Having a calendar is an ideal solution if you happen to want to make your life a little bit more organized. You can keep track of deadlines, appointments, or meetings and have a visible aid so you will not forget what you wish to do.
Nevertheless, now that it’s 2023, there are a lot of other ways to keep a calendar. With every part going digital, you may now keep a web based schedule. But goes digital really higher than the tried-and-true paper calendar? Keep reading for an in-depth have a look at the pros and cons of digital versus paper calendars.
Digital Calendar
Having a web based calendar is just about all the rage at once. It’s always easy to use and access, which is useful in the workplace, though individuals who aren’t techy might struggle. Here’s a deep dive into the advantages and limitations of using a digital scheduling system:
Pros
The accessibility of digital calendars is one aspect that makes this kind so appealing. With online calendars, you’ve gotten almost constant access to your schedule. A lot of these systems allow you to use this technology offline, so that you do not have to depend on Wi-Fi. By having your calendar as an app in your phone, you may pull up your schedule anywhere and anytime.
To take this idea a step further, you may even edit your calendar irrespective of where you might be. Should you’re on-the-go trying to schedule an event, you may simply pull up the app and add to it. For instance, if you happen to’re at the doctor’s office trying to schedule a future appointment, you’ll need your entire calendar at your fingertips. This makes scheduling extra efficient and straightforward.
And when it comes to remembering those appointments, you will not have to worry. Digital calendars can send you notifications to remind you about upcoming events. You’ll get a little bit ping in your phone or computer that tells you what event is about to start. You even have the freedom to select how early these notifications will go off, whether quarter-hour or hours beforehand.
Online calendars can even enable you stay more organized. A lot of these systems have tons of organizational features, like color-coding, so you may keep your schedule orderly. You may even add detailed information in each event you create so you may have every part in the same place. No more looking forwards and backwards out of your calendar to your notes to have all the details a few deadline or meeting.
Finally, digital calendars even have the advantage of being environmentally friendly. Online scheduling systems leave no paper trail because they’re 100% virtual. No need to worry anymore about your carbon footprint when it comes to keeping a calendar!
Cons
While there are undoubtedly many positives, there are also some limitations to having a web based calendar. Should you’re not a “techy” individual, keeping a digital schedule is perhaps a little bit daunting. You must get used to a latest technological system to keep your calendar organized and dealing for you.
You’ll also need a smartphone if you happen to’re looking to give you the chance to access your calendar from anywhere. Otherwise, you’d have to depend on your computer to know what’s happening and what day. That being said, not all online scheduling systems can access offline. This implies you’d need Wi-Fi or cellular data to have a look at it. Nevertheless, not many are this inaccessible anymore.
Perhaps the biggest concern of getting a digital calendar is the incontrovertible fact that it requires you to use your phone or computer. You might wonder why that is listed as a con; nevertheless, having to get in your devices may lead to distractions. You might intend to have a look at your calendar, but notice a notification and have a look at that as a substitute. Next thing you realize, you are in a deep research spiral about why individuals are boycotting seed oils.
One other con about using technology is that taking a look at screens for prolonged periods may cause eye strain. Together with your calendar online on a tool, you will be observing yet one more screen. On this case, a paper calendar would rest your eyes, stopping eye strain and headaches.
Paper Planner
Now that the pros and cons of digital calendars have been established, it is time to investigate paper planners. You’ve heard that these can limit screen time, but what else is advantageous about using this method?
Pros
Just as you may access your calendar anywhere with a digital schedule, some paper planners might be easily accessible. These are available in various sizes, including pocket or purse size. You can tote this around with a small planner, too. Just remember to keep a pen or pencil with you in case you wish to adjust.
Carrying around your planner can even enable you since it’s a physical object. Sometimes, your brain is more likely to remember information if it has a visible aid. And since paper planners are tangible items held in your hand, this object is sort of a physical reminder. This may significantly profit neurodivergent people, who tend to thrive more with visual and physical aids.
What’s more, having a paper planner requires you to write down all of your information quite than type it. Writing has been proven to be more helpful for your memory than typing. It’s because the process will take barely longer, making you’re thinking that more about what you are writing. Due to this fact, you are more likely to remember this information. That is why making flashcards to study is extremely really useful — it’s the same concept.
Furthermore, having this physical object means you too can cross out items once accomplished. This might be satisfying and inspiring, as you may feel the accomplishment as you check off a task. This aspect can act as a motivational tool, in a way that digital calendars cannot, to enable you get your work done.
Cons
In fact, there are downsides to paper calendars similar to digital calendars had. What’s most evident as a con is the incontrovertible fact that you’ll need to carry around your paper planner. Even when it’s sufficiently small to slot in your purse or pocket, that is yet another thing to remember to grab. Should you forget and leave it at home, you will not have access to your schedule on-the-go.
The technique of adding to and amending your paper planner might be barely irksome, too. You’ll have to erase and rewrite information anytime you wish to make a change. And if you happen to use a pen to write down an event, you’ll need to cross it out, which wastes space and might get messy.
Speaking of writing space, paper planners are extremely limited on this department. Especially if you happen to use a small planner, you are confined to a tiny square to write down all of your events. You also won’t give you the chance to include many details due to this limited space. Some planners have an area off to the side so you may elaborate on event information, but that will also be small. Should you need all these details in the same place, a paper planner might be not for you.
Finally, paper planners cannot send you reminders like digital calendars can. You’ll have to depend on your memory for event times and deadlines. You can check your planner periodically throughout the day, but this takes up precious time. Having the ability to set reminders simply makes your life easier.
What Sounds Best for You?
Now that you’ve gotten all the information, you may adequately settle on a winner. Do you wish something physical and tangible as a visible aid? Or do you wish to depend on reminder notifications to stay on task? Perhaps you wish to be more environmentally conscious. Based in your needs, try to pick which system will work best for you. Nevertheless, you may at all times think about using each!
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Ketut Subiyanto; Pexels; Thanks!
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