The Evolution of Productivity Tools: From Planners to AI
A Look at How We Got Things Done, From Day-Timers to Digital Assistants
If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve probably noticed that productivity tools have changed a lot.
Productivity has always been about finding better ways to get things done, and each new tool has reflected the needs and technology of its time.
I’ve seen it all — like watching a tiny sapling grow into a huge tree with lots of branches.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane, from old-school paper planners to the AI-powered tools we use today. Grab a snack, settle in, and let’s see how getting things done has changed over the years.
The Paper Planner Era: When Everything Was on Paper
Back in the day, paper planners were the best way to keep track of everything. If you had appointments or tasks, there wasn’t an app for that — you had a big book that felt like carrying a brick around.
I remember my old Day-Timer, where I wrote everything down. Each note and each little checkmark showed just how busy I was — or at least wanted to be.
There was something really nice about crossing off a task with a pen. No screens, no…
