The Pros and Cons of Digital Planning 📙

[@BNris]

Haven't tried digital planning before, but I think one of the appeals of journaling is that it ISN'T digital. I spend my day at work on a computer and my evenings playing video games with my partner, so the time I carve out in between for planner time and reading, I'm really wanting to keep non-digital. Plus, with my ADHD, by the time I open my lock screen to get to the planner, I'll have seen something shiney and completely lost my train of thought 🤣 I can't even keep digital notes because of that, I just keep a scratch pad at all of desks and take a picture of it at the end of the day. /Compromise!

[@angelabassett7984]

The downside to digital for me is that I need to leave my page open on my desk for me to remember upcoming events/tasks/meetings. With digital, you have to open the app and you can’t just leave it open to view all day.

[@HarmonyHillsHomeandGarden]

I’ve done both analog and digital. I’m LOVING using Zinnia… it’s so perfect for me! All the features I need, and ability to erase and redo, rearrange, etc. I’m still handwriting with my Apple Pencil, so I still have that physical experience. Perfect!!!!

[@happy_with_my_planner]

First of all, this podcast is exactly what I have been searching for in the planner community ever since I discovered it nine years ago. 💜 I use the Office package at work. I even present my self as Queen of Outlook to my colleagues. (I got the name at an earlier job and it’s still true 😅) We use Google calendar at home because my boyfriend needs to know what is going on and he can read my planner. But for myself I use my frankenplanned Happy Planner, because I’ve always felt that I think better on paper. Looking forward to your next episode, which I might listen to with my boyfriend…

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Glad to have you as part of the podcast community 😄 Big fan of a shared calendar for home life 👌

[@BradtheBeardedPiper]

Another planner guy. I have a channel, but it's based on my pipe collecting hobby. I'm a very basic bullet journal guy. I've used a notebook for years and just learned in January how to organize it when I watched Ryder's first video. Digital planning becomes background noise for me. I've only tried a few apps, Google, Outlook, etc. But, the device leads me to distractions-- emails, Facebook, KZbin, etc. Every Sunday, I go through the shared Google calendar my wife and I have and update my monthly and weekly. Then, I go through my Outlook calendar from work and put it in my TN. Works like a charm for my ADHD brain.

[@Pixite]

Thanks for your kind words about Zinnia! Enjoyed hearing about your love of our Studio and calendar linking. This whole convo is awesome :)

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Oh course. Honestly it’s the best out there in my opinion -Mark

[@Telkana806]

I use OneNote for my digital planning for work. Our company limits what applications we can use (but I've been using OneNote for decades ago, starting when I was in college). Being able to link to other parts of the notebook is one of the features I rely on. I think security is something that should be considered for what you use for digital planning too.

[@juliepenn4327]

The tag assignment and summery is a lifesaver. I never loose track of a task beacuse the summery is there!

[@with_Love404]

Hi, I feel very concerned by today's thème. I use a paper journal for years now and always give up when it comes to digital planning because I couldn't get everything in one place. Two weeks ago i gave it another try with Notion and I'm pretty proud of it. Now my problem is that i have everything to record twice... 😅 (I'm sorry if my grammar is not so good, I'm french) Thank you for your videos it comes with such great reflections. Thank you so much 😊

[@Siferiax]

Having to record everything twice is a struggle! 😂 I'm trying to somehow get around it? But I haven't found a workable solution.

[@katlero28]

I did 6 months of digital planning using Goodnotes and a hobonichi dupe planner. It. Was. AMAZING! It was the BEST way for me to start my planning and bujo journal cause it removed all my perfectionism anxiety or unsureness of the type of layouts that were going to work me. I could do ALL the trial and error without fear of ruining a book or pages. I’m back to an analog planner, but a digital daily bujo using the native Reminders app and widget on my phone. I don’t always need my planner on me, I don’t always have a physical bujo. But I ALWAYS have my phone on me. It’s been the best marriage of planning and bullet journaling for me so far.

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Ooo this does sound amazing. I’m sure there is a magic approach to an analog and digital system. But how to do that without duplication is the snag. Thanks for sharing . -Mark

[@pdxjill]

I used a digital bullet journal for 4 years - I loved it because I could import my photos and motivational sayings from pinterest, I could erase and manipulate the pages as much as I wanted, and I could take it anywhere. I hated it because you can't "flip" through it the same way. And the older my iPad got, the slower it got so I couldn't load the pages as quickly. I use my journal as a planner and as a memory keeper and I was worried that eventually the app would no longer be supported and I would lose all my content. That can't happen with a paper journal. You just can't beat the feeling holding a chunky, used journal in your hand 🥰

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Interesting perspective about the solo gravity and support. Not something I thought of but a really good point! - Mark

[@emillyw5622]

I use digital planning more for capturing information to go in my notebook later. One of my favourite is the speech to text function for when I am driving and think of something I need to remember later.

