Planner Positive

There is an interesting debate going on, which has been raging for some time but it wasn’t until last year, when we were nosing around the web looking for a planning system that suited our varied client portfolio, that we realised was quite as animated as it is. Of course, we couldn’t help ourselves and joined in.

Is a paper-based (analogue) planning system better than the digital systems heavily marketed at us on the many internet platforms?

Personal preference aside (I like paper but you’re unlikely to catch David with a pencil in his hand poised to jot something down on paper!) both options offer unique advantages and also drawbacks. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of each planner type, and as we enter the planning season that marks the end of one year and the start of another, this may help you to make an informed decision about which one best suits your needs.

Paper Planners: The Charm of the Tactile

• Pros:

  • Tactile Experience:

    The physical act of writing in a paper planner can be incredibly satisfying. The feel of pen on paper, the ability to physically flip through pages, and the visual appeal of handwritten notes and doodles can enhance the planning experience.

  • No Technology Required:

    Paper planners are refreshingly simple. They don't require batteries, internet connections, or software updates. They're always there, ready to be used whenever and wherever you need them. You just need to carry a spare pen or pencil.

  • Customisation:

    Paper planners offer a high degree of customisation. You can choose from a wide variety of sizes, layouts, and designs to find one that perfectly matches your aesthetic and organisational preferences. You can also add stickers, washi tape, and other decorative elements to personalise your planner.

  • Brain Benefits:

    Research suggests that the act of writing by hand can improve memory and comprehension. The physical act of writing engages different parts of the brain, helping to solidify information and enhance recall. It helps you think better. Using a favourite pen, or a particular colour ink, or highlighters and other forms of decorating the page (yes, even for ‘work’ planners!) will add to the way your brain holds on to that thought, retains it and develops it.

• Cons

  • Bulk and Portability:

    Paper planners can be bulky and inconvenient to carry around, especially larger ones with extensive daily or weekly layouts. In our team we have mobile phone app planner enthusiasts and me, unapologetically a paper planner addict. The former never worry about carrying a planner about, while I have my desk planner (stays put on my desk), my monthly planner (A5 and slips easily in my bag if I want to take it to a meeting) and my A6 ‘carry all’ which sits easily in a pocket and where I can jot ideas and notes from conversations with clients and anything I want to record on the go. Portability does not have to be an issue, but even I am not sure that paper planners can match the speed of information retrieval found in a digital app!

  • Limited Space:

    The amount of space available in a paper planner is finite. If you have a lot of information to track, you may find yourself running out of room.

  • No Syncing or Backup:

    Paper planners are not automatically synced or backed up. If you lose or damage your planner, you could lose all of your valuable information.

Digital Planners: The Tech-Savvy Solution

• Pros:

  • Portability and Accessibility:

    Digital planners live on your electronic devices, making them incredibly portable and accessible. These can be synchronised throughout your devices and also among team members so you can access your schedule, to-do lists, and notes from your smartphone, tablet, or computer, anytime and anywhere.

  • Flexibility and Customisation:

    Digital planners offer a high degree of flexibility and customisation. You can easily add, delete, and rearrange events, tasks, and notes. Many digital planners also offer a variety of views, such as daily, weekly, and monthly calendars, to help you visualize your schedule in different ways and more often these days, you can add the art work and margin notes and doodles much as you can on a paper planner

  • Backup:

    As I’ve said, digital planners can be synced across multiple devices, but even better than this, they can be backed up to the cloud, ensuring that your information is always safe and accessible.

  • Integration:

    Many digital planners integrate with other productivity tools, such as email, calendars, and task management apps. If you are willing to invest a bit of start up time learning how to use the system fully, a good digital planning system can result in your streamlining your workflow and saving time.

• Cons:

  • Technology Dependence:

    Digital planners rely on technology. If your device runs out of battery or you don't have an internet connection, you may not be able to access your planner.

  • Learning Curve:

    Some digital planners can have a steep learning curve, especially those with advanced features. It may take some time to get comfortable using all of the functions and capabilities. If you are happy to consider this time as time invested in your business, which in reality it is as it will help your business run more evenly, then this drawback can be overcome

  • Distractions:

    The very devices that make digital planners so convenient can also be a source of distraction. Notifications, emails, and social media can easily pull your attention away from your planning tasks. This is especially hard for me, which is one of the many reasons I prefer paper planners.

Choosing the Right Planner for You

Ultimately, the best planner for you is the one that you'll actually use; at Athena, we all have an array of planning systems, from paper notebooks (me) to digital calendars and task lists (Jessica’s favourites) to online notes and a good, old-fashioned white board on the wall (David actually does use this!)

Consider your lifestyle, organisational style, and preferences when making your decision. If you love the tactile experience of writing and prefer a simple, straightforward approach, a paper planner may be the perfect choice. If you're always on the go and crave the flexibility and convenience of technology, a digital planner might be a better fit.Remember, there's no right or wrong answer.

We work with many different clients, all of whom have their own preferences and systems, so at Athena, we have personal experience of the pros and cons of both. We have seen how some of the best planning systems usually make use of a combination of both paper and digital planners to leverage the benefits of each. The most important thing is to find a system that works for you and helps you stay organised and productive, and that you enjoy using each and every working day.