We have curated a list of the best ADHD planners to boost productivity and executive functioning skills
Juggling life as an adult in 2024 is difficult for anyone, but it can be a herculean task if you’re struggling with ADHD. Do you feel like you’re drowning in endless to-do lists? Can’t think of how to start tackling the endless tasks ahead of you? Struggling to remember important dates and events? (Can’t even think what you ate for supper last night?) You’re not alone! Many adults with ADHD struggle with executive functioning, which means that trying to keep afloat of all life throws at you feels like a losing battle. But fear not! A well-designed planner can be your secret weapon to organization and productivity. And not just any planner, but an ADHD-friendly planner. Here’s our curated list of the best planners for adults with ADHD. We have looked for the best weekly planner, monthly planner and daily planner, the best men’s planner and some digital planners too! So we can cater to all ADHD needs and preferences.
The Passion Planner – an empowering choice
Why it wins:
For adults with ADHD, traditional planners can feel like rigid cages for our free-flowing minds. Enter the Passion Planner, a vibrant system that throws out the rulebook. This planner prioritizes your well-being with sections for goal-setting, habit tracking, and even mindfulness prompts. Forget the guilt of skipping a day – the undated format lets you roll with the punches. Plus, the colorful layout and breakdown into “top priority,” “priority,” and “errands” helps tame decision fatigue and executive dysfunction, common ADHD foes. It’s like having a cheerleader, organizer, and therapist all rolled into one beautiful planner.
Features
Feeling overwhelmed by traditional planners? The Passion Planner is here to rescue you! Packed with features like goal setting, habit tracking, and an undated layout, it offers the flexibility to jump in anytime, skip days guilt-free, and prioritize tasks without breaking a sweat. Whether you prefer a weekly or daily view, the Passion Planner has you covered. The only hurdle might be the $35 price tag, but hey, there’s a free digital planner version you can try first! Overall, the Passion Planner is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a stress-free planning experience.
The Moleskine notebook planner – A classic for a reason
Why it wins:
While the Moleskine Planner might seem like a classic choice, its simplicity can be a superpower for adults with ADHD. The minimalist design offers a calming blank canvas to tame the whirlwind of thoughts, reducing visual clutter that can be overwhelming for ADHD brains. The Moleskine planner separates your calendar from the daily to-dos, creating some headspace to think more clearly about what’s ahead. It’s the perfect option for those who want a planner minus distraction. However, don’t underestimate its potential for customization – Moleskine offers various layouts, from hourly breakdowns to blank pages, to cater to different planning styles. Additionally, add-on stickers and stencils can create a visual structure and color-coding system, aiding in task prioritization and information processing, both common challenges for those with ADHD. Due to its minimalistic design, the Moleskine is a great choice as a daily planner for men, with some reviews saying ‘It’s the best men’s planner out there’
Features
Forget the one-size-fits-all approach! The Moleskine Planner lets you personalize your planning experience. Choose from daily, monthly, or weekly layouts to match your scheduling needs. Plus, pick between a classic Moleskine hardcover or a more flexible softcover – all wrapped in that iconic Moleskine design. Heads up: This planner is dated, so if skipping a day gives you major guilt (we’ve all been there!), it might not be the perfect fit. However, the quality is top-notch (it’s Moleskine after all!), and at around $30, it’s an investment worth considering. Keep an eye out for sales to grab a great deal! Treat yourself to the Moleskine planner that perfectly complements your style.
Imperfect Inspiration Discbound ADHD Planner – Customizeable and creative
Why it wins:
The Imperfect Inspiration ADHD discbound planner is definitely a game changer in terms of ADHD functionality (which isn’t a huge surprise given that the creator has ADHD themselves). Unlike traditional planners, its discbound system allows for complete customization. You can add or remove pages based on your current needs-perfect for ADHD brains that often crave change and struggle with rigid structures. Imperfect Inspiration also offers a variety of inserts with different layouts, like weekly planners with “stoplight lists” or blank pages for mind-mapping. This allows you to find a layout that works best for your planning style and preferences. For those who thrive off visual aids, Imperfect Inspiration offers colorful inserts and discbound accessories to create a visually stimulating planning system. Finally, the undated format of the Imperfect Inspiration planner is an additional bonus which eliminates the pressure of having to fill it in every day… The name itself, “Imperfect Inspiration,” acknowledges that planning with ADHD won’t always be perfect and the encouraging pep talk and low-pressure instructions it provides on its first two pages removes the pressure for flawless execution and encourages a more realistic approach.
