ADHD Digital Planner

ADHD Digital Planner Templates

Managing ADHD requires specialized tools because traditional methods often don’t resonate with ADHD brains. A simple to-do list and sticky notes, even though they are quite useful tools, can’t assit with all the challenges the condition exposes. ADHD challenges need ADHD-friendly solutions.

With the right digital planning tools, people with ADHD can manage their time better, reduce stress, and be more productive in their daily lives. Whether for work, school, or home management, these planners give them the structure and support to thrive with ADHD.

What Is an ADHD Digital Planner?

People with ADHD find setting priorities, finishing assignments, and managing daily tasks among the most common obstacles to success. Planning and task management apps can be useful in addressing these challenges.

Certain digital planners have features designed specifically for people with ADHD. They enable them to create to-do lists, organize tasks, and monitor their progress. However, planners for ADHD are not only about planning but also for managing symptoms and emotional states. That’s why they are also considered part of health and wellness templates.

The finest choices are the planner apps specifically designed for ADHDers and general productivity apps incorporating some ADHD characteristics. Some of these apps are free to use; the basic versions have the app’s most basic features, while additional features may be bought.

Best Digital Planner for ADHD – Templates by Planning Timeline

An increasing number of individuals with ADHD are discovering the beauty of digital planners and their effect on their daily struggles. These planners offer numerous advantages for tasks that normally require a lot of attention and effort.

Some of the most valuable ones are the ability to use personalized layouts and reminders for tasks someone can’t remember. The ability to track pending tasks ensures you won’t forget about them, while the ability to customize your workspace ensures you play by your rules.

Moreover, these apps are better than traditional planners because you can use them on multiple devices. There is no need to carry one more item on you, especially considering the fact that you might lose it. The right ADHD planner will cover multiple needs caused by the symptoms you experience. It is your one-in-all tool for daily activities, appointment dates, self-development, etc.

How to Choose the Best ADHD Planner?

The best ADHD digital planner template should assist you and support you with the tasks and routines you struggle to stick to. Choosing the best planner for ADHD require considering a few factors:

The planner should be simple and not add to cognitive load
Daily task lists and the ability to assign and prioritize tasks
Space for quick notes and brain dump to collect ideas and insights
Timely reminders for appointments, important dates, and deadlines to stay up to date
Progress tracking to record achievements and get motivation
Ability to add visual elements to enhance information perception
Customization options to set up a workspace that is comfortable
Ability to use your planner on all devices you have
Mechanism to capture and save information from all over the internet quickly
A habit tracker to help build and maintain a healthy routine

The efficiency of ADHD planners varies depending on user preferences. However, you need to try first to make a verdict on whether a planner is useful for you or not. Thankfully, there are numerous options to choose from so that you can find something that suits you.

While digital planners have many advantages over paper planners, some people with ADHD may still prefer the physical act of writing. In this case, hybrid solutions that combine digital reminders with physical planners might be the way to go.

Daily Digital Planner

A daily planner for ADHD is one of the options people have. How to choose the right format? It depends on how much freedom you’re ready to give yourself without fear of forgetting important things. It also depends on your current challenges. What is your main issue? Missing deadlines, poor working memory, a pile of pending tasks that come to visit you in your sleep?

A daily planner is for those who need to control their day-to-day activities and bigger goals through manageable steps to avoid delays. A correctly chosen planner automatically turns into the adhd-boosting digital productivity planner for this particular individual.

Weekly Digital planner

Weekly planners for ADHD are another option that gives more freedom and allows you to plan 7 days ahead. This is a perfect option for those who don’t like to devote their time to their planning every day. Providing structure with sections for every day of the week, it still gives a wider perspective for evaluating your time and resources.

Also, it is possible to combine a weekly planner with a daily planner to reach maximum results. For example, you can “sketch” a whole week and then write more detailed plans for every day. The best planners for ADHD offer a multiple formats of planning.

Monthly Digital Planner

Monthly planners for ADHD are a step back to have an even better perspective. If planning ahead is your thing and helps you to divide your time in the best way, you can use it. These planners can have sections or group pages for weeks and days to ensure you have everything at hand when checking your schedule.

