Before I work with a client, I start with a quick consultation call. I learn what they’re struggling with and the goals they want to achieve. It is during this call that many share that they have ADHD or were recently diagnosed, and that they’ve always found organization difficult. If they agree, we schedule an in-home assessment so I can see what’s happening in their home. If the assessment goes well, we book our first session and begin working together to get organized.
During sessions, we’re often addressing piles and doing a lot of sorting. As we work, we talk. I hear about their lifestyle, their past experiences, and the many ways they’ve struggled with ADHD. Objects often trigger stories—both good and bad.
I listen and truly enjoy the conversation. I find that social interaction is helpful for my clients with ADHD. Talking makes the work less daunting and much more enjoyable. The client often has a lot of questions, too. Like, what should I do with this? Or where should I put this so I can find it later?
I guide the client as they ask questions and do my best to keep the questions from derailing our process. If we do get derailed, it’s ok, I can always slowly get us back on track.
While we sort, many questions naturally come to mind for me too: How often do you use this? When do you use it? How do you use it? Can I put this in the trash? It’s tempting to ask all of them, but if I start peppering my client with too many questions, they may lose focus on the part of the project they’re working on. I might also tire them out too quickly, because decision fatigue is real. Tiring out my client could make the organizing process less effective and much less enjoyable.
While we work together, I’m constantly processing and considering the next move. At times, I can maintain our focus and keep us on track. Other times, the impulse to see the next thing is so strong that we have to bounce around. Sometimes bouncing around is what works the best.
I go with the flow while still keeping the goal in mind. I join them on their journey instead of forcing an outcome. A huge part of this tactic is knowing when to ask questions and when not to. I also remind them of the goal—not because we’ll fail if we don’t reach it, but to remind them of their choices. They shared their goal with me when we first met. Are we still working toward that goal? Usually, the answer is yes, but we need reminders because so much other “stuff” gets in the way.
It’s like riding in a boat down a river. When I sit in the boat with my client and gently guide their focus to what matters along the way, we can truly enjoy the ride together. At times, I can even sense where the current is taking us, helping us find deeper focus and achieve meaningful results. But when we fight the current and try to paddle upstream, we both end up exhausted and stuck in place.
Therefore, I have to know when the time is right to ask questions. I have to know when it’s a good time to bring forth an item and ask about it. I have to also be ready for what that item might trigger and where we may end up if I ask about it. As a professional organizer, I have to be ready for anything.
This “boat ride” has been remarkably successful for my clients with ADHD, who are often in situations where they feel rushed. They typically find tasks like organizing boring, so those tasks don’t get done. They also tend to underestimate how much time organizing takes and end up feeling defeated, which then triggers negative self-talk.
After we work together, my clients begin to see what’s possible. They notice real progress and start to feel more positive. These encouraging experiences send new messages to the brain and gradually replace negative self-talk. My goal is to transfer skills by showing them how long it actually takes to sort and categorize items. Along the way, they often start to recognize patterns in their own behavior—like frequently buying duplicates—which ultimately leads to more confusion. A lot of self-awareness occurs when you have time to slow down and think.
All I need to do is ride along with them on their journey. It’s pretty simple if you think about it.
