Do you find yourself struggling with time management and organization? Constantly forgetting important tasks and appointments? Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life?
If so, you may be one of the millions of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. While ADHD can present many challenges, there are tools and strategies that can help you manage it and improve your daily functioning.
One tool is a personal planner. They can provide structure, organization, and reminders to help you stay on track and increase productivity.
In this article, we will explore the features of an effective planner for ADHD. We'll also review some of the best planners we offer. Finally, we will provide tips for using your planner to its fullest potential.
What to Look for in an ADHD Friendly Planner
When selecting your planner, there are several features to consider that can affect how well it will manage your life. Here are some key things to look for:
Customization and flexibility
One size does not fit all when it comes to planners for ADHD. Look for a planner that allows you to customize it to your specific needs. With options for adding or removing sections or changing the layout. A planner with some degree of flexibility will allow you to adapt it as your needs change over time.
Reminders and important events
ADHD can make it difficult to remember appointments and deadlines. Look for a planner that includes room to put reminders or important events.
Space for notes
Many ADHD individuals enjoy jotting down notes and ideas throughout the day. Try and find a planner that includes space for notes and brainstorming, whether it's a designated section or some blank pages at the back.
Durability and portability
An ADHD planner needs to be sturdy enough to withstand daily use and travel, and portable enough to take with you wherever you go. Look for a planner that is made from high-quality materials and is the right size to fit in your bag or pocket.
By taking these features into account when selecting a planner, you can ensure that you choose the right planner. One that is tailored to your needs and will be most effective in helping you manage your symptoms.
Which planners do we recommend for adults with ADHD
Not everyone is the same and no single planner will work for everyone with ADHD. You have to determine what you want from it, what your goals are, and determine which type of planner is best for you.
Paper Planner
Our paper planers are perfect for organizing your life, even when you have ADHD. With ADHD, it can be a struggle to focus and plan ahead but our planners have a layout that is very helpful.
If you prefer paper planners, this is the best planner to help organize your life even with ADHD.
Digital Planner
We have 2 digital planners that are perfect for adults with ADHD. The first one is our general personal planner.
This planner uses the same system as our paper planner but gives you the digital format. You can schedule by month, week, and day. If you're unfamiliar with our digital planners, you can learn more about them here.
Our other recommended planner is our Digital Customizable Planner. It still uses the same digital format but it is a blank slate that lets you customize the exact planner you want.
If you've struggled to find a planner format that fits your needs, this could be an excellent solution for you. Check out more about our Digital Customizable Planner here.
We offer a wide variety of digital planners as well, including:
- Gratitude Journal
- Bullet journal/blank notebook planner
- Fitness tracker
- Budget tracker
- Student and teacher planners
- Business planner
- Weekly planner
- Life planner
- Money Saving Challenge planner
With so many planners, you'll have all the options you need for your life.
Printable Planners
Finally we have our printable planner options. These offer all the same styles as the digital planners but the pages are formatted to be printed.
You can print whatever pages you need, create a planning binder, or use them individually.
Tips for Using a Planner Effectively
Now that you have a planner that meets your needs, how do you use it ? Here are some tricks to get the most out of your planner:- Use it consistently: The key to success with your planner is to use it consistently. Make it a part of your daily routine. Take a few minutes at the beginning and end of each day to review your schedule and update your to-do list.
- Prioritize your tasks: ADHD individuals often struggle with prioritizing tasks and feel overwhelmed by long to-do lists. Rank your tasks by marking the most important ones with a star or assigning them a higher priority level.+
- Break down tasks into smaller steps: Large tasks can be overwhelming and difficult to start. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps, and assign a due date to each step.
- Be realistic with your goals: Don't set unrealistic goals for yourself that are impossible to achieve. Set achievable goals and adjust them as needed based on your progress.
- Celebrate your successes: Celebrate when you complete a task or achieve a goal, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can help motivate you to continue using your planner and making progress on your goals.
By following these tips, you can use your planner to its fullest potential and improve your daily functioning. Remember, it may take some trial and error to find the strategies that work best for you, so be patient and don't give up if you don't see immediate results.
Other Tools and Strategies to Regulate ADHD
- Time management techniques: ADHD individuals often struggle with time management. Time management techniques such as the Pomodoro technique, time blocking, or prioritization can be helpful for breaking down tasks and managing your time more.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Mindfulness and meditation can help calm the mind and reduce anxiety and stress. Regular practice can improve focus and attention and reduce hyperactivity.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior. CBT can be particularly helpful for managing ADHD symptoms and improving daily functioning.
- Medication: Medication is a common treatment for ADHD and can help improve focus, attention, and impulse control. Talk to your doctor about whether medication is a good option for you.
Remember, everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another. It may take some experimentation to find the right combination of tools and strategies that work best for you.
Final thoughts about your planner for ADHD
You already know how difficult planning and organization is with ADHD but it doesn't mean it has to be impossible.
A simple tool like a personal planner could be all you need to turn things around. If you've tried planners in the past that didn't work, don't give up on them, they weren't right for you.
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