Why Organization Is So Hard With ADHD

Organizational skills are challenging for individuals with ADHD due to working memory issues, executive dysfunction, time blindness, and decision paralysis. If you have ever struggled to make everyday decisions, like what to cook for dinner, or if you've lost track of time and almost been late picking the kids up from school, you understand the organizational challenges that come with having ADHD.

ADHD Advisor offers a free ADHD test or learn how to get diagnosed with ADHD, if you are struggling with some of these issues. 

Thankfully, ADHD organization tools for adults can really help you take control of your planning and organizing in your day-to-day life. 

Dealing with ADHD every day is not laziness; it's neurology, and it stems from executive dysfunction. Understanding this can be a relief, as it's not a personal failing but a neurological challenge. However, you can utilize ADHD planner tools to help you get and stay organized, bridging the gap. Let's take a look at some of the best ADHD organization tools so you can find one to implement in your life, making planning feel less like work and more like fun.

Best ADHD Planners for Adults

Let's explore some of the best ADHD planners for adults to help you find one that fits your lifestyle.

1. The Happy Planner (Disc-Bound System)

The Happy Planner is a disc-bound system that is 100% customizable, empowering individuals with ADHD to stay organized in a way that suits them best. You can organize it in any order you prefer, create tabs, and add or remove elements to personalize your planner. This level of personalization can give you a sense of control over your organization, making it a great tool for ADHD-ers who desire flexibility and enjoy visual stimulation.

The Happy Planner may not be suitable for those who prefer a "set it and forget it" system, as this method requires ongoing updates and content removal. However, if you're looking for a visual time management and productivity tool, The Happy Planner can be your creative and fun physical assistant.

2. Panda Planner

The Panda Planner is one of the most popular ADHD organization tools for adults that actually serves a second purpose. It is a daily planner that doubles as a gratitude journal. 

Each day, you will begin with journal prompts such as "What are you grateful for?" This will help you start your day from a space of gratitude. 

Everyone can benefit from journaling and practicing gratitude for self-care, but people with ADHD can especially benefit from this practice. Studies show that gratitude interventions can help to reduce depression and anxiety, as well as develop a greater satisfaction with life in general.

 The Panda Planner is specifically designed with productivity psychology in mind, helping to improve your organization and planning skills while also boosting your mental health. This resource is a great ADHD planner tool for people with ADHD and co-occurring anxiety.

3. Digital Planner (GoodNotes or Notability)

Digital planners are a great way to help you plan and keep your days organized. One of the top benefits of using digital planners is that many of them can sync up with your other apps and help ensure you don't miss that upcoming Zoom meeting. 

Any adult with ADHD who needs a productivity tool to help manage their work and life balance can benefit from digital tools like GoodNotes or Notability. 

If you are an Apple iPad user, you can create custom layouts to make the digital planner resemble a paper one. These digital planners offer hyperlinked tabs and easy-to-duplicate pages, allowing you to copy and paste your weekly meetings with ease. 

Digital planners are an excellent option for tactical planning that eliminates the need for paper. You can easily sketch on a blank page of your planner whenever restless energy strikes, and you need a "mini-break."

4. Bullet Journal (BuJo Method)

The Bullet Journal is a distraction-free ADHD planner tool designed by someone with ADHD for individuals with ADHD. A Bullet Journal, also called a BuJo, uses simple symbols, bullet-point-style to-do lists, and other areas to write down the thoughts inside your head and get them out on paper in an organized fashion.

Bullet Journals are extremely customizable, but they can become overwhelming if you don't have a clear structure. The good news is that you can find bullet journal structure layouts online and pick and choose which ones will fit your life, making them your own. Bullet journals are ideal for visual and hands-on learners who may benefit from using physical tools.

5. Time Timer

Struggling with time perception is a common theme among individuals with ADHD, which is why the Time Timer is one of the best ADHD organization tools for adults.

Time Timer is a visual time-management tool designed for individuals with time blindness. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with knowing how much time has passed, especially when they get laser-focused on a project. 

The Time Timer is a visual tool that represents time in a tangible way, making it easier to understand. It is a physical timer that can be set for an hour, and as time passes, it displays a colored section indicating the remaining time to complete a task. 

Time Timer offers a free app that can be downloaded directly to your phone, available for both Apple and Google users.

6. ClickUp / Notion ADHD Templates

ClickUp and Notion both offer ADHD-themed templates, providing a structured and organized approach to handling projects, personal tasks, and goals more effectively. These templates offer “micro-tasking” sections where you can tackle a large project for work or school and break it down into smaller, actionable steps. 

They provide reminders and habit-tracking elements to help you establish a structured routine, which is invaluable for individuals with ADHD. 

Many ClickUp templates feature a "brain dumping" section where you can record thoughts as they occur, such as items on your grocery list or emails you need to send. 

