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Paper or Technology. Should PDAs carry a health warning?

We are often asked by newcomers to handheld devices like Palm, IPAQ and personal information managers like Microsoft Outlook, TaskTimer and Lotus Notes  which systems work more effectively- paper planners  or technology diaries? While these devices offer their own advantages and disadvantages, the secret to having a formidable system is to combine the fast processing power of electronic devices with the personal management power of the PLANiT OrganiZer systems.

We have found many,many disillusioned users of expensive handhelds and PIMs return to the PLANiT OrganiZers because they feel more strategically creative when planning on paper; are often fed up with the small screens and keyboards or frustrated with battery failure or not being able to see a snap shot big picture at a flick of a page. Most complain writing is more friendly at customer meetings, giving better eye contact than electronic devices including tablets, whose writing surface feels "scratchy".

IT persons who need to write the architecture,directory notes, page titles,programme codes very often see it better on paper and white boards. They keep a hard copy in the portable planner with a softcopy backup. Its really getting the best out of both worlds. Electronic for speed in data access and planners as a tool to minimise stress,frustration and develop proactivity and creativity.

While electronic devices have great plus points they are inadequate when it comes to personal management which requires clarity, reflection, deliberate planning and prioritisation.

• The advantage of your PLANiT OrganiZer system is that it promotes creativity, time control and proactive mental processes. The electronic devices do not encourage you to think as hard. How often have you seen a very long list of To Do's with very few being actually completed.Then that list rolls over and over till you have hundreds of incompleted tasks. That only leads to lower self esteem at the end of the day making you wonder where your time went!. And why do we make such unachievable, non smart and long to do lists on the computer? Simply because its quick to type with out thinking how long it will take to complete the task or is it a realistic task delivering high ROI? Whereas writing requires some contemplation and mutual agreement with those you are working with.Only PLANiT OrganiZer offers planning tools to focus on the I must do, I should do and I could do tasks with a method to measure what you achieved. It becomes your visual conscience. There is no hidden data behind a number of windows. Just keep it open and see,act and measure your daily performance.
• Electronic devices are brilliant at communication and processing and managing data.Use those benefits to the full extent.However, an electronic diary has little to do with planning, and even less with time management. People who now rely purely on business electronics have no real appreciation of good time planning or how to handle that most valuable of assets: time.Very often they miss meetings, or come unprepared or have that age old excuse when following up on a delegated task: I forgot! And that happens because they get out of the daily planning routine. Even busy house mums believe in a realistic to do list,often hung on the fridge door.Have you ever wondered how multi skilled these mums are! They sure get through a lot each day because they Plan. At the how to use the PLANiT OrganiZer instruction course you will see a fool proof method of ensuring delegated tasks are delivered on time.
• Daily planning: This is the first step to reaching your big goal. A step at a time in measurable and intelligent way delivers greater results.  Read more about this process at Prioritised planning
• Master control: The spacious month over two pages gives you the whole picture at a glance of all your activities planned for the month- they include people to telephone, follow ups on delegated tasks and prospects, project milestones for a successful project outcome, family appointments and career meetings.The 2 pages per day planning pages also gives you a total overview - the most important pre-requisite for setting the right priorities.Take notes, make appointments with yourself when things get on top of you, measure your time activity very simply and more

To work hand in hand with the computer and day planner try this system:

• All information like group meetings, definite appointments, which has to be networked because of your method of working, should be managed rationally by PIM. A clear overview of this networked information will probably also be useful to have at hand - say at external meetings. So print it out and add it to your daily planner sheets. Try the elegant PC Partner V8day planner. It includes the bare essentials to avoid making paper planners bulky. Just carry  scheduled appointment printouts hole punched for the elegant and slim planner cover, monthly dividers, Contact Project Manager pads and only a month of the daily dated diary pages.

We often advise you to print out your appointments in the form of weekly or monthly basis, to avoid transferring them manually. If you are out of office or do not have access to your PIM, write new appointments in your organiser in colour. When you want to update your PIM, you can see at a glance which appointments to update to your computer. You can do the same with your addresses.

Use your PLANiT OrganiZer system as a mental sparring partner for those non-electronic, 'mental moments'. These involve thinking ahead and reflecting, e.g.being a back seat driver,setting values and goals, getting projects up and running, preparing for important meetings, seeking creative solutions and setting clear priorities. The day planner system, with its daily, hand-written planning, will still be the primary tool for organising your time. You can use entries or transfers of tasks, contacts and appointments as an opportunity to think the activity through. By turning things over in your mind this way, you let each day take shape in advance. This is what time planning really means.

Then you set the priorities and thus work out your detailed planning, by mentally 'jumping into' the day. Purely personal thoughts and information belong in your paper based planning system.

Growth of PDA injuries a concern for companies