Choosing the Best Planner for an ADHD Brain

If you have an ADHD brain, it can be all the more challenging to stay organized, manage time effectively, and maintain focus amidst the chaos of everyday life. That's where a trusty ADHD planner comes in handy! Our neuro-diverse organization experts, who love using paper planners for stress management, time management, focus, and creating routines, share how to choose the best planner specifically tailored to the needs of an ADHD brain.

How to Choose the Best Planner for ADHD

Living with ADHD means that traditional planning methods might not always work for you. When selecting an ADHD planner, it's essential to consider features that cater to the unique challenges and strengths of an ADHD brain.

Simplicity and Clarity

First and foremost, opt for a planner that offers simplicity and clarity in its design. Look for layouts that are easy to understand and navigate every week. Busy and cluttered pages can overwhelm an ADHD brain, so choose a planner with clean, uncluttered spreads that allow you to focus on the task at hand throughout the week.

Visual Appeal

Visual appeal is crucial when selecting an ADHD planner. Choose a design that speaks to you and motivates you to engage with your planner regularly. Bright colors, playful patterns, or minimalist aesthetics can make planning more enjoyable and encourage you to stick with it.

Read more about How to Find Your Planning Style.

Customizability and Flexible Layouts

Flexibility is key when it comes to planning with ADHD. Look for planners that offer customizable layouts or modular systems – like an A5 Ring Agenda System – that allow you to adapt your planner to suit your changing needs. Being able to personalize your weekly or daily planner ensures that it remains a useful tool as your routines and priorities evolve.

Learn more about the 11 Different Planner Types and How to Choose.

Task Lists and Checklists

An effective planner for ADHD should include ample space for task lists and checklists. Breaking down tasks throughout the week into manageable steps and checking them off as you complete them provides a sense of accomplishment and helps keep you on track.

Space for Goal Setting and Progress Tracking

Goal setting is essential for individuals with ADHD, as it provides a sense of direction and purpose. Choose a planner that dedicates space for setting both short-term and long-term goals. Additionally, look for features that allow you to track your progress and celebrate your achievements along the way.

Time Blocking Sections for Time Management

Time management can be a significant challenge for those with ADHD. A planner with dedicated time-blocking sections can help you structure your day more effectively and allocate time for specific tasks or activities. Time blocking encourages focus and prevents procrastination by providing a clear outline of how you intend to spend your time.

Paper Planner vs. Digital Planner

While digital planners or apps offer convenience and accessibility, many individuals with ADHD find that paper planners provide a more tangible and tactile planning experience. The act of physically writing things down can improve memory retention and cognitive processing, making it easier to stay organized and focused. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference, so choose the best paper planner or digital app that works best for you.

Learn more about the 7 Untapped Benefits of Using a Planner for Home and Work.

The Best Planners for ADHD

Now that we've covered what to look for in a planner, let's explore some top picks that cater to the needs of individuals with ADHD.

Read more about the 7 Classic Planner Layouts.

Weekly LifePlanner™

The LifePlanner™ stands out for its comprehensive approach to organizing your life with flair and functionality. Here are some key features that make it a top choice for individuals managing ADHD:

Weekly and Monthly Layouts

The LifePlanner™ offers both weekly and monthly spreads, providing ample space to plan out your days, write to-do lists, and see the bigger picture of your month ahead. The weekly layouts are divided into vertical, horizontal, or hourly sections, allowing you to choose the format that best suits your planning style.

Goal Setting and Habit Tracking

This planner incorporates dedicated sections for goal setting and habit tracking, empowering you to set meaningful objectives and monitor your progress over time. Whether you're striving to establish new habits or achieve long-term aspirations, the LifePlanner™ keeps you accountable and motivated to complete daily tasks.

Learn more LifePlanner™ Hacks and Planning Tips.

Daily LifePlanner™

For adults with ADHD, a paper Daily LifePlanner™ offers all the organization and structure of its weekly counterpart above but with daily + monthly focus. Its monthly calendar spreads provide clarity on commitments, while the daily planning pages combine hourly organization on one side and a to-do list on the other – a game-changer for daily time management and productivity. The monthly productivity pages are great for goal setting and habit tracking, providing ongoing motivation and consistency. With lots of note pages for journaling, the Daily LifePlanner™ becomes an all-in-one tool for managing daily life (and thriving) with ADHD.

Learn more about How to Use a Daily Planner + Tips.

Monthly Planner

The Monthly Planner offers a simplified approach to planning, focusing on monthly overviews and big-picture scheduling, goal setting, and project management. Here are some key features that make it an ideal choice for individuals seeking a minimalist planning experience:

Spacious Monthly Views

With its spacious monthly calendars, the Monthly Planner provides ample room for jotting down appointments, to-do lists, deadlines, and important events. The clean layout allows for quick reference and easy navigation, making it a convenient tool for staying organized on a broader scale.

