6 Best ADHD time management tools to boost your productivity
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, but not everyone experiences it the same way. For some, a day drags on; for others, it flies by. This often comes down to how we manage our time.
If you have ADHD, you might find that organizing, planning your day, and focusing can be overwhelming and frustrating. It might even make you feel stuck sometimes.
But here’s the thing: You are not the problem, you’re not broken or in need of fixing.
The real issue is that most traditional time management tools and strategies aren’t designed for the way your brain works.
To save you the hassle of searching for years, I’ve spent a lot of time finding the top 6 ADHD-friendly time management tools available in 2024.
I’ve done a lot of research and writing on ADHD topic. I understand the unique challenges in managing time when your brain works a bit differently. And I also use many of these tools myself to stay productive and healthy.
If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, or even if you just suspect you might think differently, this blog post is for you. These tools could be your first step towards meaningful and lasting change.
I. Does ADHD affect time management?
Managing time can be a real challenge for individuals with ADHD, as highlighted in a 2019 article. Those with ADHD might find it tough to plan effectively and keep track of time, which can impact productivity and increase stress in various settings like school, work, or daily life.
A 2019 review also points out a possible link between ADHD and how time is perceived, suggesting that more research is needed to fully understand this relationship and other related executive functions.
Here are some specific time management challenges that people with ADHD might face:
- Gauging the passage of time accurately.
- Estimating the duration needed for different tasks.
- Remembering time-related information.
- Sequencing events properly.
It’s important to note, however, that these issues don’t affect everyone with ADHD in the same way. Each individual’s experience can vary widely.
II. Top 6 ADHD time management tools
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People spend hours trying to find the perfect planner. Once they do? It is used for a week or two and then completely forgotten.
Many of my friends struggle to keep track of their notes, papers, and tasks. They always have their phone or computer with them, so they need an electronic tool to help them stay organized. I recommend using Google Calendar for planning, and they love it.
Google Calendar is a free and amazing time-management and scheduling app that will help you visualize the passage and allocation of time and break down big projects into smaller tasks.
For someone with ADHD, it’s important to know you have to customize it and use it for your unique brain.
Pros
- Scheduling and manipulating time slots for an event or meet
- Provides alerts before the scheduled event’s time
- Direct integration with Google Meet which enables the user to organize a hassle free meeting.
- Subscription to other google calendars to keep a track of their schedule.Integration of multiple calendars into one.
Cons
- When multiple events are scheduled in a single time slot, the visualization of the events becomes confusing.
- No integration with other video conferencing platforms other than Google Meet.
- UI of Google Calendar’s mobile application gets confusing when working with multiple calendars
Price
- Google Calendar operates on a free model for individual users, aligning with the typical approach of many Google applications.
Many people interested in productivity, self-improvement and personal knowledge management will always want to manage their time most effectively, including me. If you have trouble managing your time, dealing with overwhelm and forgetfulness, I recommend using Saner.ai.
Saner.ai is a One-stop AI Productivity app crafted for ADHDers. Stay on top of your work and life with a simple-design note & to-do list app, using best-in-class AI Assistants
It offers a streamlined interface for information collection and organization, utilizing AI to automatically categorize and retrieve notes, significantly reducing the manual effort involved in organizing and finding ideas.
Pros
- Quickly capture notes and clips via the side panel without switching around.
- Get tag suggestions for your notes
- Ability to find back information based on what you remember.
- A personal AI provides relevant suggestions for what you are working on.
- Ability to use multiple AI bots (GPT4, Claude3, Gemini Pro, search Internet), alongside your notes, helps you brainstorm and write on a single screen.
- Write tasks directly in your notes and receive reminders until they are completed.
Cons
- Requires internet access: You need to have access to the internet to search through emails, which might not be possible everywhere.
Pricing
- Free Trial: 0$ /month
- Starter: Monthly at $7.89/month, Annually at $5.89/month
- Standard: Monthly at $15.89/month, Annually at $10.89/month
Since ADHD is often linked to time blindness, this platform can ensure you don’t get lost in a task.
Pomodoro Focus Timer is an excellent choice for individuals with ADHD who want a simple and effective way to stay focused and on track.