A monthly planner serves as a link between your daily or weekly planning and your broader goals. It helps maintain consistency and enables you to stick to your plans even when distractions arise.

Yearly Digital Planner

The most comprehensive planner for ADHD is a Yearly planner. It helps people not to forget about their bigger goals amidst their daily tasks and routines. While daily, weekly, and even monthly planners can be used independently to manage some of the ADHD symptoms, a yearly planner won’t help much without additional, more detailed planning support.

That’s why it’s recommended to choose a planner containing a few planning formats. Such a planner increases motivation and helps stay on track. Using your main planner alongside other planners to get all the solutions you need might be quite time-consuming.

Digital Planner for ADHD for Different Age Groups and Tasks

Digital planners have become a must-have for people with ADHD. Let’s look at how they cater to different age groups and their needs.

Digital Planner for ADHD Adults

Adults with ADHD have trouble with time management, prioritizing tasks, and staying organized. Feeling overwhelmed with their tasks is another distinctive feature of people with the disorder. Digital planner apps for this group take into account these specific needs and offer:

Customizable to-do lists
Color coding for task categorization
Reminders for appointments, event dates, and deadlines
Integration with calendar apps
Breaking down big tasks into smaller steps
Self-care reminders and habit trackers

These features help adults manage their daily life better, so they don’t miss deadlines or forget important dates. The xTiles ADHD digital planner templates can improve the overall quality of life by giving structure and accommodating how ADHD brain works.

Academic Planner for ADHD Students & Teens Digital Planner

Students and teens with ADHD have unique challenges in academic settings. Digital planners for this group usually have:

Assignment trackers with due dates
Study schedule templates
Goal setting features
Progress tracking tools
Exam and project reminders
Time management techniques like the Pomodoro method

The best planners for ADHD help students stay on top of their school work, manage their time and reduce school anxiety. By breaking down big projects into smaller steps, these planners can increase motivation and help students not feel overwhelmed.

xTiles offers multiple study templates, ranging from the traditional Cornell Notes template to specialized ADHD planners designed to help overcome struggles with lectures and deadlines.

Home & School Planner for Children with ADHD

Younger children with ADHD need planners that are simple, colorful, and fun. Features usually include:

Visual schedules with icons or pictures
Reward systems for completing tasks
Simple to-do lists for daily chores and homework
Reminders for school events
Customizable avatars or characters
Parent-child collaboration tools

These planners help children develop organizational skills early on, so they have a foundation for better time management and task completion as they grow up.

If you’re a parent trying to find a reliable planning tool for your child with ADHD, you may want to try xTiles. It offers an intuitive solution that’s easy even for younger children to use, while also allowing you to collaborate on their planner to guide and assist them.

How to Make an ADHD Planner?

When you’re using a template, there’s not much left to create your planner. However, there always might be some details and final accents you would like to add. With xTiles templates, it’s a breeze.

If you need to add a new page to your system, press the “+” button left to the tabs. Then, you will be able to choose a page of what kind you would like to add. It can be a basic empty page where you add your elements, a group of pages to organize something depending on their specifics, a page from a Template Gallery, etc.
If you want to add more sections to your planner, just go to the empty space of the page and create a tile (basic unit for organizing information) of the needed size. You can change its placement using a drag-and-drop interface.
You can add various content to your planner. For example, you can add a Pomodoro widget to enhance deep work time slots. Just press the “+” button that appears left on your tile. The list of elements you can add to enhance your planning journey is quite long, starting with images and YouTube videos and ending with bookmarks, dividers, and different types of notes.
Add tasks and set reminders to always remember the important tasks and dates. You can create a task from any place in your planner and have them conveniently gathered in your Inbox. This Inbox will help you fight the lack of self-organization. Also, you can view them as a Calendar when you have to estimate your schedule.
Highlight the important parts with color coding. You can choose colors for every tile to make them stand out among the other tiles and make you see them the moment you open the page.

How to Use a Planner with ADHD?

