How Do You Maintain an Organised Calendar with ADHD?

PostedSeptember 19, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 22, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Victoria Rowe, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Managing a calendar may seem straightforward, but it quickly becomes overwhelming when you are juggling overlapping meetings, overlooked appointments, and deadlines that appear out of nowhere. For people with ADHD, these challenges are common. That is why effective ADHD calendar management is not just about remembering dates, it is about creating systems that make time visible and manageable.

With the right setup, your calendar becomes more than a schedule, it becomes a lifeline for structure, memory, and peace of mind.

ADHD-Friendly Calendar Strategies

Here are practical scheduling strategies and tools that can help transform chaotic timekeeping into consistent habits:

Choose the right digital planner

Look for apps that offer colour coding, alerts, and drag-and-drop flexibility. Google Calendar or Notion makes it easier to view your day immediately, especially helpful for ADHD minds that thrive on visual structure.

Use time blocking to structure your day

Rather than just listing events, block out chunks for admin, focused work, or breaks. This helps reduce decision fatigue and supports transitions between tasks.

Set reminders and repeat them

One reminder is rarely enough. Use multiple notifications (15 mins before, at the time of the event, and post-event follow-ups) to stay on track and minimise missed commitments.

Review your calendar every morning

Build a 5-minute review into your routine. Knowing what is coming lowers anxiety, improves task switching, and makes the day feel more manageable.

Effective ADHD calendar management is not about being perfect, it is about building tools that think with you. Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and systems tailored to your brain.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Workplace challenges.

Victoria Rowe, MSc

Author

Victoria Rowe is a health psychologist with a Master’s in Health Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She has experience as a school psychologist, conducting behavioural assessments, developing individualized education plans (IEPs), and supporting children’s mental health. Dr. Rowe has contributed to peer-reviewed research on mental health, including studies on anxiety disorders and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems. Skilled in SPSS, Minitab, and academic writing, she is committed to advancing psychological knowledge and promoting well-being through evidence-based practice.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.