In the age of digital calendars, online project management tools and notetaking apps, the physical diary still remains popular. From compact to large, physical diaries come in a range of options to suit different needs and preferences.
We spoke to Maritoni Renaghan, Category Manager – Office Products, to understand the advantages of incorporating a physical diary into your workplace toolkit.
Here are Maritoni’s top four benefits of using a physical diary:
1. Improved retention of information and speed.
“From week to week, you’ll notice your physical diary supporting you in achieving your goals, meetings, and deadlines. In fact, physical diaries enable you to add more like drawings, highlighting and sticky notes which can all help information stand out,” says Maritoni.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo revealed that the act of handwriting on physical paper, with its distinct, intricate, spatial, and tactile elements, is likely responsible for enhancing memory. Despite the common belief that digital devices boost productivity, participants in the study using paper accomplished the note-taking assignment roughly 25% quicker compared to those using digital tablets or smartphones1.
2. Stay focused on the information you need.
Maritoni emphasises the benefits of physical diaries: “Your physical diary can help you avoid distractions and get the information you need straight away. Unlike digital devices, which can divert your attention with alerts, social media notifications, or newsfeed scrolling, physical diaries help keep you focused.”
Research from the UK’s telecoms regulator, Ofcom, reported that people check their smartphones on average every 12 minutes during their waking hours, with 71% saying they never turn their phone off and 40% saying they check them within five minutes of waking2.
3. Effective goal setting.
A physical diary is an incredibly effective tool for planning, prioritisation and goal setting.
“I always still love to physically write in my diary and feel so satisfied ticking and marking things off my list when tasks are completed,” says Maritoni.
One study found that those who vividly described or pictured their goals by writing them down were 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to succeed in achieving them than people who didn’t3.
4. Ease your mind by writing upcoming or pending tasks.
“Writing is a well-known method of relieving stress and anxiety. If your mind ever feels cluttered, write down all your thoughts and ideas to give them structure and organisation. You’ll feel as if a weight has lifted off your shoulders when you put pen to paper,” says Maritoni.
Writing in a diary or journal is commonly used for expressing thoughts and emotions, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. This practice can be applied to your work schedule by noting down all appointments, meetings, and reminders. By glancing at your week ahead, you can tackle each day one at a time.
Winc offers a wide range of diaries and planners so you can stay organised and productive, no matter where you’re working. Check out our full range online. Order now and receive 10% off all 2025 range diaries!*
*Diaries Pre-Sale 10% Off:
Prices as marked, 10% off already applied. Final prices as displayed (exclude GST where applicable) are valid from 1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024, unless withdrawn or terminated earlier at the sole discretion of Winc Australia Pty Limited (‘Winc’). Custom printed diaries are excluded from the 10% off pre-sale offer. Pre-orders will ship when products become available. Products available whilst stocks last. Products styles, brands, colours and sizes may vary. Not all products are available in all areas. Only authorised recipients can take advantage of the products and pricing contained herein. For government departments, eligibility is subject to departmental guidelines.
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References:
1Keita Umejima, Takuya Ibaraki, Takahiro Yamazaki, and Kuniyoshi L. Sakai, “Paper Notebooks vs. Mobile Devices: Brain Activation Differences During Memory Retrieval,” Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience: March 19, 2021, doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2021.634158.
2The Communications Market – 2018. <The Communications Market 2018: Interactive report – Ofcom >
3Murphy, M., 2018, ‘Neuroscience Explains Why You Need To Write Down Your Goals If You Actually Want To Achieve Them’, <https://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2018/04/15/neuroscience-explains-why-you-need-to-write-down-your-goals-if-you-actually-want-to-achieve-them/?sh=292f92597905>