Room for Notes and Goal Setting

In addition to the monthly calendars, this planner includes dedicated sections for notes and goal setting. Whether you need space to brainstorm ideas or map out your objectives for the month, the Monthly Planner offers flexibility and versatility to accommodate your needs.

PetitePlanner Folio System

The PetitePlanner Folio System is a versatile planning solution that allows you to customize your planning experience according to your preferences and needs. Here are some key features that set it apart:

Modular Inserts

The Folio System lets you mix and match modular inserts to create a personalized planning system that works for you. Choose from a wide range of PetitePlanners, including daily planners, bullet journals, habit trackers, meal planners, and more, allowing you to tailor your planner to your unique needs and goals.

Compact and Portable

Despite its customizable nature, the Folio System remains compact and portable, making it easy to take your planning system with you wherever you go. Slip it into your bag or backpack, and you'll always have access to your plans, goals, and tasks, ensuring that you stay organized and on track no matter where life takes you.

Guided Journals

Guided Journals offer a guided approach to planning and reflection, helping you cultivate mindfulness, gratitude, and self-awareness in your daily life. Here are some key features that make them a valuable tool for individuals managing ADHD:

Guided Journaling Prompts

Each Prompted Journal features guided prompts designed to inspire reflection and introspection. From gratitude exercises to goal-setting prompts, these guided activities encourage you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and aspirations in a structured and meaningful way.

Variety of Themes

There are a variety of Prompted Journals, each focusing on a different theme or aspect of personal growth. Whether you're interested in a gratitude journal, wellness log, bullet journal, or goal-setting planner, you can find a Prompted Journal that aligns with your interests and goals. This variety allows you to explore different aspects of yourself and your life through journaling, promoting self-discovery and personal development.

Read more on How to Use a Planner for Beginners.

Academic Planner

The Academic Planner offers students with ADHD a crucial tool for focus, organization, anxiety management, and achieving academic goals. With dated calendar spreads and weekly planning pages, it provides visual structure and aids in time management, helping students stay on track with assignments and coursework. The tracker for projects and exams ensures deadlines aren't overlooked, reducing anxiety about missed tasks. And the tactile nature of the planner engages multiple senses, aiding concentration and retention, which is particularly helpful for students prone to distraction.

Tips for Using a Planner with ADHD

Now that you've chosen the perfect planner, here are some tips for making the most of it with ADHD:

Utilize Color-Coding

Color-coding is a powerful technique for organizing your planner and enhancing visual clarity. Here's how you can make the most of color-coding:

Assign Specific Colors to Categories

Designate different colors for various categories or types of tasks in your planner. For example, you might use one color for work-related tasks, another for personal errands, and a third for social events. This visual distinction makes it easy to identify different types of tasks at a glance.

Use Highlighters or Colored Pens

Invest in a set of highlighters or colored pens specifically for color-coding in your planner. When filling in your schedule or task list, use these tools to add color-coded labels or accents to each entry. This not only adds visual interest to your planner but also helps you quickly spot important items.

Create a Key or Legend

To ensure consistency in your color-coding system, consider creating a key or legend that outlines the meaning of each color. When you start a new notebook or planner you are truly starting with a blank page. Place this key at the front or back of your planner for easy reference. Having a visual guide will help you stay organized and maintain clarity in your planning process.

Read more on How to Stay Organized.

Be Consistent

Stick to your color-coding system consistently to maximize its effectiveness. Over time, you'll develop a strong association between specific colors and their corresponding categories, making it second nature to interpret your planner at a glance.

Break Down Larger Tasks

Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps is essential for overcoming overwhelm and maintaining productivity. Here's how you can effectively break down tasks in your planner:

Start with the End Goal

Begin by identifying the ultimate objective or outcome you want to achieve with the task. This could be completing a project, reaching a milestone, or accomplishing a specific outcome.

Identify Actionable Steps

Break down the task into actionable steps or subtasks that contribute to achieving the end goal. Each step should be concrete, specific, and achievable within a reasonable timeframe.

Estimate Time and Effort

Consider the time and effort required for each step of the task. Be realistic in your estimations and factor in any potential obstacles or challenges that may arise.

Prioritize Steps

Once you've identified all the subtasks, prioritize them based on urgency, importance, or dependencies. Focus on tackling the most critical or time-sensitive steps first, and then work your way through the remaining tasks.

Track Progress

As you complete each subtask, mark it off in your planner or task list to track your progress. Celebrate your achievements along the way to stay motivated and encouraged.

Create Routines

Establishing consistent routines is essential for managing ADHD and maintaining structure in your daily life. Here are some tips for creating effective routines using your planner:

Identify Key Activities

Start by identifying the key activities or tasks that you want to incorporate into your routine. This could include morning rituals, work tasks, exercise, meal times, and wind-down activities before bed.

