Let's think shoes for a minute. Just because you brought a pair of navy blue shoes in, do you have another pair of navy shoes you can toss or giveaway? Probably no. They may be tennis shoes or spikes or flats, while these are espadrilles. I mean, come on... Not everything that's navy blue goes with those, right?

So, what's the solution?

How about trying this:

At the beginning of each season, decide what you didn't wear in the last. For example, spring is just around the corner. If you have some winter clothes that you didn't wear this year, even once, why keep them hanging around? Oh, you lost weight and are keeping the bigger clothes, just in case? Well, forget that! If you don't have the bigger clothes to fit into maybe you won't need them at all. Right?

Or, how about this:

I mean, some people live in places where the seasons all meld together. If you haven't worn something in 6 months, give it away. Just put everything into a big garbage bag and take it to the nearest Goodwill, Salvation Army, or whatever is close to your home. You won't even miss it. Really. Once it's gone, you'll just have more room and your biggest issue will be stopping yourself from filling it up again.

But...

There are plenty of ways to get things more organized, if you think about it; however, with ADDers, there's another issue and that's procrastination. How can we get ourselves revved up enough to start?

How about offering yourself a reward? If it's something you can afford right away, great. Do some de-cluttering of just one area in your home, and then, go for the reward. If it's something that you want, but can't afford, pay yourself for de-cluttering. Like, OK, every time I clear a space, I'm going to pay myself $5. Then, don't touch that money until you have enough for whatever it is you're working toward.

Clearing out and cleaning up isn't something that ADD people do very well. There are just too many things going on around us that are far more interesting. So, think of systems you can use not just to get rid of the clutter, but to get yourself into the mindset of getting it done, as well.

Sipping margueritas on the beach might your goal. Just keep visualizing that image in your mind as you're throwing away old winter clothes. Feel the warmth of the sun, and know how much you deserve it.

For example, what linear-thinking person do you know who can do about 5 things at the same time? I mean, can they watch TV while working crossword puzzles, be checking in on an online forum or IMing with a friend? Probably not. Not unless they have ADD tendencies. And you don't think twice about it. You just take being able to do all these things at the same time for granted. Yet, linear-thinking people probably marvel at your talent.

And how about being able to think at the speed of light? I mean, when you're ADD, it's most likely that you are never at a loss for words in a comfortable situation. If you're an entrepreneur like I am, you can probably come up with ideas about how to make sales or improve your business that nobody else can. You just think on your feet. You're agile of mind and if you have ADHD, probably of body, too.

Plus, you can hyperfocus. You can get into stuff that you really enjoy and just do it to the exclusion of all else. When it's a project that has to be in on time, how cool is that? You'll probably work straight through until it's done. The only drawback there is that you need to make time to rest and eat. So, you get a partner that will force you to do those things. It's still a pretty cool talent to have.

And you'll take risks. You generally don't consider the danger of buying into a juicy company or changing jobs. But this talent of ours can be the most dangerous. Though we don't worry about the danger involved, it can mean we're impulsive, and that can lead to disaster. Risk taking is OK, as long as you aren't putting your life or your well-being in jeopardy. Still, it's better to be a bit of a risk taker than someone who stands still in the mud. In that respect, we're lucky to have ADD.

So, you see, even if you get a diagnosis of ADD, it's not the end of the world. You're a special person with special needs and special talents. You can learn how to work within the boundaries of attention deficit to make your special talents enhance many different part of your life. If you think you might be ADD and aren't sure. Take a preliminary ADD test, and see. Then, start deciding what kind of help you need to use attention deficit to its highest potential.

But people with ADD love clean, uncluttered spaces just as much as everyone else. We really don't want our spaces to be that way. It just kind of happens. And then, when we have such a mess that it can't wait another day to be straightened, it exhausts us just to think about getting it right again. We've all heard or read the ADD tips that say, "Tackle one bit at a time for a short while," but we just look at it all and we are paralyzed.

Here's something you can do to stop the clutter before it happens. Make it a policy -- really train your ADD mind -- to toss things as they arrive at your doorstep. Yep. If it's not necessary to your survival, you don't need it. Just get rid of whatever it is before IT makes a mess.