You can find many ClickUp and Notion ADHD templates available online, and many have been created by people who have ADHD and know what it's like. Here is a free ADHD-friendly Notion template to help you.

7. Trello

Trello is an excellent organization tool for individuals with ADHD who seek a visual productivity method to stay organized and efficient. It utilizes a card-based task system that allows you to manage personal tasks, work, and any other tasks in one convenient location. 

The visual board and card system is designed to keep you organized. For example, you can create a board for work and include cards representing various tasks that you need to complete to finish your project. You can even use Trello to collaborate, so if you need to finish a work project together with someone else, you can add them to the board, assign tasks, and leave comments. Trello offers third-party app integrations so you can connect many of your "tools" together.

Trello can be easily used for content planning, household tasks, and meal preparation, allowing you to see everything that needs to be accomplished for each day, week, or month. It integrates well with ADHD Advisor coaching workflows, too, if you work with one of our ADHD coaches.

8. Structured App

The Structured app is a great ADHD planner for adults because it consolidates all your tasks and integrates them with your calendar. This way, you can visually see everything that needs to be done.  The app offers reminders you can set a few minutes before your next task to help you prepare mentally for it.

It has a fairly simplistic UI, so if you're the type who gets overwhelmed by apps, this may be a simple and easy app for you. You can sync your Apple or Google calendars directly for easier task management.

9. Alexa / Siri / Smart Reminders

You don't need to download or purchase any apps to stay organized; using Alexa or Siri's smart reminders can also help. You can set time-block alarms or task nudges to ensure you don't miss upcoming tasks due to time blindness or forgetfulness; they will remind you.  

You can use voice commands anytime you think of something you want to be reminded of, without having to write it down or try to add it to your calendar when you get home. You can also use voice commands to reduce task switching, which can help alleviate some of your potential mental stress. These reminders can sync with home devices, allowing you to turn off lights with a simple command if you forget while away.

Tips to Use These Tools Effectively

To utilize these ADHD organization tools for adults effectively, start by creating a consistent routine and structure every week or month. Start by choosing one of these tools and sticking with it for a couple of weeks to see how it works before trying another one. 

It may take some time to see how well it helps you with task management or time blindness. After two weeks, if you still don't feel that the ADHD organization tool has helped significantly, then consider switching to a different one. You may try three or four different tools before you find the one that resonates best with you and your life.

You can work with an ADHD coach or use body doubling for added accountability to help make your new system stick.

The most important thing to remember is to celebrate the small wins! Buy some positive reinforcement stickers or use digital stickers in your apps, and start showing yourself some appreciation when you complete tasks. These small wins can boost dopamine, and that's a good thing when you have ADHD!

How ADHD Advisor Can Help You Build Systems That Stick

ADHD Advisor can help you create an effective organization and planning system that works for you. We offer ADHD testing, therapy, medication management, and coaching all via telehealth. We offer personalized support through:

• ADHD online diagnosis
• Providing personalized treatment plans
• Therapy sessions or online prescriptions and medication management
• Weekly check-ins that include goal-setting, habit-building, and providing accountability

We understand how frustrating it can be to feel overwhelmed with everyday life. That's why when you work with a therapist or a coach, you have additional support to help you along the way. You can learn more about how to get tested for ADHD with ADHD Advisor today.

FAQs About ADHD Planning Tools

Should I use digital or paper planners with ADHD?

Each individual is unique, and what works for one person with ADHD may not work for another. In order to determine if physical paper planners or digital planners are going to work best for you, you have to try them out to see! 

Some people even use both; they may have a paper planner for work and use a digital planner app for personal life and household chores. It depends on what works best for you and your brain, making your life easier.

What if I keep abandoning my planner?

If you keep abandoning your ADHD planner, don't get disheartened. Instead, try it again and place it where you can see it each day so you don't forget it. If you still don't remember to use it, then maybe try a different ADHD organizational tool that works better with your life. 

Eventually, you should find one that seems to "click" better than any of the rest. You can always reach out to your therapist or coach for additional support or suggestions on how to stay committed.

Are ADHD-specific planners worth it?

Typically, yes, ADHD-specific planners are worth it. These planners offer more flexibility and customization than traditional planners, helping you to map out your thoughts and tasks in a way that works best for your brain. 

They are designed to help you overcome issues related to time blindness, forgetfulness, and overwhelm by using simple visual tools to stay organized. Many include a "brain dump" section where you can write down anything that comes to your head that you need to get down in a non-linear way.

How do I know which tool is right for me?

You will have to try one ADHD planner tool and then see how well it works for you. There is no one-size-fits-all ADHD planner, so you can start to narrow it down by determining if you want to try a physical paper planner or a digital one. 

Some people find it helpful to try both and see which one they like best. Alternatively, you may find yourself using one type for one aspect of your life and another type for a completely different aspect.  It will be a trial-and-error process, but eventually, you will find what makes the most sense to you.