I consider myself a technology-forward 40-something, but there is some analog I still hold dear — pencils, notebooks, and academic planners. There’s just something about hand to pencil, pencil to paper, that crystallizes the intention.
But I’m not one to shy away from an upgrade. Recently, in grad school, I was prompted to do some digital project management discovery. It’s not that I wasn’t aware of these tools; I didn’t see a need for them. My system was working just fine.
What sold me? Virtual post-its.
Jessica, meet Trello. Out of the choices in my review, Trello stood out. Maybe because of the professors’ own affections for it, or just because it’s intuitive and user-friendly. 23 years into my career, and I’m joining the crowd.
The digital discovery also included a quick tour of project management methods. Waterfall vs. agile vs. hybrid, and Kanban as a soft intro to Trello’s post-it style interface. Post-its are analog, so it felt like a fair trade.
A Self-Assessment
In addition to reviewing project management tools, I was introduced to a few principles, such as the 5-steps to project planning, the 7 habits needed to succeed, and how to work smarter, not harder. Here’s where it gets personal. I mentioned that I’m 23 years into my career, and I’ve never done this type of assessment — until now.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Be coachable: Take criticism well |  | ||
| #2 Don’t gossip or blame: Take accountability for your own work | | ||
| #3 Be a problem-solver: Take ownership when things go wrong | | ||
| #4 Be dependable: Follow through and follow up | | ||
| #5 Build in a buffer: Allow for things to go wrong | | ||
| #6 Be prepared to not know everything: Keep learning and developing | | ||
| #7 Use your phone accordingly: Use it as a tool, not a distraction | |
I looked within and assessed the 7 habits. I know my shoulders reach my ears when I hear feedback I don’t like. You’d think after 23 years, I’d be seasoned. But there’s something innate as an artist — our art is our heart — regardless if it’s for pay. Gossip, blame, and time buffers are all things I can improve.
Problem-solving, dependability, and knowing I do not know everything are my strong suits. Now, about the phone — I recently learned how attached I am during a mini digital detox. My personal data showed that even with the detox, the urge to pick up my phone remained, suggesting something deeper at play. Hartford & Stein and Johann Hari in his book, Stolen Focus, are saying the same thing from different angles — the struggle is structural, not personal.
Welcome to the Board
After my discovery tour, I set up my Trello account and started building my virtual “post-it” world. It required little time and effort, and I felt relieved and organized afterward. There’s no risk of losing or spilling coffee on my digital planner.
This is not a concession; it’s an upgrade and evolution. I’ll stay analog with my personal planning, and grad school and professional planning can reside virtually.
It’s not the end of pencil and paper — it’s finding harmony and balance between the real and virtual worlds.
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