For example, everyone, ADD or not, gets advertisements in the mail. You probably put them aside thinking you'll look at them later because there just might be a juicy coupon in there for the pizza place down the street or the hair salon or whatever.

But here's what you do: You put the packet of coupons aside and think you'll look at them later, when in reality, by the time you get to looking at them, they've already expired. So, save yourself some trouble and effort and just toss them the minute they come into the house. Don't even open the envelope. Treat all junk mail this way and you'll have some of the clutter beat before it has a chance to start.

Or, what about newspapers? Do you read them? Or, do you put them aside, too, hoping that you'll read them when you have some time, and just end up throwing them all into the recycling bin when the pile finally starting toppling over? Stop your subscription! It's not worth your time and effort.

And how about shopping bags? Do you bring things home, and save the shopping bag because you think that you might have to take whatever you bought back to the store? So? You can take it in any kind of bag. The clerks in the store don't care. They do it, too! I guarantee they do. So, keep just a couple of bags around of different sizes and put the rest into recycling bins. If you can't recycle them, throw them away.

Anytime you see useless "things" that you think might be useful later, reconsider. Think about yourself. Will your ADD actually allow you to use something before its time limit expires? Will you just keep piling things up until they reach the ceiling?

If you know these things are true about yourself, then either cancel the subscription or service, or throw things away before they have time to trouble you. That way, when you look at the state of your living space, you can think how grateful you are that you've taken action to rid yourself of useless things before they can make a mess.

When you have ADD, you're constantly aware of your environment because you monitor everything that's going on. This is particularly useful when you're in not-so-nice areas or in large crowds. You need to be aware of your personal space, your personal possessions, and the safety of yourself and those around you.

You have a tendency to totally throw yourself into a project with hyperfocus. Time isn't an issue. You can set your sites on a goal and focus clearly on that goal, until it's achieved.

You're flexible. With ADD, you're able to shift your focus at a moment's notice. So, if you're concentrating on something and a fire starts, you can completely switch your focus to deal with the more pressing situation.

ADD allows you to find bursts of energy. When others are losing interest or becoming tired, but the project still needs to be completed, you can find that extra burst of energy to see the project through.

You think in terms of pictures rather than words, so you're able to create diagrams of what you want done in your head. You know where you've been and can see where you're going. Yet, you aren't able to think abstractly. For example, you may not be a great chess player because you prefer to follow a straight path to whatever it is you want or are trying to accomplish.

You're fearless. Where others might stop to think about danger, you push right on ahead. You'll take risks to capture your prey.

One drawback of ADD is that you may have a tendency to be hard on yourself and the people around you. You're frustrated normally, and when decisions or movement toward action take too long, you lash out. It's just your ability to see the necessity for speedy action and decision that makes you impatient.

Most of the "hunter" traits are important and you're lucky to have them. Linear-thinking people may not understand why you are the way you are, but in a tight spot, they'd surely love being with you. Try to focus on the positive side of these ADD talents and use them to make your life better. You can't know who well your ADD can work, until you put it to the test.

Here are some areas that are particularly affected by sleep:

• Memory and learning
• Mood enhancement and social behaviors
• Your immune system
• Your nervous system
• Growth and development

Three of these are directly related to ADD -- memory and learning, mood and social behavior, and the nervous system. If people with ADD aren't sleeping properly is it any wonder that problems in these areas exist? They only exacerbate our condition.

So, what can you do to get a good night's sleep?

Here are 10 tips to help you sleep better:

1. Never nap during the day
2. Limit your use of caffeine and alcohol
3. Stop smoking
4. Expose yourself to bright sunlight when you awaken
5. Do your daily exercises early
6. Be sure that you have enough iron in your diet or take iron supplements
7. Have a comfortable bed
8. Keep a regular sleep schedule
9. Never eat big meals before bed
10. Eat turkey

That last tip may sound silly, but turkey has a chemical in it called "tryptophan" that actually promotes sleep. Add a little red wine and you should be all set.

Sleeping is often hard for people with ADD, but it's extremely important for us, maybe even more important for us than it is for linear thinkers. We already have issues that apply directly to getting the right amount of sleep. On average, adults require seven to eight hours of sleep each night, but times vary. Some people require more or less. But if you find that you're in "sleep debt" try giving yourself an hour or so extra at night, until you catch up. Walking around like a zombie with ADD isn't a great idea.

