If you prefer paper over electronic planners then you better get in gear because January is almost here. It’s time to get a new calendar or refills for your planner.
Personally, I prefer to put ink to paper. Multiple colors of ink…. I have found that color coding everything helps when I need to find information quickly at a glance. For example, I know my daughter has a doctors appointment this month so I just look for the entry written in pink. I don’t have to write each childs name by the appointment just the time and doctor’s name. Also, at the beginning of the school year I copy the school calendar in blue so I know what days my son will be on vacation.
I was using a monthly planner from Staples which was wonderful because it had extra space for notes. It included a couple of pages for contact information but I really wanted something a little more permanent for that. I decided to try a Franklin Covey planner I picked up at Target. So far it is working for me but a little cumbersome when I want to jot a quick note. On the plus side it does have room for cards and my cell phone. After using it for a while though, I realized I don’t really use the contact section as much as I thought I would when I am out of the “office.”
I saw this Moleskine planner online and am thinking about giving it a try. Who doesn’t love moleskin? This particular planner is weekly with the left page showing the week and the right page is open for notes. Plenty of room for jotting down ideas for upcoming blog posts and I can lose the yellow legal pad I have been taking notes on.
Whether it is your day planner or filing system, sometimes it may take a few tries to find a system that works for you. That is the great thing about hiring a Professional Organizer. :) After asking my clients a few questions and learning more about them I can usually tell why a system is not working and help them get back on track.
I would love to hear what planner you prefer to use. Paper, PDA, or a combination of both. What is your favorite brand and why?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Tanna,
Perusing your blog! I love time management and have gone through several Franklin planners as well as others. I love my “Classic” Franklin with my tote(to carry some paper items and the planner) and my BlackBerry Pearl. I use the planner to keep everything. I sit down each night with it and plug in all the events that come in throughout the day and I plan our menus with my menu/shopping list pages that fit right in for each week. I’ve been a FranklinCovey girl forever and I don’t know if I could go long without it…went for 9 months this past year(2007) and couldn’t wait to order for October!
In reference to the last statement above: I used a “year at a glance” last year b/c I told myself I was going to get into the habit of using the planner each day for everything before I invested in anymore FranklinCovey products!
I’m still trying to see if I want to go paperless and switch to a PDA and my phone. If I do, I will use FranklinCovey paperless products, to be sure. I have contemplated just using my phone and it’s great for lots of things but what about when I want to be looking at something and talking to someone at the same time? Yeah, they haven’t come up with a solution to that one yet. Can’t be on the phone and online at the same time with your BlackBerry.
Hi Michelle, thanks for leaving a comment. I have checked out the Mom Agenda before but the meal planning feature was what actually deterred me. My husband does all the cooking! :) I just looked at the website though and see that they do carry an Agenda without this option. Something to consider… thanks.
Hi there.I have Mom Agenda one that i won in the summer..I love it. it has a space where I can meal plan (Laura at Org junkie would be pleased)write my daughter’s activities down.
before that I had a Sandra Boynton one.Before that it was a family polestar one.good luck on the search!!!!