Tame the Task Monster

Is your task list scary – like a big ol’ monster creeping behind you ready to gobble you up alive?
I know it can seem that way to me sometimes. You can read my tips on taming the task monster on the Store & Style website.

(Below is an actual task monster you can print and use for yourself – or draw your own!)

Paper or Electronic Planner?

People often ask me, which is better to use: a paper or electronic planner?

Here is the answer: There is no right answer.

You first need to figure out some things about your brain and your life, such as:
1. Do you remember things better when you write them down? yes, no
2. Do you have only one or two appointments in a day? yes, no
3. Do you need to see the whole week or month at a glance to get the big picture? yes, no
4. Are you uncomfortable using tech gadgets or have trouble trusting tech gadgets? yes, no
5. Do you often skip reading instructions when you get a new gadget? yes, no
6. When you read a book, do you flip back pages or forward pages? yes, no
7. Do you remember where you wrote something down? Or what color? yes, no
8. When you ask for directions do you prefer a map drawing instead of turn by turn directions? yes, no
9. Do you remember the day of the week more than the numeric date? yes, no
10. You do NOT need to share calendars with anyone. yes, no

If you answer yes to most of these – you will likely do well or better with paper.
You may be a  visual, global thinker, who processes information by writing.

If you answer no, you may be more detail focused and can remember things without seeing them. You may be comfortable using electronic planners.
If you have a ton of appointments to keep track of and you can get by just looking at one day at a time, electronic will proably be a better match.

If you’re some of each, you need a back-up calendar, or you plan with family or colleagues, then you may need to try the electronic thing and do your best to make it work.

One way to be both paper and electronic is to enter things electronically, but print the daily or weekly calendar out to carry with you, keep in a binder,or post on a wall.

Now with that said, you can do the electronic thing and just be a little less comfortable. I have switched and still don’t trust it and don’t remember, so I have to look at my calendar more often. So you may have to do a little somethin’ to MAKE it work.

Have you switched from paper to electronic? How did you make it work?
Have you switched back to paper? We want to know! Leave a comment.

– Allison