31 July 2016

Experienced User - April

This week I would like to welcome April to share with us how she uses her organisers.



I’m April Robinson, living in Michigan with my husband and our cats (rescues all.)  I work full-time as an accounting clerk and office manager.  My hobbies include reading, music, sewing, crochet, and gardening. 

1. When did you start using an organiser?

My first planner was a hardcover-over-spiral week-on-two-pages formatted calendar called the Administrator, circa 1993-94.  It wound up becoming a vital part of my recordkeeping (I was a new wife starting out in my own household), but I grew out of it. In 1995, I acquired my first ring-bound organizer, a Franklin Compact size with a leather and cloth (tapestry) cover.

2. How has your use of an organiser changed over the years?

I’ve been really consistent in the bones of my planner usage.  Franklin-Covey’s system of listing and prioritizing tasks with a separate column for appointments was a model that still makes the most sense to me, 20+ years later. Daily pages in a personal size has been my most frequent format, but in previous jobs, I’ve needed an A5 or even (in Franklin-speak) a Monarch-size.  

The latter two I used in a week on two pages format. Now that I’m only responsible for tracking my own work and appointments, the personal size is fine. But regardless of size, I’ve always used monthly pages, then weekly or daily (sometimes two pages per day.)  

Once I had discovered Franklin, I was permanently in love with ring-bound planners. I eventually took to Filofax by about 2002, after a stray catalog came my way.  I loved the variety of binders, page sizes, and, back in the day, all that variety of pre-printed forms.  

However, I did depart for a few years into the disc-bound world of Levenger’s Circa system.  I found it sleek and elegant and especially stuck with it for the superior paper quality (I’m a diehard fountain pen user.) Eventually though, I missed the ease of moving things around in a ring-bound system.  Looseleaf pages of the disc-bound system get hung up on each other, and those edges do fray after several cycles of moving around.  

By the time I was ready to leave Circa, Filofax had my heart once again…except for that thin paper quality!  Thankfully, I found Philofaxy and learned of customizable inserts I could order or print myself.

3. Which diary format works best for you and why?

Currently, a detailed page per day in personal size is ideal.  For 2016, I attempted my own design for the first time.  Working off of Ray Blake’s generously provided files and his excellent instructions, I created a page that truly works for me and pleases me aesthetically as well (pictures attached.)  I will never have more appointments than I have tasks, so I made a smaller, general area for including those or for other noteworthy events such as important visitors at work, or special event or outing.

Below that are two columns for to-do’s, separated by office work or things for home and personal.  I also wanted to prioritize areas of creativity (I quilt, crochet and write) and study (Bible study and foreign languages.)  And finally, I track my water consumption and supplements. 


My monthly pages are for tracking travel (hubby’s as well), due dates, my vacation time, and appointments.  I’m currently loving the tabbed monthly pages from Handy Forms.  I must have lines in my calendar boxes, and the paper is wonderfully sturdy too. 


If I decide for 2017 to dispense with the homemade inserts, I’ll likely go back to DIY Fish, which I found to be exceptionally well done.

4. What other information do you keep and maintain in your organiser.

As I’ve had for many years regardless of planner system, I maintain tabs for Notes (subdivided by categories of info), Contacts and Projects. 



In front, I continue to retain Filofax’s pages showing international holidays (useful at work), and a year-at-a-glance foldout insert for the following year.  In a plastic sleeve atop all, I keep my basic information page.

I created a copy of the Filofax version of the “Personal Information” page in Excel, and print new ones as edits require.  I’ve found it invaluable to have some of this data with me at all times.  (I’ve heard of folks having concerns over personal information in their planner in case of theft.  But I don’t have any credit card, social security or financial information included.

My address, anyone could get online these days regardless, and the insurance policy details are harmless.  However when I’ve misplaced my planner, including one grim day when I distractedly drove off and it flew from the roof of my car, having my contact information right in front made it possible to recover my planner quickly.)

5. Do you use a 'system' of organisation, and how does it work in your Filofax?

I’ve probably already stomped over this ground in my answers above.  But again, Franklin Covey’s method is tried and true for me and works seamlessly in my Filofax.  Beyond that, I do like the DIY Fish system, though am not currently using.

6. What routines and structures do you use?

I find a bit of inspiration in the old “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” approach.  Other than that, my only structured routine involves caring for my home, and I use the Flylady system.

