I bought my first planner over a decade ago and have bought one every single year since, except for 2000. I've had every kind imaginable from the very simple (translation: cheap drugstore variety) to the very elaborate (translation: leather-bindered Franklin planner with every insert under the sun). The only problem is: I never ONCE made it through the whole year with a planner. Sure, January and February started out with high hopes and the excitement of this fabulous new tool that would finally make me organized!! But as the year wore on, I would become frustrated with its shortcomings:
- the daily appointment area never went 'til after dinner time, where I had church and sports activities scheduled for myself and family - the pages weren't big enough, or if they were, it would take up too much space in my work area (e.g. my kitchen counter, where space is at a major premium) AND I wouldn't be able to write on the left-hand sides of the pages very well with that big ring-binder in the middle - month-at-a glance varieties were too small (most were around 9 x 6) and didn't have any "to do" areas - the a-1, a-2, b-1, b-2 etc. prioritizing method for the to-do list didn't work AT ALL for me being at home with kids where a much looser schedule is more realistic - they were too hard (or expensive) to fit my whole computerized address book into -- had to have the right sized paper and whole-punched position OR if it was spiral bound, I was supposed to recopy my whole list into it by hand every year (ugh!) Well the end of 1999 rolled around and I decided I wasn't going to ever buy another planner again!! I'd had enough of the frustration and shame of spending all this money and having these great expectations just fail, fail again. Instead, I tried a different approach -- I made my own planner. Something custom-designed just for me, the way I think, and the way I plan. Well, 2000 just ended and I am excited to tell you, I used that planner for the entire year and it really worked! You can make one, too -- if you are reading this on your own computer, you most likely have every tool you need (with the exception of the binding; we'll get to that in a minute) My plan was to make a simple calendar and additional sections, and then take them to a copy center and have it bound there. I chose a coil binding (looks like a plastic spring) so I could open to a page, and fold it back on itself and have it stay open without it being double wide. Mine was done on 8 1/2" x 11" pages so I had plenty of room in which to write. Here's what mine contained: - clear plastic cover (front and back) -- they put this on at the copy center - colored cover page (got from card stock at the copy center) -- or you can print a design or art from your computer - 13 months of blank calendar pages. I used Microsoft word to create these, 13 all the same and blank. I didn't have a color printer at that time so I printed them blank and then decorated them with stickers and colored markers (I love a colorful calendar -- another shortcoming of the store-bought variety). If you have a color printer, you could print each month with color and not have to do it by hand. Being a scrapbooker and into fun lettering styles, I chose to do it by hand. These were printed on white paper. - action section -- a modified "to-do" list. I like to keep my to-do items in 3 separate categories: "to do" - things that need to be done around the house that are not regular chores. For instance, writing thank you notes, fixing a household item that needs repair, baking for Sunday school, preparing a party menu, etc. "to call" - phone calls that need to be made for whatever reason "to go" - errands that need to be run The action page has these three headings and some lines with check boxes to tick off the items as they are completed. I made this document with a spreadsheet program; you can also use a word processor. I made one master copy in white and then 25 double sided copies of the action page (50 sides in all) on yellow paper, so it would be easy to find it by color - prayer section -- blank, lined pages to record prayer requests, answers to prayers and make note on Bible studies and spiritual issues. I made one master and 25 double-sided copies on pink paper - note section -- blank lined pages to record sermon, seminar, meetings and book notes and ideas for anything swimming around in my head. I made one master and 25 double-sided copies on purple paper - phone section -- I printed my phone and address book from my computer onto blue paper - catch-all pocket. I took a mailing envelope (9" x 12") and turned it into a pocket: Using a paper trimmer (they have these at the copy centers if you don't have one at home) or an x-acto knife, cut 1/2" off the top and 1" off the left side of the envelope so you have an 8 1/2" x 11" pocket that is open on the top and left (if will be bound on the left so things won't fall out). Take the top section and fold it INTO to pocket on a diagonal about 3 or 4 inches down from the top so it is easier to slip things in and out of. One word of caution: you may be tempted to skip the binding and just three-hole punch your sections and put them in a three-ring binder. I wouldn't recommend this because those rings in the middle get in the way of writing on the left side of the page and in order to have it open, it must be all the way open flat, which takes up a lot of space. With the coil binding, you can have it open to just one side and accessible (I keep mine open to the action section most of the time) so a quick glance tells you what needs your attention, instead of having to flip through a bigger binder. Also, the coil is sturdy and it is much more portable than a heavy binder. THAT'S IT! It's really very simple to create your own planner. Perhaps you will have other sections you will put in yours or ones you will not use. Whatever you decide to put in, it should help you PERSONALLY in your planning -- things that are important to you, that make the planner yours alone -- this is the key to a planner that doesn't get left on the shelf! Have fun and happy organizing. ====================================================================<<< Have you heard about the new SmartGroups feature? Find out how you can make storing and sharing your pictures online easy! http://ad.smartgroups.com/adclick/CID=000000062c8b020200000000 ====================================================================>>> -- If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a vote visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/-JFC To leave the group, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! 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