Google Calendar or Apple Calendar (iCal)? I need answers. Who uses which one? No matter which one you use, there are simple tips on how to prioritize your time using your phone calendar—even you are wholeheartedly dedicated to your paper calendar! With the simplicity of adding and syncing events, times, and dates from your email/texts right into your phone calendar, you can prioritize specific events and reminders using your phone calendar. 

Here are four tips on how to do just that. 

Sync reminders, tasks, and events From Email into your calendar. 

Whether it’s a meeting, appointment, a reminder, or even something as simple as grocery store run, add it to your calendar immediately. Your iPhone will recognize a date/time and suggest you add it to your calendar. Do it! 

Your phone calendar isn’t just for events. Set reminders on your calendar. When I have to schedule a doctor’s appointment, I will write in my calendar after work: “call to make doctor’s appointment” or “make Trader Joe’s run” for a specific time after work. This combines my reminders/to-do list with my planner and simplifies the process of having to look at just one list instead of both lists. (I mean, who has to remember they have go to Trader Joe’s?)

Time blocking. 

Adding everything to your calendar sets you up for time blocking. Time blocking is a time management method that asks you to divide your day into blocks of time. When you look at your calendar, you can see how long you spend on each task and/or event. Don’t forget to schedule in some “me” time!

Time Management Tip: don’t hesitate to block out time with God in your calendar. Don’t try to make this a habit, but if you know you have a busy day, write it down; it will help you keep motivated and disciplined. Write in “quiet time” or “morning devotional.” This can prevent you from scheduling quiet time in between different tasks.

Set your calendar on the first day of the week. 

For some, this may be sitting down on Sunday afternoons to set up your week. For others, it may be Monday morning. Whoever you are, take the first day of the week to briefly outline any meetings/appointments, what you need to get done, and any reminders. I personally like to set my calendar up on Sundays, but for my work calendar and to-do list, I set it up immediately on Monday mornings.

Set reminders for events. 

Instead of hitting “remind me at the time of event” when setting up an event, tell your phone to remind you of the event at least two hours before the event; the more time to plan, the better. This is extremely convenient and very easy to do.