Digital Planning: Additional Tools & Apps
Published: January 24, 2022
There are so many ways to incorporate digital planning into your routine. This post goes over some of the basics of digital planning with a note taking app. But there are so many other useful apps and online platforms that supplement (or even supplant) digital planners. Here is a quick list of my favorites to help you get started.
THE FUNDAMENTAL APPS
You probably already know and/or use these but any list about digital planning apps would be incomplete without them.
The Google Suite - Calendar, Docs, Numbers, Etc.
Apple - Calendar, Notes, To-Do, Etc.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
All of the apps listed in this section are available on desktop, iOS, and Android.
This is currently my favorite productivity tool to use with a digital planner. (This blog post was drafted using Notion!) It’s great for task planning, project management, writing, and note taking because of its flexibility. Create calendars, to-do lists, blog drafts, kanban boards, gantt charts, and more! And even though it can do a lot, it isn’t too difficult to learn.
Two powerful and useful project management software. Trello is a digital version of Kaban boards. Asana has a Kanban option, but also incorporates more robust project and task management options.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Do you ever find yourself procrastinating on your phone or iPad? These apps can help you manage your time better.
Plant a digital tree in Forest! If you leave the app during the timer, the tree withers. If you don’t, you get coins which can be used to purchase other tree skins in the app or plant real trees!
Freemium alternatives: Flora, Focus Dog, Study Bunny
Pomodoro timers
Forest and the other apps listed above are great pomodoro timers. But if you’re looking for something more straightforward try these apps:
BONUS TIP: The Focus tool in iOS has also been great for eliminating distractions from my phone and iPad. During certain hours of the day you can set who can or can’t contact you and what apps can send notifications.
DESIGN APPS
Decorate your digital planner with the help of these apps:
Procreate ($9.99, US)
To create art and stickers for your digital planner
There are other digital drawing apps out there but Procreate is by far my favorite, especially for creating drawings to include in my digital planner. It’s a powerful tool that is favored by many artists. It easy to get learn the basics and the app includes over 100+ pencil and brush options for you to get started with. They’re also always adding new features through updates.
Allows you to install fonts from your computer onto your iPad to use in digital planners.
BONUS TIP: Find great free fonts to use in your planner from Google Font, Font Squirrel, and Da Font. (If you’re going to use them for commercial purposes double check to make sure the license allows for it.)
PLANNING INSPIRATION
There are so many other apps that can help you incorporate digital planning into your routine. These are just some of my favorites.
PIN IT FOR LATER
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