Yesterday the New York Times posted a story on the divide between people who still use paper planners (like Dana Levy—the creator of an online juggernaut, DailyCandy.com!) and those whose calendars are entirely online (such as novelist Ayelet Waldman).
My iCal: Can't live without it
I used to be a strictly paper person.Because my days are filled with interviews for magazine stories (which often get re-scheduled again .. and again), deadlines and family appointments, I eventually realized that it was easier to schedule everything in iCal. The biggest benefit: the appointment reminders that iCal delivers to my email inbox. They’re a life-saver for this sleep-deprived mama, who’s become more than a little forgetful.
My paper planner: Can't give it up
At the same time, I love being able to scribble down ideas and big-picture thoughts, so I use a Moleskin weekly journal to record my workouts and keep track of my week’s goals. Sometimes I think it’s nuts to try to keep up with both—but the paper planner inspires me to be creative and think long-term, and I have yet to find an electronic application with the same perks.
I’m still looking for a good FAMILY calendar—something to keep track of all four of our appointments—and I have yet to find anything I love.
Isn't this a cute DIY idea?
How do you stay on top of your schedule: e-cal or paper planner?
—Camille
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I use a weird mixture of e-cal, paper planner, and white board. I’ll go through phases when one suits me better than the other, so I might go five or six weeks using just my white board, and then switch to a paper planner/iCal combo. There’s not much rhyme or reason to it; I just know when one system has stopped working for me and it’s time to switch. I guess you could say I’m incredibly disorganized when it comes to getting organized!
Natalia, that’s too funny! I like the white board idea … I just saw a great DIY project that involves creating a dry-erase board out of a picture frame. I’ll post about it if I end up trying it.
I am very visual and have to have things in front of me… so I’m an old-fashioned paper gal… If it’s in iCal, and I can’t see it, I’m terrified I’ll forget – even WITH reminders. Maybe it’s time for me to buck up and embrace the technology. I still plot my fiction, etc. on a whiteboard and paper, too. Am afraid Scrivener will be even more work … I know. I’m a lost cause.
I’ll confess I have no interest in trying Scrivener, Melissa. Too much technology makes my brain hurt.
Wow. Camille, I had to click on your iCal just to zoom in to see if that was real. Holy Moley. I’m ordering you a set of Wonderwoman wrist bands immediately. =) Loved your six month post, by the way… I can’t have kids, but I once was seriously ill and remember a proud feeling when my doc told me I had rounded a corner. I think if that’s you’re calendar and it’s just now at six months out, you need to give yourself more credit!
GirlParker, ha! You’re too funny. The calendar looks insane because I have everything on there—work, home, kids’ schedules, husband’s appointments … hence my fear of a computer crash.
Check out Cozi.com for their Family calendar. Keep everything in one place, available to family members via computer or cellphone, sends text message reminders or even send you an email of the Family calendar for the week. Cozi also has lists – great for the shopping list – any member of the family can access the list from their cell phone and pick up what you need.
I have no connection to Cozi, just a happy user.
Barbara, I just checked it out – it looks really great. Thanks for the suggestion!