Book restaurant for Sat night” etc, plus a couple of shopping lists.  I use my hallway mirror for Post-Its about things I need to do that day, and move the notes about as required. 
Once I’ve done the task/errand/phonecall etc I simply remove the Post-It note and chuck it in the recycling bag. ..Good for the brain AND the environment!

I find this method of putting just ONE reminder per Post-It works FAR better than writing lists or reminders on normal white paper, which might easily be overlooked, covered up on a worktop, or forgotten about :O) You just can’t ignore the splashes of colour around you - and they make the place look very cheerful! ..‘Colour therapy’ at its best.

Fi said on Mon May 18, 2009 at 06:21 pm

As soon as I think of something that needs doing I write it down in duplicate: once in the notebook which (in theory) is always beside me, & once on my computer. Since it’s a lot harder to mislay my computer than my notebook, I tend to work from this list most of the time - it’s the first thing I look at when I switch on each day, When I’ve completed a task I don’t delete it straight away but cross it through instead; at the end of a bad day, looking back at the tasks I’ve recently managed to get done gives me a sense of achievement & makes me realise that the day hasn’t been completely wasted after all.

Rhonda McVicker said on Tue May 5, 2009 at 11:27 am

I used a palm pilot to keep my multiple jobs and business shifts, appointments and contacts in one handy place. After I got MS my cognitive issues became worse. I use my palm now for jotting down things I don’t want to forget, I use my contact list for emails and the calendar for appointments, classes, tests, daily symptoms and log it on to my computer so year to year I see when I saw another MD, I can look back to see when a new symptom occurred. It has a note pad application that I use for “list” making for shopping, things I want to do for the day, a memo application, contact list, calculator when I can’t do simple math, and more applications are available. I have had mine for 3 or more years. Palm Zire.

Kim said on Sun May 3, 2009 at 11:32 am

I find it helpful for myself to write appointments and my schedule on not just one, but at least 2 calendars. One I keep in my purse and one at home. I think writing the information more than once also helps me to remember.