Welcome to Plannerisms

Monday, August 5, 2013

Poll: Do you carry your planner with you everywhere?

Ideally, everyone's planner would be small enough to carry everywhere so we're always ready to capture appointments and events no matter where we are.

But in the real world that doesn't always work. Especially those of us who like to use a large planner don't always want to carry it all the time.

I use two planners, a weekly and a daily, and I don't carry them everywhere. Usually I carry my daily to capture details on the go, but it's a large heavy daily book so there are definitely times when I don't carry it. I do take my weekly planner along when I know I'll need to schedule something, but most of the time it stays home. This isn't an ideal situation and sometimes I do get caught out without my planner when I need to check a date or write something down. But I like large pages, which equals a large book which is less portable. I'm still trying to figure out a better situation.

What about you? Do you carry your planner with you absolutely everywhere? (And if so, what planner do you use that you don't mind carrying it?)  Do you carry your planner most of the time but not always? Do you only carry it when you know you'll need it while you're out? Do you never carry your planner? Or, do you capture things on your phone while you're out and transfer it to your planner later?

Please vote in the poll in the sidebar!

59 comments:

  1. When I used my Filofax Personal Malden as both organiser and wallet, I took it everywhere (because I never leave the house without my wallet). However, since adopting a Mini Finchley to carry my cash, Mr. Malden sometimes stays home. I keep paper and a pen in my Finchley in case I need to make a quick note while I'm out and about.

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  2. I can't be without my planner. I feel naked without my planner! Yes, I carry it with me everywhere! I used a personal Malden ff for that, now I bought a pocket Malden and an A5 Calipso A5, and I am deciding which one to use!

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    1. Yes, Yes, Yes, I totally agree - I feel naked without my planner(s) ;-)))

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  3. I use a bound book (DIN B6) for my long-term planning and a small spiral bound day-book for the current day and some overview and notes (a sort of ´in-box´); usually I carry them both (being bound books they are not so heavy), if I just have a small bag with me it´s the day-book that comes along. Aaaaaand I have a Filofax on my desk with a copy of my longterm calendar and sections for my GTD organisation..... it does sound complicated but it seems to work quite well for me, maybe because I don´t mind writing some things twice. I ´m still not sure about the small day planner though and keep changing between the spiral bound and a pocket size Filofax.....

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  4. Yes!
    (Very) recent Midori convert. Ideal carting-about planner, no fuss, no drama, and bumps and scratches add to the history!

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  5. I carry my filofax with me everywhere, apart from if im going out of the office for lunch or going out in an evening and not taking a handbag (which pretty much never happens) or if i know that where im going isnt somewhere i will be planning anything (like the gym.. and it doesnt come swimming with me either) generally where my handbag goes, my planner goes.

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  6. Yes, I carry my planner with me all the time. I use a plain spiral notebook and a full size Uncalendar Lifestyle. They not only are lighter to carry than my old filofax, but I can write forever and capture everything I need.

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  7. I carry mine all the time because what I found was that the ONE time I wouldn't have it would be the time I needed it the most. Right now I'm also using it as a wallet--but I'm not in love with that and hope to remedy it soon.
    (Personal Malden) I use a blank notebook in conjunction w/the FF for brain dump space and other stuff, and sometimes I leave that at home if I'm trying to lighten my purse for that day in particular--but day to day I usually carry it with me too.

    P.S. I would love to know how Christine uses her spiral bk and Uncaldendar! :)

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    1. Me too! Christine have you blogged about the details of your Uncalendar + notebook use?

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    2. Hi, Laurie and Rori. No, I haven't blogged yet. I start by planning my week in the Un (the 8.5"x11" spiral bound): I list my appointments and time specific tasks in the days section, my primary personal tasks in one list block, my work tasks in another, my current reading in a third, and then I use the grid to check off whether or not I exercised, meditated, took my pills or whatever else I'm tracking. The big empty space is to capture random notes - order numbers, phone numbers, insights, etc. The Un's big monthly calendar is for work, since I have a lot of repetitive tasks by week. I use the notes/tech pages, one per month. I track my weight on the grid, put my monthly goals in a list block, and keep a running log of major events of the month on the notes page. In my spiral notebook, every morning I turn to a new page, date it, put down moon phase, weather, health and family notes, then write a big sprawling list that draws from the Un and goes on to incorporate new ideas. I might journal for a page, doodle for a page, and have started (filo deprivation) using washi tape and stickers in my spiral notebook! Sorry this is so long. High time I started a blog.

