I’ve used a number of productivity aids/tools though the years and along with technology progression I’ve scaled from a plain calendar, to a Day Planner, through a couple different smaller PDA’s, to my current Palm Tungsten C. Each of these tools were useful but at the time I didn’t give any meaningful thoughts beyond there capabilities. Larry Hendrick at Motivation on the Run recently wrote a post “Are You Digital or Analog?” where he reached an interesting conclusion.
Something I have discovered over the last few years … some people are digital in their thinking and actions, and some are analog. I can’t imagine going back to analog, and the Redhead can’t dream of going digital. Others I have talked with are in one camp or the other. Some will never give up the Franklin-Covey Planner (with the embossed leather cover, and custom printed pages), and others (the digitals) think they are nuts.
I’m sure we all know friends and associates who cannot seem to give up a pen and a journal or their trusty day planner for even the most feature rich digital device. For them it’s not real unless it’s on paper. Larry, from his own digital perspective, stated his view of these two camps:
Yes, digital life is good, but some will never hold that same feeling for cold metal and software. They need the feel and smell of leather, with the touch of pen to paper to feel complete and fulfilled.
While there does seem to be two camps I’m not sure how clearly defined the separation is. There are some people who tend to cross over between digital and analog. I’m a little that way myself but I’m mostly Digital. Which are you?
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I would agree, Earl, that most are a combination of digital and analog. I love my T5, but writing with a nice fountain pen on nice paper is a pleasure and analogs can love computers and what they can do for them. But as with all things, most have a preference for one or the other. Fun stuff!
Larry: Another area I’ve considered digital vs. analog is books. There’s something about a well bound, well written book that gives as much pleasure to hold as it does to read. Don’t know if I would ever reach a point where digital can replace that feeling, and I’m not sure I would ever want it to. Thanks for your comment.