NAPO2015 Expo Fun New Products

The National Association of Professional Organizers held their Annual Conference and Organizing Expo last week. Though I found no shortage of new and innovative products to keep us productive, these four simple items spoke to me as they addressed some of my own organizing challenges.

The NEET Cable Keeper by NEET Products

Tired of that tangled mess of charging cords? This handy new product – like a zippered sock for cables - actually serves a dual purpose. It keeps your cords knot-free and separate from one another; while an internal wire (think wire-edged ribbon) allows you to “shape” your cables and protect their connection sites.  My recommendation: zip a different colored one over each charging cord for tangle-free organizing.

The Time Timer Watch PLUS by Time Timer

The Time Timer is much revered by those who:

·         overestimate task completion times

·         underestimate task completion times

·         struggle with ADHD

·         need to “see”  the passage of time

·         like to focus for short periods of time

The watch version keeps the amazing Time Timer concept “on hand” at all times – and who can resist the lime green? My recommendation: try the Watch PLUS if you’re already a Time Timer fan; newcomers can get acquainted with Time Timer via the APP. 

The Wrap iT Gift Wrap Organizer by Wrap iT

Rolls of gift wrap are unwieldy at their best, boxing partners at their worst. This gift wrap organizer is the best I’ve seen. The deluxe version will even tame those longer 40” rolls! Plenty of pockets hold cards, tags, bags, ribbon, bows, and of course, scissors and tape.  The bag has a slim silhouette and hangs nicely in a closet. My recommendation: by two – one for all occasion and the other for the holidays.

The Grab n’ Go by Finder Enterprises

Part charging station, part personal valet, the Grab n’ Go by Finder Enterprises is a simple solution for those oft’ misplaced items like keys, phone and wallet. Available in white or smoke, the Grab n’ Go can accommodate up to six mobile devices, comes with pre-printed plus blank labels and is affordable at just $24.95.  My recommendation: declare a “no electronics in bed” rule and use the Grab n’ Go as a family charging station elsewhere in the house.

Do any of these products provide an organizing solution for you?

ADHD: The Agony and the Ecstacy

Last week I participated in a panel discussion on ADHD. Four of us presented at the monthly chapter meeting of the National Association of Professional Organizers - Oregon Chapter (NAPO Oregon). There was a physician who treats ADHD patients and three Certified Professional Organizers® (CPOs) - one was an ADHD coach, another was the parent of an ADHD child (me), and the third had an ADHD spouse.
The meeting got a perfect score from the attendees (a rare NAPO Oregon success!),and as a panelist, I gave it a perfect score, too; because I learned so much.

Three themes that all four panelists agreed upon:

The Agony - with ADHD comes pain. And the pain is shared with many: he who has ADHD, his family, his coworkers, his teachers, and more. There is self-hatred, frustration, irritation and misunderstanding. Even when treated, ADHD can wreck havoc on a life. As one panelist put it: "The one consistency of ADHD is the consistent inconsistency" - which can result in hopelessness for all involved.

The Ecstasy - despite the hardships, ADHD is a wonderful gift. To spend time with someone who has ADHD is to buzz in their energy, their creativity, their multi-interests, and their new ideas. When properly treated, ADHD can become a person's major asset. Their leadership skills, inventive ideas and extraordinary intelligence can lead to a lifetime of success. I, for one, have sat in awe of my ADHD child. I wouldn't trade his gifts for anything.

It's Pervasive - meaning it impacts every aspect of your life. This is important, because ADHD is still much misunderstood, and everyone thinks they have it. One way to differentiate it from similar symptoms is by its pervasiveness. ADHD rears its head at home, at school, at work, in relationships, on weekends and weekdays. It impacts reading, communicating and understanding. Those who have ADHD live with it every day, all day long.

Those who attended the NAPO Oregon meeting seemed truly interested in this interesting diagnosis. They had non-stop questions, particularly of our physician panelist. Proof positive that even though only a fraction of people have the diagnosis, seemingly everyone is impacted by ADHD.