“It’s not about knowing what to do, but about doing what we know.” – Ari Tuckman
Feeling forgetful? Did you know that some people with ADHD can exhibit a weak working memory? But, “struggling to remember” is certainly not isolated to a portion of the ADHD population. This is also a common struggle for young children, older adults, people who are sleep deprived, women who are pregnant, and “busy” adults that are stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. (Really, who couldn’t identify with at least one of these scenarios?)
I just listened to a great presentation from ADHD guru Ari Tuckman, PsyD, sponsored by the Institute of Challenging Disorganization. During this presentation he examined some of the consequences of having a weak working memory and some solutions.
Can you identify with any of these ideas?
- You are easily distracted by new thoughts, people, objects, noises, and movements.
- You “used to be able to remember” birthdays and other important events, the facts for a presentation later, and why you left the room in the first place.
- You search for your keys, your purse, and your coffee cup each morning before leaving the house.
- You used to love to read, but now you just can’t seem to concentrate long enough to actually remember the information to enjoy the story.
- One interruption can derail you from finishing a task – regardless how important the task is!
- You struggle to implement a plan consisting of more than 3 steps (this includes picking up more than 3 items at the grocery store or running more than 3 errands when out.)
According to Tuckman, the following are three of the key strategies to surviving and thriving in a “oops, I forgot” world:
- being able to reduce distractions
- reduce the amount of information you keep “in your head”
- make important tasks stand out more
What do you think?
Can you identify with the “oops, I forgot” feeling?
What strategies do you use when your working memory isn’t working as well as you’d like?
Please share below!
Be sure to check back over the next few weeks as I examine each of these solutions in more detail. Having practical, easy to implement strategies is an important component in creating lasting change!
I felt identified with many of the things you mentioned in this post. Thanks for sharing.
Gabor –
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you stop back again next week to check out some specific solutions!
Lisa
Some more great tips here Lisa!
Sometimes I do struggle with concentration, especially if there are lots of distractions about!
Sophie
Those darn distractions!!!! I’ve found turning the email and phone off has done wonders for my focus! I appreciate your comment!
Lisa
Hmm. Most of the ADHD folks I know may look for their keys each morning- but not most of the rest of the list. Because ADHD folks are busy doing something else- which is more important (at least to them) when they put their keys down. (By the way, that’s exactly why non-ADHD folks can’t find their keys on occasion.) It may be because most of the ADHD folks I know have learned long ago to develop coping mechanisms that afford them the ability to be excited by all things- yet can focus on others…
Absolutely – the coping mechanisms are key – both for ADHD folks and non-ADHDers alike! I hope you stop back the next few weeks to check out some of these coping mechanisms, strategies, and techniques. I know I seldom look for my keys each morning, as I developed a landing zone for myself early on. That’s just one of my many coping strategies!
As always, your comments are appreciated.
Lisa
I can totally relate to going out of the room and wondering what I went out for, then having to retrace my steps to remind myself of what I was doing! I’m “only” in my mid forties, what’s it going to be like when I hit old?! Reducing the amount of information stored in your head sounds like a good idea to me. I know if I write something down I tend not to forget. If I just store it in my head thinking I’ll remember, I don’t.
Phoebe –
I think I started to forget why I entered a room in my 30’s! It’s all about what’s happening at the moment for me! Writing everything down has really helped my focus – and my efficiency when I go to the store. I don’t think of it as getting older, but as having more life experiences stored in my brain! :)
Thanks for your comment!
Lisa
I am obsessed with “to do lists!” I write it on paper if I’m near a notebook. I type myself an email if I”m not home. I write stuff on scrap paper in the car…old walmart receipt…anything! My 4 year old DOESN’T.STOP.TALKING! I can’t remember my name most days!
Ha! I’m giggling here! I can only imagine what all that extra stimuli does for our working memory! Everything (and I really do mean everything) is written in my calendar. If I ever lost that. . . I don’t even want to imagine.
Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa
The older I get, the more I relate to this Lisa! I find it best to make lists…then I can keep it all straight. It’s another thing though, when I walk into a room and forget why I am there! :) Thanks for this post!
Deanna –
Thanks for your comment. Some days I feel like I need PostIts just to remind me why I left the room to begin with!
Lisa
I find that when I want to focus, I do best when I quit my email program, and close my Facebook tab.
I have reduced/eliminated the struggle to remember things by making really good use of my calendar and Evernote. I have every reminder I need with me 95% of the time.
Lovely post, thanks!
Sue
Sue
Bravo for finding and using a system that works for you! I find when we can eliminate distractions – or attention to detail, and our ability to remember the details – goes way up! I appreciate the comment!
Lisa
I can definitely identify with that, but not at that level :) It usually happens when I’m drained because of pain, or sleep deprived though. my memory otherwise is almost photographic.
Linda
Sleep is a big trigger for me. Thanks for the comment.
lisa
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