Do you actually need an iPad and is it worth it? The short answer is hell yes. If you’ve been pondering whether this is a good purchase or not, this blog post is for you! The iPad Air (4th generation) has easily been my favorite and most quality purchase of 2021 thus far.It’s the real secret to keeping my life together.
I primarily use my iPad for all things planning, organizing, creativity and productivity.The portability of an iPad versus a laptop is one of the biggest conveniences. On most days, it goes right in my purse as I walk out the door & I can still utilize it while on the road without it taking up a bunch of space. Wifi isn’t needed to utilize 90% of my apps which is another huge benefit.
I began to consider purchasing an iPad while I was a full-time graduate student, business owner and influencer. I constantly felt like everything ran together and it made life feel pretty overwhelming. I typically used my Macbook Air for school work and my phone for everything business + personal related. At the time, I was not sleeping as much as I wanted to because I hadn’t fully separated personal from business. Prior to purchasing, I set a boundary that my iPad was strictly for creativity, organization, productivity, wellness and business. A few months later, that boundary has stuck and it has made my life 10x easier.
How My Productivity Increased with an iPad
Are you sick of purchasing physical planner after physical planner after physical planner that end up going to waste? If you can relate, I know you are because I was too. The thought of it sounded good but in reality, I would plan consistently for a month then never pick the planner back up. I’ve wasted tons of money and paper due to this pattern. The goal is to get shit done, right? Physical planners don’t get shit done for me anymore.
So I’m here to put you onto Digital Planners. They have singlehandedly changed the way that I structure my day. I have created a healthier relationship with the idea and process of productivity. My favorite digital planners are from Flourish Planner, an Etsy shop that has tons of planners and trackers. The daily planner that stole my heart is the Minimalist Planner ($5) It gets straight to the point and has everything on one page which prevents me from getting distracted. I can write an affirmation and my daily gratitude list while writing my to do list in the same space.
The planner pictured below operates by a timed schedule which is good if you have tons of things on your to do list that are dedicated to a specific time. It is apart of the 2021 Undated Planner ($25). Another worthy mention is the Health and Wellness Planner ($12) that has wellness spreads such as grocery list, meal plan, workout plan, etc.
*NOTE: You do need an Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon to utilize the planners in Good Notes/Notability.*
Best Apps for Productivity
- GoodNotes 5 ($7.99) – This app is useful to house digital planners/templates, organizing and note taking
- Focus Keeper (Free or $5.99/yearly for Pro Version) – Focus Keeper is amazing for task management to help you get more things done by pacing yourself and staying focused. You pick a task, set a timer for 25 minutes and stay focused on that one tasks until the time goes off. After the timer goes off, you take a 5 minute break. Then repeat! 10/10 recommend.
- Notion ( ) – A great organizer that allows you to create your own templates for o
- Microsoft One Note (Free) – A digital notebook that allows collaboration with colleagues and friends
- EverNote (Starts at $3.99) – Great app for creatives and entrepreneurs to capture and organize their ideas
Must Have Accessories
- Apple Pencil ($129) – My personal favorite because it magnetically charges on the right side of the iPad.
- Logitech Crayon ($70) – A cheaper alternative for an Apple Pencil
- Stylus Pen for iPad: Precise Writing and Drawing ($20) – A cheaper alternative for a Logitech Crayon
- Clear Stand Up Case with Apple Pencil Storage – ($26) – Although the Apple Pencil does charge and store magnetically, it does fall off sometimes which makes is a bit easy to lose if you’re not careful. This case is perfect for ensuring that your Apple Pencil is safely stored. You can also prop it up at your desired angle!
- iPad Tablet Stand for Desktop ($20) – A tablet stand is a must have so you aren’t straining your neck. There is an option to place the iPad on the stand vertically or horizontally which is amazing because iPad’s do not stand up on there own if placed on a countertop.
- iPad Accessories Storage ($11) – This storage case can hold your apple pencil/stylus, charger, headphones and other tools. It is worth the $11 for organizational purposes and to prevent lost items!
- K380 Bluetooth Keyboard ($30) – An inexpensive bluetooth keyboard that is great for tasks that require a lot of typing like sending multiple emails, writing, etc.
- OMOTON Ultra Slim Keyboard ($22) – An alternative inexpensive bluetooth keyboard that connects with iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini, iPhone, etc.
Hopefully this is enough information to make a decision! Be sure to share this was a friend and leave a comment below.
Until next time,
Kee
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