Dirty Little Word... Organisation.

Have you ever stared at the word “organisation” and felt your brain freeze? It’s a challenge many of us with dyslexia face, and it can bring a sense of dread on certain days. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. This episode of The Truth About Dyslexia offered some fantastic insights into why we struggle with organising ourselves and how we can take back our time, one small step at a time.

The conversation touched on daily routines, quick tips for prioritising tasks, and learning to accept that organisation is a journey, not a destination. Below are the highlights, broken down into simple sections. Take what resonates and see if it helps you manage your to-do list. The full episode is right above if you’d prefer to hear me talk about it in my own words.

Why Organisation Feels Like a Fantasy

Organisation can feel like something reserved for super-efficient people, scheduled down to the minute. The reality is different for a dyslexic mind: we have good days and hidden-away days. There’s no single reason; a mix of sensory overload, time-blindness, and stress can throw us off.

At times, I crave structure. Then I wake up, look at my tasks, and want to run the other way. Much of this is about recognising patterns rather than forcing ourselves into a rigid system. I find that giving myself permission to adapt helps me break free from black-and-white thinking.

“I used to think that being organised was a superpower some people are born with. Then I realised it’s something that changes day by day, especially if you’re dyslexic.”

Finding Systems That Stick

Jumping from one fancy productivity app to another rarely solves the core challenge. That’s something I talk about a lot: you need to find something that sticks with your brain’s quirks. Some find success with tech-driven approaches, while others thrive with pen and paper.

If you like digital tools, consider an app you already know well. Keep to one place, be it a simple note-taking app or your phone’s calendar. If you’re a pen-and-paper person, write a short list each morning.

• Clear your brain first thing in the day.
• Pick just three tasks and note them down.
• Check them off as you go.

That’s it. We don’t need to complicate things if a small system can keep us on track most of the time.

Dealing With Overwhelm

One of the toughest parts of organisation is facing the mountain of tasks or the anxiety of needing to “do it all.” We can feel stuck and end up doing nothing. I’ve found that when overwhelm hits, having a “rescue plan” helps.

My rescue plan involves stepping back and asking, “What’s absolutely essential?” I remove the nice-to-have tasks and go for must-do items only. Knowing I can free up my schedule makes me feel more in control, and it clears mental space to tackle real priorities.

1. Pause and breathe. Don’t let frantic energy consume you.
2. Ask yourself what really has to get done today.
3. Schedule extra tasks for later, or delegate if possible.

Using Deadlines to Your Advantage

Nobody likes deadlines, but they can be a blessing for our scattered brains. Something about a timer or a clear due date can nudge us to focus. Just be cautious not to turn your life into one big stress ball.

If you have something large looming, break it down into small tasks and set mini-deadlines. Pair tasks with short bursts of effort. Knowing you’ve only got 15 minutes for a task makes it less intimidating than tackling a big project in one go.

After those 15 minutes, give yourself a mini-reward, whether it’s a quick stretch, a snack, or a few minutes of something fun. Rewards can keep us engaged without feeling drained.

Letting Go of Perfection

It’s easy to get so caught up in wanting to do everything perfectly that we end up procrastinating. Many of us with dyslexia carry past experiences of feeling judged, so we can fear making mistakes. But aiming for perfect can be the biggest block to getting anything done.

Instead, focus on progress. Last week, I got one corner of my living space sorted. That’s progress, even if the rest is still messy. The same applies to your work tasks. If you’ve ticked off two essentials, that’s brilliant. Shake off the idea that you need to do it all flawlessly to say you’ve been productive.

• Progress beats perfection every time.
• Little piles of success eventually form big wins.
• Nobody remembers the half-done tasks if the crucial ones are finished.

Key Takeaways

• Keep it simple: One list, three key tasks, done daily.
• Use mini-deadlines or time blocks to start momentum.
• Accept that overwhelm is part of the process. Pause, prune your list, then proceed.
• Celebrate small wins. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect.
• Adapt your system when it stops working. You’re allowed to switch it up.

If you’re ready to dive deeper, the podcast episode is waiting for you at the top of this page. I share some real-life stories of how I juggle organisation with my dyslexic brain, plus a few of my favourite trials and errors to inspire your own journey.

Give it a listen and see if there’s a gem that clicks with you. You never know which tweak might save you time and stress tomorrow.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you feel a little less alone in the struggle. Ready to hear more? Press play on the player above and enjoy the full episode. You’ve got this!