What size Filofax does everyone use for work/home balance? I'm currently attempting to run two Filofaxes (one Personal, one A5) and it's not working. I love the room in the A5 but the size of the Personal suits me better for carrying around.
This is the classic Filofax dilemma. It's what I call the "book too big/ page too small" problem. The pages in the A5 are a good size but the book is too big to carry everywhere. The Personal size is fine to carry around but the pages are too small. This is why I've been wanting a slimline A5 for ages! I could stand to carry it around, still have large pages, and can swap the pages out with my Mother Ship binder at home. Ah well, I can continue to dream.
Nickie, I've never used an A5 and I've used Filofaxes for almost 20 years. The Personal size has always worked for me, despite the limited writing space. For a certain time, I even ran my life from a Pocket, and I still could if I chose to do so.
I am using an A5 as my main planner and a compact personal just to carry around, it only contains a copy of my diary and addresses and some note paper. Diary wise it just notes my main appointments and times so if I get asked whilst I'm out then I have access to my appointments etc.
Steve, I've come to the same conclusion that this works... an A5 and a smaller carry round.... except I am divided between a mini carry round and a pocket ..... a mini pour le handbag seems about right for me..... for the only times I don't need the A5 and may need a diary/paper are when out shopping or for lunch with friends... or when on a course and it is easy to jot down any dates then to transfer back to the A5. Just I find keeping 2 diaries a huge pain though.... I am very much a 1 planner 1 life gal.... and would prefer just the one.... A5 works for me best at the mo!!
Steve, I considered doing the same as you but I wondered how you keep your carry around synced with the A5? I use an A5 and wanted to carry around a pocket with just main appointments but I couldn't work out an easy way to keep it all updated. What do you do?
I don't have that many appointments.... which I guess helps so I do an update between the two as a routine thing. The same as I update my iCal so the rest of the family know what I'm up to as well... sadly they are electronic.
I gave up on electronic calendars for a while, but since the start of Apples iOS iCloud I only use that now and it just works between my various i Devices and I figured out how to share those calendars, so the people that matter can keep up to date with my movements.
Like some of the others here, I have settled on a two filofax system. My slimline is my main one with all to-dos & important stuff, with my A5 as a back up for planning, project & reading material. I would like a Tardis-like slimline that is as big as an A5 on the inside! :)
I, too, use a two Filo system. An A5 for work which is strictly for note-taking and filing those notes and a personal that carries my calendar and everything else I could possibly need.
Despite all attempts to up-size to A5, only my Personal Malden works for me.
I did transfer the contents into my Hampstead when on holiday, as I thought the Malden might get a hard time, but they're safely back in the Malden now....
Nickie, I managed to find a like new 2008 Mulberry Agenda last week so now running that as my "on the hoof" wallet/diary/planner and my 17 year old Time System Chairman A5 with Filofax inserts on my desk in the office and in the car. Just need to work out how to get a decent Day per Page diary for the Mulberry Agenda now,gutted that they have deleted it in favour of the Week at View which leaves very little space for notes.
You could always use the diaries on here and print 4 to a page as the agenda is A6 size (1/4 of A4). Or, get an A6 size diary and dismantle it, which is what I've done.
I want a diary system that has the same WTP but on both sides I think so I could have one side for work and one for personal use. I wonder if I could adapt a template to work for me like that?
You could do that with ours by just setting the printer to single side print. Run it through the printer twice so you would end up with identical printing on each side.
Or, how about a week with notes to view? (This is where you have the week on the left and a notes page opposite). You could extend the lines across yourself into the notes section.
Nickie- a thought here. Why don't you draw a line down the middle of the week diary..... or even slightly to one side.... the smallest section being the one which usually has the least appointments.... or if fairly equal number of appointments then divide in half. One side for work the other for home. May mean writing smaller.... but may work??? Or colour code.... so that work is say blue (or whatever,) and home pink...... make sure that the 2 colours really are so contrasting that you can't muddle the 2 up....... I use blue and pink for work and home respectively and red with a highlighter for tip top priority must not forget!!!
Lots of great suggestions for my "double life" situation. I'm going to have a play around with a few (especially the printing situation) and let you know. Thanks everyone.
PS - loving that bound book, Laurie - have put that into my favourites to look at again in a few weeks.
What size Filofax does everyone use for work/home balance? I'm currently attempting to run two Filofaxes (one Personal, one A5) and it's not working. I love the room in the A5 but the size of the Personal suits me better for carrying around.
