23 January 2015

Free For All Friday No. 323 by Anita

I am feeling an overwhelming urge to simplify things in my life right now. Unsurprisingly, my Filofaxes have come into the spotlight and I am considering downsizing to using and owning one personal size binder again. Thinking back, I think that I have been at my most content and productive with a sole filo. I recently read about the Power of 1 on Time Management Ninja and it just struck such a chord with me. As I'm sure you can understand, this means that my Filofax will need to tick all the boxes for my needs like layout, colour and design. I am glad to say that I have just received a new binder that I feel meets everything (more details in another post), so I am looking forward to finding new homes for the rest.

Have you decided to change the size of your collection recently? (either up or down)

And as it's Friday, please feel free to discuss anything ring-binder related. Have a great weekend.
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20 comments:

  1. S. Yates23 January, 2015 04:51

    Good morning everyone. I have a question today for all you knowledgeable types! I've gone "Apple" this last 12 months (iPhone, iPad, Macbook) and would now like a nice new printer to go with this collection. I currently use an Epson SX415, which works fine, but I think I need something that will print wirelessly now. I know lots of you use Macs etc., and so would welcome any suggestions. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Laurie23 January, 2015 05:03

      Hi Steve, I'm stepping in as an Admin here. Please keep the topic to ring binders. Thank you.

      Delete
    2. S. Yates23 January, 2015 06:09

      The printer is used for printing ring binder inserts, but neve mind!!

      Delete
    3. Steve Morton23 January, 2015 06:19

      As you are looking to print inserts.... then read on.

      Look for AirPrint as it is Apple. I think most HP printers support that now that have wireless. But check.

      The important thing for printing inserts and dividers etc is to look at what paper (media) the printer can handle, in terms of size and weight. I would make sure that the printer can load A4, A5, A6 and Personal size paper at least. In terms of paper (media) weight if needs to be able to handle a weight range from about 60gsm - 140gsm

      To find out this information I have often found it easier to download the manual to look at the specifications on the printer, often the sales literature will not tell you this information.

      A duplex printer is useful but not essential as it will only duplex on A4 normally, for A5 and below you have to manually reload the paper.

      Delete
    4. Laurie23 January, 2015 07:06

      Ah thanks for clarifying, sorry about that.

      Delete
  2. S. Yates23 January, 2015 06:42

    Thank you, Steve, that's just what I wanted! Much obliged.

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  3. Nancy B23 January, 2015 07:17

    I am quite curious as to Steve's veiled reference to having One Planner To [Replace] Them All. Looking forward to that new post.

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  4. Be23 January, 2015 07:45

    I will probably downsize my binders. I have a couple of personal size binders and a Filofax compact Luxe. I do not prefer the personal or compact size binder because they are 7.5 inches or 191 mm high. The personal size is tall and wide.The Luxe felt taller than the personal one because it is less wide. I like my Franklin pocket one which is under 7 inches. For me it is just the right size.

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  5. Sannom23 January, 2015 07:53

    Hi everyone. Still waiting for my first filofax, a Malden in personal size, and I was wandering if an iPad mini will fit into the notepad pocket behind, if not what will?

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  6. Unknown23 January, 2015 08:22

    Ha, I'm thinking of expanding the "collection" of 3 and getting a pretty summer binder later in the year.

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  7. Nancy B23 January, 2015 09:15

    OOPS! Just realized that Anita wrote this, not Steve. Someone bring me more coffee, STAT! Sorry, Anita. Looking forward to YOUR post. :)

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    1. Anita23 January, 2015 11:02

      Haha, yes, it's a post by me :)
      And thank you as you've just given me the title for the next post One Filofax to Rule Them All!

      Delete
  8. Welshygirl23 January, 2015 12:01

    I'm not sure about the 1 binder I'll be honest. I used to subscribe to that theory with my Van Der Spek personal acting as my wallet and personal & work diary. However I couldn't find the right set up and buying lots of different diary inserts to see if that would help and then not having enough writing room, where and how to store notes, lists etc etc.