7. Do you use one binder or several, and if several, how do you use them?

I use only one binder for planning at the moment.  But I am likely going to appropriate one of my A5’s for a second planner, storing information I’m not likely to need when out and about…certain sections in my Notes area.

This would include things like lists of movies, books or TV shows I’m interested in, home maintenance activity, areas of research I need to pursue, things I need to sell on eBay, and so on.  This will thin out my “everyday carry” nicely.  But I will retain sections relating to my cats’ health, bills, an ongoing grocery list, and communication log in my EDC.

Other A5 binders are in use for garden planning and info, quilt patterns and fabric swatches, and I’m about to create another organizer for crochet patterns and yarn samples.  A fourth is dedicated to Bible study.  I’m in the process of converting my language study notes into a Travelers Notebook format, which will free up another A5.  One tip: the $20 I spent to get two reams of A5 paper into my possession have been more than worth it.  (Thanks, Amazon!)

Thank you April. You can catch up with April on Instagram @scribbles_and_bits

If you would like to take part in this series please email steve@philofaxy.com and mark your email 'Experienced Filofax User'

30 July 2016

Web Finds - 30 July 2016

So I hope you have had a good week.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Web Finds - 23 July 2016
  2. Reader Favourite Organiser - Danielle
  3. Guest Post - "Experienced User" can learn a thing ...
  4. Free For All Tuesday No. 286
  5. Web Finds - 26 July 2016
  6. Ring bound and bound planners/notebooks?
  7. The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 22 - Printing your own inserts
  8. Free For All Friday - No. 402 by Steve
So here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.
  1. Undyed binder after months of summer sun - This Bug's Life
  2. Having multiple planners – Effective or confusing? - The Fabulous Planner
  3. My Filofax Collection - My Filofax Blog
  4. Across the (Gillio) world: medium compagna grey/pink - La Bottega di Melany
  5. How to Turn Your Filofax into a Bullet Journal - Goulet Pens Blog
  6. Confessions Of A Plannerholic #4  - The Stationery Geekette
  7. Making My Planner Accessible To Others - A Witty Take On Productive Ways To Maintain A Work/Life Balance
  8. Review: Filofax Lockwood Personal Planner & 2017 Illustrated Stripes Insert Set - The Well-Appointed Desk
  9. Planner Challenge - Lime Tree Fruits 
  10. The Travel Collection [Free Printables] - Planning with Printed Portal
  11. Planner Friday - July - She's Eclectic
  12. Get Your Productivity Under Control with These Awesome Free Planner Inserts and Downloads! - Strange & Charmed
  13. A5 Filofax Clipbook Perpetual Diary insert - The Filofaxist
  14. Day Designer Planners - Spiral Findings
  15. The Happy Planner- Rose Gold Edition - Seaweed Kisses
  16. 5 Common Mistakes People Make Spending Their Time - Time Management Ninja
  17. Calendrier à imprimer du mois d’Août - Accro à l'Organisation
  • We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
We are on the look out for more people to take part in Reader Under the Spotlight. If you would like to appear in this feature then please contact Steve : philofaxy at gmail dot com  Thank you.

The videos and 'My week' posts will appear in their own post on Tuesday.

Enjoy.

29 July 2016

Free For All Friday - No. 402 by Steve

Do you prioritise your to do lists? If so how do you do it?

Of course, since it's Friday, all ring organiser discussion is welcome!

28 July 2016

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 22

Printing your own inserts

Print your own inserts, they said. It'll be easy, they said. 16 reams of paper later you are tearing out your hair. In this episode Steve leads us all to the promised land of printing your own inserts.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Why print your own inserts?
05:45 - Software to use to manipulate the files.
07:30 - What else do you need. Punch, Trimmer, Printer
10:00 - What sort of printer
12:00 - What to look for if you are buying a new printer
14:00 - Paper handling differences between laser printers and inkjet printers
16:30 - Consider the price of the consumables for your new printers
17:45 - Tips on printing inserts or printing A6 size inserts
19:00 - Getting started on designing your own inserts
21:45 - Always print the first blank page.
24:00 - Do a simple test print
24:15 - Printing both sides of the page
26:15 - So if it is so complicated why do you do it?
27:30 - Don't give up..... don't panic, help is at hand
28:00 - Use an office supply store for cutting and punching pages - Hole spacing
29:00 - Tip/Challenge of the week

Episode 22 - Printing your own inserts


A direct download is also available here: Episode22.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites: PlannerologyThinker ExtraordinaireThinker Extraordinaire (Services) Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

Previous Episodes:


