Organization (Core Executive Function Skill)

Organization isn’t just about being neat—it’s about being present, intentional, and creating space for mental clarity, especially when life gets ‘loud.’

Section 1: What Is Organization?

Organization is an executive function skill that helps us keep track of our environment and tasks with intention. It’s less about perfection and more about being present in the moment, making decisions about where things go, and reducing mental clutter. It’s about making sure we can find what we need when we need it, without overwhelming ourselves.

Core Abilities:

• Being intentional about where things go: Whether it’s physical objects or mental tasks, placing things in spaces where they’re easy to access.
• Being present with the process: Not just moving things around unconsciously, but being mindful of how and where things are placed.
• Maintaining mental clarity: Keeping mental space clear by taking action rather than letting things pile up.
• Simplifying systems: Creating easy-to-follow methods for locating things without relying on memory overload.
• Making decisions as you go: Rather than overthinking or procrastinating, making small, deliberate decisions to keep things in order.

Section 2: Organization Executive Function Challenges

Common Organization Executive Function Challenges Look Like:

• Constantly misplacing items: Keys, papers, tools, or anything that doesn’t have a set place.
• Difficulty sorting or decluttering: Feeling overwhelmed by the task of deciding where to put things, leading to avoidance.
• Trouble organizing thoughts: Difficulty managing thoughts while writing, speaking, or planning.
• Starting systems that never stick: Beginning organizational tasks that fall apart when the initial energy wanes.
• Working in chaotic environments: A messy environment increases stress and makes it harder to stay focused.

Section 3: The Unique Challenges for Neurodivergent Minds

For neurodivergent individuals, disorganization isn’t just about clutter—it’s often connected to how the brain processes information and manages sensory input. Traditional systems may not work because they don’t align with how neurodivergent brains naturally function.

Neurodivergent-Specific Contributors:

• Out-of-sight, out-of-mind thinking: Particularly in ADHD, if things aren’t visible or immediately engaging, they are easily forgotten.
• Executive overload: Trying to create or maintain order can become mentally exhausting, leading to frustration or abandonment of systems.
• Sensory sensitivity: Environments that feel chaotic or overstimulating can make it difficult to focus on organizing.
• Cognitive rigidity: A tendency to stick to one way of doing things, making it difficult to adapt organizational methods when they’re not working.
• Emotional overwhelm: Clutter and disorganization can trigger feelings of shame or avoidance, further complicating efforts to get organized.

Section 4: How to Strengthen Organization Skills

A. Start with Simplicity and Intentionality

• Use open shelving or transparent bins so you can easily see and access what you need. This reduces mental load.
• Create “homes” for your most-used items. This doesn’t have to be fancy—just a place where you’ll always know where things belong.
• Keep things simple. Choose easy-to-maintain systems that won’t add to your cognitive load. A system doesn’t need to be perfect to be effective.

B. Align with How Your Brain Works

• Organize in ways that make sense to you. For example, group items by their function (e.g., all pens, all papers) rather than by abstract categories.
• Use color-coding or visual cues to trigger your memory, making it easier to find things.
• Make organization part of your daily routine. This way, you don’t have to rely on memory to keep things in order—organization becomes automatic.

C. Organize Thoughts as Well as Spaces

• Mind maps, outlines, or whiteboards are great for organizing complex thoughts or projects.
• Use a “brain dump” journal or digital note system to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper.
• Break large tasks or projects into small, manageable pieces to prevent overwhelm and make them easier to organize and track.

Section 5: What Progress Looks Like

Progress in organization doesn’t mean having a perfectly neat space—it means developing a system that works for you and helps you feel more in control.

Signs of Progress Include:

• Finding what you need more often, with less stress.
• Feeling less overwhelmed by your environment or task list.
• Keeping up with an organizational system for more than a few days—not perfect, but sustainable.
• Getting things out of your head and into a trusted system, freeing up mental space.

Noticing patterns in what works—and using those patterns to build better systems over time.

References:

Sippl, Amy. “Executive Function 101: All About Organization.” Life Skills Advocate. https://lifeskillsadvocate.com/blog/executive-functioning-skills-101-all-about-organization/.