Using a daily planner can change the lives of people with ADHD. Some might be skeptical as a planner is a very simple solution, yet a complicated one might not be what ADHD brain needs.

Here are a couple more tips on how to make your planner even more effective.

Keep it simple
Don’t overcomplicate your system without a need. At least until you get used to it. However, xTiles is built to help you create a multi-level system that remains simple and user-friendly thanks to nested elements, projects, and page groups.
Break tasks into smaller steps
This is one of the golden rules of productivity and time management. Instead of writing broad goals, list specific, actionable items. At the end of the day, you will have a batch of tasks done instead of one task that lasts day in and day out, with no visible ending, leaving you less motivated every time you look at your planner.
Review regularly
Schedule daily or weekly review sessions to update and adjust your plans. Yes, even your monthly and yearly goals, as they might change depending on the current state of affairs.
Use the mobile app to take notes wherever you go
Synergy between the desktop and mobile versions will help you take notes on the go. This ensures that you capture important information or ideas as soon as they come to mind, reducing the risk of forgetting.
Use the xTiles Web Clipper
Use features like the xTiles Web Clipper to capture and save information from the internet that might come in handy. This helps in organizing research or ideas for future reference.
Incorporate rewards
Plan small rewards for completing tasks to boost motivation. This approach can help build a habit of using your planner consistently.
Be flexible
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you can’t stick to the plan perfectly. ADHD can make strict adherence challenging, so allow room for adjustments.
Combine with other ADHD strategies
Use your planner alongside other tools like timers or the Pomodoro technique. This multi-faceted approach can enhance focus and productivity.

By using the xTiles ADHD templates and implementing these strategies, you can manage your daily ADHD challenges easier and more efficiently. With time and practice, your planner can become an indispensable part of your daily routine, helping you stay organized, focused, and on track.

FAQ

What do I need to start digital planning if I have ADHD?

To start digital planning with ADHD, you need a digital planner app that caters to ADHD-specific needs. Look for features like customizable layouts, reminders, task lists, and the ability to break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

How do you choose the best planner for ADHD?

The best ADHD planner should support tasks and routines you struggle with without adding to your cognitive load. Key features to look for include simplicity, daily task lists, space for quick notes, timely reminders, progress tracking, visual elements, and the ability to use the planner across multiple devices.

What are some tips for using a planner for ADHD?

Keep your planning system simple, especially when starting out. Break tasks into smaller, actionable steps, and schedule regular review sessions to update and adjust your plans. Use mobile apps to take notes on the go, incorporate rewards for completing tasks, and be flexible with your planning approach.

What do I need to start digital planning?

To start digital planning, you need a device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) and a suitable digital planner app. Choose an app that offers customizable layouts, task lists, reminders, and the ability to sync across devices for seamless access to your plans.

Second Brain

Second Brain Templates

The Second Brain Method is a game-changing approach to personal knowledge management and productivity. Often implemented with digital notebooks like xTiles, this is a central hub for capturing, processing, and retrieving information.

The xTiles Second Brain templates help users stay focused on what they are doing by making it easy to record information quickly and save key details for later reference and action.

What’s a Second Brain template?

The Second Brain methodology, popularized by thinkers like Tiago Forte, is about organization, productivity, and personal development. It’s a digital space where tasks, projects, and knowledge live together so you can navigate your personal and professional life better.

Second Brain methodology uses productivity and planning templates and databases to create one dashboard that covers all aspects of life management. This includes task management, note-taking, project planning, and goal tracking.

A comprehensive template will have quick capture mechanisms for new ideas, built-in task management with priority levels and sub-tasks, a tools for building personal knowledge base for easy access to information, and features for personal growth and self-care.

Key features of Second Brain templates

A template for Second Brain has to be built according to the methodology rules. Although additional features and sections can be added, the template still has to offer a basic set of spaces to assist users with their main intent – creating a personal knowledge base.

In case a user doesn’t want to use some of the methodology tools, they always can delete excessive pages or elements.

Project & task management

Second Brain templates should excel in project and task management, providing powerful tools to boost brain work.

