A Digital Planner that Syncs With My Calendar: The Myth
“Is there a digital planner that connects to my calendar?” This is one of the most common questions aspiring digital planner users ask. The answer? No, there isn’t a digital planner that directly syncs with Google or Outlook calendars—at least not in the traditional sense. BUT WAIT!!! This is ok. (Read on.)
This question often comes from a desire for a tool that seamlessly handles everything for you. While that might sound ideal, the reality is that it’s better to keep these tools separate. Read on to learn why.
We’ll cover:
- The Digital Planner & Calendar Dilemma
- Why Digital Planners and Calendars Serve Different Purposes
- The Myth of Calendar Syncing
- Primary vs. Secondary Calendars Explained
- Tips for Using a Digital Planner Alongside Your Calendar
We want you to love digital planning as much as we do! So, if you’re wondering if your calendar syncs with a digital planner, learn the answer is technically “no,” and want to give up… WAIT! Reach out to our team for guided help on how digital planning can work for you.
A Digital Planner That Syncs to Calendar?: See Tip #1 in the Video
The Purpose of Digital Planners vs. Calendars
Digital planners are designed to help you organize your life, set goals, and map out your vision. Tools like Google and Outlook calendars, on the other hand, are primarily for scheduling appointments and setting reminders. Both are important, but they serve distinct purposes.
Some digital planner sellers may advertise that their planners “integrate” with calendars like Google or Outlook. But often, this just means the planner includes a hyperlink to a calendar webpage—hardly the seamless integration most people imagine.
So, is there a digital planner that syncs with your calendar? The short answer is still “No.” But don’t let that discourage you! There’s a good reason why this separation can actually enhance your planning process.
Primary vs. Secondary Calendars
At Key2Success, we emphasize the difference between a Primary Calendar and a Secondary Calendar:
- Primary Calendar: Your digital planner. This is where you intentionally write down your schedule, goals, intentions, and vision.
- Secondary Calendar: Tools like Google Calendar, Outlook, or Calendly. These apps are designed for reminders and notifications.
Why Your Digital Planner Doesn’t Sync—and Why That’s Okay
Your digital planner won’t automatically sync with your Google or Outlook calendar. The technology simply isn’t there yet—but do we really want it to be?
Consider this: How successful have you been with just scheduling apps and automated reminders? These tools are helpful but can take over your life if you let them. Instead of actively planning, you end up passively moving from one notification to the next.
A digital planner encourages you to be intentional. When you write things down and engage with your goals and schedule, you shift from simply reacting to creating a purposeful life.
How to Use Your Planner Alongside Your Calendar
Using a Primary Calendar (digital planner) alongside a Secondary Calendar (Google/Outlook) creates balance:
- Plan with Purpose: Use your digital planner to write down your schedule, reflect on your goals, and set your intentions.
- Schedule Appointments: Add key appointments to your Secondary Calendar for notifications and reminders.
- Add Intention: Revisit items from your Secondary Calendar and add deeper meaning in your digital planner.
For example, if you schedule a meeting at 2 PM in Google Calendar, note in your planner what you hope to achieve during that meeting.
The Key2Success Planner complements your Secondary Calendars by offering custom tools to develop goals, set a vision, and create habits that align with the life you want.
Tips and Workarounds for a Seamless Experience
If you’re looking for ways to streamline your digital planner and calendar usage, try these tips:
- Utilize AI: Say, “Hey Siri, schedule an appointment for next Tuesday at 2 PM,” and then write it in your planner. Optionally, link the appointment in your digital planner to your Google Calendar.
- Dual-View Mode: Use dual-view on your device to see both your planner and calendar at the same time.
- Distraction-Free Devices: Consider using a dedicated device for planning (like reMarkable) and your phone for appointments. This keeps you focused during planning sessions while still receiving alerts for meetings.
Why It Matters
When you stop relying solely on app notifications and start engaging with your plans, you’ll notice a shift. Intentional planning gives you control over your time, helps you achieve your goals, and aligns your daily actions with your vision.
This transition might take some adjustment, but tools like habit trackers can help you stay on track. If you need extra guidance, Branden offers free training via YouTube and one-on-one sessions to help you succeed.
Want more tips? Check out our training resources!
Ready to take charge of your life with digital planning? Start here.
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