    So I recently bought an A5 Domino purely for work, I use that for my work diary only (with any personal obligations that may affect it noted in it regularly such as class assemblies etc). I keep my meeting notes in it, class prep and diary etc and it works. My home one has a m02p diary now as I don't have a huge amount of out of work commitments that require significant detailing plus it has my home routines in it, family info in it etc and is still my wallet so always in my bag if I need to cross reference in work and do you know what? it works!!!

    I feel so much better now I have separated the two and actually ensure my A5 stays in work only so I have that work/life balance back. I know where things belong and wish I hadn't spent so long trying to find the one binder and set up I needed as it never existed, I needed the two!

    Sorry for the essay!

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    Replies
    1. Josh LaPorte23 January, 2015 16:53

      I think that the true lesson I have learned from the planner community is that one person's ideal system is another person's failed system. I am completely the opposite of you - I see numerous benefits to maintaining a bifurcated planning system for work and personal, but numerous attempts at actually running separate planners for these two functions have all failed. I simply can't make this work. What ends up happening is that I carry both planners everywhere, and have them constantly both open in front of me, so I can see the full details of what needs to be done. This seems utterly pointless so I switch back to just one planner.

      Delete
    2. KariP23 January, 2015 17:55

      Yup,Josh. My ideal is your failed attempt. I tried to combine work and personal calendars and to do lists. Too confusing and anxiety inducing for me. While at work, I'd unconsciously fret over personal stuff, and work stuff would follow me home. I had to be 2 binders for me. Treat work times as an appointment and keep the work binder for just that.

      Delete
    3. Josh LaPorte23 January, 2015 23:51

      It's baffling to me; I would really like to get my work separated from the personal but just can't figure it out. I stress about the stuff I can't see! When I tried to keep a separate work planner it demonstrated how much work thinking I do away from work. I went as far as to leave my work planner at work for a while and would start filling my personal planner with work notes which needed to be copied into my work planner (which I frankly don't have time to do!) and I actually missed my own graduation because I forgot to look at my personal planner while I was at work.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous22 June, 2020 11:35

      I have separate binders for work and personal. A Franklin Covey classic Easy Plan for work and a compact Easy Plan for personal. I, too, tried to merge my personal into my work planner (although bigger, the class Easy Plan's style and smaller rings make it pretty lightweight), but failed. I created a separate section for personal/household calendar and such, but because it wasn't always open front and center, I forgot to look at it. So - two separate ones it is. However, my work planner always stays on my desk at work (except for when I was working remotely the last few months) and my personal planner comes everywhere with me

      Delete
  9. DanniDoodle23 January, 2015 19:04

    Since 2011 I have used 2 filos. An orange mini Finsbury as a wallet/calendar/notebook and an Ink Blue Cuban personal as my main planner. The mini Fin fits perfectly in my small purse and the Cuban is carried in my work tote during the week and in my car on the weekends when I'm out and about.

    Now I have added an aqua pocket Finsbury to use as a travel wallet. Also, after finding the perfect planner pages on Amazon (Day Runner 8.5 X 5.5 Two-Page-Per-Day) for $16 US, I dug out a planner bought in the 1990s. It is a lovely 3-ring leather zip A-5 sized binder that I lusted after for months. When I finally saved enough money to purchase, discovered to my dismay that it was too large and heavy for me to carry. Decades later my love for it has been re-ignited so, with the new inserts, it will now serve as my home planner & diary.

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  10. Unknown23 January, 2015 19:34

    I've actually downsized to a pocket from a personal. But that was during a time when I didn't have as many reminders or tasks in a day. Now that I'm starting up a company and my own business, I had to split my work/projects out from my personal to-dos. I don't need my business planner with me at all times but I do take my daily personal planner everywhere.

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  11. LJ24 January, 2015 09:38

    I doubt I'll ever be a one filo girl, but I am downsizing my collection - I should eventually be able to fit them all into the display case :-D

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