Why You Should Switch to a Digital Planner

by consistentlyprocrastinating | Jan 16, 2020 | Digital Planners

Why You Should Switch to a Digital Planner

Are you still using a regular planner? Have you ever thought about going digital? Maybe you didn’t even realize there was such a thing as a digital planner? Well, let me tell you a little more about them and why you should make the switch to a digital planner (or bullet journal) today!

First, let me say I am not talking about using your Google Calendar or using some fancy calendar app. I am talking about a digital version of a physical planner. It looks like a paper planner and it acts like one too but better!

See, a digital planner is just a PDF that is made to look like a planner and then you upload it into a note-taking app that allows you to edit the PDF such as GoodNotes or Notability. I am an iPhone user so I use GoodNotes.

GoodNotes is only available for Apple users but Andriod users can use Notability and others. So here is an example of what a digital planner looks like. This is from GoodNotes Goods, Co. It has hyperlinks in the PDF to allow you to jump to certain sections of the planner, like the tabs on the right take you to each month.

It looks just like a real planner, doesn’t it?! So why make the switch to digital? Let’s talk about all the benefits you get from a digital planner that a physical planner just can’t do.

Pros of a Digital Planner vs a Physical Planner

Can be used right from your phone or iPad
More convenient to use
Saves paper
Only need one pencil
Don’t have to buy a new one when it is full
Easily add more pages
Don’t have to buy stickers, tape, pens pencils markers
If you do buy digital stickers you only have to buy them once, when physical stickers you only get one use out of them.
You can use any font you want (not just what you can write)
More customizable
More efficient
Easily make edits
Add images and graphics
Add charts and graphs
Won’t rip or get all banged up
You can add links to other sites or link within the planner
Won’t bleed through and ruin the next page

Going digital you are able to make easier edits and adjustments with a few swipes of your magic wand…I mean stylus. I can’t do that on a regular planner. When I mess up (which happens a lot) I am stuck with that forever. Even if you are using a pencil it still isn’t the same.

Flaws of a Physical Planner or Bullet Journal

I joined a few Bullet Journal/Planner Facebook Groups to get inspirations and ideas on how to use my bullet journal. It is amazing how creative people can be! With a blank paper, they turn it into this beautiful functional work of art.

However, I have seen so many of these talented people share their layouts that have a smudge, a rip, or a bleed through on all their hard work.

For me, I struggle with having a steady hand and the patience to create a layout. But with each of these flaws I just see how much easier, it would be to use a digital version.

There are no mistakes that can’t quickly be fixed with a digital version that you can’t fix on a physical version.

What Is The Best Digital Planner

There is no one perfect planner that fits all. One layout may work better for someone than another layout. I think that is the beauty behind the bullet journal. You are able to customize each page to your own liking. It can be a planner, a mood tracker, a notebook, anything you can dream up! So to me, the best would be a digital bullet journal. I love them so much I created a free one just for you to test this whole digital process out for yourself! It works great with an iPad pro and the GoodNotes app or any other note-taking app.

Grab Your Free Copy!

What is GoodNotes

I will say that GoodNotes does cost I believe $7.99 for the app. But I have spent more on wasted planners than that so this way I can now reuse the digital planners and bullet journals I create over and over again in the GoodNotes app so it is well worth it to me.

Plus, the options that are offered in the app are what makes me love it so much. It makes using your planner so easy!

How Do I Import a Digital Planner into GoodNotes

Once you get the app there is a dotted square with a plus sign, click on that and then choose import, from there you just find the PDF you saved and import it! In the GoodNotes app, you can create folders to keep all of your notebooks and planners all organized. There are free templates and notebooks that you can create in the app as well.

Where Can I Purchase a Digital Planner

There are so many wonderful digital planners available on Etsy that you can purchase one and reuse. Or you could always create your own digital planner for free as I did. If you are thinking you may be interested in creating your own digital planner but need some guidance then no problem, I can help you!

I am launching a Digital Planner Course very soon and if you would like to be kept up to date on when it will go live then sign up here to get all the details!

What is All Included in The Digital Planner Creation Mini-Course

A Walkthrough on How to Create Your Digital Planner
Which Programs to Use to Create a Digital Planner
The Different Styles and Types of Digital Planners
How to Design Your Digital Planner
The Best Apps to Use with Your Digital Planner

This is a perfect opportunity to start 2020 off with your own customized digital planner made for you by you!

I know you will love digital planner just like I do!

Thanks for reading!

