Whilst reading some posts the other day in the Facebook group, I noticed that different people will refer to their Filofax as an organiser, planner or Filofax. Thinking back to some of my posts here, I have also called mine a binder as it's really just a cover, so that you can keep whatever contents that you require. I had a little look on some company websites and think it's interesting that they also use different names too:
- Filofax - organiser
- Van der Spek - ring organizer
- Gillio - planners and covers
- Moterm - rings notebook.
When I think of the word 'planner', I suppose it makes me think more about planning events etc., so I suppose I consider mine more of an organiser, if I had to choose between the two.
On Filofax's About page, they have this information - 'In 1921, a London based company was formed to market personal
organisation systems in the UK by mail order. In 1930 they registered
the trademark "Filofax", the name having derived from the description
"file of facts".
I really like that the brand name derives from 'file of facts' as in some ways, this is an excellent description for my A to Z section as it houses reference information, renewal dates, notes from books etc.
Over time, I suppose that I've started to turn my Kensington into a 'one-stop shop' as it's a portable reference file and notebook. Once upon a time, I barely used the pockets, but I've found that it's a handy place to not only store items that I use in my binder (Hobonichi stencil or clips), but also small items that I use in daily life (more recently a hair tie and grips, as due to lockdown, I last had a haircut back in February!).
Another term that I've seen used is 'external brain', which I think is my preferred name right now.
Back in 2009, I initially purchased a Filofax to house my Getting Things Done set up, and also because I was fed up with having random notes in different notebooks and on scraps of paper. At the end of the day, I don't think that it really matters what you call your Filofax/organiser/planner, but more about how it helps you feel more in control, especially in these uncertain times. I certainly couldn't imagine being without mine. It helps me plan projects, capture ideas, take notes, track my to-dos and keep important reference information in a handy hard wearing cover that's a great size to carry in my hand or bag.
Which term do you prefer?