21 - How to derail your planning system by over thinking - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
20 - Digital devices/services and your analogue planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
19 - What To Keep In Your 'Others' Tab - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
18 - Zombie Apocalypse Preparation - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
17 - Managing Finances In Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
16 - Planning for those of us who actually can't live without planning, with guest co-host Carie Harling - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
15 - Automation NirvanaA5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
14 - Work Life Balance and Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
13 - GTD Productivity And Using Your Paper Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
12 - Job Seeking and Keeping - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
11 - Planner Fail -  A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
10 - Planner Hacks - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
9 - Planner Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
8 - Choosing Inserts - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
7 - How do you carry your planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
6 - Planners on the go - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
5 - Why would you pay more than the price of a Filofax? - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
4 - Using Your Planner To Create Permanent Habit Changes - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
3 - Getting on with two or more planners - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
2 - Where to start your planning journey and why - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
1 - What size and why....  - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

27 July 2016

Ring bound and bound planners/notebooks?

I see an awful lot of people in our community that have changed from ring bound planners to the travellers notebook style notebooks for planning and note taking.

I use quite a combination myself. Here are my daily planners/organisers On the left is my Quo Vadis Daily 21, which I use as my journal with my Van der Spek pen case, I only write in fountain pen in my journal. Then my Van der Spek A5 Manager custom which is my main stay planner and tool for organising tasks and appointments. And then on the right is my Van der Spek Nomad regular size travellers note book, this is purely used for notes for each episode of the podcast.



As they say... it is pen and paper so does it matter how it is assembled and how it functions? Not really.

For those of you who also have a 'foot in both camps' I also host the 'Travellers Notebook Times' blog which mainly features a once a week 'Web Finds' post just like here on Philofaxy but for Travellers Notebooks. I have done some reviews as well and we feature new product announcements too.

So do you use a combination of paper and pen formats like I do?

26 July 2016

Web Finds - 26 July 2016

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet.

So here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Custom made Van der Spek personal size - Suus S
  2. Van Der Spek Senior Touch Me Review and Comparison - Katslifeincali
  3. Aqua Gillio Mia Cara Comparison - JenniferRBatista
  4. Filofax Pocket Size Saffiano in Aqua Marine - Frugal_Me
  5. Mon clip book filofax - Lulu la tortue
  6. Mein Filofax | Set up, Haul - Sandyx
  7. Which planner to choose!? | Filofax vs. Lilly Pulitzer - AnnaMae K
  8. Erin Condren to Travelers Notebook? Filofax to Travelers Notebook? Tips for making the switch! - The Leather Quill Shoppe
  9. Filofax Finsbury pocket unboxing (discontinued blue) - SarahPlans
  10. Planner Set Up A-Z | Final Part! (KikkiK, Filofax, Travelers Notebook) - Annie Smith
  11. What's really in my Pocket Filofax | Flip Through of "Birdie" - Pam22 Pam
  12. Ringbuch Filofax selber bauen | DIY | Frau Biber baut einen Planer | #1 Grundsätzliche Überlegungen - Frau Biber
  13. Planner Setup | Filofax Original Patent Nude | Personal | sarahmaryslifeinpictures - sarahmaryslifeinpictures
  14. Come organizzo e decoro la mia Agenda Filofax A5 Metropol !!! - Makeup x Passione Channel
  15. Ringbuch Filofax selber bauen | Frau Biber baut einen Planer | #2 Material - Frau Biber
  16. Filofax Malden FUCHSIA Unboxing!/ MySummerTouch - mysummertouch
  17. Filofax 2016 Setup - Monique Tiffany
  18. 2016 Kingfisher Malden Personal Filofax Unboxing - MasasWife
  19. Filofax Metropol Mini - Pia M
  20. Unboxing Filofax - MindBarretty Kit
  21. Открываю новый ежедневник Filofax!/MySummerTouch - mysummertouch
  22. My August Setup in my Personal Filofax Malden Crimson - trustinpaper
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post.  Also this video too Webfinds 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
From the Philofaxy Inbox - Each week I get a few emails from companies or individuals telling me about new products or sites, I will share the details here for you to look at in detail.
  • From a reader who came across this site with tips on printing inserts - Wendaful Designs
  • Your readers who are into quilting might be interested in a new organiser just for them that is coming out soon. See the  Fat Quarter Shop website
My Week Posts
  1. My Week #28 - Polkadotparadiso
  2. My week #223 - Paper Lovestory
  3. This week… - Bluebonnet Reads
  4. My Week #29 In Review (2016) - Joannywhite.co.uk
  5. My Week #29 - Polkadotparadiso
  6. MTN DIARY #1 - Letters in November
Enjoy.


