10 tips to being more organized
1. Calendar. Use a large dry erase calendar or an online calendar to note your appointment details including transportation. If you use a dry erase calendar, transfer the information to an appointment book that you can carry with you.
2. Notes. Use a notebook or an app on your phone to note anything that you want to remember that doesn’t belong on your calendar/appointment book. This may include daily/weekly to-do lists or other check lists. Make sure you use sentences.
3. Emergency contacts. Make sure you note the emergency and other important phone numbers in your appointment book or notebook. In your cell phone, add a contact entry for your emergency contact or next of kin and name that contact entry as ICE (In Case of Emergency). If needed, emergency personnel know to check cell phones for ICE contacts.
4. Medication box. Use a weekly medication box and fill it on the same day and time every week. Write this time on your calendar and place the medication box where you will see it often.
5. Medic alert. Wear a medic alert bracelet or necklace. Have your name, phone number of someone who can be contacted if you cannot speak for yourself, and either “brain injury” or “seizure disorder” placed on the item.
6. Maps. Prepare prior to leaving by using a map app on your electronic device or make a map with landmarks or write down step-by-step directions with landmarks.
7. Plan ahead. Take a few minutes every day to get ready for the next day. Check your calendar and make sure you have transportation. Put things that you need to take with you in front of the door.
8. Consistent place. Find a logical place to put important items and place those items in the same place every day. Keep your keys on a hook near the door or in your bag/purse. Label drawers and cabinets and return the items to those locations after each use. Keep important papers in folder or box.
9. Ask for what you need. If someone is giving you important information too quickly to write down, ask them to slow down or write it down for you. Also ask people to repeat or better explain things if needed.
10. Trustworthy people. Find people you can trust, such as family, friends, paid helpers or other brain injury survivors and ask for their help in getting and staying organized and for their honest opinions about things you are unsure of. These people should be willing to listen while you talk about your life and feelings.
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