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43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

The *Perfect* Weekly Planner?

Friends,

For most of my adult life (well, high school and beyond), I have been on the search for the perfect weekly planner. For a while, I was convinced that I found it in the mid-sized Gallery Leather weekly planner, but as I switched jobs, and realized that I need to keep an active to-do list for myself, I've realized that it doesn't do for me what I want it to.

See, I've tried and tried and TRIED to computerize my planner and to-do list. I have a Mac at home and at work, and I love them! I even love Apple's software (especially the Leopard OS X upgrade) iCal and the Mail app. But I have found that as I start out updating it diligently, I just fall out of the habit of using it if it is on the computer. I also love the Google Calendar interface, but I run into the same thing. I just need paper.

Here's where I need your help -- below is a list of requirements. Do you use a planner fitting these criteria? Are you looking for the same thing I am?

• Needs to be in the 5.5" x 8.5" range -- slightly bigger or smaller is all right.

• The week has to fit onto one page or one spread.

• There cannot be markers on the day for hours. My day doesn't start at 8 and end at 5, so don't fence me in!

• I would really like some extra space on each page or spread to make notes or to-do lists.

• It has to have simple styling -- one simple color or design. None of this "180 Great Views of Ireland's Splendor" kinda stuff.

• I need a bookmarker or tabs to indicate where I am in the book, so I can easily turn to the right page.

• No spiral-binding. Yes, I know that makes it lay flat easier, but I'm left handed. That binding hurts. Plus, I like to feel like what I'm writing in is a book.

Sound picky? Well, it is. You looking for the same thing I am? Or do you have any suggestions? Anything a must in your weekly planner? Please, share!

daybooker's picture

Anyone tried a Daybook?

Have never been able to find the perfect planner that has enough space also for notes, to do lists etc, and which doesn't involve constantly checking back to see whether you've dealt with everything. So now I use a small calendar to schedule appointments and a notebook called a Daybook for writing information in. My husband and I ended up producing our own Daybooks because we couldn't find anything that fitted the bill and now we sell them too. You can check them out at www.qapublishing.com.au. The idea is to have a book you keep open on your desk and take with you to meetings and write all your information in it. You can use as many pages each day as you need because you date them as you go. They also have a neat system for making sure you do everything you write down to to. They are spiral bound, but binding is small and you use both sides of the page so both left- and right-handed people get the same deal - we've never had a complaint from either.

 
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