To PDA or not to PDA?
Hello everyone. It is very interesting to find so many ADD and AD/HD users of this product. But then again, people with these gifts seem to magnetize to such organizational products - myself to the level of addiction.
My question is not very direct and maybe not so simple. I've used planning tools for many years and a PDA of one form or another since 1994. I've discovered recently that I am one of the newest members of the AD/HD club, although I've suspected this for many years but have written my mannerisms off as "excentric". I've always felt compelled to have some for of organization in my pocket and with me at all times, almost like a phobia of being without something I MAY need any given time (you should see me when packing for a trip! :-) My personal approach to working with my "scatter-brained" ways (as my lovely wife sometimes calls me) of thinking is in pushing to discipline and organize myself from the inside. In doing so I have been pushing back with my doctors in the administration of medications, trying to find a system or discipline to rectify my issues rather than band-aiding with meds which, in my case, seem to have more negative effects than positive (This is just my own situation, knowing many people must have these medications just to get by) As part of research I've scrutinized my own habits and the many things that distract and take time away from what I should be doing. What I've found is one of the most time consuming facets is my PDA itself! I've thereby decided to pack up the PDA system and work solely from paper-based systems. I've always had some sort of paper system, primarily because I dislike trying to keep my notes on the PDA. Paper systems somehow make me feel more accomplished and turning pages and writing notes "seems" to give me a bigger view of the entire picture, something very hard to capture on a PDA. Unfortunately though, a paper-planner is not the most efficient tool when traveling, on quick errands, or when convenience is an issue, as they can be bulky and cumbersome. They are also much less-than desireable when trying to retrieve histories. So, after that long blast of hot air, my question to all of you is ... Is a PDA actually such a good idea for an AD/HD gifted person when the root of everyday distractions is that self consuming goal for efficiency and effectiveness? I'm basically wanting your opinions - should the PDA stay or go? Thanks for hearing me out - and on a great product!! Best of luck to all of you!
Dennis
Comments
RE: To PDA or not to PDA?
Hi there Dennis,
The PDA approach is not for everyone. If a paper planner works better for you, then go for it.
This is not a one-size-fits-all world.
We have a 30 day trial of our software, so if you do have a Palm OS handheld, and want to give it a whirl... please do! :-)
But, I would never presume to say that the PDA, or our software was the answer to everyone's needs.
Best wishes,
--Catherine--*
Catherine E. White
President
www.llamagraphics.com
Creators of Life Balance software
for Palm OS, Macintosh and Windows.
RE: To PDA or not to PDA?
Thank you Catherine, I agree with your response 100%. I'm also hoping to get a cross-section look of other AD/HD folks to help determine which approach seems more effective through the experiences of those in the same situation as I. Have you noticed any common factors or reasons others note in helping them decide?
RE: To PDA or not to PDA?
Well, since we do mobile software, we tend to get more people who are comfortable with the technological assistance that we provide, so I'm not sure if our experience would necessarily provide a general cross section.
A group like ADDA might be able to offer a wider perspective on many tools, and how they fit in with your particular skill sets.
Our tool is only one of many approaches. Keep in mind that we do have a thirty day trial, so if it works for you... that's always a good way to decide. And the community here is supportive and helpful if you need some help getting going. :-)
Best wishes,
--Catherine--*
Catherine E. White
President
www.llamagraphics.com
Creators of Life Balance software
for Palm OS, Macintosh and Windows.
RE: To PDA or not to PDA?
Thank again, Catherine. I agree very much with you - especially with your highlight of the LB community. This is why I posted and have received some great feedback. I hadn't thought of trying the ADDA, thanks for the direction! I've reopened the PDA and am trying to approach it's use a bit differently, and LB is part of that. Thanks a million for the help!
RE: To PDA or not to PDA?
