Using a diary/planner

[redheaded-squirrel]

I think I need to improve my time-management skills, so I'd really like to start using a daily planner. Consistently. But usually I just give up after a few weeks, forget the planner and go back to writing my to-do lists on random pieces of paper and post-it notes and blank Word documents...

 

I love the idea of having one planner with all your notes in it and being organized...I tried buying expensive and pretty planners, diaries, Paperblanks and stuff...but I always gave up. I guess I don't like the fact that the lists of things stay in your planner even after you did them - with random pieces of paper, I write down the list, I cross things off, and once I am done with everything, I like to crumple it and "physically" get rid of it, throw it in the bin...brings me more satisfaction.

 

So, any tips or tricks for sticking to a planner consistently?

[SammySammy]

I prefer an 8x11 weekly planner from BlueSky.com. When it's open on my desk, I can view the full week without flipping pages.

 

I've found that I'm most productive when I plan my day the previous night and use the Pomodoro technique during the day.

[Methodical]

I can't imagine using a portfolio planner when I can use my phone as a planner, delete completed tasks, archive things that need to be stored for reference points and it's pretty much always on me or within hands reach. I can back up my data on a computer or external hard drive. Everyone has their preferences and whatever works best for you is the way you should go .

[SammySammy]

I can't imagine using a portfolio planner when I can use my phone as a planner, delete completed tasks, archive things that need to be stored for reference points and it's pretty much always on me or within hands reach. I can back up my data on a computer or external hard drive. Everyone has their preferences and whatever works best for you is the way you should go .

 

I haven't found an app that would allow me to do everything I want to do in that one app. What do you use?

[acrosstheuniverse]

I've been using a Filofax for around six or seven years now, I wouldn't be able to function without it! The benefits are endless... You can use the same binder for years and just replace the inserts, it's fully customisable, I find it easier to visualise my week or my financial plans and to do lists when they're on a paper, I like to be able to sketch and scribble, I like being able to add things into there like leaflets, never runs out of battery, unlikely to be stolen, doesn't die when you drop it in the toilet

 

It's hard for me to give advice on how to actually use it consistently as I wouldn't be able to NOT use it with the amount of stuff I have going on, all I can suggest is you make it your ONLY source for organising for a while, no duplicating on your phone, make sure you write everything down that you have planned, decide what in particular other than the diary you want to do in there (I have to do lists, finances, the diary, an address book, a clear wallet for important receipts and that's about it. I also invested in a hole punch for the Filofax rings which is a god send as I can stick things in there like each month's time sheet which I only need in for a short while.

 

I also use a pilot frixion erasable pen which is ideal for a planner as it saves messy crossing out, perhaps you'd enjoy that in order to rub things off your to do list. I do rip out the page once it's full.

 

You should also think about what sort of diary you want to keep. I use a horizontal week to view, I like to be able to see the whole week at once, and have enough space to write plenty on each day. I find the month to view too cramped and the day per page stops me from seeing the entire week at a glance. I also use a highlighter for certain things such as my voluntary job shifts. It takes a lot of experimenting to find what works for you.

[d0nnivain]

Open a gmail account & use those planning tools. It is the easiest to sync to your phone so it's always available. You can program in alarms & reminders. Best of all it's free.

[redheaded-squirrel]

I've been using a Filofax for around six or seven years now, I wouldn't be able to function without it! The benefits are endless... You can use the same binder for years and just replace the inserts, it's fully customisable, I find it easier to visualise my week or my financial plans and to do lists when they're on a paper, I like to be able to sketch and scribble, I like being able to add things into there like leaflets, never runs out of battery, unlikely to be stolen, doesn't die when you drop it in the toilet

 

It's hard for me to give advice on how to actually use it consistently as I wouldn't be able to NOT use it with the amount of stuff I have going on, all I can suggest is you make it your ONLY source for organising for a while, no duplicating on your phone, make sure you write everything down that you have planned, decide what in particular other than the diary you want to do in there (I have to do lists, finances, the diary, an address book, a clear wallet for important receipts and that's about it. I also invested in a hole punch for the Filofax rings which is a god send as I can stick things in there like each month's time sheet which I only need in for a short while.

 

I also use a pilot frixion erasable pen which is ideal for a planner as it saves messy crossing out, perhaps you'd enjoy that in order to rub things off your to do list. I do rip out the page once it's full.

 

You should also think about what sort of diary you want to keep. I use a horizontal week to view, I like to be able to see the whole week at once, and have enough space to write plenty on each day. I find the month to view too cramped and the day per page stops me from seeing the entire week at a glance. I also use a highlighter for certain things such as my voluntary job shifts. It takes a lot of experimenting to find what works for you.

 

Thanks for you ideas! I like the erasable pen, that could help. And I could try switching from Paperblanks to Filofax so that I can rip out the used pages (it's such a shame to rip out pages out of the Paperblanks)...

[hasaquestion]

Open a gmail account & use those planning tools. It is the easiest to sync to your phone so it's always available. You can program in alarms & reminders. Best of all it's free.

 

If my options were no planner or Google Calendars, I'd just not have a planner. I can't bring myself to use electronic tools unless necessary. Too impersonal and they don't keep me engaged with them.

 

OP, I use an 8.5"x11" for keeping track of things. I'd consider starting with that for now, and if you need more space moving down to a smaller planner with more pages. The worst thing is when you have a planner with a lot of empty space.