Rori Rants

Uncalendar Review

A few weeks ago, as I was going through another gut wrenching episode of planner angst, I was again lurking on Plannerisms (My favorite site for inspiration!).  As I was going back through posts searching for a planner that I thought might work for me, I came back across Laurie's review post on the Uncalendar.

I hadn't considered this planner seriously before, and I'm not sure why--so I ordered one (the 8.5" by 11" Lifestyle size, but they also make a Half Size), and may I say that Uncalendar has one of the best websites/storefronts EVER.  Other planner folks (*ahem* Planner Pad *ahem*) could take some notes on this user friendly interface!  After you create a profile, you can log back in and track your order (Super handy for those of us who are obsessed concerned about when we'll receive our fix merchandise). Also, there is a section called The Training Room with all kinds of handy additional information about how to use the Uncalendar to its best advantage.

I got the Uncalendar pretty fast (the Uncalendar company is in Arizona, and I'm in New Mexico. How convenient...), and then almost as soon as I opened it, I came to a screeching halt.  I'm going to wait a few minutes while you go look here and here and here at the insides of this planner.

Are you back? Good. Now you can understand how overwhelmed I was at the empty boxes on the left side of the weekly planning pages.  I simply have NO idea how to set these up.  I tried using the categories that I described in my Planner Pad post, but that was a no-go. Plus, I have to admit, that as papers go, the Uncalendar paper is marginally better than Filfoax paper--especially compared to Planner Pad paper which is an outstanding quality.  This limits the pens that I can use to doodle/draw/mess in my planner, and that frustrates me; as do the primary colored boxes.

I didn't take any pictures of the Uncalendar, because the Uncalendar website shows the insides better than I can, and to be honest, I haven't written anything but dates into this planner at all.  I plugged in 2 weeks worth of dates....and then did nothing else.  I went back to my Planner Pad for the time being, and have NO idea what to do with my Uncalendar.  I may use it as a lesson planner for my kids--any other ideas?

Now, this is not Uncalendar's fault.  It is lovely, really, and the notes pages in the back of the planner are GENIUS. A whack of those can be ordered from Uncalendar by themselves, which is totally worth it folks, because these note pages rock.  Just don't expect to be able to use your Lamy Safari on them.

Verdict: For me, another planner fail, but a really nice planner for visual/creative types, and if you even think this will work for you, order it.  It's certainly inexpensive enough to try out, and even if it doesn't work, you can use the notes pages any way, so not a total loss for sure.  The customer service from Uncalendar is spectacular, and this company is unhesitatingly recommended.

Planner Pad Review

Here is my long overdue Planner Pad review. This should be part of a planner review series of about 3 or 4, so stay tuned! More to come!!

I first started using Planner Pads a few years ago. I read "Take Back Your Time" by Jan Jasper (one of the best time management books ever), and Planner Pad was one of her suggested planners because it has a good week to view set-up:

The first year I used them, I used the personal size, and that was ok, but I didn't have much success the first year. Not Planner Pad's fault though, I just didn't know what I wanted in a planner, and I had a hard time figuring out how to use all the blank space at the top. I ordered one again for the next year; again epic fail.

Then I moved on to other things, namely FC or just generic Wal-Mart offerings. Then about a year ago I saw this video. I immediately ordered the personal size Planner Pad, decorated it, and proceeded to use it until my Granny died. After that, I couldn't use it any more because it made me sad, so I ordered the Executive size to start January 2011. I decorated it, and had every intention of using it...but I had also gotten interested in Filofax by that time, and I've waffled between the two ever since.

Planner Pad, however, has many virtues, and I've really begun to like using it. It comes with a black cover that you can have imprinted with your name for an extra fee.  To me, the black cover is super boring, and I really prefer decorating mine.  (Right now it also houses a quote, a picture of Colin Firth [yummy], and some info I cut out of a magazine about financial stuff).  I seal both covers with packing tape when I'm done decorating.

 Inside on the second page (first page is Planner Pad company info), there is a page for Personal Information, that holds the standard name, address, and ICE space for that information.
Then there are eight pages of Important Phone Number pages, broken down alphabetically, with a varying amount of lines according to the letter. (For instance, more G's than Z's). 

After that there is the current year dates, next year and the year after that, all in regular calendar format on one page. Then there are 3 annual planners, again for this year, next and 2013. Then there is one page of holidays (only American and some Canadian, unfortunately), then a page of USA time zones. Sadly, this planner does not have world times zones, which would be REALLY useful!

After that, there are the Notes page and month page that are standard every month. Then, the week pages start.  On the week pages you have space at the top for categories/to-do's or whatever you want to use it for, then under that you have spaces for to-do's for each day, then at the bottom are the appt. times for each day. Here is the way Planner Pad suggests you use their system, but I use mine a little differently because I don't have many time specific tasks.  I still use the top for categories, and I link a couple of the top spaces to use more space for fewer categories.  I use from left to right "Dreams" this takes up two spaces; "MIT's" most important tasks, this takes one space' "Work On" one space; "Research" for online stuff, two spaces; and "Blog" one space. 