The app uses the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method that involves working in short, focused bursts of 25 minutes, separated by short breaks. This technique can be especially helpful for people with ADHD, as it helps to break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and reduces distractions.
Pros
- Simple and easy to use: Pomodoro Focus Timer has a straightforward interface that makes it easy to follow the Pomodoro Technique.
- Customizable Pomodoro settings: The app allows you to customize your Pomodoro routine, so you can create a schedule that works best for you.
- Task management: Pomodoro Focus Timer includes a task management feature that helps you keep track of your to-do list.
- Notifications: The app sends notifications to remind you when it’s time to start a new Pomodoro or take a break.
- Statistics: Pomodoro Focus Timer provides statistics that show your progress and productivity over time.
Cons
- Timer can be distracting: Some users find the timer to be too distracting, especially if they prefer a more subtle approach to time management.
- Basic features: While the app is simple and easy to use, some users may find it to be too basic and lacking in advanced features.
Pricing
- Free version: Pomodoro Focus Timer offers a free version with basic features.
- Premium version: The premium version costs $4.99 and includes additional features such as task management, statistics, and customizable settings.
Not only with ADHD, anyone can easily get caught up in social networking platforms like facebook, tiktok,… so I want to introduce a tool that will help you avoid this. That’s Forest
Forest is a fun app that helps you stay focused. Whenever you want (or need) to focus, plant a tree. Your plants will grow while you focus on your work. If you leave the app to check social media or other distracting apps, the plant will wither and die.
Over time, you transform your accumulated moments of focus into a beautiful forest, unlock new species, and even grow real trees through Trees for the Future.
Pros
- One of Forest’s newest features is planting trees with friends. If anyone uses their phone, everyone’s tree will die. What if you accidentally scroll through your phone and kill your teammate’s tree haha?
- Reduces distractions: Forest helps you avoid distractions by discouraging phone usage during focused sessions.
- Increases productivity: By staying committed to your tasks, you build a beautiful digital forest, improving your productivity and time management skills.
Cons
- Can be addictive: Forest can be addictive, as the app’s rewards and credits can be highly motivating.
- Can be difficult to maintain motivation: Maintaining motivation to use the app can be challenging, especially if you’re not seeing immediate results.
Pricing
- Free version: Forest offers a free version with basic features.
- Premium version: The premium version costs $2.99 and includes additional features such as custom phrases, advanced statistics, and the ability to plant real trees.
5. Task Reminder App - Due
Remembering is difficult for people with ADHD. The key to success is choosing the right time.
Therefore, you need to remind yourself to do a task at the time and place where you can complete it best, this will save you a large amount of time.
And the tool that can help you is Due
Due is an application that continuously monitors and reminds work schedules according to the schedule that the user has set until completion. This app allows you to instantly set due dates for your tasks with just a tap instead of having to scroll through drop-down lists.
Pros
- Remember your schedule for the day
- Easily set work reminder times
- Continuous work reminders until completed
- Use the countdown feature, accurate to every second and suitable for jobs that require precise timing.
Cons
- People who prefer visually organizing their tasks and reminders, such as through a visual calendar or color-coded systems, might find Due’s interface too basic.
Pricing
- Free for 7 days, then $9.99/month.
6. Routine App - Brili
The Brili app helps you manage your tasks by letting you easily add them to your schedule. You can set when to start and how long each task should take, which is great for staying on track.
Pros
- Set up daily routines: You can create your own daily plan or pick from pre-made ones designed by ADHD experts.
- Earn rewards: As you finish tasks, you earn stars. You can set up rewards for yourself and use the stars to get those rewards.
- See your progress: The app shows you how many tasks you’ve completed and gives you achievements to celebrate your success.
- See your progress: The app shows you how many tasks you’ve completed and gives you achievements to celebrate your success.
Cons
- Doesn’t have a ton of available achievements, relies pretty heavily on notifications for success, no desktop version
Pricing
- You can upgrade your account for an annual subscription fee of around $50.
III. Conclusion
Managing your time is a skill that everyone needs to learn—no one starts out knowing how to do it. Finding the right tools can really help.
If you have ADHD and want to manage knowledge easily, you may find the Saner.ai app useful. It was created just for people with ADHD.
The most important thing is to choose tools that fit your daily life and make you feel more in control. Trust yourself to know what is best for you.
