Whilst listening to an excellent podcast about meditation, I started thinking about the similarities between meditation, martial arts and my Filofax use (possibly an unusual mix for some people!). When I've written about my version of planner peace here before, I've come to the conclusion that it's not a static goal or objective, so it's definitely a case of 'what is my current planner peace?' I'm not doing any martial arts currently (hopefully I'll return at some point), but when I used to talk about this, it would always be phrased as practice and I've realised that it's the same for when I use my Filofax.
As I'm using my Filofax every day, that's a practice too as that regular action helps me understand what works or potentially isn't working for me right now. Yes, I have been mainly using my GTD set up for many years, but I suppose I'm not looking for a final and forever more version that has to be perfect and done with, if that makes sense? It's more about what's working for me and sometimes imperfect and being used is better, rather than getting stuck with trying to get it just so.
So, my version of planner peace right now (here's my 2024 update) is to own two Filofaxes, and if at some point in the future I fancy a change then I will sell one of these. I've recently purchased a lovely vintage one (another post to come), which I love as much as my faithful Kensington, so I'm feeling pretty content right now. In my previous FFAF , I mentioned about thinking about a layout change, but moving into my new to me organiser plus a tidy up and review seems to have done the trick thankfully.
As with my meditation or martial arts practice, my Filofax use has changed over time as I have more life experience or changes to my situation, and I look to consider ways that it can help and support me right now. Sometimes I might open it up and go, "Ugh" and that means it's time for a review, or maybe it's not the organiser at all and I just need to get outside.
I love this, using a Filofax is a practice! It truly is, and as you pointed out, one that develops and changes over time as we learn and grow. (Laurie here btw! Couldn't log into comments on my phone for some reason.)
ReplyDelete"Perfect is the enemy of good"
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_is_the_enemy_of_good
"If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing badly..."
I don't know why the fortune cookie factory let you go...
DeleteI think a lot of people nowadays are too obsessed with finding some mythical solution that can be everything to them all, all at once. And I think that’s an impossible ask of any system.
ReplyDeleteInstead, the trick is to find something that works for you without getting in your way and (preferably) that is enjoyable for you to use.
There’s also nothing wrong with changing things as your needs change. The ability to add in something new or remove what was no longer needed was always the big draw of filofaxes for me (and let’s be honest, the pretty leather). But in today’s world of super curated spreads in all “planner” videos on social media, newcomers seem even more terrified of not getting the perfect setup from day one.
I don’t change my planner partway through the year, but that doesn’t mean I don’t change how I use it or add or remove to my “system” if I think there’s a need for it, eg if my daily routine changes.