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    3. Christie:
      Are you on Twitter? I would LOVE to see pics!! Please?? Your system sounds fantastic :)

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    4. Christine thanks for these details! If you have the time and interest at all in doing a guest post here on your system I know a lot of people would be interested!

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    5. OK! I'll email you with some questions on how to proceed!

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  8. I am using a Personal Planner in the medium size, which is 6.5 by 6 inches with the leather cover. It goes *everywhere* with me because, like Rori, I have learned the hard way I can't predict when I will need it. I did stick a little no-name notebook in the plastic pocket in case I need to scribble something I don't want in the planner.

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  9. I have a Franklin Covey compact (same as FF personal) and I carry it everywhere. I only buy purses big enough to fit it.

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  10. I use a FF Personal Malden and for a wallet, a Pocket Finsbury. I carry the former almost everywhere, but there are just times when it's not practical or needed such as going out at night with friends. In general, comes with me everywhere unless I am pinched for space in my bag (ie. when travelling). It's my go-to notebook and you never know when you want to write something down.

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  11. I have to always have my planner with me. Even if we're out and about for the day and I know I won't be looking at it, I toss it in my bag just in case. Most of the time, I take it out of my bag when I first get home in the evenings and it sits on my desk, the kitchen island, or the coffee table ready to use if needed. It's such a habit now that I always remember to grab it in the morning before I leave. It's a little obsessive, but I'm afraid of what a day would look like if I accidentally left my planner at home!

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    1. I left mine at work one day and my husband's response was "and you found your way home and everything."

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  12. I have a Franklin Covey compact Sophia (black pebbled leather) and take it everywhere. I even squeezed it into a fancy shoulder bag and used it as my wallet when attending a recent wedding. It came in handy when people wanted to exchange contact info and I had paper & pen at the ready :)

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  13. Franklin Covey classic size with 1 1/2" rings, goes everywhere with me. Purses don't live long enough and on the spur of the moment I bought a kids' backpack on clearance at Walmart (because the day planner fit!) and it has lived for 3 years and going strong. Obviously, I am not worried about fashion! If I need to up scale from my back pack I do have a huge leather purse to put it in.

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  14. I've just downsized from an A5 filofax to a personal sized Debden Bella, and I love that I can take it everywhere without worrying about forcing it to fit into handbags.

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  15. I carry mine everywhere when I leave the house. It's a compact filofax, and I use it as my wallet. In the house, I have slightly more of an issue. When I'm busy in the evenings in the sitting-room it's with me, as that's where I keep my bag, but at other times I don't carry it around the house. I should, but I'm kind of afraid I'll forget to put it back in my bag and find myself in a supermarket checkout queue with no wallet!

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  16. I strive to have a doodled/scrapbook type planner where I glue in all sorts of things and write down all the bits and pieces of my day. But unfortunately, I just don't have the time in my every day to do that. I have to keep my work stuff on Outlook so this planner is just my personal life planner.

    I do want to carry mine everywhere and I usually intend too, but since I did a DIY planner out of a large moleskine cahier, the front is sort of fragile and I had to keep gluing down my modge podged cover.

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  17. I don't carry my planner because it's a classic-size Franklin Covey -- too big and heavy to carry. I leave it at work during the week and take it home on weekends. I put personal appointments on my phone and write notes, to-do's, and shopping lists in a pocket size Leuchtturm notebook I keep in my purse. Next year I'm going to ditch the Franklin Covey and replace it with...? By the way, I don't think I've ever seen an Internet poll with a link to change your vote after voting, but it somehow seems in keeping with Plannerisms ;)

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  18. I carry my Filofax Flex A5 everywhere. I need to have current reports with me as I run a holiday cottage ("vacation rental") business and always need to view current bookings and housekeeping schedules. The Flex is ideal as it has lots of pockets yet is light. I've been using the monthly Moleskine for a few weeks. It fits into one of the inside pockets perfectly (Large Moleskine into A5 Flex) and the leather cover protects the Moleskine. For me, a planner without a cover would soon look tatty whilst the Flex makes it look professional. It also carries well with my iPad that also goes most places.

