What’s More Effective: Paper Calendars or Online Calendars (Part 1)

Have you ever been late to a meeting because you simply forgot about it? Have you scheduled an evening meeting at the same time your son had a basketball game?

In the next three posts, we’ll take a look at calendaring and if you should utilize an online calendar or a paper calendar.


Online Calendars

We live in a day with instant access to social media, email, podcasts, books, bank account information and much more all on our smart phone device. Even while sitting behind the desk throughout the day, we easily have access information related to work or ministry on our computer. The same applies to online/electronic calendars. With an online calendar, you can access your schedule anywhere in the world and as long as you have internet access, your calendar can be updated in real time. Here are additional benefits on using an online calendar as well as a reason to not utilize an online calendar.

Shareability - Most online calendars have the capability to share your schedule/calendar with other people. You can create a Family Calendar, work calendar, blogging calendar, etc. and share that calendar with your Administrative Assistant, family or supervisor so those close to you are aware of your schedule.  

Accessibility - Whether you are at a conference, a trip overseas, or a training event, you can access your calendar. Also, most smart home devices have the capability to add an event to your calendar without even opening up your smartphone, simply by speaking to a device. Accessibility to online calendars are easier today than years past.

Reminders/Notifications - You can set most online calendars to remind you automatically of an event 10 minutes before the event. You can even receive a daily email schedule of the events in your calendar. Reminders and notifications are great tools to use to keep you on track throughout the day.

Distractions - Finally, one reason to not use an online calendar would be how easily distracted a user can be. Email notifications, text messages, social media alerts, or websites can become distractions to the task at hand. If you fear you can become easily distracted or you have other reasons to not use an online calendar, then a paper calendar is the other alternative.

Next week we will discuss paper calendaring and explore how it is beneficial and if there are any concerns with using a paper calendar. 

Share with readers what ways you see online calendaring more beneficial than paper calendaring? How do you see online calendaring less beneficial?

---