Choosing a Paper or Electronic Planner/Calendar
By Beryl Westby
As our lives become more complex so do our planner needs. Adopting one system and keeping your information centralized in one location is the key to staying organized.
Some benefits of a paper planning system are:
- It is always on. When you want to make a note, you can do so without having to turn on your computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
- It is inexpensive. A good planner system to help you keep track of your events, appointments, tasks to do list, important dates and addresses cost starts around $75.
- No danger of crashing. About the only way you would lose all your data in a paper planner would be if you lost it.
- Always ready. A paper planner has no batteries to recharge or replace.
Some benefits of using a PDA planning system are:
- No re-writing necessary. Tasks can be carried over to the next day.
- Mobility. PDA’s are much lighter than a paper planner and takes up less space in your briefcase, car or on a plane.
- Audio bells and whistles. Some PDA systems have built-in alarms to remind you of appointments. Some also have a warning system to let you know when one appointment conflicts with another.
- Easy to consolidate information. A PDA can be synched with your office computer, your home computer and an administrative assistant’s computer.
Some benefits of using Microsoft Outlook as your planning system:
- No re-writing necessary. Tasks can be carried over to the next day.
- Inexpensive. Outlook alone can be purchased for around $100.
- Audio bells and whistles. Outlook warns of scheduling conflicts. It has alarms to remind you of appointments and tasks.
- Easy update for contacts. Contact information can be easily updated without crossing out or using Wite-Out.
- Stationary, but mobile. An Outlook planner can’t get lost or misplaced because your planner is on your computer. You can print out one day, a week, or a month at a time to take with you on days you are not by your computer. You can also print out addresses, one or all of them, for trips.
About the Author
Beryl Westby is an organizing consultant and the name of her business is No More Chaos. You can get a free Idea-Kit, filled with tips and ideas on organizing, a free newsletter and tips, articles and ideas to create order out of chaos by visiting her website at www.nomorechaos.biz.
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Hi,
I personally use one daily paper planner to take notes and write down voice mail messages. Then I use my Outlook at work to keep track of everything else.
I even use my paper planner to keep track of personal errands that I have to run and meetings that I have to attend.
As you mentioned, each system has their own advantages and disadvantages. Each person just needs to figure out what works best for them.
Thanks for the tips,
Richard Rinyai
http://www.theprofessionalassistant.net