Hey Dennis,
check out the hipster PDA if you want to go paperless!
http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/introducing_the.html
There is a movement happening where people are beginning to chuck their PDA's. I think people get all hyped up about a new toy or gadget like a PDA, they buy it, but then they find out there is more time spent trying to get it to work. The software is buggy, or something goes wrong and wipes all their data out, and they figure it's not for them and the PDA never gets used again.
I've still got mine, and understand your concerns. But for me, I digitize everything. There are just too many benefits to having the information electronic.
Of course, there are some cons as well, some of which you have pointed out.
I don't know how much of it is just growing up with paper notes? If we grew up with PDA's, would we be more comfortable with electronic notes rather than paper?
I think the PDA can be a good idea for Ad/hd person. The problem lies with the software out there.
Software could be developed to help focus people on what is the most important thing to be doing... right now... but there isn't much out there that can do that.
LB comes close, although it would be nice to have some way to focus on only one task instead of the entire list. Not to mention LB automatically tracking the effort and adjusting the balance so the next important thing will come up. Imagine if the only thing you saw was just one task, one task to do, you do it, and another task appears, just one task...
I am seeing more posts out there about people returning to paper, frustrated with electronic information. Personally, I think it's a combination of software developers and people not wanting to change their thinking paradigm to handle electronic information.
Sometimes, a person just needs a system... a how to book an processing information. If you haven't read it yet, try
Getting Things Done
by
David Allen
It will change your world! And LB is the knock-down best application to use with GTD! Hands down! LB is the only reason I have a PDA!
Whatever you find works for you... stick with it and run!
Best of luck!
RE: To PDA or not to PDA?
Thanks for the great viewpoint - and the laugh! It's amazing how far things have come, we sometimes just forget the practicality of common sense. You make some very good points and I thank you. With regard to GTD - I have never read, intentionally avoiding this approach so as not to confuse myself until I could effectively use the Covey approach. Maybe it's time I look into GTD a bit more, maybe finding a nice mixture that works. Thanks again for the insight!
RE: To PDA or not to PDA?
>... Is a PDA actually such a good idea for an AD/HD gifted
>person when the root of everyday distractions is that self
>consuming goal for efficiency and effectiveness? I'm
>basically wanting your opinions - should the PDA stay or go?
>Thanks for hearing me out - and on a great product!! Best of
>luck to all of you!
>
>Dennis
Hi, Dennis,
I too was a paper-oriented planner person, then realized that I was forgetting things, even when they were written down. Hmm. So, as I went to a PDA <in my case, at the behest of my long-suffering hubby>, I discovered that I can remember things because my PDA will yell at me--aka alarms, such as TechSounds. Believe me, having the "dive" alert from a submarine go off will quickly remind you of whatever :-)
I think what may be happening, if I read your post correctly, is that as you work harder to stay organized, that ADD gift of hyper-focus, where you "can't quit" something <organizing your PDA, or playing a game on it, or whatever> looms large. However, what will also eventually happen is that the hyperfocus on the non-productive bit will gradually extinguish, probably when it ceases to stimulate you!
As one who fought meds, and now realizes the higher reaches of productivity with them, I appreciate your dilemma, but urge you to keep an open mind there. Meanwhile, analyse what parts of the PDA are distracting you. If it's something non-essential <ie, a game>, delete it from the PDA!
As for rewarding the accomplishment feeling, try watching a task disappear when checked off the LB to do list! Poof! I even, when starting with LB, made sure that all such actions <through the Palm interface> made noise. Bingo. Life is easier, and although noisy ;-)
I do get things done!
RE: To PDA or not to PDA?
Hello and thank you DragonFly. You've hit the nail on the head, the distractions and hyper-focus are what kills me. I've tried time and again to not blame the tool but rather the user, but it sometimes feels the best way to correct the problem is to remove the stimuli. This obviously is not the right approach in this situation. I'll follow your suggestion and those of other replies to try some alternate approaches to what I've been doing. I'm hoping for the best! Thank you!!