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Even though we are a technology-driven world, paper planners are still a force to be reckoned with. If you were to do a look-see across social media, you will find thousands of groups and shops devoted to the paper planner proving that once more, paper may be better, and if not better, a force still going strong.

Where paper planners were once relegated to plain leather binders and boring paper products, such as the original FiloFax, Day-Timer, and Franklin Covey, there are now vibrant colored binders and the week on a page or two is limited only to the imagination of the one setting up the planner. Gone are the boring white pages in lieu of pretty colors and washi tape and stickers!

Why settle for plain white paper when holidays can now be recognized with brightly colored stickers and an array of colored inks! How is all of this related to the advantage of the paper planner? Ladies, and gentlemen, there are some of us who take our planning quite seriously! In the midst of all the brightly colored binders and seasonal stickers and papers, are our appointments, our obligations, and our memories.

I’ve tried the electronic calendars and find that nothing out there comes close to the joy of putting pen to paper, at least for me; and several other million people across the globe. It is how I regulate my life, how I keep from overplanning and remember to schedule a little “me” time.

Here are a few reasons for using a paper planner, even for those of you who are completely and totally committed to your electronic devices!

• No more missed appointments! This was a biggie for me. I missed opening up my month at a glance and assessing immediately when and where appointments were scheduled.
• No more missing birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays! I can’t think of anyone who enjoys knowing that you forgot their birthday or your own anniversary!
• Having the security of opening up a book and seeing your entire month set out before you when scheduling activities and meetings.
• Sitting in a doctor’s office and being able to have all of your medications at the flip of a page. (Secret – this is my Evernote file but it’s still a good one!)
• Your ToDo list! This is my favorite! In my opinion, there is nothing better than a good old-fashion handwritten To Do list.
• You can use sticky notes as temporary notes that can be moved around. Your smartphone would look a little silly with stickies on it. With no designated place for notes, especially those sticky notes we all love and utilize, they tend to become airborne and land in places unknown never to be seen again.
• A ready place for jotting down those instant thoughts that you know you’ll remember later, but then don’t. Imagine having a designated section in your planner for just those thoughts!
• A place for corralling all those receipts and expenses from trips or everyday life. A smart phone just cannot do this unless you take the time and effort to capture the receipts electronically. I like handling paper.
• Imagine being the person in a meeting that has all the notes from previous meetings handy as well as a calendar to schedule future meetings. Yep! That is always me.

As you can see from the above list, there is something comforting about paper that I don’t think we will ever be entirely rid of. Paper or electronic or a little of both? I would love to hear your thoughts!