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Smart phones were well entrenched in most people's lives before I got one. Seriously, they had been a thing for about six years. I didn't even really understand what a smart phone was, or what all the hype was about, when my husband brought home that first iPhone 4 and handed it to me. That was eight years ago, and in that time I have had two upgrades. Yes, only two. The first was to an iPhone 7 which was outdated when I got it. Then recently I got an iPhone 12. As you can see, I'm not exactly into the latest and greatest tech. I'm content to keep using whatever version I have until it stops working. When I first got a smart phone, I spent very little time on it. I made phone calls and texted (with far greater ease than I had done on my old flip phone!), but other than that, I rarely pulled it out. Over the years, my usage has increased significantly, but I still prefer to keep things simple. Maybe that's why the basic pre-installed Apple Reminders App is my favorite app to use. I find the Reminders App to be simple, yet versatile, and I use it to schedule a variety of things. For me it's like an electronic planner/to do list/habit tracker/memory cue all in one. It has become second nature to me to pull out my phone and set a reminder anytime I think of something I don't want to forget. We all get those fleeting thoughts that, if not recorded, disappear as quickly as they came. Capturing them in any fashion is helpful, but setting a reminder is more efficient. Notes get lost - either literally, or they get buried among a host of other notes rendering them meaningless. A to do list is great, but it doesn't put a time stamp on things. It's just a list. An electronic reminder allows you to decide on a specific time to tackle a given task. Here are some of the ways in which I use my Reminders App.
I know that there are fancier apps out there that will do the things the Reminders app does and more, but I like the simplicity this app offers. It's easy to learn and easy to use, and it serves a very useful function. It helps me remember all the things (and people) I don't want to forget. If you struggle with keeping track of things, I encourage you to give it a try. When you think of something important, set a reminder. Doing so allows your brain to relax knowing that when you need to recall the information, it will be at your fingertips (or in your pocket).
14 Comments
4/5/2021 08:52:59 am
I don't use a reminder app, but I do use reminders. I just put reminders for myself into my planner, but the payoff is the same. My daughter loves to bullet journal, and they can be used as trackers as well. That little bit of accountability is so great. What's weird is that my phone seems to stalk me. Every morning it knows I'll be exercising and now asks if it wants to set the timer for the time I usually need. Not sure if this is helpful or creepy :)
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4/5/2021 10:07:59 am
Your point is a good one. It doesn't really matter what format you use, it's just a good idea to have some system in place for tracking reminders (or information you don't want to forget). Whatever works best for you is obviously your best option. The thing I like about using an app is that I almost always have it with me or near by, so when I'm out and about, I don't have to carry an extra item in case I think of something I need to remember.
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4/5/2021 10:28:58 am
I make my phones last too, Sheri. I haven't made it to reminders on there yet, although it's very useful in other ways. I have a paper planner where I note all these upcoming things I want to remember. I'm more likely to check my planner at this point, so it works for me but if I ever jump into tech with both feet, I;m glad to hear about this app.
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4/5/2021 01:19:13 pm
If you have an iPhone, you have the app. It comes standard with Apple phones. That said, I always encourage people to pick the system that works for them, so I’m glad to hear you’ve got one you’re happy with. I grew into my current system gradually. It’s also nice to hear that I’m not the only one who likes to get every dollar’s worth out of my tech. 😄 I have an iPad that is 9 years old - the only one I’ve ever owned. Still works!
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4/5/2021 10:56:58 am
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Reminders app. I like to send myself reminders via emails so I can remember doing them when I am on my computer. It helps a great deal. I use an online calendar for appointments and can send and schedule them on the go on my phone as well. Once a week before the next week, I have a paper calendar I created in Excel that I add all future tasks for only the next week. I have a section for website tasks, personal tasks, appointments, family activities, house to dos as well as the tasks I do for clients. It works pretty well to keep me focused. My favorite part is checking off the tasks when I am finished.
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4/5/2021 01:23:23 pm
Wow, Sabrina! It sounds like you have a great system in place for staying on top of things. I confess, I do well with the Reminders app because it allows me to store a lot of information in one location. I also have an online calendar. Fir me, the more steps involved, the likely I am to lose track.
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4/5/2021 02:38:51 pm
Do they say, the best app is the one you'll use? And clearly, you found an app that works for you and that you rely on. Bravo! That is the key. There are millions of apps out there, but as long as you have one that does what you need, you don't need any others.
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4/5/2021 02:46:28 pm
You are so right, Linda! It's all about the app (or method) you will use. And I love your comment that you don't need any others. I recently went through and deleted a bunch that I have never used or used and didn't like. That said, I will definitely check out the 2Do app - sounds like a winner. Thanks for sharing.
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4/6/2021 11:45:18 pm
For a default app, Reminders sure is powerful. My favorite aspect of the iOS Reminders app is one that you didn't mention, and one that's not as advanced as I'd like, but it's the GEOFENCING attribute. You can not only set a reminder to tell you WHEN to do something, but where to do it. I use the "Remind me at a location" feature for all sorts of things. Because I often get home without thinking about food, I set the location to my bank so that whenever I'm at my bank (usually at the end of a business day), I am prompted to look across the parking lot (at my favorite little market) to remind me to consider getting dinner. I want to be more mindful, so I use the "Getting out of car" option for a moment of simple reflection.
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4/7/2021 07:23:49 am
Julie, thanks so much fir your response. I’m excited to start incorporating these other features into my routine and exploring all the functions!
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1/19/2023 08:05:30 am
I usually set reminders on my calendar events or tasks when I need one, but for really simple stuff, I use my reminders app.
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12/6/2023 02:55:48 pm
Thanks so much for taking the time to read the post and respond.
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