The Get-Organized Tools You Really Shouldn’t Live Without
We asked our readers: “What ADHD organization tools do you swear by — not at?” And they shared the best high-tech and low-tech solutions that help them everyday.
ADDitude asked adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): What are the ADHD organization tools or apps that you swear by — not at? These days, people with ADHD have more high-tech options than they can shake a smartphone at. Here’s what keeps you on top of things.
“Evernote, a free cross-platform app, is the best tool of them all. I use it to make to-do lists, store contacts, clip interesting articles, webpages, and design ideas, and scan receipts and paperwork.” -Anne, Canada
“Timers galore. I use the alarm and calendar on my cell phone, the oven timer on my stove, and Google Calendar alerts to keep me organized and help me remember everything. ” -Barbara, Kansas
“My favorite ‘gadgets’ are my Google Calendar — and my wife.” -Steve, California
“Gallon-size Ziploc bags — to corral a lot of my stuff.” -Amy, Pennsylvania
[Free Download: 73 ADHD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life Now]
“Hanging files! They transform a tall pile of haphazard paper into an accessible resource.” -An ADDitude Reader
“A PDA (with calendar/alarm functions), used in combination with a whiteboard in the kitchen.” -Gerben, The Netherlands
“A large, plastic, easy-to-erase monthly planner.” -Jason, Connecticut
“A wastebasket. I save so many papers, thinking that I’ll need them some day. By the time I get around to using them, the information is out of date!” -Kathleen, Massachusetts
[33 ADHD-Friendly Ways to Get Organized]
“Pen, paper, and index cards. High tech, eh? When I write something down “my way,” it is in front of me and not “lost” in a gadget. I really need to see things in order to keep on track.” -Katz, Indiana
“My husband can’t live without his watch and Leatherman multi-tool gadget with a built-in keychain. He feels he is equipped to take on the world when he has these.” -Linda, Australia
“A three-way tie between Outlook Calendar, online banking, and my GPS.” -Lisa, New York
“Advice from the FlyLady and my ‘blackboard.’ I painted one on my kitchen wall.” -Michelle, Tennessee
“A task-management app called Things. It is easy to use and can be customized to fit anyone’s needs.” -Munro, Utah
“Daytimer + sticky notes + large desk calendar + lists + lists of lists.” -An ADDitude Reader
“My Droid. It houses my calendar (which syncs to my Google account), and has many apps that help with organization. I can store multiple shopping lists, set reminders and alarms, comparison-shop by barcodes, leave myself reminder voice-mail, and text-message myself about things I need for later. I’d be lost without it.” -Rebecca, New Jersey
“See-through plastic boxes!” -Christine, Washington
“Sticky notes. When I make an appointment, I write down the details and I stick it on my desk calendar. The night before an appointment I post the note on the bathroom mirror to remind myself when I wake up.” -An ADDitude Reader
“The iPod Touch is my latest, greatest tool. I just need to figure out how not to lose it.” -Susan, Massachusetts
“My Mead Fat Lil’ Notebook. I use it for my daily to-do list and other brain smatterings.” -Cheryl, Texas
“A whiteboard hanging on the back of my front door. I see it several times a day, including every time I leave my apartment!” -Todd, Mexico
“My old-fashioned Filofax, which contains my weekly and monthly calendars and daily to-dos.” -Loretta, California
“The alarm on my phone. I use different alarm sounds for different tasks. That way, I don’t get bored with a predictable sound, which I seem to tune out after a while.” -Laura, Ohio
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NOTE: Please note that all names, models, prices, links, and specifications were accurate and items were in stock at the time of this article’s last update on February 9, 2022.
#CommissionsEarned As an Amazon Associate, ADDitude earns a commission from qualifying purchases made by ADDitude readers on the affiliate links we share. However, all products linked in the ADDitude Store have been independently selected by our editors and/or recommended by our readers. Prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication
