## A Hybrid Planning System - A hybrid planning system combines digital tools with an analog [[Alice Merton | paper planner]] to create a comprehensive planning process [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=0s). - Writing things down in a paper planner helps to cement tasks and events in the brain and ensure they get done, but digital tools are also necessary to supplement the paper planner [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=11s). - The digital tools used in this system are primarily for tasks that are frequently changing or don't need to be seen right away, such as calendar appointments and long-term plans [(00:02:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=141s). - The paper planner, specifically the Hobonichi Weeks, is used for everyday carry and is the primary tool for day-to-day tasks, journaling, and memory keeping [(00:00:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=52s). - The weekly view is preferred over daily or monthly views, and all tasks and priorities for the day or week are logged in the paper planner [(00:02:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=127s). - Digital tools are used to store information that might get lost in the paper planner, such as events months or years in advance, or tasks without a specific date [(00:02:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=168s). - The two main digital apps used in this system will be shown in a screen recording, and are also available on the phone for planning on the go [(00:01:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=61s). - The goal of this system is to combine the benefits of both digital and analog tools to create a comprehensive and effective planning process [(00:00:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=25s). ## Digital Planning Solutions - Digital planning solutions are used for tasks that need to be done digitally, such as tasks that require access to the internet, tasks that need to be shared with others, and tasks that need to be collaborated on with others [(00:03:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=186s). - Digital solutions are also used for tasks that other people need to see, such as shared calendar appointments, notes, documents, and to-do lists [(00:03:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=197s). - Three main apps are used for digital planning solutions: a calendar app, a to-do list app, and a Notes app [(00:03:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=222s). - The calendar app is used to keep track of appointments and events, and is often shared with others [(00:03:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=230s). - The to-do list app is used to keep track of tasks that need to be completed [(00:03:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=232s). - The Notes app is used for capturing and brainstorming ideas, and is a personal and private space for jotting down thoughts and ideas [(00:03:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=235s). - The Notes app is not a primary focus of the planning system, and is used more for dumping thoughts and ideas that need to be organized later [(00:04:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=253s). - The [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] native Notes app is used on both [[MacOS | Mac]] and [[IPhone | iPhone]], and syncs across both devices [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=271s). ## The Calendar App - The calendar app is used as the starting point for planning the week, and is used to check availability and schedule appointments [(00:04:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=290s). - The Apple native calendar app is used, despite being buggy, because it allows for syncing of Outlook and [[Gmail]] calendars [(00:05:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=304s). - Work hours are blocked off on the calendar from Monday to Friday, and specific work appointments are not shown for privacy reasons [(00:05:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=327s). - Personal calendars, such as an astrological transits calendar, can also be added to the calendar app [(00:06:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=367s). ## Planning the Week - A hybrid planning system is used to stay organized and productive, combining digital and physical tools, with the digital calendar serving as the baseline for planning [(00:06:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=376s). - The digital calendar includes personal events, friend's birthdays, and social events, with different colors used to distinguish between personal and friend-related events [(00:06:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=381s). - A separate friend calendar is used to keep track of friends' birthdays and events [(00:06:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=389s). - The planner is used to plan the week, with a weekly spread being the primary layout, and a ruler is used to draw delineating lines to create separate columns for different types of information [(00:07:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=427s). - The columns in the planner include events, priorities, memories, spiritual, and health, with the events column being filled out first based on the digital calendar [(00:08:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=483s). - The events column is used to list out daily events, with all-day events marked with a star, and specific times and details written out [(00:09:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=542s). - The planner is also used to track goals and record progress, with the spiritual and health columns being used for this purpose, although they are not filled out during the planning process [(00:08:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=511s). ## Productivity System - A hybrid planning system is used for productivity, which includes a calendar and to-do list app. [(00:09:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=567s) - The calendar is used to write down events, but not the specific times, as those are already known or can be found on the desktop calendar. [(00:09:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=572s) - Events are written in a line, and if something comes up, it is written down in the available space or at the end of the list. [(00:10:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=607s) - The calendar is used as a task list, where completed events are checked off. [(00:10:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=628s) - The productivity system was influenced by courses on [[Skillshare]], including Thomas Frank's "Mastering Productivity" course. [(00:10:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=644s) - Skillshare offers a wide range of courses, including productivity and career-focused ones, and is recommended for learning new skills. [(00:10:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=647s) - A one-month free trial of Skillshare is available through a link in the description box, sponsored by Skillshare. [(00:11:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=706s) ## The To-Do List App (Things 3) - The to-do list app used is called Things 3, which is a fan favorite among [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] users, but not available for Android. [(00:11:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=719s) - Things 3 is chosen for its clean and simple design, and its ability to sync and work with other productivity tools. [(00:12:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=722s) - A hybrid planning system is used to house to-do lists for any reason, serving as a catch-all system for tasks and notes [(00:12:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=739s). - The "today view" is the default view when opening the app, automatically pulling up tasks for the current day, but it's not often used as most tasks are stored in the inbox [(00:12:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=750s). - The inbox is a dumping ground for tasks, ideas, and reminders, including things to buy, review, or watch, with no specific dates assigned [(00:12:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=767s). - The Getting Things Done (GTD) system is loosely being implemented using the app and a planner, with tasks sorted into categories like "project tags" [(00:12:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=771s). - Tasks in the inbox can be dated and scheduled for a specific day, at which point they disappear from the inbox and reappear in the today view [(00:13:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=829s). - Rituals, or regular tasks, are also scheduled in the app, such as a weekly laundry task, and appear in the today view on the designated day [(00:14:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=844s). - Priorities are written down in a planner, taking into account tasks from the inbox and other reminders, and are used to plan out the day or week [(00:14:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=860s). - The inbox serves as a brain dump, allowing tasks and ideas to be stored and referenced later, even if they don't have a specific date assigned [(00:15:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=927s). ## Managing Personal and Work Tasks - A hybrid planning system is used, combining digital tools and a physical planner, to manage tasks and projects across personal and work life [(00:15:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=934s). - The digital tool used for personal tasks is Things, which has an inbox and various lists, including a Tarot list and a to-be-read books list, where tasks can be dragged and organized [(00:15:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=938s). - The to-be-read books list is further organized into sub-lists, such as currently reading, books owned, and books paused, to keep track of reading progress [(00:16:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=983s). - Priority projects are also managed in Things, with tasks broken down into modules and subtasks, and can be dated and populated into a daily list [(00:16:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1019s). - The planner is used to pull tasks from the digital tool and organize them into a daily schedule, allowing for focus on priority tasks without being overwhelmed by a large to-do list [(00:17:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1058s). - A similar system is used for work tasks, using [[Asana, Inc. | Asana]] as the digital tool and a separate work planner, Hobonichi Weeks, to organize tasks and appointments [(00:18:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1090s). - The work planner also includes a memories and notes category for logging and recording work-related information [(00:18:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1124s). ## Recording and Tracking Progress - A hybrid planning system is used to record information, prioritize spiritual and health goals, and track progress, with a combination of paper and digital tools [(00:18:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1132s). - The [[Alice Merton | paper planner]] is used to record memories, spiritual practices, and health habits, with a focus on progress tracking and record keeping [(00:19:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1150s). - The planner has a spiritual column and a health column to log daily activities, feelings, and food intake, allowing for a creative way to track progress [(00:19:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1154s). - The paper planner is preferred for certain tasks, as digital information can be easily lost, but written information on paper is more memorable [(00:19:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1180s). - The digital side of the planner extracts information from digital products and puts it in the weekly layout, providing a full picture of life when used in conjunction with a phone and apps [(00:19:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1191s). - The priorities in the planner help organize tasks and are reviewed daily to ensure consistency and make adjustments as needed [(00:20:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1209s). - The planning practice is typically done on Sundays or Mondays to prepare for the week ahead, and the planner is opened daily to review priorities and make adjustments [(00:20:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1213s). - Both digital and analog tools have an important place in the productivity system, and both are valued for their unique benefits [(00:20:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1246s). ## Flexibility and Integration - The system allows for flexibility, with tasks being moved between digital and analog systems as needed, and priorities being adjusted daily [(00:20:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1232s). - The planner is used in conjunction with digital tools, such as [[Skillshare]], which offers resources on digital and paper planning [(00:21:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI&t=1265s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNRtnMntcgI?si=h57yUvXM1nfPD8m3)