If you’ve ever bought a planner with the best intentions, only to forget about it a week later, you’re not alone. I’ve been there more times than I can count. As someone with ADHD, I used to buy all the cute planners, get super excited, and then never actually use them.
But about two years ago, something changed. I finally figured out how to use a planner with ADHD in a way that worked for me. Now, I use my planner every single day, and it’s been a total game-changer for my business and personal life. If I can do it, I promise, you can too.
Here’s how I went from a perpetual planner collector to someone who actually gets things done.
Step 1: Trick Your Brain Into Liking Planning Time
Planning doesn’t have to be boring or feel like another chore. In fact, if you want it to stick, you need to make it fun! My first mistake was thinking a fancy planner would magically change my life. Spoiler alert: It didn’t.
What did help? Making my planner feel like my own space. I started using fun pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and even doodles. It made me actually want to open my planner every day. So, don’t worry about making it look perfect—just make it work for you.
Step 2: How to Use a Planner with ADHD to Stay Focused
If you’re like me, you tend to overestimate how much you can get done in a day. Writing a mile-long to-do list is overwhelming and often leads to getting nothing done at all.
Instead, I started focusing on just three priorities each day. These are the tasks that, once completed, will make me feel like I accomplished something important. If I have the energy to do more, great. If not, at least I met my expectations for the day.
Step 3: Keep Your Planner Open All Day
One of the best tips for how to use a planner with ADHD is to keep it open all day. Out of sight, out of mind… right? If I closed my planner, it was like it didn’t even exist. So, I started leaving it open in a visible spot, like my kitchen counter or next to my laptop. Throughout the day, I add new tasks, reminders, and ideas as they come up. This simple trick keeps me on track without having to rely on my memory.
Step 4: Set a Reminder to Check Your Planner
Even with the best intentions, I still used to forget to check my planner. The fix? A simple reminder on my phone. Every morning, I get a notification that says, “Check your planner.” That little nudge helps me start my day with clarity. Now, it’s part of my morning routine, and I don’t even need the reminder anymore!
Step 5: The ADHD-Friendly Backup Plan
Let’s be real, some days, I just don’t feel like planning. And that’s okay! Instead of stressing about it, I keep a running list of tasks and ideas in my planner. On the days I skip planning, I can pull from that list and still be productive without having to start from scratch.
Step 6: End-of-Day Check-In
At the end of the day, I do a quick check-in with my planner. This isn’t some long journaling session—just a few simple questions: ✔️ Did I finish my top three priorities? ✔️ What’s on my mind for tomorrow? ✔️ Do I need to move anything around for the next day?
Taking a couple of minutes to do this helps me feel more in control and prevents me from waking up stressed about what I forgot.
Step 7: How to Use a Planner with ADHD Without Overwhelming Yourself
Here’s the most important step: Be kind to yourself. You’re not going to be perfect at this. When I first started, my planning was messy and inconsistent. But over time, I figured out what worked for me. Now, I write down the essentials like appointments, school events, and business tasks, to keep me on track without overwhelming me.
If you’re struggling, that’s okay. Just keep showing up. Your planner is there to help you, not stress you out.
The Planner That Changed Everything for Me
If you’re looking for a planner that’s actually designed to help you balance business, family, and life, I highly recommend the Capture the Chaos Planner. It’s packed with features like a content planning calendar, a bucket list section, and a routine section to help you create rhythms for your day.
One of my favorite reviews comes from Samantha, who said:
“As someone who embraces the chaotic nature of life, this planner is a game-changer for me. I stumbled upon this gem while searching for a planner that could help with my ADHD and content creation, and it exceeded all my expectations. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!”
If you’re ready to take control of your time and start planning in a way that actually works for you, grab your Capture the Chaos Planner at capturethechaos.com.
If you’ve struggled with planners in the past, don’t give up just yet. Try these simple steps, find what works for you, and remember… it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just start.
If you found these ADHD-friendly planner tips helpful, you’ll love my post on creating a morning routine that actually works—even when life feels chaotic. It’s packed with simple strategies to start your day with focus and intention. Check it out here!
