Opinions on Day planners/Calendars

[jonwings]

I was at Barnes & Noble the other day and I stumbled upon this

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/2010-Barnes-Noble-Burgundy-Softcover-Desk-Diary-Calendar/Barnes-Noble/e/9781435116009/?pwb=1&

I normally do not use a planner of any kind, but this one looked pretty sweet and I know this will be kind of a hectic year for me it might be a good idea to pick one up.

Does anyone else use something similar? This just looks cool to carry around

[_JP_]

Check into Franklins.

[cfriend]

I've digitalized and gone to iCal + OmniFocus. I like the illustrations in the one you've linked, though.

[chainfire]

Check into Franklins.

+1 I used Franklin Covey (http://shopping.franklinplanner.com/shopping/index.jsp?) planners for years. They stand up and work great.:thumbup1:

[arghblech]

These things require that you be very diligent and put *everything* in them. If you don't do that you won't receive the benefits of a day planner. I, having used them for many years, find them repulsive and have ceased usage (apparently redness persisted :tongue_sm). I am so much happier now that I don't catalog my entire life.

[jonwings]

I actually think I have something along the lines of one of the Franklins. While it is definitely more practical to have the binder that you can just refill. The leather zip up one I got close to 10 years ago always seemed to bulky and I remember it being a hassle to carry around. It still looks nice.

What I like about one I linked to is that it was much slimmer and less bulky.

[Bertilak]

Day-Timer has the biggest selection. I am mostly happy with their two-page per week compact edition (3x5 inches). You get a whole year that fits easily in a shirt pocket. I use the wire-bound version because it is the easiest to hold open and write in.

Day-Timers are not cheap but you do get quality to match the price.

[WhosYerBob]

I was at Barnes & Noble the other day and I stumbled upon this

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/2010-Barnes-Noble-Burgundy-Softcover-Desk-Diary-Calendar/Barnes-Noble/e/9781435116009/?pwb=1&


I tried that one awhile back; it's okay. Good but not great. I found the Moleskine 18 month weekly planner to work better for me:
http://www.moleskine.com/catalogue/diariesplanners/18_months/18_months__weekly_notebook__black_hard_cover__larg e.php

[azmark]

Been with Franklin Covey for 11 years now. Best thing ever.

[toucanlamp]

I dunno, tradition can be fun in some things like shaving, but just about every smartphone on the market has a agenda/planner application that is a billion times easier and more efficient than a physical book you need to lug around.

[jonwings]

I tried that one awhile back; it's okay. Good but not great. I found the Moleskine 18 month weekly planner to work better for me:
http://www.moleskine.com/catalogue/diariesplanners/18_months/18_months__weekly_notebook__black_hard_cover__larg e.php

I do like the way that looks. I am going to have to check those out.

[KarthVader]

The moleskine planner is very nice. I use a combination of things. I have a small moleskine notebook and I enter items into it using a writing system I found on artofmanliness.com. That way, I keep things organized and I can refer to them when I'm on the go. Any pertinent dates get placed on a large, monthly calendar that is hung up on a wall so I can see it. I have different colored pens to signify different events, i.e. green for social events, red for school, blue for extra curricular activities. Certain things are entered into my phone's scheduler, usually items that are time sensitive or something I would forget otherwise.

[Obsessed]

I've digitalized and gone to iCal + OmniFocus. I like the illustrations in the one you've linked, though.


I dunno, tradition can be fun in some things like shaving, but just about every smartphone on the market has a agenda/planner application that is a billion times easier and more efficient than a physical book you need to lug around.

But if you happen to practice law in the Federal District Court in Manhattan, you need a paper calendar as well, because you are not allowed to bring cellphones, blackberries, etc. into the building, and the judges still want to know when they can schedule the next appearance.

[Bertilak]

I dunno, tradition can be fun in some things like shaving, but just about every smartphone on the market has a agenda/planner application that is a billion times easier and more efficient than a physical book you need to lug around.

I dunno about that. The last two cellphones I bought I messed around with the built-in planner and it was fun for a while but nothing beats my compact Day-Timer. It has analog input -- a step up from digital!

[MoJoe]

I've digitalized and gone to iCal + OmniFocus. I like the illustrations in the one you've linked, though.


Another David Allen fan I see. It's iCal and Things for me. Anyway, this stuff is all good but I'd recommend that you read Getting Things Done by David Allen. It puts organization into better perspective than Franklin or Covey ever did independently or as a merged company, in my opinion. The system will not tie you to a fancy planner and is as or more effective. It focuses on workflow. There's a good video of Allen explaining GTD to the folks at Google on YouTube which gives a good foundation to what it's all about.

[my19]

For the Moleskine fans, onekingslane.com has 'em on sale. You have to "join," but it's free and anyone can. Not sure how great a deal this is -- I've never priced them -- but they look to be roughly 40 percent off retail.

[Sam]

Old Version of a tungsten E2. Syncs with outlook for me and I can sync with my phone but i Donty

[kwk285]

I found I kept misplacing paper calenders so I switched over to the calender on my Iphone.

[stobes21]

Another David Allen fan I see. It's iCal and Things for me. Anyway, this stuff is all good but I'd recommend that you read Getting Things Done by David Allen. It puts organization into better perspective than Franklin or Covey ever did independently or as a merged company, in my opinion. The system will not tie you to a fancy planner and is as or more effective. It focuses on workflow. There's a good video of Allen explaining GTD to the folks at Google on YouTube which gives a good foundation to what it's all about.

