Although the 3 month Panda Classic is the great all-in-one planner,
there are some possible drawbacks like any other planners.
In this article, based on my experience, I will discuss possible drawbacks from both an internal (system and layout) and external (materials and built-in accessories) point of view, as well as possible solutions.
3 Month Panda Classic – Daily Planning in 3 Sections (90 day undated daily planner)
(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate link.)
- 7 Possible Drawbacks
- 1. Tiny Note Space: Not Ideal for Idea Dumpers
- 2. Shallow Weekly Reviews: May be Missed Opportunity for Growth
- 3. Sunday Start: A Minor Inconvenience for Monday People
- 4. Single Habit Tracker: A Limitation for Habit Enthusiasts
- 5. Gratitude/Affirmation Overload: Not for Everyone
- 6. Missing Page Numbers: A DIY Project
- 7. No Pen Loop: An Annoying Omission
- Summary
- More Planners and Journals Resources
7 Possible Drawbacks
Here is the quick summary table
| # | Possible Drawbacks | Possible Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Internal] Tiny Note Space: Not Ideal for Idea Dumpers | Treat the space as additional space for other purpose. Or Keep separate note for scribbles. |
| 2 | [Internal] Shallow Weekly Reviews: May be Missed Opportunity for Growth | Utilize the free blank page at the end. More prompts are provided within the section for deepr review |
| 3 | [Internal] Sunday Start: A Minor Inconvenience for Monday People | Overwrite them |
| 4 | [Internal] Single Habit Tracker: A Limitation for Habit Enthusiasts | Utilize the blank pages at the Last, or weekly review page. |
| 5 | Gratitude/Affirmation Overload: Not for Everyone | Use the Gratitude section for your own creative use |
| 6 | [Internal] Missing Page Numbers: A DIY Project | Manually assign (Suggest to assign only on even page numbers to reduce the effort) |
| 7 | [External] No Pen Loop: An Annoying Omission | Get the separate pen loop holder. |
now we look deeper for each.
1. Tiny Note Space: Not Ideal for Idea Dumpers
Since this planner packs in so many features,
it has limited space for free-form notes.
This might be a dealbreaker for those who like to jot down lots of ideas throughout the day.
While the planner does offer 10 blank dotted pages at the back,
even these might not satisfy those who take extensive notes.
Free note taking space is fairly small on a daily page.
Workarounds: I use this “Note” section as an overflow for tasks or end-of-day reflections. If I need more space, I keep a clipboard with letter-sized paper handy for jotting down ideas, meeting notes, or quick sketches. A separate notebook could also do the trick!
2. Shallow Weekly Reviews: May be Missed Opportunity for Growth
The Weekly Review section feels a bit cramped with only two prompts:
“5 big wins” and “How I’ll improve.”
Since weekly reflection is key to boosting productivity, this might be a letdown for those serious about personal growth.
Workarounds:
More Space: The 10 blank pages at the back can be repurposed for weekly reviews. But, with 13 weeks in the planner, this might not be enough if you need a full page per week.
Better Prompts: Consider borrowing prompts from other planners to dig deeper, like:
- What tasks were NOT completed, and why? What is the difference between completed tasks and uncompleted tasks?
- What is the strategy to complete those uncompleted tasks?
- How much is the progress if you have projects that require longer than 1 week? Progressed as planned? If not, then why? What is your strategy next week?
- What have I learned this week?
- How do I feel about my progress this week?
3. Sunday Start: A Minor Inconvenience for Monday People
The monthly calendar kicks off on Sunday, which might annoy those who prefer a Monday start to their week.
Workarounds: This is an easy one! Just write over the weekly labels with a pen or cover them with stickers. You only need to do this on the monthly calendar, so it’s a quick fix.
4. Single Habit Tracker: A Limitation for Habit Enthusiasts
The Panda Planner only offers one habit tracker on the monthly calendar, which might not cut it for those tracking multiple habits.
Workarounds:
- Blank Pages: Use the blank pages at the end for additional habit trackers.
- Weekly Sections: Add checkboxes under the “Habits I’m Focusing On Developing” section.
- Separate Sheets: I personally prefer using separate letter-sized sheets for a more visually satisfying linear tracking experience.
5. Gratitude/Affirmation Overload: Not for Everyone
Daily gratitude and affirmation sections might feel unnecessary for those solely focused on task management or who already have a dedicated gratitude practice.
Workarounds:
You can repurpose this space for
- Today’s main goal
- Additional end-of-day reflections
- Mini journaling
6. Missing Page Numbers: A DIY Project
The lack of page numbers is inconvenient for those who like to create a table of contents for future reference.
Solution: Add page numbers manually. (Tip: Number only even or odd pages to cut the work in half! ) For me, it was like 5 minutes effort.
7. No Pen Loop: An Annoying Omission
The absence of a pen loop is a bummer for people who like to take their planner on the go. Since this planner is a decent portable size, A5, it is a bit sad that we are missing the pen holder.
Workaround: You can buy a separate pen loop holder online and attach it to the planner.
Summary
Did any of these drawbacks resonate with you? If so, I hope my solutions help you decide if the Panda Planner is right for you.
Like any planner, the 3 Month Panda Classic isn’t perfect. But overall, it’s a well-designed and thoughtfully crafted tool.
Hope this article is helpful for you to examine the 3 Month Panda Classic.
You can also refer these articles to understand better about this planner.
More Planners and Journals Resources
You can also refer other planners/Journals review to see if any of them fits to your life.