Allocate Time Slots

Assign specific time slots in your planner for each routine activity. Aim for consistency in timing to establish a predictable rhythm to your day.

Use Visual Cues

Incorporate visual cues or reminders in your planner to prompt you to start and end each routine. This could be a symbol, icon, or color-code associated with each activity.

Start Small

If you're new to creating routines, start small and gradually build up to more complex routines over time. Focus on establishing one or two consistent habits before adding more to your plate.

Be Flexible

While routines provide structure, it's essential to remain flexible and adaptable. Life can be unpredictable, so be prepared to adjust your routines as needed to accommodate changes or unexpected events.

Include Breaks

Taking regular breaks throughout your day is essential for managing ADHD and maintaining focus and productivity. Here's how you can incorporate breaks into your planning:

Schedule Break Times

Allocate specific time slots in your planner for breaks throughout your day. This could include short breaks between tasks or longer breaks for meals and relaxation.

Set Boundaries

Establish boundaries around your break times to ensure that you honor them consistently. Communicate your break schedule to others around you and prioritize your need for rest and rejuvenation.

Engage in Relaxing Activities

Use your break times to engage in activities that help you recharge and reset. This could include going for a walk, practicing mindfulness or meditation, listening to music, or simply taking a few moments to breathe deeply and relax.

Avoid Overloading Breaks

While breaks are essential, be mindful not to overload your schedule with too many breaks or allow them to become distractions. Use breaks strategically to enhance your productivity and well-being, rather than as a means of procrastination.

Listen to Your Body

Pay attention to your body's signals and adjust your break schedule accordingly. If you're feeling fatigued or mentally drained, take a break to rest and re-energize. Your productivity and focus will benefit from giving yourself the time and space you need to recharge.

Stay Flexible

Flexibility is key when managing ADHD, as unexpected changes and challenges are a natural part of life. Here's how you can cultivate flexibility in your planning process:

Build in Buffer Time

Allow for extra time in your schedule to accommodate unexpected delays or disruptions. Building in buffer time helps cushion against stress and allows you to adapt to changes more easily.

Read more on How to Use a Planner to Manage Stress.

Use Pencil or Erasable Pens

When filling out your planner every week, consider using pencil or erasable pens for tasks or appointments that may be subject to change. This gives you the flexibility to adjust your plans as needed without cluttering your planner with crossed-out entries.

Practice Mindfulness

Cultivate mindfulness and present-moment awareness to help you stay grounded and adaptable in the face of uncertainty. Mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, body scanning, or meditation can help you stay calm and centered, even when things don't go as planned.

Embrace Imperfection

Accept that perfection is unattainable, and it's okay to deviate from your plans occasionally. Instead of viewing deviations as failures, see them as opportunities for growth and learning. Adaptability is a valuable skill that can help you navigate life's ups and downs with resilience and grace.

Reflect and Adjust

Regularly review your planner and reflect on what's working well and what could be improved. Be open to making adjustments to your planning system based on your experiences and evolving needs. By staying flexible and adaptive, you'll be better equipped to navigate the challenges of ADHD and lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Read more on How to Start Planning.

Managing ADHD as an Adult

Living with ADHD as an adult presents unique challenges and responsibilities. Fortunately, a well-designed planner can be a valuable tool in managing these challenges effectively. Here's how ADHD adults can leverage their planners to thrive in their personal and professional lives:

Prioritize Tasks

ADHD adults often struggle with prioritizing tasks and managing their time effectively. A planner can help by providing a structured framework for prioritizing tasks and allocating time for essential activities. By breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and scheduling them in your planner, ADHD adults can ensure that you stay focused on what matters most.

Set Realistic Goals

Goal setting is essential for ADHD adults, as it provides direction and motivation for achieving desired outcomes. Use your planner to set realistic, achievable goals and track your progress over time. Break larger goals into smaller milestones and celebrate your achievements along the way. By setting clear goals and monitoring your progress, you can stay motivated and on track toward success.

Create Consistent Routines

Establishing consistent routines can help ADHD adults manage symptoms and maintain structure via daily routines. Use your planner to schedule regular routines and habits, such as morning and evening rituals, meal times, and exercise routines. Consistency is key, so aim to stick to your routines as much as possible to minimize distractions and maintain focus.

Choosing the right planner can make all the difference in managing an ADHD brain. By selecting a planner that prioritizes simplicity, flexibility, and visual appeal, you can effectively organize your thoughts, manage your time, and stay focused on your goals, day by day and week by week. The right tools and strategies definitely help navigate the challenges of ADHD and can lead a more organized and fulfilling life. Explore a collection of ADHD planner best sellers and start your journey today!