I really enjoy my planner system, and it works well for me, but sometimes it feels like a lot to keep up with. I funnel the monthly big picture into the weekly schedule and down into the daily details. I write a lot each day, which makes an excellent record. This system keeps me organized and satisfies my journaling needs, but I do end up copying events several times from my monthly to weekly to daily pages. Sometimes I wish I could write each event once, on the day it happens, and that's all.
But my system is simplistic compared to some of the planners I've seen online, especially the printable ones with graphs, charts, tracking, worksheets, etc. These are excellent tools for people who really need them, but to me they look like a lot of work to keep up.
Is your planner system simple? Or like me do you sometimes feel it can be a lot to keep up with?
And as always on Fridays feel free to discuss and/ or ask anything planner related!
My system is definitely tiring to work. I have a wonderful fantasy life in which I use simple little planners, but in reality I'm apparently chained to ring binders in order to have only one planner. Right now I can't manage two planning tools even if they don't replicate. I love the simple layout of the Uncalendar and how everything fits in there and I can track so many things - but I need an adjunct system to make it work. And I'm not carrying two things when I can carry one. I've got an FC binder with 1.5" rings and month, week and day pages, and do my very best to avoid rewriting, which means a whole lot of flipping back and forth, but so far it's worth it. What I really want is for my life to become much less complex. Maybe in a few months it will settle down again.
ReplyDeleteSince starting with DIY fish inserts my system is *so* much simpler! Almost everything now fits on those lovely flexible monthly and weekly pages rather than being scattered through my planner - all my goal steps, routine tasks, spiritual study schedule, monthly tracking, appointments, tasks, notes, reminders... all neatly wrapped in a few pages! Some information such as gratitude and commonplace items I will transfer out to other pages in the binder when I remove the weekly pages, and if I have notes I need to keep I'll just make a page or few for them. All the project and goal lists can go on simple note pages in front, and if I can just find some monthly tabbed inserts for future planning I think I might, dare I say it, have a brilliant system that works for me and can be fitted in a slimline/compact filo or moved to a personal as and how I need. And it's so much less work than my previous mass of pages, trying to use dailies, recopying tasks etc!
ReplyDeleteMy system is relatively simple, despite the fact that I track needs of and activities for my immediate family of four and sometimes my elderly parents. It has evolved to two-days-per-page homemade inserts (until I can budget for Piaric to do it for me LOL) supported by month-on-two-page dividers from Franklin Covey. Disclaimer: this is all in the Classic/Desk/A5-ish size, so there is plenty of room for writing. Week-on-two-pages inserts were not enough, and day-on-one-or-two-pages inserts were too much. I've personally never had the need for monthly/weekly/daily views simultaneously, other than during those months when I tried the Planner Pad GTD-inspired system for many months. That ended up being too much writing for me without much perceived benefit, so they were abandoned and the weekly planning step ditched.
ReplyDeleteYes, I get to thinking its complicated. I definitely want simplier, is it the fear of letting go or does this system need to stay. I tried dropping all my daily routine, weekly cleaning and goal tracking checklists. The world did not end, but things were definitely left undone. Could I live with it, probably, but I would have to start sitting and thinking about what I need to do each day--I don't feel like sitting down, thinking through it all, writing it all down again--checklists are easier. Do I need to journal? I've tried that route and I have difinite "withdrawls". Monthly is a must. Love the dailies to keep me focused and when searching for information it is so easy to find. (I did drop the color coding on my DIYfish inserts as that took up way to much time). Weekly--its a love/hate relationship. I keep having these visions of a beach and just a week + notes layout. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI hear you Cassandra! I console myself by remembering my mantra: "Big Life, Big Planner." I enjoy my big life, so I embrace my big planner system!
DeleteHi everyone. I am a regular Plannerisms reader but have never posted until today!
ReplyDeleteI use a Quo Vadis President planner. I spent years with a FC Classic size which eventually didn't work for me. I couldn't write around the rings, and the bulk was too heavy. I also need a weekly spread in column format, but large enough for ample writing. I tried everything (Filofax, Midori TN, Circa, and others), and the Quo Vadis President is my landing place, at least for now. I have used for 2 years. I love the stitched binding that is totally flat on my desk and the white paper with non-fussy format. I keep everything in there with small binder clips and use color-coded sticky notes to keep track of to do lists. It works for me!
Question: Does anyone else use Quo Vadis? If so, I am looking for someone who has the Napa cover. I need something a little more professional than the Club cover, but the Napa is expensive! I am curious if the product is worth the money in terms of quality and longevity.
Thanks to all!
Sandy from Houston, TX
Thanks for your comment Sandy! I love Quo Vadis planners, I've used several of the different styles and formats over the past 20 (!) years. I've never bought their Nappa leather cover though, hopefully someone can comment here for you about the quality. However considering the high level of quality of all their other products I have used, I would assume the leather covers would be good too.
DeleteI can't speak for the Nappa cover, either, but the Soho is more professional looking and wears very well. I used a red Soo on my Visual for 5 years, and other than slight darkening of the spine it shows no wear.
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