I'm going to try a thing we've been doing on Philofaxy for years: Free For All Friday, where anyone can post a comment and/or ask a question. Some examples of discussion: are you looking for a particular planner? Want some ideas on how to use your planner system more effectively? Have you found a new planner you want to tell us all about? This is an open forum to discuss anything planner-related with me and the wider planner community.
I'll run FFAF for a few weeks and see if people like it.
So, please post a comment! What's new in your planner world? Have you decided on your planner for 2014 yet?
Have you tried a Midori Traveler's Notebook?
ReplyDeleteI have abandoned Filofax which I found almost too flexible (and too heavy to cart about) in favour of a two notebook set up in Midori, plain and 005.
The 005 is a two month diary, start anytime, so if I find it's not working I haven't invested in 12 months worth and there are three other formats to try.
Hi natalie, I haven't yet opened the Midori can of worms, although a lot of people have recommended them to me. I'm happy with my Plannerisms planner, but I can see the value of the Midori as a Filofax alternative with the diary and notes in one book. But as with a Filofax, I don't think I would like having only a couple of months worth of diary pages in the book.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for a mid year diary with good paper quality. I was looking at the moleskine notebook diary (as I really like the format) but someone advised me against it because the paper quality is poor?
Do you have any other recommendations?
Hi Sarah! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteAh, Moleskine paper. Let me just say, Moleskine paper is as Moleskine paper does. Some people think it is nice. Some people think it is horrible. It depends on your writing instruments. It's famous for not performing well with fountain pens and roller ball pens with wet ink that can bleed through. But if you mainly use ball points or pencil, it's fine.
That said, there are other brands with mid-year planners and better paper. Quo Vadis diaries have wonderful paper and a variety of sizes and formats for mid-year: http://www.quovadis-diaries.co.uk/acatalog/academic_diaries_2013-14.html
Paperblanks also makes mid-year planners with nice paper, in a variety of sizes: http://blog.paperblanks.com/2013/05/18-month-academic-dayplanners/ Their Verso interior format is the week + notes, but I don't think they make that in a mid-year diary.
Leuchtturm also has nice paper and mid-year formats, but again I don't know if they have a weekly notebook mid-year.
Now that you mention it, I can't really think off the top of my head what other brands have the same week + notes format as the Moleskine in a mid-year version but with better paper. Rhodia has, but they are available only in the US I think. I could name a couple of brands with mid-year planners with poorer paper, but I won't.
I'm assuming you are in the UK? Can anyone recommend a mid-year weekly notebook like Moleskine with better paper?
Week + notes is my favored format but hard to find. The only mid-year ones I am aware of are the Rhodia Webplanners. There are two sizes, 6.25x9.5 inches and 4x6 inches.
DeleteHere is my review of the academic-year large Rhodia planner: http://www.plannerisms.com/2013/06/rhodia-academic-year-weeknotes-planner.html
DeleteThe paper is spectacular, but I don't know how/ where to get it outside the US.
Thank you for your replies!
DeleteI think this FFAF is a great idea!
I'm experimenting with a new system now because I'd like to write full time in the future. But that'll be a huge change scheduling-wise from a regular job. I figure that I can practice different ideas in the day job in small steps (this is thanks to posts from here http://www.2time-sys.com/). I may revert to a simple monthly paper calendar from my Arc, for doctor's appointments, etc.
ReplyDeleteAt work, I've been using the Outlook calendar and putting things I have to do on it. For example, if I know I have to check in 10 days on three tickets, I create a half an hour slot and insert the three emails inside the calendar. Because of the way my job is, I can't really do a daily schedule. To do lists drive me mad and only emphasize that I have way too much work (not to mention, I lose things were on the list). Plus they have to be constantly checked, reminding me of the too much work I have, which turns demoralizing.
So I just put things that have a date on the calendar somewhere and each day, schedule about two hours out, and only for 30 minutes. I also had to set the default to "no reminder," since I had tried this method before, the reminders drove me crazy to the point where I just started deleting the items off the calendar in disgust. Then I spend the day shuffling them, based on what changes during the day. Right now, all I'm doing is focusing on getting everything onto that calendar. I'm not trying to do anything else except that.
Great idea Laurie. I hope it leads to lots of great discussions.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve! I was thinking this morning how I could have some kind of open forum on a regular basis where people could ask questions and offer advice...duh! That's exactly what FFAF is!
DeletePlanner Finds is the next thing then!!! Hmmm big task ! If you want some tips you know where I am!
DeleteAnd 'The Best Pen' as reviewed by Wirecutter
ReplyDeletehttp://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-pen/
And it's not expensive!
Have I decided on a 2014 planner yet? Well, I am using a Personal Planner in medium size that goes from July 2013 through June 2014, so in theory I have half the year set. However the reason I am using the PP is to fill in until January, having had planner fail the first six months of this year. On this excellent blog called Plannerisms I was pointed toward the Quo Vadis Note 15 and I have one of those to set up in January. So I will be calling the dog between the Personal Planner and the Note 15.
ReplyDeleteFFAF will be awesome on here except that the comments might get *really* long. ;-)
Oh, and I read the "best pen" review. Awhile back I had tried the Uni-ball Jetstream in a couple of different colors and sizes and they all "blobbed" on me. Maybe it's me. . .
ReplyDeleteAre you planning to create a Plannerisms academic planner for 2014-15?
ReplyDeleteHi cantejondo, I hope so, but my publisher hasn't decided yet if they will make an academic-year planner. We've discussed it though!
DeleteWell, I hope that you do! It looks like an academic version would be great.
DeleteThanks! And, I agree, I'd love to be able to plan the entire school year in one book.
DeleteHi Laurie,
ReplyDeleteWhat is the expected released date of the 2014 Plannerism Planners?
Thanks
Hi Andrew, I'm hoping they will be available by the end of this month. Thanks for your interest and your patience! :)
Delete