Free For All Tuesday No. 286

25 July 2016

Guest Post - "Experienced User" can learn a thing or two - Carla

Hi, Carla here.  About a year ago, I was featured as an Experienced User.  Life has changed – AGAIN.  This ‘experienced user’ has learned a thing or two.

Lesson #1) being that a photographer, I am not.  So we’ll talk.  Warning, this will be long.

Lesson #2) find your system, then nothing short of your planner drowning or meeting a fiery end will throw you too far off.  Yeah, sometimes the brain needs a break, but when you’re ready to use your planner again, you have a working foundation.   During my working life, I learned that a separate binder or notebook was essential to keeping my sanity.

Now that I work from home and don’t have many appointments, I downsized from FC Classic/A5 to a Personal.  Everything in one binder.  No more “did I sync or not sync?” Appointments or due dates go on the monthly pages and tasks onto the weekly pages.  I’ve started using Philofaxy’s monthly tracker and foldout year calendar, which would work very well for me, if I could remember to look at them on a regular basis.

Back to the month grid, Hack #1) color-coding and a few symbols help me to keep things straight.  Appointments get penciled in, but that really doesn’t count because we’ve all learned that appointments have a tendency to change.  (The Frixion pen takes care of that.) When that’s done, I’ll pull out the trusty highlighter to show that it’s done. I use a x for business related entries and { for home entries.

Hack #1.5) Home entries are further color coded with a dot, context code or icon sticker.  Now if I haven’t already confused you, my Hack#2 allows me to keep Hubby’s schedule too.  Any dots, codes or stickers to the left of the text are my stuff, and any to the right are his.

Hacks #3 & 4) deal with pens, pen loops and a highlighter.  Many binders provide only one pen loop, but a minimum of 2 seems to be my comfort zone.  One loop for a pen and another for the highlighter that I use to mark the completed items or tasks.  In my Personal size ‘Original’, I only use the outer elastic loop for the highlighter. (The other two are reserved for thin paper clips.) Depending on what I have on hand, a stick-on pen loop, washi covered duct or electrical tape, wide elastic stapled onto a heavier insert, or a binder clip, does the trick.  Making my own allows me to customize the size.  No more minuscule, not good for anything but the skinniest pens or stretched out elastic, excuse for a pen loop dilemma.

No matter which binder I’m using, my Hack #5) is/are page lifters.  Those thick plastic pages are meant to “lift” the papers off the rings so the binder closes like a proper book.  Also, keeping one at either end provides a more stable writing surface over the lumps and bumps of the pockets.  Of course, they make a great dashboard too.  If you do make your own, double punch the holes to a more oval shape so they themselves don’t get stuck on the rings.

Lesson #3) stick with how your brain works.  In my case, impatient and easily confused.  If I’ll need a road map to read the road map, it’s not happening.  Same goes for my planner.  Over the years, I’ve tried keeping separate sections for lists and notes but would spend too much time deciding where something should be filed.  So for me using the A-Z tabs as one big filing system works.  Hack #6) This is where the washi-tape-indexing comes in. I got this idea from Rhomany's Realm. Financial information is filed in the ‘F’ section and marked by a Green-based washi along the outer edge.  ‘Admin’ notes get Blue-based washi, ‘Home’ notes get Orange, and ‘Me’ stuff gets Pink.  Oh yeah, the menu list is filed under ‘M’ and easily found by the Orange tab. So, if I’m looking for my bill tracker, I look for green washi.  Home maintenance schedule, orange washi. One day, I’ll color code the flags too, but not TODAY.  I’m not that organized – YET.

These are my tried and true, never fail to make any binder work for me, lessons and hacks.  I’d love to read of or see other tips and tricks that help make this planning process work for you.  If you have pictures you don’t mind sharing, tag me on Instagram @msorchidlove.  Thanks for reading and letting me share that experience can still be added to, or refined.  BIG Cheshire Cat smile.

Here’s a sample month


24 July 2016

Reader Favourite Organiser - Danielle

Thank you to Danielle for sharing with us her favourite organiser. 

Q1. What is your favourite organiser (Make/model/size)?

My favorite organizer right now is the personal Malden in ochre. During the school year, I have been using an A5, but I am a teacher so the smaller size for the summer works for me right now!

