The start of the year signals the arrival of several fresh beginnings: new fashion trends that we’ll soon see on the streets, new hair trends that will soon dominate tresses everywhere, and of course – crisp new planners that are waiting to be filled.

Paper vs Digital: How to choose the right planner for maximum productivity

As we turn to our planners to line out our schedules for the rest of the year, there’s always a huge question hanging in the air. It’s the age-old debate: is the traditional paper planner better, or is a digital planner a cut above all? To solve this dateless dilemma, we’ve gathered all the pros and cons of both planners, listed below, so as help you maximise productivity and efficiency in 2021.

The pros of a paper planner

The act of writing has been proven to help when it comes to memorising details better. Your brain is likely to be more focused whilst writing out your schedule and to-do lists, which would also ignite your motivation when listing out goals.

Paper vs Digital: How to choose the right planner for maximum productivity

Writing is also proven to have therapeutic attributes, acting as a therapeutic way for you to release your stress and clarify your thoughts. Plus, paper planners are less distracting, by virtue of them being incapable to send you notifications from your favourite online retailers.

The cons of a paper planner

Paper vs Digital: How to choose the right planner for maximum productivity

The downsides of using a paper planner lies in its cost. Often, planners that are crafted with high-quality, high GSM papers that provide minimal bleed-through from pen inks will require you to fork out a lofty amount from your wallet. Besides its cost, certain paper planners are also bulkier in size. This can cause inconvenience when it comes to bringing your planner with you on-the-go through your day-today life.

The pros of a digital planner

Digital planners are often favoured for their one-time cost. Instead of re-purchasing a planner at the end of its given period, you can simply delete the entries and re-type them again. Digital planners also offer all sorts of convenience and flexibility, as compared to paper planners. If you’ve made a mistake whilst planning, you can simply delete the entry instead of crossing it off. You can also hyperlink any notes, both within or out of the digital planner itself.

Paper vs Digital: How to choose the right planner for maximum productivity

A digital planner is also convenient in its portability. Unlike paper planners, digital planners can easily be accessible through your devices. These days, most digital planners also boast a seamless transition throughout the mediums. So, whether you’re accessing your to-do list or daily schedule on your phone, tablet or laptop, you’ll always be able to view and edit it smoothly.

The cons of a digital planner

Unlike paper planners, digital planners often have limitations and are more restrictive in terms of design tools. You’d have more freedom when planning freehand on paper, as compared to a screen. Replying on a digital planners also means increasing additional screen time, which could further strain the eyes or even cause mild headaches.

Paper vs Digital: How to choose the right planner for maximum productivity

Ultimately, choosing to use a paper or digital planner boils down to your personal lifestyle and unique habits. There is no straightforward answer. You can even use a combination of both planners, to help answer all your daily needs. Whichever planner your choose, make sure that it’s assisting you to maximise your productivity needs, and not causing a hindrance in your day-to-day life.