These are some of my favorite products to support executive functioning!
Planners
Note: I recommend these planners because of their formatting and layout. I haven’t personally used all of these, so I can’t speak to the quality and durability.
Weekdays are left to right across the spread (this mimics a calendar and reduced cognitive load)
Row divisions for classes/categories (helps you notice when tasks for a class/category is missing AND visually supports project management with subtasks leading up to a deadline)
Moveable TODAY bookmark (helps you flip right to the current week)
Three-hole punched (can go inside a three-ring binder)
3 sizes available (choose the bigger one if things get lost easily or write big, and choose the smaller one if you get overwhelmed by visual stimuli)
Saturday and Sunday have their own full space for folks who have plenty to do on weekends (many planners have only small spaces for weekend days)
Comes with lots of extras (yearly overview, values page, monthly bill tracking, joy & affirmations list)
Comes in pocket size
3 sizes available (4 x 6, 5.5 x 8.25, 8.5 x 11) and 7 cover designs
On Amazon here
Another pocket size is available here on Amazon
Undated (this is great for casual or irregular use for folks who use different task trackers for different seasons of life)
Unique horizontal layout (29 x 17)
Priority-focused format forces you to determine priorities and helps you stick to them
Includes habit tracking, self-care, gratitude
On Amazon here
Daily pages (this is great for really focusing on being in the driver’s seat of each day)
Undated and has enough pages for 3 months
Ranking of tasks (forces you to prioritize)
Schedule on the side (great for time blocking or at least knowing your scheduled appts so you don’t get lost in your tasks)
Gratitude exercise, reflection, and habit tracker (helps you be mindful and intentional)
1 size available (A5)
On Amazon here in black or beige
Has checkboxes on each line for you to cross off
Two columns of checkboxes for each day, which is great if you have lots of smaller tasks
Pretty covers with foil
Ribbon bookmark to save your place
On Rifle Paper here
Simple design (reduces clutter and helps you stick to the basics)
Two weeks at a time (helpful for folks who need to plan more ahead)
Unlined (allows for doodling and different sizes of handwriting)
Less likely to overschedule too many tasks per day
On Amazon here in kraft or pink and in medium, large, or big (this links to large)
Both dated and undated options
Comes in 5x8 and 8x10
Has coloring pages!
Task and meal trackers
Ribbon page markers
From Rad & Happy here
Saturday and Sunday have their own full space for folks who have plenty to do on weekends (many planners have only small spaces for weekend days)
Moveable TODAY bookmark (helps you flip right to the current week)
6 cover designs
2 sizes available (5.5 x 8 and 8.5 x 11)
On Amazon here
Similar option in solid color covers and small/large sizes here on Amazon
Similar option in 8.5 x 11 only here on Amazon
Similar option in black and a 9 x 11 here on Amazon
Similar option in solid colors in medium/large size here on Amazon
Calendar-style for folks who like to time block their tasks
Includes stress management help, grade tracker, spending tracker, mindfulness, gratitude
1 size available (7.5 x 9)
On Amazon here
Weekdays are left to right across the spread (this mimics a calendar and reduced cognitive load)
No row divisions for more freedom
Can add on a pack of 4 bookmarks
Can choose your binding
1 size available (7 x 9)
Pricier, but 10% student discount
On Papier here (11 colors)
Undated (this is great for casual or irregular use for folks who use different task trackers for different seasons of life)
Habit tracker and goals
Weekly to-do list (can be helpful for folks who have flexible schedules or struggle with overplanning)
1 size available (5.75 x 8)
On Amazon here
Time Timer // Great for combatting time blindness by increasing awareness of how long tasks take, how much time has passed, and how much time is left. Optional alarm. Lots of colors!
Fidgets // These are quiet and so easy to take with you places. You can put them on a keyring, purse, backpack, or leave on your desk, so then you’ll always have one handy! Other fidgets are great too, as long as they aren’t distracting you by taking too much of your attention (like fidget spinners can).
Time Timer WASH // Great for supporting healthy habits for folks who want to rush or don’t feel time very accurately. It’s touch-free and gives the user 5 seconds to get soap, 20 seconds to scrub, and 5 seconds to rinse. Optional music. Lasts three months between charges.
Time Timer WASH // The same product without the dispenser.
Task trackers // Why I like this: it’s a visual, kinesthetic way to plan, prioritize, organize, and engage with your tasks. Getting excited to slide it over when you complete a task will increase your dopamine and that helps us get things done!
Planner or to-do list // Whether it’s digital or paper, some sort of planner or to-do list is generally the way to go. (I have yet to find a client who doesn’t benefit from using one.) Think through your preferences, routines, and needs and then try out something that you think will work for you. Try it for two weeks, and if it’s not a good tool for you, try something else. I like these Knock Knock pads!
Weighted stuffed animal // I love that the weighted arms hug you, and I really enjoyed holding it on my lap. It’s a good alternative for folks who think weighted blankets are too heavy.
A valet or charging station // A smart solution for keeping all the important things in one place, so you always know where they are. Keep it in a place that make sense and shop for one that suits your needs and preferences!
Noise canceling headphones // With or without music playing, these are great for reducing auditory distractions to help you sustain attention. Shop around for a pair that comfortably fit your head and your budget. A sound machine is also helpful if you don’t like wearing something on your head.
Shower speaker // Lose track of time in the shower? If you have a pretty good sense of how long a song lasts (3-4 minutes), try using a speaker in the shower. After one song, you are halfway through, and after two songs, it’s time to get out! You can even create a playlist specifically for your morning routine and listen to it every day, and you’ll start to notice when you’re on time or running behind schedule.
Small notebooks // These are great for for note-taking, which helps with sustaining and directing attention, as well as learning and memory. I like that these are small because you get to turn the page often, which is engaging. These are also great for jotting down ideas, processing feelings, and writing distracting thoughts.
Closet dividers // Perfect for keeping separate your different sections of clothing separate or planned outfits for each day. Comes with labels but you can use your own as well!
Pill organizer // An awesome way to keep track of your medication and be able to look to see if you’ve already taken it or not. Pick a day of the week and set a reminder or stack it with another habit so you remember to refill it for the upcoming week!
Good Reads // Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Good Reads // Make it Stick by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
Good Reads // Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
Good Reads // The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, M.D.