How to Use a Digital Calendar and Simplified Planner Together for Better Productivity
Learn how to use a digital calendar and a Simplified Planner together to stay organized, manage time better, avoid missed deadlines, and boost daily productivity.
When most people learn that I am using digital calendar in combination with a paper planner to plan my life, many are shocked. When I speak about my affection to traditional planning tools, I do not always add that my digital calendar is something I simply cannot do without in order to make sure that my days are marked by a smooth running. The two tools are significant contributors to my weekly planning process, and to be honest, I could not imagine working without this integrated system.
I have been applying this combo approach since I was still a child and long before the advent of digital planning. The combination makes me more focused, organized and much more productive than utilizing a single tool. By doing so, I am always on schedule, achieve my deadlines, and I am not so stressed about everything that is taking place to me both in personal and professional life.
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Today, I am going to show you behind the scenes, in order to demonstrate how and why I use a digital calendar and Simplified Planner in conjunction with each other- as well as how you can make this system work for you, too.
Digital Calendars & Picture Frames
Why I Use Both a Digital Calendar and a Simplified Planner
The most important reason why I rely on a digital calendar is because of notifications. I have all apps silenced except when it comes to text messages and calendar notifications. I am full of concentration and I can be neglectful of time, so I can say that a little reminder that I have an appointment or a meeting at half past 20 minutes is invaluable. Such reminders save missed calls, lateness, and mishaps in schedules; this cannot be the case with a paper planner only.
I Prefer Time Blocking on Paper, Not Digitally
I am a time blocker, and I get stressed when I organize blocks on a computer-based calendar in color codes. The display becomes cluttered in no time, everything is mixed up and I end up being more disorganized than planned. Paper-wise, however, time blocking is comfortable. My planner enables me to visualize well routines, projects, and appointments and my daily priorities in a calm and clear way.
Rescheduling is easier through Digital Calendars
Life alters rendezvous change positions, meetings change, dates change. The change is easy through digital calendars. It is just a matter of a drag-and-drop.
It would be necessary to cross-out or even white-out for rescheduling with a paper planner, and as much as I use white-out tape, it does not work well when changing frequently. So whatever may change is added to my digital calendar.
Paper Planning helps me to be focused and motivated
Although I utilize emojis and checkmarks on my digital calendar, it will never be the same as having a task that can be physically checked off. The advancement that I make in my planner makes me motivated and focused throughout the day.
I have my planner open by my side in the morning to night because I can clearly see my schedule, what I need to do, and what I need to accomplish. My writing and checking things off pens are black and pink, respectively, the reason is that I make the process of productivity a mini celebration.
Digital Calendars & Picture Frames
How I Use a Digital Calendar and Simplified Planner Together
Step 1: Everything With a Date or Time Goes Into My Digital Calendar
This includes:
- Meetings
- Appointments
- Deadlines
- Events
- Travel dates
- Project timelines
Step 2: I Use My Paper Planner for Time Blocking & Daily Scheduling
Every evening, I sit down and map out the next day:
- Morning & evening routines
- Work blocks
- Priority tasks
- Meals
- Appointments
- Calls or emails to handle
When it is a part of my day, it is assigned a time block. I also leave smaller, flexible, tasks on the list of things to do on the side of the page so I do not fill my time blocked sheet.The hour-by-hour format of the Simplified Planner also makes visual planning very easy and this format does not tempt me to overload my timetable.
How to Use Digital Calendar’s Features – Complete Guide
How to Use Digital Calendar’s Features 2 – Complete Guide
My End-of-Day Planning Routine
At the end of each workday, I review both my digital calendar and my daily task manager to see:
- What I accomplished
- What needs to move to tomorrow
- What deadlines or events are coming up
- Whether anything needs rescheduling
Then, I sit down with my planner and write out my schedule and to-do list for the next day.
I do this every single day because it helps me:
- Stay organized
- Prepare for what’s ahead
- Focus on the right tasks
- Remain consistently productive
This simple routine keeps my life running smoothly and eliminates the stress of waking up and wondering what I need to do.
FAQ – How to Use a Digital Calendar
Final Thoughts
A combination of a digital calendar and Simplified Planner offers you the convenience of the digital world combined with the clarity of the paper world. Reminders make you stay updated and pen and paper planning make you think straight, keep things in order and see what counts through. When you get an idea of creating a rhythm between the two, you would see that your days would run with a lot easier way and your output would multiply automatically.
