How ADHD Affects Home Organization: Understanding the Role of the 8 Key Executive Functions of the Mind

by Lisa K. Woodruff, Lisa Woodruff

Do you walk in a room to organize and find yourself paralyzed and overwhelmed? Do you find yourself spending money on organizing solutions that don’t work? Do you feel like you put in effort but never make any progress? Or maybe you know exactly what you want to do, and yet for some reason, you just can’t get started. Organizing isn’t easy. And having ADHD doesn’t make it any easier. But it doesn’t have to be impossible. If you have ADHD and you’ve been struggling with organization, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. It just means it’s time to try working with your brain instead of against it. That means: • Understanding how your mind works • Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses • Finding the strategies that work for you In her latest book, Lisa Woodruff explores the executive functions of the mind that directly affect your ability to organize your home: flexible thinking, working memory, self-monitoring, task initiation, planning, and organization. Along the way, she provides tips and strategies for overcoming obstacles—tools you can use to get the organized house you’ve been dreaming of. A professional organizer, productivity coach, and former teacher, Lisa Woodruff knows that organization is more than just 15-minute daily tasks or cute ways to use fun containers. She’s successfully parented, taught, and professionally organized people who struggle with ADHD, and she has been able to help hundreds of women in Cincinnati, Ohio—and thousands of women around the world—get their homes organized and keep them that way.

Genres: Adhd, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Mental Health, Audiobook, Reference

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2017

About the author

Variant name form used by Lisa Woodruff for her ADHD related works.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not find this book very useful. The book reads as an infomercial for her podcast and blog. Part of the reason for purchasing a book is to have all the information in a condensed format instead of having to fish it out from multiple sources. Ironically a book about ADHD takes a lot of concentration just to keep track of all the different podcasts she references. Additionally, none of the information she gives is really groundbreaking. The only tip I had never heard of is the “Sunday Basket” where you take all of your paperwork, mail, and notes for the week and put them in a centralized location (laundry basket in her case) and pick a set day to review and prioritize them (she likes Sunday’s). Overall I found this book to be a waste of time and money. If you are interested in learning about the author, just search for her blog or podcast and save yourself a few dollars and hours of your life.

[Suzy P · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abelism at it's finest. This book is incredibly offensive to people who have ADHD, especially adults who are reading this, as she acts like they can barely function in society. She makes sweeping generalisations (for example, saying she knows of no person with adhd who is a morning person so don't plan anything in the morning--that is complete bs) and then goes on and on about how she doesn't really know how people with ADHD actually feel or respond in any situation as she doesn't have it herself and only knows how she, as someone who does not have ADHD (she keeps stressing this point), feels and thinks. 50% in, no good tips and generally insulting. She doesn't seem to realise that adults with ADHD can be highly functioning members of society and yet might want some tips on cleaning their home.

[Alison Rowland · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book ony gets two stars instead of one because the author does have some helpful tips. However, a plug for her paid services and content on every other page had me rushing to get my money back for the ebook purchase while I still could. Why tell us to listen to her podcast for inspiration when here we are, reading her book in hope of the same? This is lazy authorship.

Woodruff puts off her audience when she makes presumptions about what ADHD must feel like on the inside without having it herself, and without backing up her observations with either interviews or quotes from those who do have it, nor citing any scientific or medical research on the condition. At points she even brags about her ability to organize, and dumbfound friends and clients with her ability and speed, a superfluous and tone-deaf inclusion that risks belittling the very audience she purports to help. Woodruff no doubt has a better grasp on the effects of ADHD than the average person, but her writing belies the limits to her empathy.

This book needed better research and a better editor.

[Mary Kathryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m honestly upset I paid money to read this “book.” It was self-indulgent, unscientific, and wholly unhelpful. This “author” clearly has absolutely no idea what it’s like living with adult ADHD, and I cannot even begin to understand why she would believe she’s knowledge enough to author a book on the topic. Please, PLEASE, do not waste your money. You’d be better off lighting $6 on fire and watching it burn. Truly horrific book and even bigger waste of money. I am ashamed I ever supported this “author.” This person has absolutely no idea how ADHD affects anything concerning daily living, is not a scientist nor a medical professional, so why on earth would you listen to anything they say?

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

To the concept of limiting my "passion projects" to 1-3, I say: over my dead body.

This is a really straightforward book, though, and I have rarely felt so seen. I do have problems with my working memory, so naturally, I am having trouble remembering the things I found frustrating (besides the passion project bit, which I made a note of), but I remember feeling a little mistrustful because, as she readily admits, she is not a doctor and does not have ADHD.