Q2. How long have you owned it?

I have only owned my Malden for about 3 months.

Q3. What is it that you like about it so much?

My favorite thing about the Malden is it's rugged look to it. I also like the zipped pocket and credit card slots.

Q4. Do you use it all the time?

I use it constantly!!! I have 4 kids, all who play a variety of club sports, and I work full time as a high school Biology teacher. I have to refer to my planner often throughout the day to make sure I am not missing something. I am also a big list person so I refer to my to do lists throughout the day as well. Also, I am always noting what we need from the grocery store.

Q5. Do you think the design could be improved in any way? How?

Improvements I would like to see a better pen loop, an extra pen loop, an option for bigger rings and the large pocket along the back of the planner. I have been looking at the more expensive brands to get these features that are missing. However, the Malden is a great planner for the price!

And here are some photographs of my favourite organiser





Thank you Danielle

If you would like to share with us the details of your favourite organiser, please contact steve @ philofaxy dot com 

23 July 2016

Web Finds - 23 July 2016

So I hope you have had a good week.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Web Finds - 16 July 2016
  2. Readers Favourite Organiser - Francisca
  3. Philofaxy Reader Posts
  4. Free For All Tuesday No. 285
  5. Web Finds - 19 July 2016
  6. Guest post - One Book July – the second week
  7. The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 21
  8. Free for All Friday No. 401 by Nan
So here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.
  1. Confessions Of A Plannerholic #3 - The Stationery Geekette
  2. Guest post from Stuart Lennon - Paper Pens Ink
  3. Episode #19 – GTD and Global Sustainability - Getting Things Done
  4. Planning with Style using Avery Products - My Purpley Life
  5. How Planning Keeps Me Sane - The Stationery Geekette
  6. A guide to our Goals Planner [CPG&M] - Planning with Printed Portal
  7. Welcome to the Filofaxist - The Filofaxist
  8. Planner kits - a ska loving geek
  9. Filofax Finking Friday 5 - My Filofax Blog
  10. The Il Bisonte Insider – a brief review of a highly opinionated binder - Joakim Hertze
  11. Colour Coding your Planner - jagged little thoughts
  12. Using a PYO Notebook in your Filofax or Planner - Planning with Printed Portal
  13. Making my A5 Finsbury Work - inlovewithjournals
  14. Filofax, mint diétás mindentudó és -napló - FilofaxNi!
  15. Updated Gillio Planner Collection - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  16. My current planner set up - Organise your Life & Mind
  17. Free Printable Summer Bucket List - Planning with Printed Portal
  18. Filofax A5 Clip book video review - The Filofaxist
  • We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
We are on the look out for more people to take part in Reader Under the Spotlight. If you would like to appear in this feature then please contact Steve : philofaxy at gmail dot com  Thank you.

The videos and 'My week' posts will appear in their own post on Tuesday.

Enjoy.

22 July 2016

Free for All Friday No. 401 by Nan

One thing I do electronically instead of in a Filofax is my monthly/weekly work calendar. Like many people, I'm obliged to use a shared work calendar so we can all see (and schedule around) each other's appointments. Outlook, Google Calendar, and similar electronic calendars excel at that.

Here's one thing they're not great at: Getting an overview of the full year, with timelines for vacations and conferences. I'm going to try a Filofax fold-out Year Planner to get a yearly overview.

Do you use year planners? What's your tool for the big picture?

Of course, since it's Friday, all ring organizer discussion is welcome!

21 July 2016

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 21

How to derail your planning system by over thinking

Over planning things is just as dangerous as under planning or not planning.

If you are spending more time planning than doing, then something has gone wrong somewhere. Or if planning is taking you too long each week to up date your planner then you are not going to be very efficient and also it ceases to be a useful tool and becomes a burden and things start to slip through the cracks.

