Whilst looking at some of my older posts, it got me to thinking about why I purchased my first Filofax back in 2009. Back then, I'd recently read David Allen's Getting Things Done book and realised that a Filofax would be the perfect place to house my GTD set up in. Prior to this, I had two or three notebooks on the go, and was starting to feel overwhelmed, and I knew that there had to be a better way for me.
So, has using a Filofax achieved what I had hoped it would since then? Thankfully, I can answer this with a resounding, "Yes!" I previously mentioned that I'd been gradually moving away from Getting Things Done, but it does work for me, so I've actually returned to the set up for this year.
I have also found that regularly using an organiser has helped to improve my mental health, and using one proved to be invaluable when I was my late Mum's main caregiver.
Has using a Filofax so far lived up to what you hoped it would do for you?
And as always on Fridays, please feel free to discuss anything organiser related. I hope that you have a great weekend.
I used to use a hardback notebook and the bullet journal method, or my own version of it I did before I read the book. In 2012 I got worried about keeping my job because I was disorganised. So I read about the bullet journal method and bought the official mrk1 version and did it. I also bought a personal metropol as I figured I would test a few systems alongside each other to find my system.
ReplyDeleteI kept both going in one form or another for ever since then (until 2023 November when I went filofax full time with my new job). I found that for my old job the bullet journal worked better (turning up with a filofax at work would get approbrium from colleagues due to the place it was). Plus the notebook system really did work better at my old job.
Now throughout those years my filofax was my personal organisation but mostly my password store of choice. Anything money related relied on the FF. Ajything work related was Bujo.
Now I use my filofax and an A5 notebook for notes. I find the FF not easy to write in when in meetings. A notebook is lower stress to use IME. I do find the transfer to the FF helps me sort the notes out and a good reflection or review opportunity.
I like my Filofax but TBH the bullet journal method in a simple, hardbacked notebook is kind of simple to use. Right now i feel I am not getting my filofax system right, it can be frustrating as the Filofax is so useful as a system with great potential. When I don't feel I am getting it right I kind of fall out with my Filofax. It is for this reason I am contemplating going back to a simple notebook and Bullet Journal system of old.
For me I can not see the FF as being right for a Bujo, for me it is a diary / organiser based system not a notebook based journal system. Whilst it can cope I think it is not what it is about. YMMV.
I am using both a personal size Filofax and an A5 bullet journal. The combination is working well. I am now retired so perhaps in some ways have less things to note than others.
DeleteThe 'killer application' Filofax personal has for me is that it is like carrying around multiple notebooks but in one item - I contribute to maybe 7 or 8 different subjects in my Filofax EDC each day whilst I'm on the go. Try carrying that many notebooks!
ReplyDeleteI’m all in with the BuJo method (no artwork just stick standard) I found the notebooks limiting as they quickly filled with collections based on meetings and work activities and the daily logging would only take up the first third of the book. My A5 Maldern has only grid paper and a few dividers. It’s become the perfect Bullet Journal. I can easily archive collections keeping more of my Daily notes. Best decision I made
ReplyDeletePaul
Every once in awhile I try to use an a5 filofax for work, but turn back to a notebook. Yes, writing in a notebook is easier indeed and for documanting work I seem to feel safer with a bound system. Apart of that I always use my personal sized filofaxes in a quite classic way...calendar, private notes and informations, to do's, finances and adresses. Can't imaging living without a personal sized filofax. It's part of a lifestyle, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI’ve recently rediscovered my old Finchley (Imperial Purple) and have remembered how much I love it. So much so that I’m currently trying to move from my A4 spiral book Teacher planner to an A5 Malden. Looking for great inserts for it and hoping it’ll suit me! Only ever used a filo for personal stuff.
ReplyDeleteTeacher planners always seem to be fairly industry-specific i think. If you could supply some blank page layouts from the A5 I'm sure one of us could have a go at replicating it into A5 print-at-home format. And it would make a fantastic addition to the Philofaxy downloads library
DeleteOh my goodness! Yess I’ll give this a go!
DeleteHi Anita. Thanks for another great post!
ReplyDeleteI began my 'second wave' of Filofax usage in a Hampstead Personal (which I still own) bought in W H Smith in Newbury in the year 2000. So I just realised that this year will see 25 continuous years of usage, in one format or another.
My expectations were similar to those of others here, namely that I could get all of my personal and business organisation together in one place. To echo the rather succinct Filofax tag line of some years ago, to have 'everything in hand'.
Have my expectations been met? Like you I can only answer YES! In one format or another, Filofax has been my constant companion throughout the last 25 years, and has never failed so provide the security of organisation which I need. Digital systems may have come and gone, and no doubt will continue to do so, but my Filofax has proved itself over and over again.
I have a late question. Has anyone bought one of those faux leather FIlofaxes with the patterns on them? Like meadow, botanicals, indigo, expressions, garden, good vibes, etc. There must be a market for them but I always just see them sold off for £7 or £12 in TKMAXX every December and January. Or sitting forlorn in the shrinking WHSmith Filofax section.
ReplyDeleteThat's another question, why is the WHSmith FIlofax section so poor these days in store? Which IMHO is missing out by not having the better leather ones in or even the empty boxes to get them from behind the counter like they used to do.
W.H.Smith is a sinking ship 😏
DeleteI got iactually got into 6 ring planners in my late 20s after uni. I decided I needed 'a home for my brain' so to speak. I've always liked stationary and the idea of being able to clip in or out bits I want really appealed to me. A filofax is so versatile for this reason. I don't think I'll go back to any other kind of planner.
ReplyDelete