An Australian entrepreneur with ADHD shares her top tips for staying organised

“If you don’t dedicate the time to planning, you won’t get it done. I do all my planning for the week on Sunday night – book the gym, appointments and any meetings.”

We’re halfway through the first month of the year and if you’re anything like me, you’re losing steam on your New Year’s resolutions. Your Dry January was foiled by a few all-too-temping Peroni Reds on a sunny afternoon and your early morning running routine was ruined by the resulting hangover. New Year, Old You. We can’t be perfect all the time!

With work back on and calendar dates quickly filling up, the vows we made in our blissed-out holiday head spaces may start to feel a little aspirational. But don’t fear – it’s not time to give up just yet. Every day is a new chance to pull your hair up, wash your face and try to get it together.

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If anyone is familiar with the delicate art of juggling responsibilities while trying to remain sane, it’s Australian entrepreneur and lifestyle influencer Lucy Jackson. As the Co-Host of the Happy Hour with Lucy and Nikki podcast and the Co-Founder of fashion label JGR & STN and wine brand Jackson West, it’s safe to say Lucy’s life is pretty full on.

“I’m just a ‘basic’ 33-year-old woman trying to work hard and play hard while maintaining a healthy lifestyle… lots to balance,” she says. Her desire to stay organised led her to start yet another business: the recently launched Basic Girls Guide (BGG) app.

Featuring a calendar, a to-do list, reminders, a quote of the day, a gratitude journal, horoscopes and a period tracker all rolled into one, the app has everything necessary to help you streamline your hectic day-to-day life.

“As someone with ADHD and a busy social calendar who also tries to keep healthy, I always struggled with my ability to manage my time and I know I’m not alone in that. I created BGG to be the one-stop tool to keep busy gals like me on track, motivated and inspired.”

For those who feel like their lives are veering towards dumpster fire territory, Lucy offers a word of advice: “It’s never as bad as you think. We are always our own worst critics. You have the ability to change things, whether it be your attitude, your environment or your situation.

“That feeling of hopelessness in my experience is a form of anxiety and anxiety is fleeting, it can be controlled,” she tells me. Below, Lucy shares six tricks that have helped her keep on top of things.

Work backwards

When taking on a big goal, it’s important to plan, especially if you want to achieve it by a certain date (say, the end of the year). “If you want to be able to run 10 kilometres in 10 months, figure out how much you need to increase each month to hit it,” says Lucy.

Are you trying to save up for a vacation? Calculate exactly how much it will cost and how much you’ll need to save each week. Working like this will also help you stay on target and put your goals into perspective. Do you want that Mecca pallete or do you want a week at a villa in Canggu? 

Relax

“Sometimes sitting still can help. It’s a serious challenge for me with my ADHD but I’m a firm believer in sometimes zoning out from the daily grind with a moment to myself,” she says. It can be tempting to charge forward when you’ve got a lot on the go, but sometimes it’s best to take a breather and get yourself in the right mindset to tackle the day’s tasks. 

Meditate in the garden, hit a yoga class or just cuddle up in bed with a movie. You’re not being lazy; you’re increasing your productivity power. If you think you’ll forget, try actively scheduling moments of peace into your day. “Appreciate your mental chill zone and protect it. A calm mind is an efficient mind.”

Small goals are important too

Looking at your big goals square in the eye can feel super intimidating. Rather than freaking yourself out, Lucy suggests breaking them down into bite-sized pieces.“Working hard to achieve something that might be impossible is disheartening.

“By achieving smaller goals, you will continuously be surprised and impressed with yourself and it’ll encourage you to keep going,” she explains. Give yourself little rewards and moments of joy along the way, rather than only letting yourself be proud once the Big Goal is complete.

Lists, list and lists

In this current day and age, no one has enough mental RAM to remember everything. This means that unless you write stuff down, important things like your grandma’s birthday or buying dish soap can be weasled out of your brain by something as silly as a catchy song. I’m no neuroscientist, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it works.

“As someone that struggles to keep focused, brain dump a list – you’ll feel better for it,” Lucy tells me. Jotting down a list is the quickest way to empty your brain and make room for new information.

Plan to make a plan

While it can be tempting, especially for the more free-spirited among us, just to take each day as it comes, this probably isn’t the most productive way to get things done. If you’re dedicated to achieving something, you have to sit down and sort out your plan of attack, like a personal assistant to yourself.

“If you don’t dedicate the time to planning, you won’t get it done. I do all my planning for the week on Sunday night – book the gym, appointments and any meetings.”

For more on staying organised despite your busy lifestyle, head here.