Diaries that do and don’t work for me

I wrote a post last week on Konmari-ing the memories. Please make me happy and go have a read.

So when I was busy looking through all my stuff, I found my stash of diaries.

Here they all are – 2008 to 2016. I used the top 2016 one last year as it was an 18-month diary. By the way, I’m really not in love with 18-month diaries. It feels kind-of “off” to me to not start the year in January.

Diaries that work, and don't |www.OrganisingQueen.com

Diaries 2008 – 2015

Then I started paging through the diaries to see which format resulted in an empty-ish one and which ones were thoroughly used.

Diaries that work, and don't |www.OrganisingQueen.com

My birthday, 2008. The daily style was my least favourite format but I did write down my frogs daily, and of course my appointments.

Diaries that work, and don't |www.OrganisingQueen.com

I think this one was from my birthday week in 2003

My favourite type of planning is weekly planning so although this slimline diary is small, it had the right paper (smooth and easy for the pen to glide across), just enough space and I used it very well.

However, the diaries that clearly work best for me are the Moleskine and Legami weekly view diaries. See 2011 – 2014. There are a ton of pictures here.

These have days of the week on the left page and notebook paper on the right. Absolutely perfect. My brain thinks in terms of a week at a time, so I can make my list of everything I want to get done on the right (still only about 12 things max)

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I don’t need a page a day and, in fact, it feels wasteful to have all that unused space daily.

Something I did notice was that the diary needs to have enough space to write. The little diary I used for 2012 was too small, the last pic above was a good size but my absolute best is the size just a teensy bit narrower than A5, 2011, 2013 and 2014 above.

Now that I’ve written this post, I think I’ve just talked myself into buying another Legami for next year. It honestly is my favourite type of diary, and the bright colours make me happy.

Have you figured out your favourite style and size of diary? Do you still use paper?

PS There’s a whole community out there using paper planners again. Next week I’m going to start blogging about my foray into bullet journalling. If you have questions, let me know in the comments.

PPS not sponsored, although I wouldn’t mind!

Choose the perfect planner for YOU

This post is specifically written for those of you who, like me, embrace paper for your planning.

I love this time of year when all the calendars and planners for the next year start appearing in the stores. And on the blogs 🙂

There is such a wide selection that the choice can get really overwhelming.

So how do you choose the best one for you?

Here are a couple of factors to consider:

1. Paper or electronic?

Do you prefer paper or electronic? Don’t feel pressured to use an electronic diary just to keep up with your friends if you’re actually a paper gal.

I love Outlook as much as the next person but I need a paper planner for 95% of my planning.

That said, if you are techno-savvy, use it happily. Please just remember to back up your data regularly.

2. Size

Your planner has to be portable if you’re going to use it most effectively.

Decide on a comfortable size and stick to that. If your planner is HUGE, no matter how cute it is, you’re not going to use it unless you’re physically strong!

I scaled down a size for 2012 and I’m very excited to be carrying less.

3. Space per day

Do you like a week-at-a-glance or a page-a-day format?

I like the weekly format because I do weekly planning. And there’s just enough space to jot down your 3 – 5 Eat the Frog tasks every day.

But more than that, I like space for notes, not just appointments.

4. Monthly tools

Do you need a monthly event calendar and a budget form? What about a monthly goals form?

Or is that not an issue for you?

I’m giving out a goals form every month to all those on my newsletter list.

5. Other tools

Do you need lots of name and address pages? Or note paper at the back?

My advice to you is decide on your non-negotiables and make peace with the rest. And make sure you LOVE your planner so that you WANT to use it.

I actually don’t think there will ever be a perfect planner for me because I’m quite fussy. You’d never think, right?

My non-negotiables are size, space per day and I like lots of note paper at the back for all my personalised lists. I actually schedule time during this last week of the year to personalise my planner.

Next time, keep these points in mind before you go shopping!

Marcia Francois is a time management coach and speaker who inspires busy women to break out of overwhelm, make the most of their time and take purposeful and focussed action so they have the time and freedom to live life to the full. Visit http://purposefultimemanagement.com for your free Time Management Purpose Pack.

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