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Speech to text is such an underrated feature I swear 😝

[@catherinescorner716]

I tried digital planning briefly when I first thought about getting into bullet journaling, but didn’t have an Apple Pencil at the time, so it was harder to write comfortably on my iPad. I was also just using the free version of Goodnotes and creating my own pages, which also got old fast. What keeps me from really exploring digital planning at this point, though, is that I’m an online teacher, so I spend a lot of time sitting in front of my computer, staring at a screen, and I don’t want my planning/leisure time to also be screen-dependent.

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

That pencil / stylus makes a lot of the difference in my opinion. I love writing vs typing - so I feel you. - Mark

[@sallyedwards2911]

Another great episode! Let's start with... I'm 50+, and I have thoughts.... I'd love to do Digital Planning, I'd love the convenience of a Lightweight Device, the ability to swap and change Dates/Events digitally, I'd love to Memory-Keep with Photos as we travel in our Caravan, do a Digital Reading Tracker etc. basically all the fun things 🙂... but what stops me is 1. I don't do Subscriptions (they're Death by a Thousand Cuts for young people IMHO) 2. I'm an Android user. 3. What happens if an App that I choose to use shuts down or starts a Subscription service - then I feel like my Data will be Lost. 4.Where's the Future Digital Planner Posterity? I don't feel that it's as likely my kids/grandkids would dig into my Digital Archives as to pick up my Pen and Paper Planner to look through! So, I guess my question is... are there Digital Planners that you can Print at the end of a Year? I'd be happy to Print & Bind Once or Twice a Year, if such a thing was possible, then I could have the best of both worlds. Wow, that was a lot more to say than I'd initially thought it would be, oops, lol.

[@LewisLittle66]

Planner guy here! I don't have a channel or anything. My planner would be far too boring to share. No decoration, no washi tape, no stickers, highlighters, stamps or anything else. Just the raw Ryder Carrol method and one fountain pen. I use digital planning at work because it has to be shareable with my manager and my team so I use the tools provided by my employer (Outlook/Teams/Excel).

[@Mongoly8]

I absolutely love my remarkable!!!!! I have the first generation because it was my sisters and she upgraded to the new one and let me buy off her old one for only 100 USD. It's amazing for all sorts of notes. I'm now a professor and I use it for all my lecture notes, homework solutions and the like.

[@mizzelle71]

Pro: ease of sharing with others, portable and flexibility Cons: battery use, cost of Ipad/pencil, and limited to Mac OS for Good Notes/ Zinnia

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Thanks for your pros and cons - Mark

[@lisamugscraps4196]

I love Zinnia. I create my reading journal there. I can just copy and paste book covers and I don’t have to deal with printing and cutting. All my other planning is physical notebooks.

[@ameriecatladystudios]

I have a lot of Rocketbooks that you take a picture of and it will transcribe the notes into digital writing. Honestly, I like them, but I don't use them as much as I used to.

[@cvvzdesigns]

The struggle I have with that idea is that my phone does the same thing, translating my written notes into word documents. It would have to be useful in another way to justify getting something more on top of my phone.

[@ameriecatladystudios]

@@cvvzdesigns There are some meeting that I have to attend where being on my phone (or laptop) taking notes is not a good look, so having a notebook that I can write in, then transfer to my computer was nice. They were also reusable, you just wipe the pages with a damp cloth and could use them again, but the dry time made that less good.

[@cvvzdesigns]

@@ameriecatladystudios No, I mean I write in a notepad, the exact same way you do the rocketbook, just without the reusability unless I erase it all (I prefer pencil for notes). ;) :D

[@candicefelice8380]

I have a remarkable 2. It’s like 300 I think. I love it. I’ve had it for two years now and it’s working still super duper well. For me worth every penny.

[@TooMuchADHDMillennial]

I started bullet journaling in 2015 after discovering it through Pinterest in grad school. It was a creative outlet that doubled as my personal schedule and to do. I kept it up for 5-6 years but decided to pause after the birth of my child. Last year I discovered another KZbinr (Flourish Planner) when I was considering getting an iPad to help me reduce the literal weight of a notebook in addition to having multiple schedule and organizing apps at my finger tips. I have purchased the premade planners from Flourish Planner as they have worked well as a crossover schedule planner for both my personal and work life domains. However, I just couldn’t get myself to bujo on the iPad. It is not the same! I am weird because I learned quickly how to have “good” handwriting on the iPad. But! I am currently figuring out how to reintegrate an analogue bujo into my life to function more mindfully along with my digital planner. Not there yet but figuring it out. Thank you for this podcast! 🖋️&🖊️

[@maxk1899]

Notion and physical planners absolutely!

