Awesome and Nerdy Benefits of Using a Paper Planner
Hey guys! Welcome to this week’s episode. I want to dive into planners! Specifically, which is better for you—paper or digital? I’ve used both so let me share my thoughts real quick and then we’ll get into the science of which is better!
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE USING BOTH PAPER AND DIGITAL
If you read my blog post, “Hell Yeah! Life® Planners Are Here!”you know of my hunt for the perfect planner and how I had found one planner that was pretty darn close. It was a paper planner that I used when I first launched my business, which might be why I still have it. There’s a lot of sentimental value and a record of that season of life that was exciting, tough, and amazing! It’s so neat to look back and see how much I’ve accomplished that I first wrote down in 2016 and the curve balls that have come out of nowhere that have expanded my business.
It was during that time that I decided to develop my own planners based on personality because I realized that planners need to be based on personality to fit well! I researched, investigated, and planned until I felt I had all I needed for my own personality planner (an Achiever) and began using a digital version of it in Goodnotes on my iPad to test it out. I have to admit that I was a bit fussy using a digital version at first because I LOVE paper planners and even though I could still write things down with my Apple Pencil, it just wasn’t the same as using a paper planner. There’s just something about the feel of paper as you write. And there’s no better feeling than seeing and hearing the sound of the pen marking through a task just completed!
I used the digital planner for about a year while I continued my research and development. I asked several friends and family with different personalities take the quiz and use the planner for their personality for about 90 days and then give me feedback. I also needed to see how they use the planners. This is a good idea, by the way, because you gain a lot of information you wouldn’t normally get from observing others using your product or service. Sometimes you have to start all over because you realize it’s not that great of an idea or you can tweak your existing product and service making it better and more profitable. Once all of the research and development was complete, it took another several months to figure out printing and how I wanted them bound (a nightmare experience that I’m still figuring out).
Finally, after all the hard work, planning, testing, and stress, I held my paper planner in my hand and remembered why I love paper so much! The sound of the pages as I turn them. The feeling the high qualify paper under my palm as I write. The scratching sounds of my pen on paper as I write. I love the focus I feel and how organized and comforted I feel taking my planner with me to meetings. Even the ability to stuff papers of things I need to do in my planner is a relief. Everything is in one place.
The digital planner served its purpose, but I knew that I would only use and sell paper planners.
AWESOME (AND NERDY) BENEFITS OF USING A PAPER PLANNER
I found out something surprising in researching for this blog. Millenials and digital natives (those who have grown up digitally) are going to paper planners! 🤯 And for good reason!
When you write things down, you retain info better and don’t have to refer to your planner as much.
Paper sparks creativity (a reason it’s so important to have idea or doodle pages in your planner).
Fewer distractions. There’s something that happens when you use a paper planner as far as focusing. You enter a zone. You don’t have notifications, emails, messages, etc. popping up to distract you as you plan your week.
Greater productivity due to the unique focus brought to paper.
Sensory experience. The feel of the paper, the writing with a pen, and the quiet as you plan your week reduces stress and anxiety.
Active meditation. As you use your planner, your brain begins organizing scattered thoughts and ideas into a cohesive order. That’s one of my favorite things about using a paper planner and a good planner will help you do that.
Eye relief. Using a paper planner gives you a rest from digital screens even if briefly.
Plan with intention. A daily task-oriented planner can help with this. But a truly great planner will help you organize your life toward a goal.
IN SUMMARY
Paper planners are winning out when it comes to planners for good reason! I have found that using my paper planner to plan my life around my goals and using my phone for appointment reminders is a perfect combo for me. Interestingly, if I put other things like personal development reminders or anything other than appointments in my phone, I will ignore them. If I write them down, I do them. It’s weird but it works.
I want to invite you to take the quiz and find out which planner you need and then learn more about them at sherriannewilson.com.