    As you know, I would be a Plannerism convert if only they were A5, as I find the similar Moleskine monthly calendars with adjacent lined pages are ideal for goal setting and planning (I use iPhone/iPad for daily scheduling). I've made up a booklet of all the other information I need to carry in one of the other Flex pockets and have managed without a ringbound system for a few weeks. Although I may return to it, I find the extra weight and bulk of rings (especially in A5 and as a left-hander) is a deterrent for carrying such a binder around.

    I've long been tempted by a Midori but I would miss all the pockets! They keep me organised with business cards, trade cards, stamps, rail tickets etc.

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    1. I think you should try the Midori. It has zipped pockets, plastic sticky pockets and business card holders for the things you mentioned. And if you do buy it, let me know how it works out. ;-)

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    2. Oh Ling! I had just convinced myself that I didn't need one! Now I'm thinking again! I've seen all the You Tube videos and Ray Blake's inserts. It certain has a cult following! Is yours a standard or passport size?

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  19. I carry my compact chameleon FF everywhere even on holidays. Just in case...

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  20. I don't carry my planner for a number of reasons. I just carry a small appointments diary and some post-its to make lists on.

    1) It's very heavy and I walk to work. I would probably damage my back!
    2) I don't have a job where a planner is necessary.
    3) I mainly use my planner for goal setting so I don't really need to consult it outside my home. I've heard other planner addicts say they scribble ideas and journal throughout the day. I don't really have that sort of lifestyle though. When I am out I just get things done and go home!

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  21. Yes, I carry it everywhere with me. And I tend to carry it in my hand rather than in a bag (whenever possible). Right now I'm using a medium Gillio Mia Cara in Gold.

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  22. I carry my stuffed to the gills A5 Finchley everywhere plus a stuffed pen case. Love having her with me :)

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  23. Franklin Covey compact with 1.5 inch rings; goes everywhere with me except for walking the dogs... I'd carry it on dog walks too if it was feasible. Occasionally I head out to a formal thing for which it is not really appropriate to carry a brief case or bag (e.g. a wedding) and feel naked without the planner. It is just so convenient to have everything with me at all times.

    Just finished up a trial run with separate work and personal planners and became enormously frustrated because I was suddenly carrying TWO planners EVERYWHERE which seemed absurd. Very relieved to be back in one fat book which just feels natural and efficient for me.

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  24. I carry my Holborn with me all day long. I use it as a wallet too and every pocket has its (minimalistic) function. For me the key is using it as a wallet and planner combo. If I'd only use it as a planner, I would forget to take it out of the house. If it was only a wallet, I'd forget to take my planner with me.
    I'm still figuring out what to use for journaling, goal setting, etc. I have a purple A5 Malden and A4 Finsbury and I need to commit myself to using one of them and setting it up. I'm also attracted to the Midori, no rings (I'm left handed), the ability to keep the notebooks, the page size.. I might try it one day.

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  25. Ever since I quit using an FC compact because it was too big and bulky and rediscovered Filofax, I have lovingly stuffed my personal Holborn (or sometimes Aston) with my entire brain and it goes everywhere, always.

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    1. :) I love how you refer it to your "entire brain" I bet it's all fluffy too--I love it when they get like that!

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  26. I have a personal and I carry it the majority of the time. If I'm going out for a meal or something like that then it stays at home.

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  27. Everywhere. Can't leave home without it!

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  28. I carry two with me everywhere.......A5 Chameleon and a Pocket Chameleon, which I use as a wallet.

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  29. Yes - I carry my A5 with me in my purse. I actually have anxiety if I don't have it within reach! I have left my wallet or my cellphone at home at times, but I have my planner :)I am fine:)

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  30. I use a Kate Spade agenda, in the personal size. I use it as a wallet as well so it's always with me! The only time I do not carry it is for the brief time while I'm out jogging.

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  31. This has been a really fantastic post and thread of comments :D Thanks Laurie!

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  32. I use a Filofax Personal Malden in Ochre. It goes everywhere with me!

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  33. I take my A5 (Holborn zip) to work, but I don't always take it out with me unless I know I will need it - for example, at the doctor's or dentist's for booking appointments. I have a copy of my diary on my phone, and use that when I don't have my Filofax.

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  34. I carry my black personal Malden with me everywhere. She's like my 3rd child! I have my entire life inside and I would feel lost without her. I've been using my Filofax only since March of this year, but I've been using some sort of planner since I was 6. Since I stumbled upon Filofax and the huge following it has, I'm addicted!!

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  35. I use a large MoleSkine Weekly +Notes. My reference information is kept in Evernote on my phone.