Have a sit down with the Gruesome Twosome in Episode 21 where we zen out on planning

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - When is the task too big?
02:00 - Stick to small
03:00 - Notebook scribblers!
05:00 - Finding the happy medium
07:30 - The evidence of incorrect use of a planner in Steve's first Filofax!
10:00 - Using your planner in a productive way
11:30 - Quo Vadis - Daily 21 planner/journal
13:00 - Journalling
14:30 - Segments of life (Past, Present and Future)
16:00 - Spending time to plan
17:45 - Trust your planner
18:15 - Listener challenge - Keep your planner open
19:30 - Can you have too many sections in your planner
22:00 - Where to write things down.
23:00 - Indexing
24:00 - Training your brain
25:00 - Don't over think things
27:00 - What is in our planners this week
27:45 - Tip of the week

Episode 21 - How to derail your planning system by over thinking


A direct download is also available here: Episode21.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites: The Streamlined LifeThinker ExtraordinaireThinker Extraordinaire (Services) Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

Previous Episodes:


20 - Digital devices/services and your analogue planner A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
19 - What To Keep In Your 'Others' Tab - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
18 - Zombie Apocalypse Preparation - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
17 - Managing Finances In Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
16 - Planning for those of us who actually can't live without planning, with guest co-host Carie Harling - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
15 - Automation NirvanaA5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
14 - Work Life Balance and Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
13 - GTD Productivity And Using Your Paper Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
12 - Job Seeking and Keeping - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
11 - Planner Fail -  A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
10 - Planner Hacks - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
9 - Planner Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
8 - Choosing Inserts - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
7 - How do you carry your planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
6 - Planners on the go - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
5 - Why would you pay more than the price of a Filofax? - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
4 - Using Your Planner To Create Permanent Habit Changes - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
3 - Getting on with two or more planners - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
2 - Where to start your planning journey and why - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
1 - What size and why....  - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

20 July 2016

Guest post - One Book July – the second week

As you probably know by now, I’m doing One Book July, and these short posts are offered up as a chronicle of my progress (or maybe lack of) through the month. If you aren’t up with the plot and want to find out what One Book July is all about (now that it’s half over!), there is an excellent video by Carrie Harling, which will update you.

In my post last week I talked about my choice of binder – the chocolate Finsbury A5. I’m pleased to report that I’m still in A5, and still in the Finsbury! Those of you who know me will realise that this is something remarkable! But there it is – One Book July is definitely having an effect.

Having sorted out my choice and format of binder, my next job was to sort out what diary format I’m going to go forward with. Now this is where I have real problems…..not only do I normally see-saw between A5 and Personal (now settled by my choice of binder), but I have real issues between DPP and Wo2P…..and occasionally Do2P. OK, I admit it – I’m generally a complete mess in this department. However, there are reasons (there are always reasons, right?)……

Some of my weeks get very busy, so I like to have a week-per-view diary as my ‘default setting’. This helps me to see at a glance just how insane life is likely to get in any given week, while giving me enough latitude to make some adjustments before things really fall apart. Also, I like to plan far ahead. I mean far ahead. I already have stuff in my diary for July 2017. No - really, I do. So carrying eighteen months’ DPP diary is just a tad awkward…….

However, I also like to have the ability to add tasks and follow-ups to specific days in the future. Again, sometimes far in the future. This is also one way in which I deal with recurring tasks. So I like a DPP, or a Do2P diary, which allows me space to do that.

So as well as liking a Wo2P diary, I also like a DPP diary. Or on occasions (when it gets really busy) a Do2P diary. And I like to carry eighteen months’ worth of diary at once. No problem………

So now you know what my ‘issues’ are, and I have to tell you, this has been a really tough choice! I have experimented with TimeSystem Do2P, PoD DPP inserts, a nifty Wo2P layout which David Parker kindly produces and which allows for at least some forward task allocation, and I even tried a Daytimer Do2P before I ‘graduated’ to A5.

OK, so now you know……I’m a mess in this area. This is the beauty of One Book July…..if you hold yourself to your commitment – and I made my commitment public enough to need to make sure I hold myself to it – you have to deal with this sort of issue.

So the bottom line…the Big Reveal…the denouement is that I am using a very simple ‘minimalist’ DPP diary printed on Conqueror high white wove A5 which I bought from a local stationery store (local businesses rule, right?) and sourced from a file on the Philofaxy website.

There is an unexpected side benefit so far – until now and for many years I’ve used pencil, and only pencil, in my diary. This has been for two reasons, the first being that Things Change. Everything. All the time. I use more pencil eraser than I drink water. The second reason is that I loathe see-through and bleed-through. As soon as I can see anything on the other side of the page, that page is useless to me. Also, my writing is bad enough not to need the added problem of feathering. Sometimes even I can’t read what I’ve written.



So with my new-found Conqueror diary I’m at last able to use the lovely Sheaffer 300 fountain pen which my even more lovely wife bought me last Christmas:-


This is absolutely my Most Favourite Fountain Pen Ever, and I have been waiting to use it properly since I was given it. Of course, Things still Change, but I’m learning to tackle my planner neatness obsession at the same time, which I figure is a win-win.