Insecurity.

You aren't sure you understand and your ADD just prods you to ask questions until you do, even if you really understood the whole concept in question right from the start.

This can be especially troublesome when it happens in business. When your boss gives you a project to handle, for example, you're probably concerned that you won't remember what to do and how to do it, so you question things ad infinitum. How can you stop when your ADD brain just won't let you?

Find some security.

It all goes back to the old idea of writing things down. When you're given a specific project at work or when you have to complete anything that's important, write down all that you're told, and the answers to any questions you feel you need to ask. That way, you won't be asking the same questions and not remembering that you've already asked them. You'll also have a lifeline. You'll be able to refer back to your notes and see what needs to be done and how.

If you happen to work online, you may want to ask your boss to make a video for you to show you what to do. Then, you won't have to ask as many questions because the whole process will be right there in the video for you to copy. It's not just a lifeline, it's a blueprint that's easy to follow. Even then, as you watch the video, write down the action steps you need to take and then, just follow your own directions.

There's no reason for you to be insecure, if you make a concerted effort to get things down on paper or onto video, and your ADD doesn't have to drive other people nuts because you're asking so many questions. Some ADD people even get upset with themselves because they find themselves asking too many questions. Stop the anxiety! Make ideas concrete, and you'll see that your questions and concerns can be eliminated giving you a much easier row to hoe.

Did you ever consider that you might have adult ADD? It's just possible. Try taking a preliminary online ADD test and then, if that shows you could have ADD, find a qualified professional and get a definite diagnosis. Sometimes, what may seem like attention deficit is too much caffeine or stress. But if you find that you have true ADD, then learn about your incredible strengths and how to deal with your weaknesses.

Then, set up a time to talk to your partner about your findings. Let them know that you aren't doing things to make them uncomfortable or angry. You just can't help it. Ask them to tell you specifically what's upsetting them, and then, see if you can't find some ADD-friendly systems around those behaviors. In fact, it's not a bad idea to write down the complaints so that your ADD brain won't forget what they are.

Once the sticking points are established, it's time to work out solutions. Since one trait of attention deficit is not following through, you'll have to place some effort on whatever plans you make. Perhaps you could set up a schedule to work on one ADD behavior each day, until your solutions become ingrained in your daily life.

For example, if you are the mess maker that they say you are, tell your partner not to clean up for you, but to remind you what needs done. Having them running around cleaning up your messes only enables you to be messy. The last thing you want your partner to feel like is a slave. If they're better organizers, you may want them to come up with an ADD-friendly system that will help you to control the clutter. Any time you can just toss things into a basket or bin, you're on the right track. Making things hard to put away negates the purpose.

To end the memory problems, keep notepads close by, whether you're inside or outside your home, and write things down. This is especially true when you're on your way to the grocery store and your mate asks you to pick up something that they're craving. If you come home with everything but what they want, you'll either be having a row or going back to the store. Instead, keep a notepad in your pocket at all times, if you have to. Or store notepads throughout your home so that you can get to them easily. Write down everything before you leave the house.

It's also important to make time for each other. You may want to set aside a time of day when you can just sit down and talk. Discuss the ADD-friendly systems that are working and the ones that aren't. Try to come up with alternate solutions for the ones that aren't. Discuss how you could make things easier. For example, if the writing a list option doesn't work for you, consider carrying a small voice recorder in your pocket or purse. Then, you can just speak things you need to remember into it and play it back when you need to remember things.

Relationships don't have to suffer because one partner has ADD and the other doesn't. You may need to educate your linear-thinking partner about how ADD minds work, and put some ADD-friendly solutions together than can work for both of you. Once you come to an understanding and make a plan, the conflict may not go away entirely overnight, but it will improve over time and your relationship with it.

Isn't that right? I mean, you might have a sinkful of dirty dishes waiting just to be put into the dishwasher, but you hate dishes and so, there they sit. Or, maybe there's a crust of dust on everything in your house. Or, you might just have a whole pile of stuff waiting to find a home. Well, unless a miracle happens and you turn into a psychokinetic ninja, you're going to have to break down and do this stuff before the health department gets wind of how your ADD is stopping you from doing boring things!

