A calm, focused man wearing a headset, working at a laptop in his home office — illustrating ADHD-friendly systems for managing email and communication without overwhelm.
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Still Disorganized With ADHD? Four Ways to Get On Track

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Podcast

Episode Summary Feel organized on the outside but chaotic behind the scenes? In this episode, I’ll unpack four hidden ADHD trouble spots — like email overload, scattered to-do lists, and time blindness — that quietly fuel disorganization. You’ll explore simple, ADHD-friendly strategies for managing your time, memory, mood, and tasks, so you can stop spinning and feel more in control. What You’ll Learn About Fixing Hidden ADHD Chaos: Transcript: More Strategies for ADHD Disorganization Why does life feel chaotic even when things look fine? [00:03] Ever feel like you’ve built an outer life that seems okay—you’re getting things done, showing up for others, making it all work—but behind the scenes, maybe it’s held together with sticky notes, half-finished lists, and sheer willpower? If that sounds…

Professional woman checking smartwatch overloaded with unread messages—representing the hidden chaos many adults with ADHD feel despite appearing put together.
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Why Do I Seem Put Together But Feel Totally Disorganized With ADHD?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Podcast

Episode Summary You’re capable, competent — maybe even the go-to person at work. But behind the scenes? Emails pile up, tasks slip through the cracks, and it’s hard to keep up. In this episode, I’ll share why this disconnect happens with ADHD — and how you can start building real support systems that match your strengths. What You’ll Learn About ADHD and Disorganization Transcript: ADHD and Disorganization The Hidden Chaos Behind High-Functioning ADHD [00:06]Ever feel like you’ve got it all together well on paper, but secretly your inbox is overflowing, your desk is a mess, and you’re behind on a dozen small but important things? You’re not alone. You’ve tuned into Scattered, Focused, Done – Reimagining Productivity with ADHD, a podcast for ADHD adults, like…

ADHD and Clutter
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ADHD And Managing Your Clutter

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

Is your clutter causing you anxiety and overwhelm because you are worried about what you are missing or because you can’t find what you need when you need it?  Whether it is physical clutter or electronic clutter, as it increases so does your stress level, right? But right now, because you don’t know how to tackle it, you may be avoiding dealing with it.  Because it seems just too insurmountable.  Is it your email or mail piling up? Stack of papers on your desk / table or electronic documents in the cloud or hard drive in no particular order. Maybe the clutter is filling your closets, basements, garage etc.  Clutter can be anywhere and everywhere, whether it is on your computer, in your living space…

Marla Cummins Social Graphic
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When You Have ADHD & Your Clutter Overwhelms You

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

What about how ADHD adults deal with clutter? Ultimately, though, I know the question you really want answered is, “How can I get rid of the clutter in my house / office and maintain it in a way that works with my ADHD?”  And you’ve tried plenty of techniques without a lot of success or you would not be reading this right now. While the exact path is going to be different for everyone, you can start by first answering the question, “What do I want my space to look like when it is good enough and works for me?” If you need help answering this question, check out my last post. Then, when you are clear on the outcome you want, you can choose…

Do You Know This Step by Step Process For Streamlining Your Email and Preventing Overwhelm?
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Do You Know This Step by Step Process For Streamlining Your Email and Preventing Overwhelm?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

I have been getting a lot questions lately about email. So, I decided to put this together for you. Of course, having a system for processing email will save you time.  But having a system is about more than just saving time! By adopting a routine you will increase your chances of acting on what is important to you. screen out what is not important, so that you can spend your time in ways that you value. respond in a timely manner so that you can take advantage of opportunities. be seen as a reliable and professional, if that is what you want.

Do You Know How to Manage Your Impulsiveness…and Actually Get What You Want?
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Do You Know How to Manage Your Impulsiveness…and Actually Get What You Want?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Communication, ADHD Organization, ADHD Symptoms & Diagnosis, Blog

  Usually I reserve book recommendations for the recommendation section. But William Ury’s  book, The Power of a Positive No : How to Say No and Still Get to Yes, is potentially so transformative that I wanted to share with you a bit of what I distilled after reading it and using the suggested strategies. The step by step process he sets out can help you set your boundaries (say NO)  based on your values and needs, while still retaining  your relationships. If you have ADD and impulsiveness is a challenge for you, then you likely have experienced the effects of communicating  in a way that not only damages your relationships, but does not get you what you want. You may know what you want…

ADD and Transitions: Do You Know How to Make the Ride Smoother?
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ADD and Transitions: Do You Know How to Make the Ride Smoother?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, ADHD Symptoms & Diagnosis, Blog

  Transitions of any type can be challenging for many with ADD. On a micro level, the challenge is shifting focus from one task to another. With the onset of Fall, a different type of transition came to mind for me. This type of change comes with a significant occurrence in one’s life, like moving, starting a new job, beginning a new relationship or starting school. Just this past weekend, I was talking to another mom whose daughter was about to start college over a thousand miles away. It was clearly a life altering event for both daughter and mother.

Who Else Wants to be Productive?
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Who Else Wants to be Productive?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, ADHD Organization, ADHD Time Management, Blog

Last week my daughter started 3 weeks of overnight camp. As I am self employed, caring for my daughter is one of the few activities that put boundaries around my work. If you have read any of my writing before, you know that I work hard at making values based decisions. And caring for my daughter is one of my highest priorities. So, when the reason for putting aside my work is to step into the role of parenting, it is generally easier for me to stop working. Lack of structure Now that I have literally no parenting responsibilities, other than writing letters to my daughter. I really lack structure and, honestly was a bit adrift for a few days. I could do anything! As…

ADD – ADHD: See How You Can Exit the Frustration Highway Quicker!
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ADD – ADHD: See How You Can Exit the Frustration Highway Quicker!

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, ADHD Symptoms & Diagnosis, Blog

The other day my daughter and I were at Target shopping for her camp supplies. I had my list, and was fairly certain that a behemoth store like Target would have most of what was on my list. Frustration! So, imagine my surprise when a clerk told me that the store did not carry tooth brush holders or soap containers. I thought, “impossible Target must have these items!” So, I asked another clerk, who sent us off to the household department. I must not have made myself clear because all we saw were items for the bathroom. So, I asked the next clerk, “where would I find travel toothbrush holders and soap containers.” “Yes, that is by the toothbrushes, “ he said. That was the…

Marla Cummins Social Graphic
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It Could Be Easier…

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

Do you have hidden strengths? D you have hidden weaknesses? Do you have goals? If you answered “yes” to these questions, it is time to do a little excavating. If your strengths are hidden, you cannot leverage them in order to use them effectively in reaching your goals. Likewise, if you do not know your weaknesses, you cannot improve or manage them so that they do get in your way.