“I just want to be more organised.” It’s something I hear a lot, particularly from people in midlife and from those with ADHD who are tired of feeling overwhelmed and behind. But when we explore what “organised” actually means, it often comes down to one thing: writing a list. Lists have their place, but they are not the destination. Being organised is about creating systems, spaces and ways of working that support who you are now — not who you think you should be.
The List Is Not The Destination
When clients say, “I want to be more organised,” I always ask the same question:
“What does ‘organised’ mean to you?”
You’d be amazed how often the answer is some variation of:
“Well… I need to write a list.”
Somewhere along the way, being organised has come to mean making lists. The list itself becomes the goal, and the session outcome is simply another list. “Organised” ends up meaning just putting pen to paper.
The reality that I’ve learned both as a coach and as someone living with late-diagnosed ADHD is this:
Your list is not your destination; it’s just one of the tools on your journey to “organised”.
What Being Organised Means to Me
Personally, being organised means something very specific:
👉 Everything is either in its place or has a place.
That might be a cupboard full of neatly labelled boxes (and yes, I do get quite a thrill from those!). Or it might be a filing system in that mysterious place known as “the cloud”, which somehow both exists everywhere and nowhere at once.
This sense of things “having a place” gives me structure, mental space, and clarity. For my brain, it reduces noise. Others may see “organised” very differently.
But almost universally, this is clear: a list is only one step, not the whole journey.
So Why Does Writing A List Feel Like The Answer For So Many?
And for ADHD brains in particular, writing a list feels like taking control.
Very often, though, the real problem isn’t a lack of lists. It’s things like:
- unclear priorities
- overwhelm
- avoidance
- decision fatigue
- not knowing where to start
- not knowing what “done” actually looks like
- not having a system that matches how their brain works
A list alone can’t solve those.
That’s why so many lists are written, recopied, colour-coded… and yet, nothing changes.
This Leads To A Coaching Shift
I’ve realised that asking, “What does being organised mean to you?” is a good start, but it doesn’t always get to the core of the issue.
Instead, I’m drawn to a different line of inquiry:
- “What difference will the list make?”
- “What will you be able to do once the list is written?”
- “What becomes possible that wasn’t possible before?”
These questions open the door to awareness and deeper exploration.
Suddenly, we’re not talking about the list at all.
We’re talking about capacity, relief, flow, space, choices, values, and agency.
Because no one is writing a list for the sheer joy of it (except maybe me on a good day…).
A list is a starting point.
It’s a tool.
A means to an end.
And that end is where the real coaching work lives.
What “Organised” Often REALLY Means
Here are some things clients often actually mean when they say they want to be more organised:
- “I want to stop feeling overwhelmed.”
- “It’d be great if I could start things instead of circling them.”
- “I’d like to know what to focus on today.”
- “It would be better if I had fewer decisions to make.”
- “I want to trust myself to follow through.”
- “I would like my environment to support me, not drain me.”
Notice how none of these are solved by a list alone?
Lists Are Useful… But They Are NOT A System
Lists support organisation. But what creates organisation is:
- Systems
- Habits
- Environments
- Boundaries
- Values-aligned decisions
- Clarity on what matters most
- Understanding your brain’s unique wiring
A list on its own can’t do all that heavy lifting. Used well, however, a list can be the first stepping stone toward meaningful, sustainable systems.
The Real Question: What Does “Organised” Look Like For YOU?
Here’s why I love this question:
Organisation is personal.
It’s situational and values-led.
And it can look completely different for everyone.
For some, it’s colour-coded calendars and pristine cupboards, and for others it’s a single notebook and a weekly reset routine. And often it’s simply about knowing the next ‘right’ step.
So the next time a client says, “I want to be more organised”, consider responding with:
“What will being more organised allow you to do?”
Because transformation does not happen in the list, but in the life it’s meant to unlock.
A Next Step…
If you’re exploring what “being organised” looks like for your brain, coaching can help you build systems that support your life, not fight against it. I work with adults — especially those navigating ADHD or midlife change — to create personal, values-based approaches that reduce overwhelm and make space for what truly matters.
If that sounds like what you need, you’re welcome to book a free 30-minute discovery call with me. There’s no pressure to book sessions, but it’s a chance to say hello and find out if it would be a good next step for us to work together.
