Let’s settle this once and for all.
Because I get this question all the time:
“What’s the best way to track my tasks with the DROP System — should I go digital or stick with paper?”
And the honest answer?
Use whatever you’ll actually stick with.
But there’s more to it than that. The tool you use matters — not because it’s magic, but because it either fuels your discipline or distracts you from doing the work.
So let’s break it down properly. No fluff. Just real answers for real people.
What I Personally Use (and Why)
Let me give it to you straight.
I absolutely love paper.
Always have. Always will.
There’s something about putting pen to paper that slows your mind down in the best way. It forces clarity. It calms chaos. It gets your thoughts out of your head and into a place where you can do something with them.
That’s how I originally built the DROP System — entirely on paper.
- Weekly dumps in a cheap notepad
- Reviews scribbled in the margins of client folders
- Planning done on the back of a delivery envelope if needed
Simple worked. Because simple got done.
But as DROP grew, and life got even busier, I hit a wall with paper alone.
I needed to be able to capture thoughts and ideas anywhere — mid-conversation, mid-walk, mid-bathroom break. You get it.
So I made the shift. And now?
- Google Tasks is my go-to for idea capture — integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar
- Google Calendar is where my weekly plans live
- Google Docs is where I map out content and longer-term thinking
- Trello is where I manage collaborative project tracking
- And yes, I still use paper scratchpads daily for “get it out of my head” clarity
This isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about using the tools that actually serve you — not the other way around.
Why Paper Still Works (and Sometimes Works Best)
Paper is underrated as hell.
Here’s why it still punches above its weight:
Pros of paper:
- No distractions — no pings, dings, or dopamine loops
- Writing helps you process and retain information better
- It slows your thinking in a good way — you spot more, stress less
- You physically see your workload — which builds honesty and urgency
- You’re less likely to overcomplicate things
When to go paper:
- You’re new to DROP and still building the weekly rhythm
- You’re feeling overwhelmed or mentally foggy
- You get easily distracted by screens and apps
- You want to build a stronger connection to your commitments
My paper setup (when I use it exclusively):
- A basic legal pad for my weekly DUMP
- A printed planning sheet for weekly focus
- A wall calendar for key events and family stuff
- A pencil — always a pencil
It’s not sexy. But it works. And that’s the whole point.
Why Digital Might Be the Right Fit for You
Look, digital tools aren’t evil.
Used well, they give you flexibility and speed that paper never could.
Pros of digital:
- Always accessible (cloud-based, phone, laptop, etc.)
- Easy to search, sort, archive, and copy
- Great for recurring tasks and projects
- Ideal for team collaboration and visibility
- Often integrates with other tools — automation = time saved
When digital wins:
- You’re already using tools like Google Workspace, Teams, Asana
- You have lots of moving parts or collaborate with others
- You want reminders and pop-ups to nudge you
- You’re rarely at a desk or prefer everything in one place
My current digital workflow (in full):
- Google Tasks for quick capture — fully integrated with Google Calendar
- Google Docs for writing, thinking, and planning
- Google Calendar for time blocking and weekly execution
- Trello for shared projects with teams
- Apple Notes for backup brain dumps on the go
And the best part?
It’s all free. No premium dashboards. No monthly “hustle fee.” Just tools that do the job.
What Really Matters More Than Your Tools?
Discipline.
You could have the fanciest paper planner known to man — but if you don’t open it and use it, it’s worthless.
You could have a Notion setup that would make productivity YouTubers weep — but if it sits untouched? Same deal.
The best system in the world is useless without consistent follow-through.
That’s why DROP isn’t built on tools.
It’s built on rhythm.
On behaviour.
On weekly habit.
So whether you plan on paper, screen, or whiteboard, what matters is that you do it every week — not how it looks.
Don’t Fall Into the Hybrid Trap (Unless You Know What You’re Doing)
Here’s where a lot of people screw themselves:
They try to use both paper and digital at the same time — with no structure.
They dump ideas in a notebook, then retype them into a task app.
They plan their week on a printed sheet, then try to sync it with a calendar.
They track tasks in multiple tools — and end up trusting none of them.
Result?
- Missed deadlines
- Constant double-handling
- Lost clarity
- Frustration disguised as “being organised”
If you must use both, set clear boundaries.
Example:
- “Brain dump happens on paper. Planning happens in Calendar.”
- “Ideas go into Notes. Tasks get moved to Trello. End of.”
Otherwise, pick a lane and stick with it.
My Best Advice?
If you’re just starting out with DROP — use paper.
Seriously.
Start basic.
Get the rhythm nailed.
Once the habit is locked in, you can experiment with digital. But don’t try to tech your way to clarity.
Because clarity isn’t found in apps. It’s found in action.
DROP isn’t about the perfect system. It’s about a repeatable one — and you can build that with whatever’s in your hand right now.
Pen. Keyboard. Doesn’t matter.
Just start.
Buy the book:
Control Your Time or Stay Stuck: You Choose — The full breakdown of how I built DROP using nothing but pen, paper, and a weekly rhythm that actually worked in the real world.
Join the DROP System training:
Get templates, walkthroughs, and examples for both paper and digital setups — so you can build a version of DROP that works for you, not some productivity influencer.
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