Head's up, there could be affiliate links ahead!
Huge shout out to xTiles for sponsoring today’s blog post!
Let’s get real about ADHD and goal planning for a minute. If you’re anything like me, the mere thought of setting goals can feel downright traumatic. And I totally get it – we’re not exactly known for our amazing planning skills or consistent follow-through. But here’s the thing: I’ve discovered a system that has completely changed my relationship with planning, and I’m excited to share it with you.
The ADHD Planning Paradox
While I don’t believe everyone needs rigid life goals, I’ve learned that we ADHDers absolutely need a North Star – a direction to move towards. Without it, we tend to drift through life, picking up random ideas (some our own, some from others) without making meaningful progress. It’s like having a GPS that’s constantly recalculating but never quite getting you to your destination.
The Three-Goal Revolution
Here’s my controversial take: if you’re trying to focus on more than three goals at once, you’re setting yourself up for overwhelm. I know, I know – we have so many things we want to accomplish! But trust me on this one. I break my goals into three simple categories:
- Work/Money
- Health/Wellness
- Personal (relationships, family, etc.)
The Pre-Planning Process
Before diving into goal setting, I always ask myself three crucial questions:
- What’s going well right now?
- What’s not going well?
- What do I actually want to change?
This reality check helps filter out the “should do” goals from the “want to do” goals. Because let’s be honest – we’re much more likely to follow through on things we genuinely want to achieve.
Putting Goals in Action With xTiles ADHD Planning System
Here’s the thing about setting goals – if you don’t create a plan to follow through on them (one that you’ll remember to check regularly), then they are never going to happen.
So once you have your goals set, it’s time to break it down into manageable, action-sized tasks that you can incorporate into your daily life. This requires that you have a system that you’ll actually use (because if you’re like me, you probably jump from system to system a lot).
I’ve found that XTiles works perfectly for the ADHD brain because it combines visual planning (hello, dopamine!) with practical organization. Because it’s so flexible, simple and visually stimulating, it’s easy to stick with and see success. Here’s how I structure mine:
- Create a Yearly Overview
- Set up your three main goal categories
- Use visual elements to keep yourself engaged
- Create a vision board section (because we’re visual creatures!)
- Monthly Planning
- Break down your goals into monthly chunks
- Distinguish between tasks and projects
- Use color coding to make it visually appealing
- Weekly Planning The game-changer is breaking tasks into three categories:
- Do Immediately (non-negotiable daily tasks)
- Later (important but not urgent)
- Everything Else (the “would be nice” list)
Want to snag a copy of my ADHD-friendly planning system? Click here to download the free planning template in xTiles and get started right now.
Making It Stick: The Follow-Through Formula
Here’s what makes this system in xTiles different from all those failed planners of the past:
- Weekly Reviews: Schedule a non-negotiable weekly planning session
- Visual Tracking: Use colors and images to make your plans engaging
- Flexibility: Leave room for the inevitable ADHD spontaneity
- Connection to Goals: Ensure daily tasks link back to your bigger objectives
The Power of Intentional Planning
Remember, a life of contentment and alignment doesn’t happen by accident. It’s created through intentional planning and consistent (even if imperfect) action. The key is finding a system that works with your ADHD brain, not against it.
If xTiles looks like a good fit for the way you like to think about planning and tracking, give it a try right here.
Happy planning!
Leave a Comment