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The *Perfect* Weekly Planner?
Andy Welfle | Dec 12 2007
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! 61 Comments
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 design and bind your own and the Start Here systemSubmitted by webalstrom on December 13, 2007 - 7:21am.
I have been on the same quest for years and finally decided to make my own. I started by just designing my own pages for a DayRunner ring binder I had. But also being left-handed, that was not ideal. I finally started to not only make my own pages, but also bind them (being a bookbinder has its advantages...). You can see some of the results here http://webalstrom.ftml.net/bookworks/gallery/artistsbooks/calendars/calendars.html. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the actual calendars inside on this page. I'll try to get some up. Each year I tweak my system and design. For this coming year I finally am going full 8.5x11 size since I always carry around a notepad with me anyway. I used to design the pages in PageMaker which offered great flexibility in layout. But every single number had to be placed by hand. Now I am using MS Word with mailmerge. I set up my template, fill in the dates in a MS Excel file and let the computer magic do its work. I also have found another company which makes nice calendars which might fit awelfle's requirements: http://www.starthereny.com. An added bonus is they have an interlocking system so you can attach a calendar with one of their notebooks and turn it into one book. I bought one out of curiosity, but the layout wasn't just quite right (picky, picky, picky!). Enjoy your search for the perfect planner. It's another thing that makes this time of year so special! Eric » POSTED IN:
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