How I'll use my WeekDate planner

Here are some ways I'll use my 2011 WeekDate planner. I hope this will give anyone using a WeekDate some ideas on how to use it.  And if you are using a WeekDate planner, I would love to hear from you!  Please post a comment!

Below is a photo of my WeekDate completely open.  If you haven't seen how this works yet be sure to check out the WeekDate website at www.weekdate.com or read my review of this planner to learn more about how this unique system works. The brand's motto is, Only Write It Once.  The planner's layout allows monthly recurring items to be recorded in the top section, weekly recurring items in the bottom section, and daily specifics in the middle section.  It's pure genius.

Click on the photo for a larger view:

Here are the dimensions of the day spaces:

Each day's column width is 1 1/8 inch wide (as measured by me). Every day's column is the same size (meaning weekend days, even Sunday, have the same size as weekdays) which is great.

Each daily column in the middle weekly section is about 3 1/2 inches long. And, the columns in the recurrent weekly (bottom) section are 4 inches long. So that's 7 1/2 inches of writing space for each day.

The page opposite for lists and notes is nearly 9 1/2 inches wide and 4 inches long.

So overall, there's tons of space to write each week.

I plan to use the Recurring Weeklies space extensively.  The Recurring Weeklies area is at the bottom of the page, and is large enough to write in everything that happens each week.

(Above photo copyright of WeekDate)

In these spaces I have written: my kids' dance and sports practice schedules, household cleaning routines, trash/ recycling pickup and which week it happens (trash pickup on odd weeks, recycling on even weeks.  The week numbers are printed on the weekly pages for easy reference.  What a relief to not have to write "Trash" or "Recycling" over and over each week!!).  On Sundays I've written reminders of things to prepare for the upcoming week, like anything my daughter will need for school that week and writing out my son's homeschooling lesson plans for the week.

Before I received my WeekDate planner I wondered if the day spaces would be large enough for me to write everything I need to.  Now that I am starting to fill things in for January, I'm realizing that much of each day is recurring and can go in the bottom section, which frees up loads of space in the day spaces in the weekly section.

On the Weekly pages I'll write everything specific to that week.  I love the lined space under the monthly calendar directly to the left of each week.  This is where I will write the week's Goals, to keep them visible all week long.

On each day's space I'll write appointments (circled) and tasks that need to be done that day.  If for some reason I don't get something done that day, I'll just arrow it over to the next day.  No rewriting!

Tasks that need to be done sometime that week but not on any particular day will be written on the opposite page in the lined space:

The lined space is arranged into three columns which I will use for To Pay/ Buy; To Do/ Call, and @Computer.  This setup really helps me streamline my tasks and especially helps me make efficient use of my computer time.

As I have already mentioned often in the past, I am completely out of sight, out of mind. So this planner setup is incredibly appealing to me.  I only have to write it once, and then it's always there in front of me! No more details slipping through the cracks!  It makes me want to do a happy dance!

I'm already sticking things into the clear front pocket like our local library's bookmark with their phone number and opening hours (we go to the library a lot!).  This pocket is very handy for anything you need quick access to (like the Phone cards included) and folds out of sight when the planner is closed.

The WeekDate weekly planner doesn't have monthly planning calendars, but I have figured out a way around that.  Here's what I'm doing.  Below is what the WeekDate planner looks like opened out but with the cover of the weekly section closed:

On the black cover I'm sticking two extra-sticky post-it notes (that my awesome sister sent me awhile back).  The post-its measure 4 inches square, so they fit perfectly on the cover, two side by side.  I'm using blue notes because I associate monthly planning with blue for some reason.  Anyway, the left note will be my list of goals for the current month, and the right note will be upcoming events to prepare for over the next two months.  This will keep these items in view right up front every time I open my planner.

At the end of each month I'll archive my goals for that month on the backside of the weekly page at the beginning of that month, so when I flip through my book I can reference past goals and see how I'm progressing as the year goes on.

There are lots of features in this planner that allow you to customize your WeekDate usage in many different ways, like the lined space on the weekly page, and lined space on the backside of the week pages.  It's a very flexible system that can be used in endless ways and in many different contexts.  For example, I'm a SAHM and use it mostly for household and kids' stuff.  But an executive could use it to keep track of meetings, sales and finances.  Students can put their weekly class schedule in the bottom section to make sure they don't make any conflicting appointments, and write their assignments due in the day spaces. Working parents will probably benefit from the WeekDate system the most, because they can use it to keep up on work and family obligations without having to re-write and double-check everything constantly.  Write it once, then go with the flow!  

I love the little details that make a big difference, like the tear-off tabs for finding the current week instantly and the monthly indicators at the edge of the page to easily find a future date.  We all know how much I love monthly tabs!

It's wonderful how the planner opens out big with lots of space to write, but folds down to such a slim and portable size. And, I love that all seven days are full size columns, with Sunday right up there alongside Saturday for easy weekend planning.

And the beautiful cover art makes me smile every time I look at it.  :)

WeekDate products are available only online, at www.weekdate.com.  If you are interested in these be sure to hurry because they sell out quickly each year!