ADHD Life Hacks: Now more than ever

Conventional organizational strategies don't work for adults with ADHD. Our brains need more creative "organization hacks" to tackle certain everyday problems. Here they are. Bruce Willis included.

No, our Christmas parties aren't held in high-rise buildings occupied by terrorists ( Die Hard 1 , 1988). We don't have to clear airports of the bad guys just before New Year's ( Die Hard 2 , 1990). And if our partner dumps us, saving New York — that same day — isn't on our to-do list either ( Die Hard with a Vengeance , 1995).

But people with ADHD know the daily uncertainty that feels like broken glass beneath their feet. They also know the moments when their minds become as sharp as these broken glass – and a great inner peace sets in. Because there are always things worth fighting for. And that's exactly what we're good at. Everyday life, on the other hand, is often difficult for us. Therefore – and because parts 1 and 2 were successful – here are part 3 of the tips from people with ADHD:

1. Brief reflection at the end of the bed. "I take 5 minutes every evening to reflect on my day and what went well and what I want to do differently or learn the next day."

2. Music as a motivator. "I create playlists for different tasks and states. For example, to motivate myself, to put me in a dreamy, creative state, or to calm me down from a nervous phase."

3. Green, orange, red – the traffic light method. "I use the traffic light method to structure my personal 'traffic chaos' and better perceive critical situations. The colors help me set priorities correctly."

4. Impulse control training. "Before I react to a situation, I try 'box breathing' or slowly counting to ten. This gives me a moment to reflect and avoid overly impulsive behavior that I would only regret later."

5. Keep a food diary. "To keep track of my diet, I write down everything I eat. This helps me make healthier choices and sometimes even identify which foods worsen my symptoms."

6. Meticulously control your finances. "To prevent impulse purchases and spending from getting out of control, I've found an account limit to be effective. It's also helpful to have a maximum of one credit card, or, better yet, to use cash."

8. Get feedback. "I regularly get feedback from someone I trust very much. At first, I had a hard time dealing with criticism. Today, I can see it as a loving outside perspective."

9. Swap tasks. "I swap certain tasks with my partner. So I help her with things I'm good at because of my job, and in return, she does things that should actually be my job. I often find it easier to get things done on time for others than for myself."

10. Seek out challenges. "I always thrive on challenges, which is why I now seek out small ones. For example, balance exercises on one leg, using my left hand more often than my right for a day, etc. The small successes make me happy and inspire me to achieve bigger goals."

11. Get out of the defensive. "I was so used to being criticized that I often became unnecessarily defensive. Even just explaining a procedure often made me angry. Today, I'm open about something and usually ask, 'And what do you think?' If I'm being criticized unfairly, I sometimes deliberately don't respond and ask, 'What can I do now to make you feel better?'"

12. Learn from the children. "I always observe my child during a quiet play phase: This curiosity, openness, and witty ideas are simply amazing. That's precisely the strength of us people with ADHD—the ability to think as limitlessly as children. I won't let anyone take that away from me and will defend it against anything that feels completely wrong. I've even changed jobs because of this and looked for something new where I could better utilize my strengths."