And now, for the update!
So, when I was first organizing the planner I set it up to have folders at the front, between the months of December 2015/January 2016 and at the end for 2017 planning. I still love the folder options! But I've found that the vertical layout is even better than I imagined! You can see the layout in the first picture above - it's divided into Morning, Afternoon and Evening sections (these pics show my first attempt at Washi-taping over the dividers...I'm better now!). On weeks that we are just slammed with stuff going on, I leave those printed dividers as they are because at a glance it's easy to see what is next. But, on weeks we're less busy, I Washi them and divide my days into different work projects - like editing in the morning or finishing non-fiction projects in the afternoons or what have you.The week I'm showing you was (obviously) trick-or-treat week...and I went a little sticker crazy.
Hey, it happens!
Another area I like even more than I thought I would is the left 'sidebar'. It's an open area of lines where I can write To Dos or big events...but more often than not, I use that section to make big weekly goals - what I want to write that week, what I want to read, my exercise goals and a quote or prayer or saying that is motivational/inspirational.In October, I chose 'beauty' as my word of the month, and because I didn't have anything massively outstanding during Trick or Treat week, I used the left space for a quote that I really like. The picture right is another week, where I have that left space broken down into reading, writing, etc.
All in all, I love this new planner. I feel like I've 'found' time because I'm actually planning my work week, along with RadioMan's and bebe's activies and our family stuff. I can't wait to see what I accomplish using this for a whole year as opposed to the two-ish months I've used it in 2015.
Oh, and I've also spent a small fortune at Staples and Target for Washi tapes, stickers, pens and...yanno, other *necessary* planner stuffs.
Do you have a planner/organizer? What helps you stay on track?
Each year it's a challenge to find the same planner I love using. I'd searched long and hard to find just the one that works for me, but it's hit and miss if I'll find it again. I don't use stickies, but I do make little pictures and scribbles.
ReplyDeletecool! I'd scribble but...they would just look like scribbles. Good luck finding your planner this year!
DeleteWow, you are so good. I think you should make these for all the WRanglers, then watch us...er...not keep up. :-) I use a Guideposts Daily Planner and have for years. I also use the calendar on my phone and a paper calendar that hangs in the laundry room. Needless to say, the system is flawed, inefficient, and error-laden (I can't count the number of times I've scheduled things over other things and had to bow out of something I wanted to do), but I haven't managed to put everything in one spot yet! All writing stuff ends up in the planner, which is good--it's the rest of my life I can't keep track of!
ReplyDeletelol, I know that struggle! I do have a Yahoo calendar, but I rarely use it. There is something about hand writing something in a planner that helps me stay on track. Mostly. :D
DeleteI'm a champion spiral notebook scribbler! This past year I did get a planner and it worked pretty well for my writing stuff--much like Liz described, I'm all over the place. I just got a new planner yesterday...I'm early for a change! For the past couple of months I've focused on taking a few minutes each week to update my Google Calendar (which is also on m'phone) then put ALL of that into my planner. It seems I have to have something paper as well. It's my hope that I can keep this up, we'll see ;) Here's the planner I got and I think it'll work well--it's the operator that needs the tune up, LOL! http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Paper-Kraft-Polka-Planner/dp/B00PEEVLX2
ReplyDeleteoooh, that is cute! It kind of reminds me of the Erin Condren planners (which I've used in the past). I'm trying to do better with my Yahoo calendar, but so far the only things I'm *really* good about keeping in there are my blogging dates. Good luck keeping your planner planned, Dana! :)
DeleteI have a planner--mostly to put my work schedule. I occasionally do put other things on it. I like the idea of putting your weekly goals on it--and the exercise boxes. I did that earlier in the year for my writing goals and it seemed to work pretty well. Maybe I should start up again...Mmmmm...
ReplyDeletelet me know if you start it back up - I'll cheer you on!
DeleteI have an at-a-glance organizer we refer to as "my brain." If it doesn't get written in there, it doesn't happen (maybe why my weight-loss is nonexistent... Good idea to put that in there as well!). A few times, I've had to make the excuse that I (literally!) left my brain at home. Good luck with you on your fun planner!
ReplyDeletethanks, Ava!
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