[@mopete9830]

So happy to see this in my recommended. I personally use a eink tablet that runs on Android. It has a stylist, the screen has a built in screen protector that makes it like your writing on paper. The screen is actually a color eink so I still get all my favorite colors. I put homemade templates on it for the notes app on the device that are my planner pages I made in canva. And then I also made some scrapbook paper and washi tape pngs that have a clear background so I can put them wherever I want and I don't have to connect to the internet at all when I use it. So I have much the same experience I had on paper that I have on my onyx boox note air 3c. But better, because I don't have to drag out all my supplies. And it's comparable in size to my b5 notebook which is amazing. I also use it as my ereader so my reading gets followed up by immediately being able to use my reading journal. And I can create hyperlinks between the journal and the book and put my highlights from my book in super easy. I'm all digital now. I don't think I'll go back, but I will keep my fountain pens for when I need a pen.

[@DistanceTraveled]

Ah! A Boox is my dream tablet for me! I'm glad to hear you are enjoying using it.

[@mopete9830]

@@DistanceTraveled the note air 3c is amazing. I would compare it in size to a b5 notebook with the single page size and not a double page. I just make all my pages in canva and put them on whichever page I need them on. It's also gotten rid of the need for a index. I use the base notes software and really enjoy it. You can even use all the tools from the notes section in the books section so if you have a prepaid digital journal the hyperlinks totally still function. I use mine every day. i not only read more, I write more, and use my various journals more than ever. It's been super helpful for my adhd and anxiety.

[@kittyc7728]

Awesome episode as usual! Very thought provoking and you've given some good thought to the topic. I used to be heavy into digital planning but the cons outweighed the pros for me, so I'm almost entirely analog. The biggest cons for me ended up being the cost of subscriptions and the way that they go about implementing the subscriptions. I used to use Trello for a long time, but then they limited the free version to be entirely unusable and locked everything behind a subscription. All that work was already in there, and now to use it, I had to pay. The other side is the cost of replacing technology like ipads and computers, and having to be locked into a tech ecosystem. Like Zinnia only works on Apple, so now if you need to replace your tablet, you're stuck with Apple. I cross multiple ecosystems, with an iPhone, iPad, Windows PC, Linux PC and some Android devices that I use from time to time as well, so Zinnia is right out. My biggest pro for analog planning is that my data is mine. With so many stories about our data in the cloud being used for things that we had no idea it would be used for, it's nice to know that my life is not where someone else generally can get ahold of it. It's a tactile thing, too. I love my leather traveler's journal (a gift from my wife, and I smile every time I use it because it was such a thoughtful gift), and I make my own booklets for it with some dot grid loose-leaf, a fun scrapbook cardstock cover, and a bit of saddle stitching, so the cost is really reasonable as well (if you overlook my fountain pen 😅). I loved the sync capability of digital, but I have always needed more than a couple apps to replace everything that I do in my traveler's journal. I can wholeheartedly understand the appeal of digital, though, and I love that the tools and apps available today make it easier and more fun for people to get into planning.

[@reneecase5324]

I tried artful agenda for A bit. I hated that if I did not have good cell service or WiFi, I couldn’t access my lists etc. I’d have to take screenshots before going to the store. And just missed the multi sensory of paper. Back in my passion planner and much happier!

[@ruonpaper]

Thank you both for another great episode! I've used digital planning mostly for work, and analog planning for everything else. Like Jess, I type so much faster than I write, so especially for meeting notes or big brain dumps digital makes it so much easier. But then anything paper and pen related is also a hobby, so nothing really beats that in terms of enjoyment. As a planner boy with a planner/pen channel, I'm very much looking forward to the next episode! I remember being SO excited when I first came across Mark's channel years ago and hearing another man talking about not just planners but also stickers, stamps etc. and just really feeling seen. 💛

[@NatashaMillerCreates]

ReMarkable is AMAZING - and industrious people have made templates for them too so I have been checking those out. And Jess, I use my ReMarkable as a scribble book where I have sketched layouts ideas too 😁😆

[@derekroche]

Planner guy here! Just started this year as an attempt to stay organize and help with my ADHD. You both have been instrumental in my learning process...thank you so much for sharing your content!!