For the real stationery and pen nerds out there, I’m using Noodlers Prime of the Commons blue-black ink. The drying time on the Conqueror is almost zero, which is useful when I’m making quick notes in my system. And my writing is still awful……but that’s another story.

So now I have binder size and diary format sorted. Next up is the task management part of the system…….but that’s for week 3……..

Happy planning!

Thank you David for the update

19 July 2016

Web Finds - 19 July 2016

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet.

So here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. GÜNSTIGE FILOFAX ALTERNATIVE + was ist ein BULLET JOURNAL? || whatmeetsmyway - whatmeetsmyway
  2. Pear Personal Filofax Unboxing | Simply Honeybee - Simply Honeybee
  3. Quick Tip DIY Tutorial FILOFAX - Einlagen - Diamondis Creativ
  4. Set Up: Filofax Malden - the planner spot
  5. July Filofax Malden update- My everything planner - Barefoot Izzy
  6. A5 Filofax time management inserts - Ian Dawes
  7. Filofax Setup 2016 #1 - Easy_planning
  8. Mon clip book filofax - Lulu
  9. Was ist mit meinen Filofax? 😱😰 - Filofax for you
  10. Mein Filofax | Set up, Haul - Sandyx
  11. Filofax Malden Personal Size - Printable Inserts - Frugal_Me
  12. Gillio Collection Update - randompastimes
  13. Gillio Slim Compagna - PembrokePapers
  14. Gillio Amica Unboxing - Planner Mom of 2
  15. My HPOV FRANKLIN COVEY - BROOKLYN WOMEN EMPOWERMENT GROUP
  16. Daytimer | Faux Malibu | Thoughts?!?! - MissVickybee
  17. Pink Leaather Franklin Covey Dayplanner Opening - Dena Franks
  18. My orange Franklin covey classic and my hpov - BROOKLYN WOMEN EMPOWERMENT GROUP
  19. Franklin Covey Starter Pack - The Pen Pixie
  20. Daytimer Malibu Portable Planner in Red - Mely's Corner
  21. My Ava and other Franklin covey classic planners - BROOKLYN WOMEN EMPOWERMENT GROUP
  22. How to Get Organised with your Brushed Gold kikki.K Planner - kikki.K
  23. Kikki K A5 Mist Blue Setup - Inspired by the Bay
  24. A5 Filofax clipbook perpetual calendar - Ian Dawes
  25. *Tanning* My Undyed Planner - scrapjoy
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post.  Also this video too Webfinds 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
My Week Posts
  1. My week #222 - Paper Lovestory
  2. Week 28: Review - jagged little thoughts
  3. My Week #28 - Polkadotparadiso
Enjoy.


Free For All Tuesday No. 285

18 July 2016

Philofaxy Reader Posts

I am sure we all enjoy seeing how other readers used their organisers.

On Philofaxy we have had several different series of posts to help readers share their own experiences of how they use their organisers and which is their favourite one.

We constantly need new people to come along to be able to continue with these series of posts.

So how can you help contribute? We have three different 'reader' series which are very easy to fill in and respond to they are:
  • Reader Under The Spotlight - This is based on 10 simple questions (it used to be 19 questions) as well as the questions we ask you to supply a photo of yourself or your organiser. Previous posts in this series can be found here.
  • Readers Favourite Organiser - This is 5 questions plus a few photographs of your favourite organiser. Previous posts in this series can be found here.
  • Experienced User - This is based on 7 questions, mainly aimed at people who have been an organiser used for more than a year or two, but the questions are fairly generalised. Previous posts in this series can be found here.
  • We also welcome Guest Posts and Reader Reviews of organisers and related products. We also have Readers Tips too. There is no fixed format for these. It is best to contact Steve before you commence writing any of these.
You do not have to be a really long term user of an organiser, or a blogger, You Tuber or celeb in the planner world to take part, they are open to everyone.

If you are concerned about showing your face in any of the posts, you do not have to include a photo of yourself, a picture of your organiser is just fine.

Additionally if you would like to use a different name to the one you use in the real world we are cool about that too. We know how prospective employers do Google searches.... mine would be show up in so many places!

Guest posts/reviews must be organiser related, Philofaxy will not publish non-organiser related posts... we often receive offers of very non-specific posts, one for example about body weight loss, when I published a post on weight loss in relation to removing pages from your organiser!  Clearly they hadn't read our post at all or our guidelines!  In all posts we are happy to include a link or links to your own blog or your You Tube Channel or Instagram feed.