She does seem very knowledgeable, though. It's definitely worth reading, if it seems like a subject of interest.

[Cassie Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful bits of knowledge, but nothing hugely groundbreaking in comparison to other books on the subject.

[Catie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated that this book made 6 of the 8 executive functions totally understandable and relatable. Everything was related to home organization, but I learned more about ADHD through this book than I have in many many articles and resources which are meant to be ADHD-educational material. Taught me a lot about myself, too!'

[Christina Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Incredible Resource!

I am a 37 year old wife and mother with ADD. Organization is definitely not my strong point, and my disorganization has pretty much taken over my life. Lisa Woodruff explains through her book, why I have such problems with organization, and how I can work with my brain and thought processes rather than against them. The tools discussed in this book have the potential to be life changing if implemented. I highly recommend this book to those individuals with ADHD or ADD, who find organization a daunting and overwhelming task. While this book is geared towards women, I feel like it would be helpful to anyone needing help organizing his or her home.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some useful tips but mostly this felt like one big ad for her products. I absolutely get that you are going to plug your other outlets, but it felt like every other paragraph was a sales pitch.
Also…I didn’t feel she has enough experience or did enough research on ADHD to write a book like this. There were too many generalizations.
I don’t care for it when books like this suggest outsourcing household tasks. Only mentioned once in this book, but those of us reading the book are not looking to outsource the tasks. That’s why we are reading the book.

[S. Breeze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough with lots of tips and tricks, but a lot of upselling toward the Sunday Basket (Registered Trademark) and the Organization 365 course, which probably works great but is astronomically expensive.

[Jeanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the book delves into ADHD and how it affects Housekeeping; I feel this book - really a booklet, is more an infomercial for the authors Organization business.
Basic getting started info, but not enough.

[Emily Ramey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick listen and gave me some ideas to use around my house. I do already do a couple of these things in my own way at home, but I’m very interested in her podcast so I will give that a listen as well.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is some good steps to know how the adhd brain works in this book. I recommend if you live in a house of adhd-ers

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh-nothing new.

[Edith · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first, I liked this book, it is well written. However, I did not like the many mentions of the podcast. I am a visual learner and not a auditory one, otherwise I would not have bought this book.
I stopped reading after I read ‘You can develop a muscle memory for your daily organizing time.’ And: ‘The more that you can create a routine, the more your body will start to play along and help you get started.’ I have yet to meet someone with ADD/ADHD who is able to do this. I am 50 years old and still struggle with automatizing simple tasks as brushing my teeth.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's some good stuff in here, but wooooow it reads like an infomercial for her paid services. I don't begrudge her wanting to be compensated for what she's offering, but this felt like just enough info to compel you to buy more stuff from her because this gives really basic help.
Also, she herself doesn't have ADHD.

[Raven · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a teaser...

In this book the author references tips and systems but never goes into enough detail to make it actionable. This book is essentially a way to drive readers to her website to sign up for her various online programs.

[Terrie Edgar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concepts outlined in this book are great, but it was a difficult read.
The editing was atrocious and quite jarring, trying to figure out where you're supposed to read next took a while to figure out until I found the pattern.
Difficult to read but highly praise the author's insight.

[Juan Carlos Ortiz-Giró · Rating 5 out of 5]

This must be one of the best books to aid us, people who struggle with ADHD and organization. I like the simplicity of the advice and techniques provided by the author. I am looking forward to applying this advice personally.

[Kitty Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot new here

So-so. Some interesting information, but mostly kept referring back to her podcast. Not a whole lot of tips beyond the Sunday basket idea.

[Jamie Mills · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this is the last time I impulsively purchase an audio book without doing some research first. Very upset I wasted a perfectly good audible credit on this.

The book reads like this:
“ Hi I’m Lisa I don’t have ADHD but this is what I do to organize my home…”
“You have ADHD and [insert some over generalized judgmental statement about people with ADHD] so therefore you can’t do it my way”
“Instead of giving you options to support you as someone who has ADHD I’m just going to insist you go listen to all my podcasts”

As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 30, not only are her tips not helpful, but her suggestions are actually insulting.

First off - her #1 suggestion in the first chapter is to hire a professional organizer. Oh ok lol. And then she closely follows up by suggestion to get organization ideas from Pinterest.