Features
With a discbound system, fun and functional inserts and accessories plus an undated format, there’s no planner as customizeable as the Imperfect Inspiration ADHD Discbound Planner. You can literally build this planner specifically to your needs. Perfect for creative minds, but may not be ideal if you crave a lot of structure. While the pre-built planner is around $40, Imperfect Inspiration gets you covered! They offer most page layouts as $5 digital downloads. Print and build your own planner on the cheap if the pre-assembled version isn’t in your budget right now. So, whichever way you want to plan, the Imperfect Inspiration Discbound ADHD Planner has you covered!
The Happy Planner – The planner that will make you smile
Why it wins:
It says it right in the name – The Happy Planner! This vibrant system ditches the sterile approach and injects a dose of fun into your planning. Super eye-catching, it will make you want to open it and use it regularly. Plus, it’s dazzling enough on your desk so you won’t forget about it.
With a range of designs to choose from, there’s something for everyone – punny, sunny, motivational, or just plain pretty. Packed with colorful layouts, habit trackers, and even inspirational quotes, the Happy Planner caters to the visual and creative needs of many adults with ADHD. They even offer options for dated or undated planners, discbound or regular, so you can find the perfect fit for your style. Say goodbye to decision fatigue with clear breakdowns like “top priority,” “priority,” and “errands.” This planner not only helps you get organized, it makes it fun!
Features
Tired of boring planners? The Happy Planner injects a dose of fun and organization with bright colors, playful designs, and inspirational quotes. This planner caters perfectly to creative ADHD minds who want to stay on track while keeping things exciting. Build Your Perfect Planner! With discbound planners and undated options, you can customize the Happy Planner to fit your unique needs. Great news for righties, the Happy Planner is a left-sided layout but it’s something to consider if you’re looking for a left-handed planner. Furthermore, the Happy Planner doesn’t come with its own bookmark, so you’ve got to unleash your inner crafter and create your own! The price starts at around $20, making it a budget-friendly investment. The Happy Planner is a guaranteed mood booster – so go ahead and add a pop of color to your organization!
The Todoist – The Digital Planners dream
Why it wins:
Was the last time you used a pen and paper in a previous decade? Do you still miss the visual satisfaction of a paper schedule? Then meet Todoist, your new ADHD digital planner and BFF! This award-winning app isn’t just a glorified to-do list; it’s a powerful organizational command center designed to tame the chaos of ADHD. Todoist lets you capture tasks quickly, prioritize them with ease (think color-coded labels!), and break down large projects into manageable steps. Plus, with its flexible views, you can see your tasks in a daily or weekly list, a clean calendar format, or even a visual Kanban board – whatever works best for your focus style. Never miss a deadline again with recurring tasks and reminders, and collaborate seamlessly with friends or family on shared projects. Todoist is the ultimate customizable planning tool that helps adults with ADHD conquer their to-do lists and thrive, not just survive.
Features
Struggling with a traditional planner that feels rigid and overwhelming? Todoist is your answer! This super user-friendly app, available on all devices, is a powerful organizational tool designed to tame the chaos of ADHD. Visualize your tasks your way with “List,” “Calendar,” “Kanban Board,” or “Upcoming” views. Break down large projects into manageable steps, and prioritize tasks with ease using color-coded labels. Todoist helps you stay focused, conquer deadlines, and finally achieve that feeling of control. Stop letting your planner hold you back! And with a free version of this ADHD friendly app, you’re definitely not making too much of a financial investment. Download Todoist today and unlock your organizational potential!
Take control with the right ADHD planner for you!
So there you have it! A look at some of the best ADHD planners on the market, including The Imperfect Inspiration ADHD Discbound Planner, The Happy Planner, The Passion Planner, Todoist and The Moleskine Notebook planner. Go ahead and pick your best ADHD planner. Just remember, The “best” planner is the one that works for YOU! Go back and check out the features of the planners mentioned above to see which one best suits your style!
If you’re visual, look for a planner with color coding, checklists and visual aids.
If its time management you find yourself struggling with, look for a planner with time blocking, so you can schedule specific time slots for tasks to manage time effectively. And if you want to set goals and stick to them, find the planner that will check in on you and encourage you on your journey. With the right planner and a little bit of planning, you can turn your ADHD into an advantage, unlocking a world of organization and productivity. If you’re looking for more ways to manage your ADD/ADHD symptoms without turning to meds read up about how Neurofeedback can help you manage your ADHD naturally.