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Thanks Derek! Glad to have you as part of the community 😄

[@rebeccafrost7162]

I think I’m going to need to transition to a digital planner/bullet journal. My work calendar is 100% digital, and others can add to it as well as me, so I have to stay on it regularly. Which means, I have rarely pulled out my notebook bullet journal to use it, let along reference it. I’m trying to find a good middle ground between being creative and hand writing things, and using the work-provided and necessary calendar. I’m at a loss as to what to do next. And, I’m glad I’m not the only one who is turned off by having to pay a subscription for regular upgrades to an app.

[@bonnief1025]

I was setting up a digital bujo as I watched this, but it is my first time and it’s for the purpose of tracking my health. I’m making a PowerPoint template and I’ll probably use NoteFul or something to annotate and actually journal.

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Oh smart to use PowerPoint. A lot you can do on there. Best of luck with the set up

[@andshereads]

I do a hybrid digital and analog planning. Things I really need to remember start in my pen and paper planner and eventually everything ends up in it, but for appointments and stuff, it goes into my google calendar and I have a week long widget view on my home screen so I can just pull out my phone and glance when making plans on the go.

[@rebeccafrost7162]

I think I’m going to need to transition to a digital planner/bullet journal. My work calendar is 100% digital, and others can add to it as well as me, so I have to stay on it regularly. Which means, I have rarely pulled out my notebook bullet journal to use it, let along reference it. I’m trying to find a good middle ground between being creative and hand writing things, and using the work-provided and necessary calendar. I’m at a loss as to what to do next.

[@Oki.J]

I'm using good notes 5 and I don't care about the update... honestly I bought an iPad just to do 2 things that was procreate and good notes.. it works well enough that I have a blank page and I can do whatever. What I use it for most is designing my sewing projects aka drawing the clothing. Like making the things I draw into stickers so that I can duplicate it like it's nothing... that was one thing I couldn't do in a physical journal. Also just having reference images all over the note book without needing to print them out is a huge step up for me. I do miss having a physical journal that I physically put cute stickers all over but it is not functional for me in the end

[@audrasprinkle-moser3105]

I really wanted to do digital planning so I bought all the accessories like the Apple Pencil and the matte screen protector... I downloaded Goodnotes and decided to tackle it. I tried to write down the month inside a box for a spread and the stupid box wouldn't move where I wanted it and I promptly quit; it took less than 30 minutes. I don't have the patience for it. I want to be able to jot a note and move on rather than tapping on the screen 30 times to get the boxes to line up. I am sure it was an operator error, but I am not interested in figuring out why. Now my iPad plays planner videos while I journal. 😆

[@lauemiands]

I used digital planning before I started bullet journaling. It was actually just google calendar. I very quickly learned that I don't remember anything I type. I still have google calendar now, but it is just for on the go appts. Everything gets transferred to my bujo.

[@DistanceTraveled]

I used to use Quicken for financial records, but I hate subscriptions. So I am a bit adrift right now as to what will gel with my brain.

[@kimfields1000]

I use a hybrid of digital/paper planning. The ability to have repeat events is so useful on digital! I also love Zinnia for the digital stickers. So fun!

[@nightwolfs_den]

i use Artful Agenda on my phone and laptop but it all ends up in my paper planner eventually. I love my paper products and pens way too much to 100% il lol

[@dancooper-jones]

your spelling isn't that bad Jess😂. touch typing is a very valuable skill, that I actually learnt from my great grandmother on a typewriter, so I say go for it Jess. I've never tried digital planning, beyond having the notes and calender on my phone, to be able to "plan" on the go if I don't actually have my journal. I don't think I would use a digital space either, because I find that I put my phone down and walk away for a few hours (apart from that one time when it was 2 days). but also, I remember more from the physical act of writing, and I don't have that same connection with typing. I'm also trying to regain movement in my right hand after my neighbours dog bit the ever loving hell out of my arm last year, so while the writing hurts (in the areas that aren't dead now), it also helps.

[@warriorthu]

So far, I still plan on paper, but I like using my iPad as an actual notepad or collection of notebooks because I get overwhelmed by having too many actual notebooks and notepads. But it still means that I have to carry around both a planner and my iPad, so I'm trying to figure out how to streamline everything. Also, I too am such a fountain pen fan that I don't think I could give them up.

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

I feel you on the pen snob part ;-) I find myself doing the same with carrying notebooks and iPad. Just different used and needs - Mark

[@warriorthu]

@@PlannerPalsPodcast I HAVE been enjoying the new "stub nib" setting on Goodnotes though!