Honestly? It felt like satire. Her suggestions to create a Sunday basket, create a to do list, and to repetitively keep your keys on the same hook for 20 years were 1) insulting - as if no one with ADHD has ever thought to make a list before, compile their paperwork, or try to keep their sh*t in one spot but 2) shows how little she understands ADHD.

When you struggle with initiating tasks, you’re going to struggle with all these suggestions. She also clearly doesn’t understand time blindness, making her suggestion to time out tasks on said to do list really frustrating.

I’ve never rated a book as a 1 before. But here we are.

[Margot C. Osborne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel duped and disappointed

Being someone who struggles with adult ADHD. I bought this book to help me organize aspects of my life which have proven to be really difficult for several decades! In the interest of fairness I have been a licensed social worker and certified psychoanalyst for many years, with a special
interest in ADHD. This stemmed from finding out that several close family members in younger generations were diagnosed and treated for ADD or ADHD. It was then that I began to recognize similar issues in my life , becoming clear as to why I found organizational skills so frustrating to learn in particular. While I have gained some practical help from this book, it seems formulaic— listing each executive function followed by examples of how they can come up short in the ADHD brain, then giving suggestions in order to help with these shortcomings. The book is very short—more like an advertisement for the many products and services Ms. Woodruff lists on her website and on social media. Because the book was so rudimentary it seemed as though one would have to buy or subscribe to her other business products in order to be a successful, organized person. I had expected that the book was good enough on its own to do this adequately.

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short book, I listened to the audiobook. I got a lot from this book. Not so much on how to do organization but more on why organization could be difficult, and not only for people who suffer from ADHD. Then why not 5 stars? Two reasons. First, this is not based on any research, but on, granted extensive, personal experience of the author. Second, the author often referred for more information to podcasts she has published. As I am a listener of her podcast, this is not a real problem for me, but it might have been better to give more information in the book and maybe have a list of related podcasts as an appendix.
For those who don't know her, Lisa Woodruff has a company that sells successful programs and products for paper- and home organization. She mentions several products in the book, and gives them attention in the 3rd part describing products, but also mentions other products (not directly similar to her own). Again, this was not a problem for me, and I knew this before I bought it.

[Jane Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

helpful

Many helpful suggestions for those of us who have no sense of executive functioning in our homes. The main idea is to set a doable task and complete it each time to the end. It may take a while but it makes everything accomplish able. The tasks get easier and easier to do as things don’t pile up. When you’ve discovered what you can handle, consider hiring a house cleaner to do the jobs you never get to. I am retired and 77. I can give up unnecessary Amazon Purchases to take care of the cost. Declutter regularly and give anything you don’t use to thrift shops. You need less stuff. I do this regularly. I make weekly stops to the caring and sharing store. No easy task to do all this but really makes life more comfortable timing how long a regular job takes you is eye opening. Take what you can use from this book and make life easier and more comfortable.

[Patrice Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

This book really helped me understand how my ADHD has affected my continued organizational process. People will come in my office and say "oh you are so organized" little do they know that it won't stay that way very long! I can't seem to put things away. I'm always in a hurry so it goes on my desk and soon it is stacked high! Same with my bedroom and studio. I learned a lot about myself and have a few practical solutions to help break the cycle. I especially like the Sunday Basket idea. You'll have to read the book to find out what that is!

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many great ideas that I am going to utilize. Breaking things in to small pieces really is so smart especially for someone with ADHD. I know for myself personally I get ideas that are really big that I get excited about for a little, then get really overwhelmed and never accomplish it. This book gave me a different perspective of what I can do to help with that, and ultimately get my life more organized. I am excited to start listening to the podcast as well for more ideas.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, straightforward organization advice

Fantastic resource for anyone who struggles with organizing - whether you have ADHD or not! I'm looking forward to the author's next book. Don't miss the author's extras at the Web link to her site. Only one small gripe: not enough Android cross-platform app options. Not everyone has IOS.

[Michelle Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for people who struggle .

This book is great even if you don't think you have adhd . It explains how your brain works against you getting organized and how to overcome this. It also has podcast references you can listen to if you want more detailed help or just learn better by listening than reading.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet with lots of resources. I picked up what I think will be very useful habits for our family. Had I realized it was going to mostly be a list of excellent resources instead of heavy on advice I maybe would have tried to borrow from the library instead of purchasing from Audible, but I enjoyed it anyway.

[Michele Cacano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I vacillated on giving this 3 or 4 stars, but ultimately, I think there is enough useful information in here to go for 4.
I like the clean, concise presentation. No repetition to speak of, which is saying something when it comes to this type of book.