Visual Organization and ADHD: Best Apps Like Things 3 and Todoist

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects millions of individuals worldwide, making organization, focus, and task management challenging. For many, breaking down large projects into smaller, more manageable steps is essential for productivity. Digital tools like Things 3 and Todoist have emerged as powerful solutions for ADHD individuals, providing visual organization, reminders, and structured workflows that improve efficiency. These apps offer intuitive design, task prioritization, and seamless integration across devices, helping users with ADHD maintain structure in their daily lives adhd in female.

Understanding ADHD and Task Management Challenges

ADHD is characterized by symptoms such as difficulty maintaining focus, impulsivity, and struggles with time management. These challenges can make it difficult to complete projects, leading to procrastination and stress. One of the key difficulties for individuals with ADHD is executive dysfunction, which affects planning, prioritization, and goal-setting.

Traditional task lists often fall short for ADHD users because they lack the necessary structure and visual clarity. A successful productivity tool must offer:

• Task breakdown capabilities to simplify complex projects.
• Visual organization for easier comprehension.
• Reminders and notifications to combat forgetfulness.
• Prioritization features to highlight urgent tasks.
• Flexibility to accommodate changing schedules and deadlines.

Things 3 and Todoist excel in these areas, making them ideal tools for ADHD-friendly task management.

Things 3: A Visual and Intuitive Task Manager

Simplicity and Minimalism

Things 3 is known for its clean and intuitive interface. It removes clutter and distractions, making it easier for ADHD users to focus on what matters most. The app allows users to create projects, add tasks, and organize them into categories without feeling overwhelmed.

Breaking Down Tasks

One of the biggest challenges for individuals with ADHD is breaking down large tasks into smaller, actionable steps. Things 3 makes this process seamless with its subtasks and checklists feature. For example, if an individual is working on a report, they can divide the task into:

• Research the topic
• Outline key points
• Write the first draft
• Edit and finalize

By segmenting tasks, users avoid the paralysis that often comes with overwhelming projects.

Deadline and Reminder Features

Another standout feature of Things 3 is its deadlines and reminders. ADHD individuals often struggle with time management and forgetfulness, making these features essential. The app allows users to set due dates and schedule reminders, ensuring tasks are not overlooked.

Calendar Integration

Things 3 integrates with calendars, allowing users to see their scheduled tasks alongside other appointments. This visual representation helps individuals with ADHD stay on top of their commitments and prevent scheduling conflicts.

Todoist: A Powerful and Customizable Task Manager

Task Prioritization and Labels

Todoist is another excellent tool for ADHD individuals due to its flexible task management system. The app allows users to assign priority levels to tasks, helping them focus on the most important ones first. Users can label tasks as Urgent, Important, or Low Priority, making it easier to prioritize their workload.

Project and Section Organization

For individuals working on multiple projects, Todoist offers a hierarchical structure with projects, sections, and tasks. This structured approach helps ADHD users compartmentalize work and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed. For example:

• Project: Work Presentation

• Section: Research
• Section: Slide Preparation
• Section: Rehearsal

This method ensures clarity and keeps tasks neatly arranged.

Recurring Reminders and Habit Tracking

ADHD individuals benefit greatly from habit-building tools, and Todoist excels in this area. Users can set recurring reminders for daily or weekly habits, such as “Check emails every morning” or “Review tasks every evening.” This feature helps users develop consistency and accountability in their routines.

Collaboration Features

For individuals who work in teams or require accountability partners, Todoist allows for task sharing and collaboration. Users can assign tasks to others, track progress, and communicate within the app. This is particularly helpful for ADHD individuals who need external motivation and support to stay on track.

How These Apps Provide Visual Organization

One of the most crucial aspects of ADHD-friendly productivity apps is visual organization. Both Things 3 and Todoist offer features that cater to visual thinkers:

• Color Coding: Todoist allows users to assign colors to projects and priorities, making it easier to distinguish tasks at a glance.
• Lists and Boards: Things 3 uses simple lists, while Todoist offers a Kanban board view, ideal for users who prefer drag-and-drop functionality.
• Progress Tracking: Seeing tasks checked off provides a dopamine boost, which is essential for motivation in ADHD users.
• Customizable Filters: Todoist allows users to create personalized filters, so they only see the tasks relevant to their immediate focus.

Choosing the Right Tool: Things 3 vs. Todoist

Both apps offer powerful features, but choosing between them depends on personal preference and workflow needs.

Feature	Things 3	Todoist
User Interface	Minimalist and distraction-free	Feature-rich and structured
Task Breakdown	Subtasks and checklists	Projects, sections, and tasks
Reminders	Simple date-based reminders	Advanced recurring reminders
Prioritization	Basic due dates	Priority levels and labels
Collaboration	Individual use	Task sharing and team collaboration
Visual Organization	Clean lists and calendar integration	Color coding, filters, and Kanban view

For individuals who prefer a simple, distraction-free experience, Things 3 is ideal. For those who need advanced task structuring and prioritization, Todoist is a better option.

Additional ADHD-Friendly Productivity Tips

While using these apps can significantly improve task management, incorporating additional strategies can enhance productivity:

• Time Blocking: Assign specific time slots for tasks to create structure.
• The Pomodoro Technique: Work in short bursts with timed breaks to maintain focus.
• Accountability Partner: Share tasks with a friend or coach for added motivation.
• Use Voice Notes: If typing tasks feels overwhelming, record them as voice notes.
• Declutter Digital Spaces: Keep the task manager clean to avoid visual overwhelm.

Conclusion

For individuals with ADHD, productivity can be a constant struggle. However, apps like Things 3 and Todoist offer valuable tools to help break down complex projects into manageable steps, provide visual organization, and improve overall task management. By leveraging features such as subtasks, reminders, prioritization, and collaboration, ADHD users can create structured workflows that enhance focus and efficiency. Whether opting for the simplicity of Things 3 or the flexibility of Todoist, these digital tools empower individuals with ADHD to take control of their tasks and boost productivity.