Features like creating and tracking tasks, and setting priorities and deadlines will decrease procrastination and help organize a solid routine.
The ability to break down big projects into smaller sub-tasks will contribute to better planning and time management.
The ability to categorize tasks and tag or link them to a project will allow the creation of a united workspace with connections for easier navigation.
The ultimate brain template has a central hub where users can access their main databases, project notes, to-do lists, and goals all in one place. It will help them build their Second Brain as big as needed without the fear of creating a Frankenstein monster of a knowledge base.

By having project and task management in one place, templates help you have a more organized life, meet deadlines, and get more done.

These templates merge professional and personal growth and self-care initiatives in one convenient space where everything is always at hand to enhances your brain journey.

Customizable structure

Flexibility is an important factor for any template in order to offer a user a tool that serves them in the way they prefer. This rule is applicable even to free templates, otherwise, they risk having a very limited audience.

Customization in best Second Brain templates allows users to make the methodology suitable for them and their lifestyle.
The ability to switch between colors, change structure, element placement, add and delete sections, etc., guarantees personal growth and helps people to develop and polish their knowledge base.
Customization options allow users to get a maximum profit even from a demo template.

All-in-one dashboard

One of the best features of a Second Brain template is the all-in-one dashboard, which allows you to manage many aspects of productivity and knowledge management in one place. It is the main entry point for users, giving access to everything in their virtual assistant.

A well-designed dashboard can include sections for job management, project tracking, note organization, and knowledge management. While the template determines which sections are available, the user can customize the final layout.

It might include:

A day dashboard to help people focus on tasks for the day while still seeing the bigger picture of long-term goals. By eliminating the need to switch between multiple pages, the all-in-one solution simplifies workflow and increases output.
The dashboard might have links to main databases, so you can easily fetch and cross-reference information for better organization.
Sections for self-care practices, habit tracking or even a life Operating System that combines the personal and professional.
Some premium templates come with extra features like top-notch video tutorials to help you get the most out of your digital workspace.
It might also have a space to quickly jot down thoughts or tasks so no idea is missed.

You can manage your digital products, stay organized, and connect many aspects of personal productivity in one place. This centralized approach builds a true Second Brain system, helping you better manage your personal and professional life.

Capture anything instantly

Good Second Brain templates should be able to collect data quickly. This feature allows users to capture new ideas, tasks, or insights without interrupting their flow.

Some templates allow users to import content from the web into their Second Brain by integrating with third-party apps or browser extensions.
Many templates allow you to review and process these quick grabs at a later time which is in line with productivity techniques that prioritize reviewing and improving the information gathered.
More advanced templates may have image recognition, handwriting recognition, or voice-to-text capture which would speed up the information gathering even more.

This ability to capture information instantly is key to building a huge personal knowledge base and to achieving the ultimate goal of an externalized cognitive system which is the core idea behind the concept.

The most effective methods within the Second Brain

The Second Brain concept is pretty wide and flexible. Since it’s a relatively new thing, it’s getting improved every day by thousands of enthusiasts. That’s why a support community is great for learning new tips and tricks whenever you struggle with some aspect of building your Second Brain.

Today, the methodology offers several approaches to collecting, organizing, and using information. The good news is that they don’t contradict each other, meaning you can establish as detailed a personal approach as you wish.

Here are the most popular ones:

P.A.R.A. system

The P.A.R.A. system is the foundation of many second-brain methods. It’s a simple framework for managing tasks and information.

Projects are short-term, with specific goals and deadlines.
Areas are ongoing responsibilities or roles in life that need constant attention.
The resources part is your personal knowledge base, storing info and reference materials for future use.
Archives are where you store completed or inactive items so your active system stays clutter-free while keeping important data.

GTD (Getting Things Done®) method

The Second Brain theory is supported by David Allen’s GTD method which is an organized way to manage tasks and projects. Its main goals are to capture all ideas and tasks, define them, break them down into smaller steps (if/when needed) and review them periodically.

The principles of GTD can be applied to a Second Brain template by adding features like regular reviews, task categorization, and inbox capturing.

