If you’re like most people with ADHD, you’ve probably tried a lot of different planners to find one that works for you. And if you’re like most people with ADHD, you’ve probably given up in frustration. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you how many different planners I’ve purchased or apps I’ve downloaded over the years trying to find the magic formula that would suddenly make me an organized person.
I will say part of the issue for many years was not knowing that I had ADHD and that my brain work d differently. So embracing my diagnosis and learning what works best for me has been vital in finding a planner that works for me. ADHD brains process information differently, which means that what works for most people doesn’t work for us. So, how do you find a planner that will work for you? Here are seven tips for finding the best planner for ADHD:
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Table of Contents
Choose a paper planner.
For me, physically writing things down is the best way to solidify them in my mind. I love apps and all things digital, but after watching my unread emails grow into the thousands, seeing other notifications go unchecked, and realizing I seldom go back to look at emails I saved, I learned how much writing things down helps me. It started with keeping a small notebook in my purse that I would pull out to write down anything I wanted to remember from emails I read. I could go back and reference it later. Otherwise, just writing it down made my memory that much better.
Supplement with digital options.
I still believe that digital apps and calendars can be extremely useful additions. However, I choose not to rely solely on them. Instead, I like to utilize digital reminders or alarms for certain things. You can even set reminders on your phone that will be set off when you arrive or leave a certain destination. I also like to utilize Alexa to set reminders for things like switching the laundry or adding stuff to the shopping list when I’m in the zone getting things done around the house and don’t want to stop to write them down. I may have forgotten what I wanted to add by the time I’ve found a pen and paper.
Includes monthly views and daily views.
The best planner for ADHD must have both the month at a glance but also the daily view. The planner I have fallen in love with from The Day Designer has a nice big monthly view at the beginning of each new month, and each day has a separate page. The monthly view is excellent for writing down important events, such as trips, birthdays, school events, and activities. The daily view is best for writing down your to-do lists and appointments and blocking your time for the day.
Plenty of space for to-do lists and notes.
Originally I purchased the mini version of the planner I now use, but I quickly realized that it was just not enough space for me. It had room for my top 3 to-dos plus my schedule and notes, but I felt there was insufficient space. I need to write everything down, so I need much more room for my to-do list and other reminders. So make sure the planner you choose has plenty of space to write everything down.
Avoid too many features.
I’ve seen many planners advertised that have lots of additional features. Extra pages and extra things to write down and track. I am not knocking these planners, as I always think they look amazing and work great for some people. However, more options mean more things for me to forget to track. This is where the perfectionist side of ADHD kicks in, and I feel like I fail if I’m not filling those spaces. It took me a long time to learn this lesson as well. Simple is better for me.
Choose one that doesn’t have too many steps to ‘set up.’
Similarly, the best planner for ADHD that is just ready to go at the time of purchase and doesn’t take a lot of effort to set it up works best for me. The Day Designer does have pages at the beginning to write down goals and break down what it would take to achieve them, which I love. But the planner is usable even if you don’t utilize those first few pages. I stay away from things that will take a lot of extra steps initially because I will eventually run out of motivation to continue trying to use them.
If you want to buy one of the many wonderful printable planners available on Etsy, I would recommend just sending it directly to Kinkos at the time of purchase to have it printed and bound (or hole punched if you have a binder you want to use) so that it is ready to use upon pickup.
Consider choosing an undated planner.
Now that I have gotten into a pretty good routine with my planner, I choose to purchase a date one. Previously I chose an undated one because I hate seeing the planner go to waste if I go through periods of not using it. With an undated planner, you can use the pages anytime and not worry if you miss a day. This will help you use more of the planner and not feel like you failed if you go through periods of not using it. The goal is to find a planner that works for your brain and that you use regularly. Anything that helps me remember appointments, bills that are due, or special events coming up is a huge win for me!
There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing a planner for ADHD. But the seven tips in this article can definitely help you find the best option for you. So don’t give up, and keep looking until you find the perfect fit. And if you need more help, be sure to follow me on Instagram or join my private Facebook group for more great tips and advice.