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  36. Before I was gifted the perfect wallet my Filofax went with me everywhere, but nowadays I usually just bring my wallet since it contains all the information I might need access to while out and about for the day, a pen and blank paper.

    Generally speaking, I just need to know which prior engagements I have in case I need to book an appointment when out, if I need to do/buy something specific and of course how much money I have left for x since I'm doing a form of envelope budgeting without withdrawing actual cash. That information fits easily on a pile of stapled paper, tucked into a pocket in my wallet.

    If I am travelling, or if I know I'm going to have lots of downtime when I might want to sit down and journal, I do bring my Filofax but usually it lives at home, travelling from desk to kitchen table to night stand with me. :)

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  37. I carry my A5 Finchley with me everywhere. It is big but I never know what I might need to remember, write down, log in or schedule. I am leaning toward a personal Malden in Ochre. It will definitely be more manageable.

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  38. I MUST carry a planner where ever I go ! I am lost completely without it/them! Recently I traveled on a very cramped bus to visit a friend and had very little precious room to 'carry on' the essentials...I would Not relinquish my planner(s) and I had several with me: FF zippered Westminster, several Moleskines for general note taking and story ideas and a huge FC also zippered that is bursting at the seams! It was suggested by well meaning friends that I could pack my planners and check them with my luggage...but gasp, no way ! I need them with me! Sure that is an extreme example, but even going out with friends/family, to the library well, I at least have to carry my FF Dakota pocket or the Durham pocket. They are my security, or insecurity blankets lol ! Really, they're so much a part of me and so personalized..well how can I leave them behind....so yes, long story short...some form of FF is always with me!

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  39. I carry my Personal Metropol with me everywhere. I would like to use a pocket or mini as a wallet, but haven't worked out the logistics yet.

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  40. I have a personal size Filofax and I carry it with me everywhere. I feel lost without it. And when I am going somewhere that I can't take it with me, I transfer all pertinent information into a pocket size Filofax and carry that as a wallet. I'm not sure how I would feel without any kind of planner with me - it never happens!

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  41. I have a personal size Filofax and I carry it with me everywhere. I feel lost without it. And when I am going somewhere that I can't take it with me, I transfer all pertinent information into a pocket size Filofax and carry that as a wallet. I'm not sure how I would feel without any kind of planner with me - it never happens!

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  42. I jumpd onto the a FF craze after catching a random FF video on Youtube. I went nuts and bought about 12 filos! I have about 4 a5's, 4 personals and 2 mini's. All various styles/colors. I started in an A5 purple malden, and moved to an A5 Raspberry Chameleon, which i use everyday!! I tried to use the A5 for work and an orange Personal Osterly for, my personal life and found that I hate maintaining two FF's! So now i just stick to my A5 but love admiring my collection and plan on changing out every season. But my A5 weighs a ton!!! Still I lug it everywhere like Linus with his securiy blanket:)
    Maddy

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  43. I carry my planner around with me all the time. I even place it next to me on the bed, or on the bedside table if the hubby is around. I am so forgetful that each time I think of an idea or something, I have to jot it down. And a notepad won't work because I keep losing them. I have an Aqua Saffiano personal.

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  44. After wrestling with the A5 vs Personal dilemma for months, I finally am back to this: my A5 Chameleon lives on my desk at home and I carry a Personal of some kind with me every day. This week it's the Pink Classic. I then have to "sync" some things between the 2 which is a pain, but that's the way it is (for now!).

    I also use a mini as a wallet...Pink Classic this week...to match :) So that goes everywhere with me, as well.

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  45. Guess I'll be the oddball -- no, I don't carry my planner everywhere. Mostly it just goes from work and back, with occasional trips to critique group. I simply don't need to carry it everywhere.

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  46. I usually do carry my personal filofax (Plum Osterly) everywhere. I have my weekly calendar which I use mostly for tasks and todo's, I keep client notes and meeting notes in them too. I have some membership cards and such in them too. I have passport size pictures and other reference notes for me and my daughter. I carry it even when I travel, just in case. Contacts and appointments are on my phone as they sync directly to Outlook.

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  47. My planner goes with me everywhere, and I'm realizing that it should go with me from place to place in my house too! If it isn't handy, I don't write down random things in it and my inboxes stay full.

    I used the Erin Condren Life Planner starting in April, but I just switched back to my personal Holborn Filofax.

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    1. Hannah, could you elaborate on why you switched back?

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