The ultimate brain templates that apply GTD principles can help you keep your commitments clear, eliminate irrelevant thoughts, and focus more on task completion than task recall.

Building a Second Brain with a template

Unlike the Second Brain Notion template, xTiles offers a more flexible and easier-to-track system. While in a Notion template, you get a simple Workspace containing pages and databases, in xTiles, you also have projects. This chain between a Workspace and a Page serves as a tool to build a more detailed Second Brain, use the PARA method more sufficiently, and navigate through your personal knowledge bases and other projects more effectively.

Even Notion experts recognize its complexity when it comes to creating multi-level dashboards. A person needs to invest time in learning how the product works before they can start collecting data. Even a paid template won’t fix this delay in creating a Second Brain because of the platform specifics. It offers enhanced organization in an elaborate way.

xTiles Templates focus on providing users with a comprehensive system they can shape according to their planning, organizing, and capturing preferences.

You can also try the xTiles productivity templates to reach a new level of organized life.

A guide to using the Second Brain template

xTiles offers an intuitive interface, reducing the need to look for world-class tutorials. A productivity system you can build using our free template or paid ones will help you effectively manage data and increase productivity.

The first step is to choose the template that is suitable for you. From traditional planning templates to templates designed specifically for Second Brain, xTiles offers a wide range of options.

If you want to start your Second Brain journey without long introductions, the xTiles Second Brain Template or the xTiles Ultimate Second Brain Template is for you:

The first one is a basic option for those who would like to organize the data within a minimum number of pages. It is built solely on the PARA method with the addition of a process dashboard for quick access and a Yearly Goals page divided into different sections for easier planning flow.
The xTiles Ultimate Second Brain Template is for those who like details and multi-level organization. Except for a Weekly planner page with quick access to your PARA system, it also offers tools for tracking and planning your budget, meals, calendar for work affairs, wishlist, yearly goals, and habit and reading trackers.

After you buy one of these, it will appear in your Workspace.

Setting up the xTiles Second Brain template according to your preferences

Now, you can set up your system. Also, you can change it whenever you feel like it, or if it becomes so vast, you need to add new elements to keep it clear.

You can add new pages to the group pages. For example, the xTiles Ultimate Second Brain Template has a page group for taking care of your household with pages dedicated to budget and meal planning. You may add here a cleaning log, or a calendar to track important dates like birthdays or anniversaries.

Needless to say, you can add your own pages or page groups for planning and tracking important aspects of your life.

You can also change the placement of template elements, colors, cover, etc. The point here is to provide you with a flexible tool that allows you to build a Second Brain that is yours.

xTiles templates are perfect for efficiently managing your tasks. You can create a task from anywhere in your Second Brain, add relevant properties (due date, status, description, etc.), and have them conveniently gathered in your Inbox (just press the checkbox icon under the cover).

Capturing is another distinctive feature of xTiles. You can do it using the xTiles Web Clipper. It will help you save whole pages or some elements when you’re surfing the internet. All the data will appear in your Inbox and then, using drag-and-drop, you can move it to the needed place.

Setting up your Second Brain is an ongoing process. That’s why we offer you a platform and templates that will ensure this experience is seamless no matter whether you’re just getting to know the Second Brain Concept or you have been a keen enthusiast for quite some time.

FAQ

Why is xTiles better than Notion for building a Second Brain?

xTiles is more flexible and easier to track than Notion. It has a more intuitive interface so you don’t need to watch hours of tutorials. xTiles also has a more detailed Second Brain structure with the Workspace-Project-Page hierarchy so you can navigate and implement the PARA method more efficiently.

How to choose the best Second Brain template?

Choose a template that matches your planning, organizing and capturing habits. Consider the level of detail you want – do you want a basic template for the PARA method or a more comprehensive one with features like budget tracking and habit trackers. Make sure the template has customization options so you can adapt to your needs.

What is the most effective way to use the Second Brain template?

Set up the template according to your preferences, add or remove elements as needed. Use the task management features to track and complete tasks. Use the quick capture tools like the xTiles Web Clipper to capture information seamlessly. Review and organize your captured information regularly to keep your Second Brain system up to date.