Vanessa

What is a Bullet Journal and How to Get Started

by consistentlyprocrastinating | Aug 14, 2019 | Bullet Journals

What is a Bullet Journal and How to Get Started

I had the same questions when I first heard about bullet journals: What is a bullet journal? And how do you start a bullet journal? It wasn’t until I had one for a few months did I finally see the full potential of a bullet journal thanks to Pinterest. When I first heard about a bullet journal it was from another blogger and she shared how she used hers for planning out her blog and scheduling her time. Nothing too fancy. I gave it a try and really I wasn’t having any luck. Then I realized that there was such a thing as a digital version of the bullet journal. That’s when all the flood gates opened up for me on how to use a bullet journal!

Pin Me!

What is a bullet journal?

First, let’s cover what is a bullet journal. It is a journal (not necessarily a notebook but more of a blank journal) with dotted pages (bullets). Each page has small light-colored dots on them to serve as guides while you are creating each page. In this picture, you can barely see the dots on the page but they are they and act as perfect guides to create this awesome layout.

See that is the whole appeal of a bullet journal. It is a blank canvas for you to turn each page into your own creation! Now, I myself am not a very artistic person so you will have to take a look at some of these beautiful designs I found on Pinterest to fully understand!

Each of these is so pretty and it is really the tip of the iceberg of all the different designs you can do with your bullet journal.

How to Get Started?

To get started with your very own journal you would first need to purchase one. I got mine off of Amazon. There are several to choose from so here are some of the ones listed on Amazon. They range around $8 for a journal. There are tons of supplies you can purchase to really decorate your bullet journal all out. Things like stickers, pens, and markers, to even fun designed washi tape! Or you can just a bundle deal like this one. Now here is where I want to stop you for just a sec. As I mentioned above I came across digital bullet journals. I want to share those with you real quick so you can move forward in the direction you choose.

What is a digital bullet journal?

A digital bullet journal is just like it sounds. It is a digital version of a bullet journal that you can use on your iPad, tablet, or even your phone. It comes as a PDF so you just need a program that will allow you to write on the PDF for it to work. For example, there are note-taking apps that allow you to write on a PDF such as GoodNotes, Adobe, Notability, and OneNote. It just depends on your device and your style on which one works for you. To learn all about how awesome digital bullet journals are (and why I feel like they are actually the better option) then check out my post here. Or if you’re sold and you want to give digital bullet journals a test run for yourself you can grab my free digital bullet journal here!

Download Your Free Copy Here!

Now Back to How to Get Started

Once you have chosen your bullet journal people will often get stuck on how to use them. Use these 5 quick steps to help you get started.

1. Ask yourself why you got a bullet journal to begin with?

Was it just for fun because you love all things office supply related? (That is literally half the reason I got one myself) or was it because you are trying to get your life organized and running smoothly? (that’s the second reason I got one)

2. Now elaborate on your answer even more.

If it was just because it looked cool then you are free to draw on each page to your heart’s content! Or if it was to become more organize then think about what part of your life needs the most help. Do you need help tracking your tasks, do you need help tracking how much water you drink or what you eat, or do you need help with all of your daily activities? Really think about why you got the bullet journal to begin with so you can then find the best way to utilize it to help you!

3. Search ideas on Pinterest.

For an overload of inspiration on how you can use each page to track your habits, daily tasks, and more you can research on Pinterest for more ideas. There are thousands of ideas on Pinterest to help get your creative juices flowing on how to best use your new bullet journal.

4. Go with your gut.

Then go with your gut. Pick the one that makes sense to you. If you see a beautiful design but you are confused about how that design helps you achieve your goal, then don’t go with that one. Some people love the over the top designs and some people are more cut and dry and to the point. Pick the layout (or spread) that works for you. Find your inspiration and use it to create your own pages that fit your life!

5. Follow through daily.

This is probably the most important step of all. Work on your journal daily. If you got it to help you get more organized and stay on task then you have to look at it daily. You can’t design all these beautiful pages that have all your daily activities on them and then not look back at it again for a week or two later. That is where everyone goes wrong. Just like how you check social media daily to find out what’s going on in the world, you need to check into your bujo (bullet journal) or planner daily too. Consistency is key. If you stay consistent with using your bullet journal then you will consistently achieve your goals you set out to accomplish on why you got it to begin with!

Comment below with your spreads!

I most definitely want to see your new spreads you have created with your new bullet journal! Please comment below so we can all enjoy! Vanessa