My planner has arrived. Having some form of planner can be a lifesaver in remembering tasks & appointments, and in feeling the satisfaction of checking something off (my favorite part 🙂). However, there are many different types of planners (both paper and digital), and finding the right one can make a huge difference.
Start with determining whether you prefer something on your phone/computer or on paper. I use a combination of both.
Here are some lifestyle questions to consider when choosing:
1. Are you always on the go? Digital.
This makes your calendar accessible on your phone, tablet and computer, which means you can see it no matter where you are.
2. Do you need someone else to be able to see your calendar? Digital.
By having a digital calendar you can easily share your calendar with others. For instance, my husband and I share calendars. If a friend or family member wants to schedule a get-together, either of us can easily see if the other is available.
3. Do you need something distraction free? Paper.
If you struggle to keep on task when app alerts, emails and text messages pop up, a paper planner is a better option because you can focus on just that one thing. This works especially well for task lists.
4. Do you need reminders and easy rescheduling? Digital.
Digital calendars can be set to alert you for time sensitive events & tasks.
5. Do you prefer a tactile experience of writing things down? Paper.
Whether it is because of sensory issues or because you remember things better by writing them down (there are actually studies that prove many do), paper can scratch that itch.
6. Do you also like to use it as a creative outlet with a visual experience like stickers, multiple colors, etc? Paper.
Like the tactile experience, paper is the answer here.
Are you feeling like you are checking boxes for both digital & paper planners? Here are a few tips on combining both systems that might make it work for you like I do.
1. Use your digital planner for appointments and reminders that you need alerts for and want to share with others.
2. Use your digital planner for long-term planning, which you may also want to share with others.
3. If you are like me and like to list off tasks that you can check off, often a paper planner is a great way to get the satisfaction of checking things off as you complete them.
4. A paper planner is a great solution for brainstorming, journaling and to-do lists that are not time specific.
I use the combo in these ways and it works well for me to meet my various goals. It makes it possible for me to use the strengths of both systems.
Looking for some specific digital planning tools? Here are just a few suggestions:
1. Google Calendar – If you have a Gmail account, you already have one. What are the benefits:
– You can get alerts at various times for events and tasks.
– You can color-code appointments by person, or different types of tasks.
– You can invite others to your entire calendar or just to specific items.
2. Trello – If you work on projects or tasks with other people, this app is an especially good tool. It provides boards, cards and other tools to break down projects, as well as assigning tasks to different people. This can also be helpful for larger personal tasks like larger home improvements so each person knows who is doing what.
3. Goblin – Remember how I always say, “We eat an elephant one bite at a time”? This app helps in breaking down tasks into bite-sized pieces. You simply enter a task that needs done and it will give you a list in smaller pieces. It REALLY helps with the overwhelm!
4. Todoist – This is an option for your to-do lists. It syncs across devices. Plus, you can have repeated tasks, as well as one-time tasks, such as “take out trash every Tuesday evening”.
Prefer a paper planner, or to have a paper planner along with your digital solutions? Here are a few of the most popular planner options and some of the reasons why people prefer each one:
1. Happy Planner – This is my favorite planner. They offer a variety of formats so you can pick the format and pages that work best for you, including planners designed specifically with teachers, students, or parents. As well as planners for weddings, parenting, and more. Customization at an affordable cost is the breakdown with this one. https://thehappyplanner.com/
2. Erin Condren – This company also has specialized planners, in addition to their various formats of planners. They also offer the ability to match your planner, While it is a sturdier option and has some extra features like extra note pages built in, it is also a bit more expensive than Happy Planner and not quite as customizable. However, if you prefer a simple and well designed paper planner that will hold up with a lot of banging around, this might be a good solution for you. https://www.erincondren.com/
3. Plum Paper Weekly – This company takes planner customization to the next level. They take the thicker paper and sturdiness of the Erin Condren planners and add in even more customizable functions than the Happy Planner. It is on the more expensive side as well, but gives the option of matching it with stationary, journals and more. https://www.plumpaper.com/
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Contact denise hudak at 330-414-0963 or denise.hudak@gmail.com
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