Since starting this blog, I have used a few different planners. I have always loved being as efficient and organized as possible, and felt the best way to accomplish that in terms of keeping track of my appointments and to-dos was with an electronic calendar and to-do list system. So when I first started simplify 101, I used the electronic calendar on my Sony Clie. (Remember those?) Let’s just say, this didn’t work for me. Not. At. All.
Here’s why. I was only able to look at my appointments, and process them in my mind, one day at a time. This lead to all sorts of negative consequences, the worst of which was over-booking. My schedule always felt kind of out of whack. But that was nothing compared to the time when I booked a follow-up appointment with a client, and inadvertently booked her every single Thursday…forever. Clearly that wasn’t what she had intended…but which Thursday had she wanted to see me? I had no clue so I had to call her to find out. Talk about a planner not working well for me…
There are several morals to this story, but let’s focus on just one for now:
The best organizing systems are the ones that think like you do.
There are a number of reasons that the PDA calendar didn’t work for me, but the biggest reason is that my brain doesn’t process time one day at a time. Instead, my brain processes and plans best one week at a time. I also process time and to-dos best on paper…not on a tiny computer screen using a pointing device that is thinner than a pencil (a.k.a. a stylus.)
Fast forward a few years (past a few tried-and-not-so-true paper planners) to my (almost) perfect paper planner—The Planner Pad.
The layout of this planner is perfect for me…there’s a month at a glance page at the start of each month.
There are two pages per week, and the week starts on a Monday, which is exactly how I think of time. This planner also allows me to track my appointments and my to-dos, on paper, all in one place.
But that’s not all…the spiral bound design lays flat, which means it’s actually easy to write in the planner. (If you’ve ever used a think, ring-binder planner than you know what I’m talking about…when you try to write your hand falls off the page…when it isn’t running into rings.)
But here’s the best part…there are 8 unlabeled columns across the top of the planner that allow you to categorize your to-do list however you want – by goal, by project, by business functional area, by child, by personal / business, whatever. For me, that was the clincher.
There was just one problem and let me put this as gently as possible…I’m just not physically attracted to this planner. That’s right…it just isn’t pleasing to my eye. Ouch! So, I had to call on another one of my organizing principles to make this planner work for me. I had to customize it so it would look nice to my eyes. Because the more you love how an organizing solution looks, the more likely you are to use it!
Here’s how I did it.
Step 1: Gather your supplies.
All that’s needed for this project is:
- A planner pad
- Glue stick
- A paper trimmer
- Self-adhesive index tabs
- Decoupage medium
- A foam brush
- A favorite piece of patterned scrapbook paper
- Scissors
- Computer with adobe reader, printer and file tab and cover template
- Corner rounder
Step 2: Trim your 12 x 12 patterned paper down to 8-1/2 x 11 using your paper trimmer.
Step 3: Print your cover and month tabs onto your patterned paper.
Step 4: Use your paper trimmer and scissors to cut out your cover and month tabs.
Step 5: Insert your month print outs into your plastic tabs.
Step 6: Attach the tabs to your planner.
Step 7: Use your trimmer to cut out your planner pad cover and use corner rounder punch to round corners. Attach paper to cover using glue stick. Then apply two to three very thin coats of decoupage on top of the paper to give it added durability.
Step 8: Enjoy using your customized organizing solution!
Happy organizing!
P.S. If you need help figuring out an how to handle your to-dos and appointments in a way that works for you, join me for It’s About Time, the online class that shows you how to manage time and build a customized time management system that is built on your priorities and values.
I LOVE how you phrased the, “it ain’t pretty” problem: “There was just one problem and let me put this as gently as possible…I’m just not physically attracted to this planner. That’s right…it just isn’t pleasing to my eye. Ouch! ” That provided my daily giggle. Thank you!
Thanks, Geralin! Glad I could give you your daily giggle. 😉
That is so cute, Aby. It didn’t take a lot of work and it turned out to be attractive and functional!
Thanks, Marcie!
Thank you! I will be able to show this to my husband (a computer guy) and let you explain how my brain works better with a paper planner.
I also stumbled on the Planner Pad the beginning of the year through a co-volunteer I work with. I loved how the layout was because it is exacting what I was doing already on blank paper notebook. To solve the “pretty” problem I ordered their Seasons version of the planner. Love how you jazzed yours up.
Oh it looks so great! Love that bright yellow in the tabs!
I’ve never been able to keep up with a planner. I use my notes on my Mac (which get saved to my iPhone and iPad) and EverNote for notes I need to save long term.
I like just being able to wipe the slate clean when I’m done.
Tabula Rasa … satisfaction.
I’ve made those scheduling forever mistakes. I just laugh when they pop up. I haven’t quite gotten the hang of all the calendar options that are out there, so I just keep things on my list until they are DONE.
I love this post. I am an application developer and technology is my livelihood. That being said, I hate electronic planners. I am using something similar to what you have and have to laugh as I also prettied it up and made it more functional with some pretty monthly tabs, added pockets to the front and back covers, and also use a giant colored rubber band to help with paper management.
– Kathy
I too just discovered the Planner Pad and love it! However, I also didn’t love the cover. So I personalized mine with positive message stickers. “Don’t Forget to be Awesome”, “Joy”, “Persist.”, Think Positive, Be Authentic. etc.
Your article couldn’t have come at a better time. I am constantly trying new planners. I think I think better with paper and pen too. I’ll stick with what I have for now, but may follow your suggestion for the coming school year.
This is so cute! I’m going to make one! I love the idea of taking something very plain and making it pretty!
I love the idea. However I wish the planner pad was not so expensive. I am an older gal on a limited budget. Spending almost 30.00 for the planner and then a wee bit more to pretty it up with shipping and handling it comes to about $35-40. Any ideas for cheaper?
Hi, Sandra,
Thanks for your comment. You could print your own and then use a binder if you have one on hand. Do a google search for “free planner templates” or “free planner printables” and see if you find something that will work for you.
Aby
Hey Sandra,
If you are still looking for this particular planner at a great price, I just went to their site and it’s only $9.79 as a closeout price for a 2013 calendar year. The total with shipping was a little over $16. Although it’s 2013, I went ahead and purchased this, because it will allow me to try it out for half a year at an inexpensive price.
https://plannerpads.com/closeouts.asp
Hi Aby,
Thanks for the recommendation…I have been in search of a planner very much like this one. I use to use the Franklin Planner about 20 years ago and even took their course, then it got more and more difficult to find the variety that they use to offer. I then ventured into the electronic version and it was just to small to deal with and their software has become outdated. Meanwhile, I have tried other apps and nothing has ever really accomplished what good old paper offers. So, I can’t wait to get started with this new planner! 🙂
hi Aby!
love how you have made your own tabs!
I love this idea. I thought I was the only one who took forever to choose a planner only to be unhappy with the color. Thanks for the suggestions for making it pretty. Pretty is motivating. Yeah!
I’m still trying to find the right method for me. Paper planners are usually easier for me to organize with, but my calendar on my phone is so much more convenient. But I also like having it visible, so it can remind me… so I have a large desk calendar that I’ve hung up on the door. So, I’ve got three different different things going on. And either I waste a lot of time making sure I transfer everything over to each place…. or I’m constantly referring to three different places…. or more often, I end up forgetting something! Any suggestions?
Hi, Shannon,
My advice would be to pick one. That way you’ll know that everything is accounted for and you’ll always know where to look to find your appointments. Each system has it’s pros and cons – there isn’t a perfect system. So I’d choose the one that has the most advantages for you personally.
~ Aby
I already use a Planner Pad, but I too wish it was prettier. I love your idea for dressing it up and bit and may give it a try. Right now I have the boring month tab pages that I bought from them — I like that they give me two extra notes pages for each month. I’ve also tried tons of planners both online and in print and this is the best so far.
Thanks, Beth. I agree. This one definitely makes the most sense to me. 🙂
I like spiral-bound planners, and I see that the Planner Pad website has an option for 12 months starting in July — now that I have school-age kids, the academic calendar seems to work better for me. Do you have the Executive size (8.5 x 11) or Personal size? Thanks!
Sorry, I didn’t notice that you mentioned the size in your post!
That’s okay. 🙂
I’m curious as to why you chose the executive size over the personal size, Abby. I currently use a personal size planner and am wondering if ONE of the reasons that my current planner (it is not a planner pad) is not working for me is because of the size. I chose the personal size because I thought that it would be easier to carry around to appointments, etc. but I find the writing space to be small, sometimes too small for all I need to write down. I’m thinking of giving this planner a try but am wondering if I should go with the executive size or personal size.
Thanks for your question. I chose the executive size because anything smaller wouldn’t give me enough room to write down my daily and weekly to-dos. I write big and I have lots of to-dos to keep track of. I take it with me on organizing appointments when I have a bigger bag anyway. But not having your planner with you can help you prevent making commitments without really considering if you truly have the time to do it. 🙂 So the larger size has an added advantage for me.
~ Aby
Great post. Sometimes we just have to take organizing matters into our hands and create the perfect organizing product solution! I always say to ‘organize the way your brain works’ and you did just that. LOVE IT!!!
Thanks, Theresa!
I was sooooo relieved to read this! I have always been a stationery addict and despite genuine efforts to use digital planners, Apps and notebooks to stay organized, something was always missing. You put it so perfectly “my brain doesn’t process time one day at a time”. I am a paper-planner and no longer ashamed to admit it 🙂
Thanks Aby!
….and keep up the great work, I love your site!
Thanks so much Alison!
I had another aha about paper to-do lists and planners versus electronic…and it is that paper is much more in sight. Since I do so much work on the computer…if I’m working on something other than scheduling or consulting my to-do list, an electronic to-do list or calendar is out of sight…and out of mind! 🙂
Aby
Aby, have you seen the colorful covers they have for these now? If not, they are here…
https://plannerpads.com/flex_covers.asp
The green one is really pretty and that in combination with your yellow polka dots would be adorable. I got the green cover and happy with it now. Just thought I’d pass this tidbit along in case you haven’t seen them yet.
Cathy
Thanks, Cathy. I have seen those. I’m not really sure why I didn’t consider getting one. I’ll keep it in mind for next year. 🙂
Aby