So if you would like to contribute with any of the posts above please contact Steve by email philofaxy at gmail dot com  Please indicate which post you are interested in taking part in and he will send you the questions/instructions.

Thank you.

17 July 2016

Readers Favourite Organiser - Francisca

Thank you to Francisca for sharing with us her favourite organiser. 

Q1. What is your favourite organiser (Make/model/size)?

One of my favourite organisers is the Filofax Malden Personal size in Ochre.

Q2. How long have you owned it?

A couple of months ago my mom asked me to buy a Filofax Malden while she was visiting me in London. I bought the Ochre Malden through Amazon and when I opened it to check if everything was fine (the rings, the cover, etc.) I fell in love, so I kept that one for myself and bought another one for my mom.

Q3. What is it that you like about it so much?

I really like the softness of the leather, the relaxed style, and I really enjoy the fact that it is all leather and doesn’t have any stiffening. This organiser has many pockets and card slots so it is very useful for traveling or just organizing everyday tasks. I also love that the scratches don’t seem to affect this planner (especially in this colour) and just make it more unique and personal.

Q4. Do you use it all the time?

I do. I used to keep everything in this one planner but now I use it as a secondary planner. The sections I have in it are:

a. Master project list: to plan different projects.

b. House section: cleaning calendar, supermarket master list, daily routine, meal ideas and savings tracker.

c. Personal section: wish lists, books to read and movies to watch.

d. Important dates: birthdays and anniversaries.

And I have another Malden that I use as my main organiser for monthly and weekly planning.

Q5. Do you think the design could be improved in any way? How?

In general I think this organizer is perfect, I absolutely love its design and aesthetic. However, it would be nice to have a back pocket similar to the Malden pocket size.

And here are some photographs of my favourite organiser






Thank you Francisca

If you would like to share with us the details of your favourite organiser, please contact steve @ philofaxy dot com 

16 July 2016

Web Finds - 16 July 2016

So I hope you have had a good week.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Web Finds - 9 July 2016
  2. Readers Favourite Organiser - Fiona
  3. Dodo Pad paper now available for your planner.
  4. Last call for the 2016 South West UK Bath meet-up
  5. Free For All Tuesday No. 284
  6. Web Finds - 12 July 2016
  7. Guest Post - One Book July – the first week
  8. The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 20
  9. Free For All Friday No 400 by Laurie
So here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.
  1. Introducing Filofax Organizers! - Goulet Pens Blog
  2. Confessions Of A Plannerholic Q&A - The Stationery Geekette
  3. Filofax & Midori Traveler's Notebook Facebook Groups - Filofancy | Life on Paper, By Zara M.
  4. Filofax Travel Planner Setup - Jagged little thoughts
  5. Why You Should Pick a Time for Your Tasks - Time Management Ninja
  6. How to deal with the stress caused high number of daily tasks? - From Chaos to Order
  7. G.T.D Actions In The Moment (Four-Criteria Model) - The Stationery Geekette
  8. Ideas for creating Planner Dashboards etc. using Cre8tive Cre8tions Plannergirl Clearstamps – Designteam-Post - Cre8tive Cre8tions by Andrea Gomoll
  9. Writing Wednesday: Lessons learned from my daily log hiatus - Quo Vadis Blog
  10. 24 productivity tips: Work smarter, not harder. Today. - Journal
  11. A5 Pear Saffiano as My #TrimHealthyMama Organizer - I'm a Filo Freak
  12. Dodo Pad paper now available for your planner (Very proud reblog) - Dodevoted
  13. Moodboard 1: Ice Cream Dream - jagged little thoughts
  14. Guinness: The Black and Tan(ish) Personal VDS - Well Planned Life
  15. Ideas how to use LMI v5s2 - DIYfish Life Mapping System
  16. Benefits of using notebooks at work - Quo Vadis Blog
  17. A Glimpse at a Typical Planner To Do List -  Giftie Etcetera
  18. Crochet Cover for my Learning Filofax - My Filofax Blog
  19. Jan to May 2016 Set up - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind 
  20. 10 main principles why and how to plan - From Chaos to Order 
  • We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
We are on the look out for more people to take part in Reader Under the Spotlight. If you would like to appear in this feature then please contact Steve : philofaxy at gmail dot com  Thank you.

The videos and 'My week' posts will appear in their own post on Tuesday.

Enjoy.