Well, you don't have to lose Rip Van Winkle in the dust, and you can get the things done that just have to be done, no matter how much you hate to do them. And the funny part of this all is that what I'm about to tell you is such a simple solution that it shouldn't work, but it does.

OK, here's how it goes...

When you have to wash the dishes, then get out your iPod or put some music on the CD player or whatever, and make sure it's music you really enjoy, whatever it is from heavy metal to Beethoven. It doesn't matter. Just get the music playing. That will occupy your sense of hearing. Then, get a nice smell going, like a candle or some incense. Maybe a bowl of fruit or even some flowers. Whatever it is that you like to smell, then put that into play, too. And then, get some sugarless candy or gum and get your sense of taste going at the same time. You already have touch and sight sewn up with the dishes. Now, all five senses are working. When you put all your senses to work, you're less bored. The music, the scents, and the tastes will help you with the boredom.

But, here's an added idea. What is it that you like to do when you're not working? Do you like to swim? Put on a bathing suit if the weather is warm. Or, if you're a runner, put your running clothes on. Dress for whatever it is that you enjoy doing.

Now, you're set! You can wash those dishes, dust the house, or just up and put things away. ADD brains get bored very, very easily, so it's important that we keep it busy all the time. When we aren't hyperfocusing on something we really love doing, then, we need to add some stimuli to the areas of our brain that are idle. Try this strategy the next time you have to clean out the refrigerator. The other alternative is to be lost in the debris, or... you can hire someone, if you can afford it. Just delegate the responsibilities you hate to someone else. These are ADD solutions that are bound to work.

Most ADD people just seem to have this problem with clutter. It's not that we want things to be messy and disorganized--we're not cats, after all. Cats love that. And we often don't even see how bad the clutter has become until someone else in our life points it out. We're perfectly comfortable with our messes, but when our family members start to complain or when our dates don't want to come into our living spaces, it's time to try some organization, which is definitely not something we enjoy. For someone with ADD, it's just boring and we hate to be bored!

Here are a few tips that might make the ADD mess monster easier to control:

Toss everything into a box and remove it from sight. It will feel great! You didn't have to do that much, and you can actually see your carpet. Your desk is cleaned off, too. Just be sure that you keep important stuff, like bills that need paying somewhere that you can see them and get to them. Perhaps a basket on top of a file cabinet or some part of your desk will do the trick. Just throw important papers into it and the rest can be put away until you feel like going through them.

Set a special day. Maybe you know there's a non-family holiday coming up, like President's Day or Groundhog Day. Use it to tackle that box of mess you just created. But don't try to do it all in one sitting! You'll never finish. Get an inexpensive timer. Set it for 5 minutes, then dive into the box with a trash can right beside you. Toss what you don't need, put what you want to keep into a banker's box with a lid, and the things that absolutely can't be thrown away into a second banker's box.

At the end of 5 minutes, stop. Then, set the alarm for 55 minutes and go do something else. At the end of that time, start over with the tossing and boxing for 5 more minutes. By the end of the day, unless the mess box is the size of a refrigerator packing case, you should be finished.

But now, there are two more boxes. Take the first one with the not-so-important papers in it, and write a date on it. If you haven't even peeked inside it after 6 months, put it out with the trash. The other banker's box is for things like insurance policies and product warranties, for example. Take that box and put it somewhere dry and that you can get to when you need the information inside. The papers don't have to be in order. They just have to be kept so that you can find them, if needed.

When you have ADD, it's easy to let things get out of control, but there are ADD-friendly ways to deal with the clutter, too. We can stand to do anything for at least 5 minutes. Of course, if your attention span is longer, you may want to crank the sorting time up to 10 minutes. When you think of boring tasks, 5 or 10 minutes of having to put up with doing them isn't really that long, even for someone with ADD. Try this method of banishing that clutter monster, and you'll undoubtedly like the results. And then, when it comes back (and it will), you'll know what to do. You'll be an ADD clutter-fighting ninja and the people around you will be happier, too.