[@drewconway7135]

44:50 I’m a planner guy. I wouldn’t say I’m hiding, per se, but so much of the content that is produced around planners-both in terms of media and actual planners and ephemera (stickers, washi tape, stamps, etc.)-is either targeted toward women or has a very feminine aesthetic.

[@Siferiax]

I may be a female, but I totally agree. Needs more monster truck washii 😂 (not sure why that was the first thing I thought of, but I am a fan of big chunky/bulky objects)

[@Mongoly8]

lol my unread emails is in the 18,000s. To be fair this is 5 accounts and in the last year this number hasn't changed so much the problem is the back log of unread emails.

[@julielavers3394]

I love your podcast!❤❤❤

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy it 😄

[@jennrecord2784]

I am definitely technically untrained, so I am paper and pen!!! If you design your own you will for sure know or atleast know enough to muddle thru without asking "what now?".......remember your grandchildren will probably decide where you live out your days...don't burden then nowloL

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Paper and pen are great :-)

[@ericamartin3612]

So I made a bullet journal layout and took a picture of it. Then I used galaxy notes to hand write in it. It was awesome bc I could make a huge layout but it fits in my phone. .bought a samsung tablet for this and everything.... then.... I copied a section of info and lost it by accident somehow. I dropped it all together. It pissed me off so bad.

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

This is a really cool way to turn something analog digital. Cool idea

[@ericamartin3612]

@@PlannerPalsPodcast thank u!!!

[@TooMuchADHDMillennial]

Damn Jashi, shots fired at time stamp 8:50 minutes.

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Haha 😂 all said with love of course!

[@tsmith6250]

Yay! Planner Pals Podcast day.

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Heck yeah! 💪

[@nurseelle]

Any thoughts on Rocket Book bullet journaling, since you can digitally archive and/or have it with you anywhere on your phone??

[@hanagara1907]

I have a friend has over 10,000 unread emails, it PHYSICALLY HURTS to look at

[@dancooper-jones]

oh my god! this is sending me into a tail spin just reading it, don't think I could be friends with them without either dealing with their emails for them, or just murder😂

[@TooMuchADHDMillennial]

I am that friend. Last I looked it was around 15k 😂😅

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Oh dear 😂

[@alysenicoley]

lol whoops I have over 40,000 😅 it’s all spam because I don’t bother opening spam, fishing, or scam emails but I also don’t delete them. I just read the ones I need. Also like my bank sends emails but I just check my app and don’t read them same for other accounts so the just pile up and now there’s too many to even think about trying to delete them.

[@nickyvanderschaaf]

I have a samsung galaxy s22 ultra so I can handwrite notes on the go, but I still can't get into full digital bullet journalling, and I mainly use it for braindump

[@jdennhardt8595]

All of the wonderful digital planning tools that are out there do not help me with a core problem. When I work digitally, I need to be able to type - and not with my fingers on a keyboard on the tablet/ipad itself. If I can't type, my thought process is a very different one and the digital benefits for me are out the window. In an analog planner I can organise my thoughts more visually rather than long form. Yes, I can do that in GoodNotes, but the likelihood that I will find the info when I need it is minimal.

[@rode_rash3956]

I keep wanting to try digital planning, but if I can't get it to have the same layouts as my written planner, then it isn't going to work for me. I have a tried and true system that I have built over the last 3 years. I like my current system. But if I could get a digital planner to look like my written one, I might completely go digital. Though now I have a ton of art supplies to make my written one look pretty, and I enjoy setting up a new month. I don't know. Maybe. *sigh*

[@HarmonyHillsHomeandGarden]

Zinnia can do anything your handwritten version can do. If you’re on Apple products, I really recommend it.

[@nt0020]

Too bad about zinnia. Sounds like a great tool but I'm a Galaxy, Samsung person

[@PlannerPalsPodcast]

Yeah it’s a really cool app

[@chfr1967]

ROCKETBOOK. Love it. I can take any notes, doodles, & whatever's. They have blank, dot, graph and lined pages. There are calendar layouts so I can preplan things out ahead of time. You can take a picture and save it to computer. If you never want to see it again Whip it away forever with a little water. Possible down side, can only use Frixion pens, and if you leave it in a hot car it will also get whipped away. Christina 🦝

[@raelenepurtill1729]

Hi Planner Pals. Real notebook planners for the win. I am at the age where I want to leave a legacy and fear it will be like I never existed if I use digital coz it will disappear. 🫥