For those of you who like tangible organization tools (as opposed to software), and you’re tired of the same old Day Runners, Day-Timers, Franklin Coveys, etc, this post’s for you. I’ve been looking at day planners recently, both because of a request to cover them here and the growing realization that the combination of two small children, a part-time office job, ongoing freelance assignments, and a swirling maelstrom of doctor’s appointments/errands/grocery lists/home and garden projects/ET-BLEEPING-CETERA is resulting in what you might call a need for improved personal productivity on my end.
Ahem. So, planners! Preferably interesting and/or unique ones! Let’s check them out:
Bubble Planner. Here’s a 100-page planner with “bubble map” pages for mindmapping/brainstorming activities. Each planner contains a section for goal-setting, roadmapping (using the bubble map design to help you along), ongoing task management, a calendar, activity log pages, and more. Cool idea for long-term planning, especially for the more visually-oriented folks.
momAgenda Day Planner. This planner is aimed specifically at busy moms, with space in the agenda pages for multiple kids’ schedules as well as Mom’s. Designed so you can keep track of appointments, playdates, school events, meal ideas, etc; includes a “momEssentials” notebook for important info like contact data, birthdays, medical information. Plus: it comes in a pretty pretty pink.
Moleskine Planner. People are downright cultish about Moleskines, so if you like Apple products, Star Wars, or refreshing mugs of Kool-Aid, surely the Moleskine is for you! I like the looks of the Weekly Planner, which features a week per two page spread, along with standard planner features like month/year-at-a-glance, note pages, and various travel data like time zones, dialing codes, and conversion info.
The Slingshot Organizer. This pocket planner features “radical dates for every day of the year, space to write your phone numbers, a contact list of radical groups around the globe, menstrual calendar, info on police repression, extra note pages, plus much more.” Um, AWESOME.
Handmade Dayplanner “Red Rome”. A beautiful red 9″ x 6″ handmade planner, with month/week-at-a-glance layouts, address section, and notes. The endpapers feature vintage Rome map graphics, and the hand-stitched binding allows you to lay the book flat.
Kate Spade “Jane Street” Organizer. An uberfancy organizer with calfskin lining. What, no giraffe fetus lining? I am disappointed, Kate Spade. This planner includes a weekly and monthly calendar, ruler, storage pouch and tabbed sections for addresses, notes, restaurants and birthdays . . . and a shiny shiny cover.
Hipster PDA templates. If you’re a fan of the index-cards-and-binder-clip method of staying organized, check out these templates for adding some flair to your cards. Never heard of a Hipster PDA? It’s too geeky to explain, I swear to god.
How about you? Do you use a day planner, or something similar?
Why is that bubble planner in the dirt?
I used to keep a planner, then I lost one and my life ended. OK not really, but it was a gigantic pain in my ass. I went digital with a backup after that and I have never looked back. So I suppose I can’t help you here.
Ashley | May 9th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I am loving that bubble one — have never seen it.
I use a day planner. I’ve always found that I need to actually write something down for it to stick in my mind. I like paper, writing, planners — kind of an obsession of mine:)
Nataly | May 9th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I have a little pocket planner that I got for $1 at JoAnns and then covered it with pretty paper and put a ribbon in to use as a bookmark. It’s nice because the inside pages were already done, but the outside is completely unique since I did it.
I also do lots and lots of sticky notes.
Jenni | May 9th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
It’s not unique, but I’ve found that Franklin Covey makes a line of planners for Target (the 360 line) and they’re much cheaper than what you find at office supply stores. PLUS, the refills are cheaper, too. The covers on the planners are cuter, too - not so stuffy with the black and, um, black. I bought a pink and brown one a few years ago and now have a blue and white patterned one. Plenty of room for weekly and monthly layouts, notes, task lists, address, post-its, pockets, and a vinyl envelope for odds and ends.
leanne | May 9th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I’m a Google calendar person, mostly because I can log on from anywhere to check it. I have a PDA that I really ought to back up more, but I’m always forgetting it in my desk, which does not do anything for my improved personal productivity.
My to-do list, though, is always on scraps of paper that end up all over the place. Must get better about that!
Lylah | May 9th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I am fan of the 360 line from target too. I have a fun green one. But i think the bubble planner is very cute and would work well with how I think. If the bubble planner pages will fit in my 360, that I am sold!
allison | May 9th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I have the pink and brown 360 organizer as well. Love it…..
But, I love all of my organizers until the kids start coloring in them. I then HAVE to replace them. I’ve been through a lot of them-LOL.
