Are you in charge of your Filofax?

Or is your Filofax in charge of you?

"Well, of course I'm in charge of my Filofax. I'm the one that writes in it and works out schedules. It's me who works out what tasks need to be done at particular times and on particular days so that I am working at my optimum productivity. My day will run much more smoothly if I organise my day so that not a minute is lost. The future is now known because I have planned it beforehand - I will be prepared. Yes, I'm definitely in charge and all the better for it - a whizz at organisation, an answer for every eventuality and the person to come to in case of emergency. My Filofax will give me the answers."

"Well, maybe I'm not in charge - I worry because I've neglected to hoover the stairs and I should have done today, you know - it says so here on the Wednesday! Sorry, can't do that, I have to weed the garden. I'm doing my planning of the week this evening so it's not convenient for me to go out for a walk. I can't do planning on a Monday - it's got to be Sunday night. I plan for the week, see, and my week begins on a Monday. Yes, always a Monday. Now look, the line I've drawn is not straight. My colours don't co-ordinate - I'll have to start again!"

Yes, I am in charge of my Filofax and no, I will not let it get in charge of me. If I don't keep to schedule - tough. If I haven't crossed off all my tasks - hard luck. I'll embrace spontaneity and creativity whenever the fancy takes me rather than rigidly sticking to the 'orders' I have written down. I will not fret because the loos weren't cleaned today nor will I worry that I've not succeeded in finishing my book this week. I shall live life in the here and now and not through my Filofax. 

There I've been assertive. Now where's my Filofax I'd better plan in this creativity and spontaneity lark so I'm prepared for the next time!

Happy Planning

Thoughts on Planner Peace

I'm sure Planner Peace is different for each person who uses a planner. Here are my thoughts in no particular order.

Planner Peace

5 different perspectives

1. When a planner works for you. Your days run smoothly and are productive with both work, rest and play at optimum levels.

2. When the planner you have wanted for ages is now in your hands.

3. When you've completed a section of your  planner collection e.g. all the colours of a certain type of planner, all the sizes of a certain type of planner, one of each size of a certain type of planner …..

4. When a planner makes you feel as though you want to carry it around with you all the time.

5. When all your planners are being used and all improve or enhance your life.

BUT

1. Life changes and so too does the planner so new systems have to be worked out.

2. Once you've got the planner you wanted there's always the next one on the horizon and so the collection grows and the searches and researches continue.

3. Once you have a collection of a certain type then the mind begins to want another collection of a different type. The grass is always greener on the other side.

4. Familiarity breeds contempt and a change is as good as a rest.

5. Many people have multiple planners which they don't use.

So, is there such a thing as Planner Peace?

My conclusion is yes and no. Yes for a short time and no, because we are all creative and want to keep acquiring planners and inventing systems for our planners. Once something works then it's only natural that we want to improve on that enabling our planning systems to evolve and improve.

Planner Peace? Are all your planners making you happy and content? Which numbers apply to you and your planners?

Happy Planning.