Under the Notes/Calls space at the far right I put extra notes or reminders, then I put my weekly Gratitude List under that and above the Expenses section.  I use the Expenses section for extra notes. Right now, I'm using the appointment space at the bottom as a journal of sorts for daily events as they happen. It works ok, but this space is not really optimum for me, and may be the deal breaker with Planner Pad. :O(

After the week pages for the year, there are 3 yellow note pages, and then 12 yellow pages that Planner Pad lists to be used for Goals/Projects/Calendar, but which can be used for anything.  There are the days of the week printed really lightly at the top of the page, and then horizontal and vertical lines, but of course those can be written or drawn over however you wish.  I use these pages usually to tape/glue in other stuff I want to keep or be reminded of.  The very last page is a yearly calendar with last year, this year and next year on it.  You can also buy "Insta Pockets" from Planner Pad for the front and back so you can stash other stuff in your planner. I always buy these; this year I only bought the back one because I don't like having junk in the front. 

Planner Pads are very durable, and hold up well to a year's worth of abuse easily. Planner Pad paper quality is outstanding, and can hold up to everything but Sharpie markers (although Sharpie pens work fine).  I use a lot of Le Pens for the colored stuff and boxes and highlights that I draw around my random writings, and they work beautifully with absolutely no bleed through. Also, the Planner Pad can't be beat for the ability to attach ephemera! There is plenty of space, and the pages hold up well to glue sticks, rubber cement, staples, washi tape, and paper and binder clips.  In many ways, this planner works really well for me EXCEPT:

1. Appointment times are useless for me, and a waste of space
2. No pen loop (but not a deal breaker, really)
3. Not really conducive for those "listy" items like Books to Read, Internet usernames/passwords, Bucket List, and the like (although I did start keeping the things I need/want to buy on the Notes page that is opposite the Monthly blocks page, and that works well)
4. I use the Executive Size, and it's a bit bulky to carry around
5. There is not enough daily "journaling" space, although that is easily remedied by using a Moleskine or other notebook for that purpose

Any way, hope you like the review. Kimberly Wilson recently tweeted me, and said she would do a "How I Use My Planner Pad" blog post, so I will let you know when that comes out; it should be fab just like her! I can't wait...

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!!

Blessings!

PS: All pictures are cut out of magazines by me, and added to my PERSONAL PLANNER! None have been sold or used in any way so as to violate any Copyright! Picture on back inside page is of Angelina Jolie, because I think she rocks.

My True Love--My Filofax

So, unless you are already a Filofax addict (I think we should be called Filo-cracks :D), you may think this is crazy--I'm in love with my Filofax.  No, seriously.  As a matter of fact, it smelled so delicious that the first night I had it, I slept with it tucked under my pillow. Wait! Don't go! I'm not insane...or mostly not...read on!!

Prior to buying this Filofax, I think I've used like every major planner on the planet including: DayTimer, Franklin Covey (multiple times; slow learner), Planner Pad, and various and sundry planners I've purchased at box stores or  bookstores.  None of my attempts at using a planner properly and consistently has lasted more than about two months.

I thought it was because I had a really short attention span (the gnat analogy works well here).  But! Since I bought my Filofax personal size Cuban Zip, and filled it the way I wanted it, I've used this planner consistently and effectively every day since! Now, even though I still get planner envy a la Kanalt at  Life Well Planned, I don't have a major desire to scrap my Filofax and try something entirely new.

This is how I'm using mine right now:

I keep month on one page with notes,  week on two pages, and day per page diaries. These I keep about 1/2 way into my Filofax so that it is easier to write on the left page over the rings.  I use the monthly page to record things like when the days I work pay out, when bills are due, and birthdays or other important days.  On the week on two pages, I record things like to-do's, where I work on what days, any other appointments, and any other "short" (to write) items.  On the daily pages, I record the weather, how I or my children feel, what actually happens, my daily "5 Things I'm Grateful For" lists, blog posts I want to do, and any other more lengthy notes I want to record.

Now, the daily sheets are working better than my previous set-up in my Filofax, which was to put a blank sheet of Filofax notepaper in between the week on two pages sheets, but I'm still finding that on some days, there's not enough space.  I was reading Kanalt's latest post, and I'm wondering if the DayRunner day on two pages wouldn't be better, especially since the notes area is on the right side--that is just brilliant! I think I'll wait to see how it works for her, and then re-think it.  I'll also track how many days I really need the extra space to write/take notes.

Since there's way more to share about how I use my Filofax, I will devote this week's blogging space to my Filofax and what else I have in it, others' Filofaxes, and I'll share more blogs and videos about Filofaxes. UPDATE: Since I had to move blogging platforms yet again, I'll be posting some of this next week.

If you have any questions before then or as we go, let me know!