ReplyDeleteThis is the classic Filofax dilemma. It's what I call the "book too big/ page too small" problem. The pages in the A5 are a good size but the book is too big to carry everywhere. The Personal size is fine to carry around but the pages are too small. This is why I've been wanting a slimline A5 for ages! I could stand to carry it around, still have large pages, and can swap the pages out with my Mother Ship binder at home. Ah well, I can continue to dream.
DeleteGood luck figuring out what works for you!
Nickie, I've never used an A5 and I've used Filofaxes for almost 20 years. The Personal size has always worked for me, despite the limited writing space. For a certain time, I even ran my life from a Pocket, and I still could if I chose to do so.
DeleteI am using an A5 as my main planner and a compact personal just to carry around, it only contains a copy of my diary and addresses and some note paper. Diary wise it just notes my main appointments and times so if I get asked whilst I'm out then I have access to my appointments etc.
DeleteWorks for me.
Steve, I've come to the same conclusion that this works... an A5 and a smaller carry round.... except I am divided between a mini carry round and a pocket ..... a mini pour le handbag seems about right for me..... for the only times I don't need the A5 and may need a diary/paper are when out shopping or for lunch with friends... or when on a course and it is easy to jot down any dates then to transfer back to the A5. Just I find keeping 2 diaries a huge pain though.... I am very much a 1 planner 1 life gal.... and would prefer just the one.... A5 works for me best at the mo!!
DeleteSteve, I considered doing the same as you but I wondered how you keep your carry around synced with the A5? I use an A5 and wanted to carry around a pocket with just main appointments but I couldn't work out an easy way to keep it all updated. What do you do?
DeleteI don't have that many appointments.... which I guess helps so I do an update between the two as a routine thing. The same as I update my iCal so the rest of the family know what I'm up to as well... sadly they are electronic.
DeleteI gave up on electronic calendars for a while, but since the start of Apples iOS iCloud I only use that now and it just works between my various i Devices and I figured out how to share those calendars, so the people that matter can keep up to date with my movements.
Like some of the others here, I have settled on a two filofax system. My slimline is my main one with all to-dos & important stuff, with my A5 as a back up for planning, project & reading material. I would like a Tardis-like slimline that is as big as an A5 on the inside! :)
DeleteI, too, use a two Filo system. An A5 for work which is strictly for note-taking and filing those notes and a personal that carries my calendar and everything else I could possibly need.
DeleteDespite all attempts to up-size to A5, only my Personal Malden works for me.
DeleteI did transfer the contents into my Hampstead when on holiday, as I thought the Malden might get a hard time, but they're safely back in the Malden now....
Nickie,
ReplyDeleteI managed to find a like new 2008 Mulberry Agenda last week so now running that as my "on the hoof" wallet/diary/planner and my 17 year old Time System Chairman A5 with Filofax inserts on my desk in the office and in the car.
Just need to work out how to get a decent Day per Page diary for the Mulberry Agenda now,gutted that they have deleted it in favour of the Week at View which leaves very little space for notes.
You could always use the diaries on here and print 4 to a page as the agenda is A6 size (1/4 of A4). Or, get an A6 size diary and dismantle it, which is what I've done.
DeleteI want a diary system that has the same WTP but on both sides I think so I could have one side for work and one for personal use. I wonder if I could adapt a template to work for me like that?
ReplyDeleteYou could do that with ours by just setting the printer to single side print. Run it through the printer twice so you would end up with identical printing on each side.
DeleteSteve
There's a bound-book diary with this double week format, the Busy Life Diary by K Two if you want to see an example of what this looks like:
Deletehttp://www.thepaperie.co.uk/diaries-calendars/2013-diaries-planners/k-two-busy-life-diary-2013.html
Or, how about a week with notes to view? (This is where you have the week on the left and a notes page opposite). You could extend the lines across yourself into the notes section.
DeleteNickie- a thought here. Why don't you draw a line down the middle of the week diary..... or even slightly to one side.... the smallest section being the one which usually has the least appointments.... or if fairly equal number of appointments then divide in half. One side for work the other for home. May mean writing smaller.... but may work??? Or colour code.... so that work is say blue (or whatever,) and home pink...... make sure that the 2 colours really are so contrasting that you can't muddle the 2 up....... I use blue and pink for work and home respectively and red with a highlighter for tip top priority must not forget!!!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where I go and see a Malden in the UK? I live in the west midlands and London is a bit too far to go :(
ReplyDeleteDo you have a branch of "pen and paper" near you? My local shop stocks Maldens. Can't think of anywhere else though - sorry.
DeleteWebsters Pen Shop?
DeleteLots of great suggestions for my "double life" situation. I'm going to have a play around with a few (especially the printing situation) and let you know. Thanks everyone.
ReplyDeletePS - loving that bound book, Laurie - have put that into my favourites to look at again in a few weeks.