Time saver

>> "Hired nag" Rebecca Nemiroff helps people re-organize

By ALEX TIGCHELAAR

Talk to virtually anyone these days and a common complaint is that folks are just plain overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by work, pressure, papers, bills, computers; overwhelmed by the overwhelming speed at which our world is progressing.

Rebecca Nemiroff was working as a receptionist at the Allan Memorial when she was approached to do some organizational work for someone suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder. Just over a year later, Nemiroff developed her own company, Re-Organize Consulting, where she helps people who suffer from ADD, as well as those who simply need to establish some order to their chaotic schedules.

Explains Nemiroff: "Attention Deficit Disorder can be described like this: say the human brain is like a radio. People who have ADD are picking up all the stations at once--it's hard for them to maintain focus on one particular thing."

Although many people who she deals with see a psychologist while using her services, what she does is more hands-on: everything from calling clients on a need-be basis to going through their week with them and making sure that they adhere to their agendas. Often she'll go to a person's house just to clear up their bills and desks. She'll put together a CV or even research possible job opportunities. "Typically, people with ADD are very bright, but they don't work up to their potential because they have such problems concentrating. Often it's the little things that they simply cannot overcome." Most of Nemiroff's clients are referred to her by psychologists. "I'm a hired nag," she says plainly.

Is she satisfied with the work she's done? "On the whole, yes, although I've worked with some teenage clients who really aren't motivated, who don't want my help. That can be frustrating."

As far as psychologists know, there is no cure for ADD, but with people like Nemiroff working to keep people with the disorder on track, our society has more productive members. As for the future of Re-Organize, Nemiroff sees herself and her staff working with senior citizens as well, helping them in the complicated computer age.