5 Productivity Tools That Help My ADHD Brain Stay on Track

Living with ADHD means my brain is constantly flipping between “hyperfocus for 5 hours straight” and “what was I doing again?” Productivity doesn’t come from just trying harder—it comes from finding the right tools that work with my brain, not against it.

After years of trial, error, and digital clutter, I’ve finally found a handful of tools that genuinely help me stay focused, organized, and (mostly) sane. If your ADHD brain needs a little extra support too, here are my top five productivity tools that make all the difference.

1. Notion – My Everything Dashboard

Best for: Organizing all the chaos in one place

Notion is where I brain dump, plan, schedule, and dream. It’s like a second brain, but prettier.

Why it works for ADHD brains:

• I can customize it to look exactly how my brain works

• Easy to create task databases, habit trackers, weekly goals, and visual project boards

• I can embed checklists, notes, even calming gifs to keep things fun

I have pages for “Today’s Tasks,” “Ongoing Projects,” “Meal Ideas,” and even a “When My Brain is Stuck” page full of reset buttons.

2. Google Calendar + Alarms – My Time Anchors

Best for: Remembering what day it is and where I’m supposed to be

Without alarms and calendar reminders, I’d miss 80% of my appointments. Seriously.

Why it works:

• I get 2–3 reminders for events (10 minutes before, 1 hour before, and the night before)

• I time-block even simple things like “Eat lunch” or “Pick up groceries”

• Color coding helps me visually separate work, personal, and family tasks

Bonus: I pair calendar blocks with alarms on my phone so I get that helpful ding before transitions.

3. TickTick – The To-Do App With a Brain

Best for: Managing daily tasks and recurring reminders

TickTick is a to-do list app with just the right amount of structure. It’s like a digital personal assistant who doesn’t judge me when I push tasks to tomorrow.

Why it’s ADHD-friendly:

• Has a built-in Pomodoro timer (25 min work / 5 min break)

• Supports recurring tasks, which is perfect for habits

• I can sort tasks by priority, project, or calendar

I use TickTick to track everything from “Refill meds” to “Call insurance” to “Put laundry in dryer (again).”

4. Forest – Stay Off Your Phone, Grow a Tree

Best for: Fighting phone distractions

Forest is a focus app that lets you grow a little tree when you stay off your phone. Close the app and your tree dies. Dramatic? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

Why ADHD brains love it:

• Instant visual reward for staying focused

• You can build an entire forest (yes, I’m emotionally attached)

• You can set custom focus times with breaks

When I need to write, clean, or focus on work, I plant a 25-minute tree and go. It keeps me off TikTok and gives me a dopamine hit when I succeed.

5. Alexa or Google Home – My Verbal Cue Buddy

Best for: Setting voice-activated reminders and routines

Sometimes I just need to shout, “Alexa, remind me to take dinner out of the oven in 20 minutes!” and know she’s got it.

Why it helps:

• Hands-free reminders when my brain is too full

• You can set up routines like “Good Morning” that trigger music, lights, and schedule review

• She never forgets—even when I do

I use mine to remind me about appointments, chores, and even to go to bed on time (because… time blindness is real).

Final Thoughts

Productivity with ADHD isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what works. These tools aren’t magic, but they help anchor my day, reduce overwhelm, and give my scattered brain a little more rhythm and control.

Do I still forget things? Yes.Do I still have chaotic days? Definitely.But with these tools, I spend a lot more time feeling capable—and that’s a win in my book.