Executive Skills

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.