Some of YOU are planners. Some of YOU prefer to take everything as it comes. Some of YOU will use just a diary and know everything off the top of their heads, not needing to ‘plan’. Some of YOU don’t plan anything.
Me. I am a planner. I have a diary. I have tables in word. I have weekly planners. I have almost everything that you can have to ensure that you are organised.
Though, I don’t necessarily have everything that works, for me.
What I do suggest is that YOU find what works for YOU!
Just because your bestie uses excel spreadsheets doesn’t necessarily mean that you will rock them too. Or you may love your diary and swear by using it for everything, but your bestie hates the idea of using one. It all comes down to preference.
What exactly do I use though?
Firstly, I am a person who thrives on change and I love lists. So my organisation system is one based for me.
Ready? { There is a lot! }
: I use iCal which is a program on my MacBook. I love this. I have six different calendars which are colour-coded.
PROS: syncs with your iPhone; colour-coded; can repeat items; covers blocks of time; easy to access; can change the views.
CONS: the format messes up if you try and put two different items at the same time.
: I use Word to develop tables and will put information into different columns. I have been known to develop menu plans, budgets, study and work schedules, workout schedules, to do lists, posts to write and the list goes on. Here is a PDF copy of my plan this week: 09.08.2010-15.08.2010
PROS: you choose where and what content is put in; tables are easy to format; can be a quick guide to look over what you need to do and get done; can use as many documents as you want to; can print out or leave on the computer {eco-friendly!}.
CONS: sometimes the formatting can get annoying when they just don’t want to sit {but just takes time to learn Word}.
: A weekly planner from Kikki-K { which you all know how much I love! }. I recently purchased this and have found it awfully useful, and prefer this over using Word documents.
PROS: it doesn’t have specific dates so you write them in yourself; it adds in the to do list element + to buy list element; it has a clean and simple design; pages can be easily torn off and stuck on a whiteboard; and takes into account the week coming.
CONS: not enough room for people with a little bigger than normal writing on one line {I am learning to make my writing smaller though!}
: 2010 Smiggle A4 diary. Which looks across a week over two A4 pages.
PROS: huge amounts of room; clean design; has room to plan in a month + more in depth across the two A4 pages; includes space for addresses + phone numbers.
CONS: doesn’t have public holidays or any holidays written; have to hand write; is too big to carry around everyday.
And that’s all. I do use pieces of paper here and there. And do make enormous piles. But I am getting better. Sort of.
Thoughts?
Next planning post I will have a September calendar that will be waiting for you to print out and cover in all your notes! <3
Oh and a huge thankyou to Brittonie for the image!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I like to plan. I like to feel semi orgnised and also have the freedom for spontaneous play.
I write lists when I need to and use a diary to keep up to date with appointments, work dates etc.
I use the kikki k menu planner, it is fantastic, and I have found a really easy to use template on the microsoft office website that doesn’t use scheduled times but rather and am and pm section and other section at the bottom.
This works for me!
I just use my iCal for all my organing. Same benefits as you mentioned with syncing etc!
Todo lists I usually just write in ‘notes’ on my iPhone, or on a post-it note!
I am so disorganised. But you know that :)
I live for lists, schedules, planning & organizing… I am slightly ocd but life is so much better when you’re organized ;-)
Loved this entry Miss Carly. My first time reading your blog can you believe it. You’ve gained yourself a fan now xo…