Melissa | May 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I’m a hospital resident with no desk or dedicated space, so everything I use has to be carried around in the bulging pockets of my white coat. Therefore I use a smartphone and occasionally Google Calendar for organizing my personal life. For hospital work, like all residents everywhere, I make a to-do list for all my patients every morning with dozens of little hand-drawn check boxes, and then carry it around in the aforementioned pockets ticking things off.
Liz | May 9th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I emailed the company and discovered thatthe refills are compatible with our target franklin 365 planners:
http://www.bubbleplanner.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=28&category_id=11&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=58
Just thought I would share in case anyone else was wondering!
Looks like I know what I am buying myself this Mother’s Day.
Happy Friday!
allison | May 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I am a Google Calendar user… it’s all fancy and colour-coded, and linked in to the calendars for my work and my husband’s schedule so it’s all neatly in one place. Granted, I can’t check it when I’m offline, but I can’t think of a time lately when that’s been an issue. All of my “scheduling” is done with the computer in front of me, so it seems to work.
“To-do” lists are also in Google, and then whatever is on that day’s list gets scrawled on a scrap of paper and shoved in my pocket on my way out the door!
Paper planners make me crazy because I hate when I have to cross things off or change plans and they get messy. Then I have to buy a new one and… yup, it gets expensive.
mrsgryphon | May 9th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I like the idea of the MOM planner with room for several different family members’ schedules. In my planner (also from Target!) I use pens in different colors to indicate my schedule, my son’s, and my husband’s. Keeps it simple, and it’s always in my schoolbag, the bag that travels with me to and from work.
Daisy | May 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
So I just watched 27 dresses and Katherine Heigl’s character uses a Filofax. Very old school. http://www.filofaxusa.com/ Makes me almost want to give up my PDA for it. Almost.
bea | May 11th, 2008 at 4:57 am
I use my BlackBerry for my calendar functions. We also have a calendar on the wall at home that has separate columns for each family member (got it at Marks & Spencer in London, and can’t find on their site). At work, though, I found that I needed something consistent for my To-Do lists. I love the Busy Body Book. I like that it has a new to-do list section for each week - it’s been working well for me. I could do without the cutsie-ness (to-do’s are called to-doodles), but it works.http://www.busybodybook.com/
foodmomiac | May 11th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I have a day planner that I’ve had for a couple of years, but I couldn’t find a calendar that I liked or fit until now. I found a link from here for diyplanner.com and used one of their calendars. I’m left handed so writing in these things is a little difficult some times, but there is a left handed template there.
I also keep lots of stickies everywhere, including my car. I find that I always remember something that I need to so when I’m in the car I can write it down right away.
Ronilcb | May 12th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Great reviews! I just ordered the bubble planner. Hoping it will help get me organized! I don’t need a calendar so much as an organizer. I’m happy with an online/blackberry calendar but the to do lists and project planning just seems more real with pen & paper, not sure why! I like that it recognizes the WHOLE day/week/life that needs organized. My prob with Mr. Covey is that it feels wrong to put personal things down b/c everything is so down to business. Wish me luck!
Brenda | May 12th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
russell and hazel is making some cool stuff for officemax right now… also i love bob’s your uncle planners, there’s a multitasker with different types of pages (check lists, calendars, dot-matrix) and an eight days a week one with dates on one side and paper on the other to make bigger notes, etc. love them.
willikat | May 13th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I have had my Bubble Planner for over a year and I love it! The ability to establish your goals and priorities using the bubble maps is a powerful feature - then the Bubble Planner walks you through the process of converting those goals into actionable tasks. Because I now have a clear focus on what is truly important for me to accomplish, I am not moved by distractions and, as a result, my productivity has sky rocketed.
LW | May 16th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I am a fan of the planners by truly mom. While this planner was created by four moms, it can be used by both moms and non-moms. I love the My Day tablet to keep my day organized. For moms, they have a My Day tablet that has a section to help keep track of childrens activities…..anyone can use this system! If you are a list person and like to have everything in one place this system has your name on it!! The planners also come in several pretty designs and prices.
PK | July 6th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Just to add one more to the mix, Hable Construction makes a planner I love. You can choose from a variety of HC’s beautiful fabrics for the binding. All are great for staying organized and cool to look at when they’re closed (and they impress everyone when you take them out of your bag!). A nice online store that carries them is rock paper scissors (http://thinkrockpaperscissors.com).
JaneF | December 8th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Whoops, I got the link slightly wrong–it’s http://www.thinkrockpaperscissors.com
(pesky http://www...)
JaneF | December 8th, 2008 at 10:30 pm