+1 on David Allen/GTD. I like the system so much in part because it isn't tied to any particular piece of software or hardware. You can use something as simple as a giveaway promotional paper calendar and some 3x5 notecards, or a sophisticated software setup that runs on your computers and smartphone. I am by nature a procrastinator and a person who piles "stuff" everywhere. I'm finding the GTD system to be the most effective system I've ever used to get myself organized.

Anyway, I use Google Calendar synced with iCal on my phone and home and work computers and an app on my iPhone called "EasyTask." I think a nice paper calendar looks sweet and has some advantages, but I prefer the smaller form factor and convenience of having my phone, calendar, tasks/projects, email, and address book all in one little device that I always have with me.

[cricky101]

I used the various day planners for a couple years, but have moved completely digital in the last year.

I love Google Calendar online and on my phone - they sync beautifully so any changes are automatically updated.

I've got multiple calendars (work, personal, my community service group, even sports teams I follow, etc ...) that I can show or hide anytime on one calendar. I've also been using the SMS feature where I can set up alerts to send me a text message when there's something I need to remember to do.

For example, I just moved into a new house and garbage collection is on a different day than I had at my old house - and I knew I'd forget to put out the trash. And last night at about 9 pm I got a text message from my calendar reminding me to put out the garbage.

[azmark]

I would take into consideration if it's a planner for fashion or is it a methodology of organization you are looking for.

Franklin Covey is the best out there in planning and has been a help to my success in many arenas.

[Ceezer]

I've used Franklin/FranklinCovey for 13 years and always found that there was never enough of what I needed and too much stuff I didn't need, though I continued to use them through this year because I didn't know any better. I'd tried PDAs and smart phones and online collaborations but nothing was as effective or efficient, to me, as having it there on paper.

Earlier this year, though, I picked up some Moleskines, two of which were the standard size in 'squared' (graphed) format. In the first 25 pages I drew out 2-page monthly calendars, then I have a tab marking the next "Misc" section where I keep track of things like contacts, to-do (various lists), etc. Then the next tabbed section is for journaling, misc thoughts, doodling/sketching, notes on books I'm reading or things I've seen/heard, whatever.

So far, I'm liking this system. I think I'm also going to tab off the last several pages and also add a check register. I think it would be nice, since I don't carry my checkbook on me anymore (I did carry it in my FC planner), to have some of that information and balances available (there wouldn't be any personal information, and I doubt anyone is terribly interested in knowing how much I've spent on trash pickup over the last 3 months...).

I just picked GTD up last weekend and hope to start reading it this weekend, and incorporating it into my system.

[professorchaos]

Blackberry.

[AZShaver]

You could always go here (http://www.diyplanner.com/). there is an incredible collection of planner pages that range from 3x5 cards to full size pages.

[airplanedoc]

They are like excercise equipment and gym memberships... they are only good if you use them.

I gladly gave my franklin planner (company provided) to switch to a electronic form of calender/planner. With the electronic version, I cna check my schedule from my any computer, phone etc. This way I am not completely lost if I didn't lug my 5lb planner with me. Electronic is the way to go in my opinion.

[Commander Quan]

For about 2 years I wanted to keep a day planner, I'd buy one at the beginning of the year and use it for about the first 3 weeks, and then quit.

Now my Fiancée and I share a google account and we both use the calender. Living 2 hours away from each other it makes things easier for the weekends when we are together, we can plan out what's going on and where we are supposed to be.

[MoJoe]

Anyway, I use Google Calendar synced with iCal on my phone and home and work computers and an app on my iPhone called "EasyTask." I think a nice paper calendar looks sweet and has some advantages, but I prefer the smaller form factor and convenience of having my phone, calendar, tasks/projects, email, and address book all in one little device that I always have with me.

I do a similar thing with iCal and Google. I also use Google's desktop client to sync my outlook calendar at work with the Google Calendar which downloads to my iPhone. It's nice to have online tools that allow you flexibility like that.

[*King G*]

my day planner is in my head :001_cool:

[hrnfrg]

The Financial Times pocket diary.

[mretzloff]

I have digitalized everything. It is more cost effective and just better overall.

[cr8n]

Glad I had a paper system when Canada Revenue came calling.

I use a moleskine weekly notebook planner (next year is the 4th yr in a row) for longer term appointments and a daily record of customers visited, and 8"1/2 x 11 quarter ruled paper daily. One page per day - freeform.

Notes that are keepers are kept in a coil bound notebook, half the size of 8"1/2 x 11. I use one per year it seems.

The quarter ruled pages are kept in a clipboard, and when used placed, most recent day at top, in a plastic file folder. Appointments for that day in the upper right corner. Easy reminders (one or two minutes) at the bottom, and A1 type To Do's in the middle of the page. Check marked and crossed off when done. Struck through with an arrowhead when carried forward undone. X-marked when not done and dropped altogether.

I've used computer based systems, but they're hard to drag around, and are not that archival over time. Paper rules, if you travel, IMHO. Two small notebooks, a clipboard, and a file folder, and I'm laughing.

Only one problem ... how do you carry forward followups appointments and recurring tasks? I hate writing items over and over ... So? ... Post-it notes!

I keep coming back to this system every time I try something new (and the new method fails me yet again).

[mretzloff]

Glad I had a paper system when Canada Revenue came calling.

What did Canada Revenue have to do with this? I was looking forward to a good ending :lol: