My first priority planner

What I used for many years
Back in 1984, my neighbor Michele did a women’s study with us using Anne Ortlundt’s book, Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman, as the springboard, and I was especially inspired by the chapters on home organization and time management. As a group, we bulk-ordered Anne’s little black half-size binder and daily pages/monthly pages, and that was the start of my journey into really prioritizing my time.
For years (over 30!), I used the half-size (“classic,” or 8.5 x 5.5 inch) loose-leaf binder with a loose-leaf typical month-at-a-glance calendar plus dated daily pages — almost totally empty except for lines — like this, but in loose-leaf hole-punched format…
I liked that it was simple, plain, and didn’t micromanage my day. (If it had been a format with times listed, it would have felt wasteful to not use them. I know, one of my many idiosyncracies.)
In this format, I would put morning appointments or tasks near the top of the page, afternoon in the middle, and later day near the bottom, all along the left. If it was literally an appointment, I’d circle the time to jog my brain. Along the right side, I’d jot notes, general to-do’s, phone calls to make, etc.
I used the same system for years, until my daily pages were discontinued just recently. (I cried.)
So I evaluated what I needed my new system to do…
My dilemma
Go big or go home?
Back to the monthly planning…
Update:
- This 2-page-a-day with monthly tabs in a plain brown — quite adequate or
- this pretty blue that is considerably more but has the benefit of having the time schedule along the left side instead of toward the center (more like my brain works).
AT-A-GLANCE 2023 Daily Planner Refill, Hourly, 12010 Day-Timer, 5-1/22023 Planner Refills – Two Pages Per Day Daily & Monthly Planner, 5.5
Franklin Covey Monticello refill
Suggestions?
Disciplines of the Beautiful WomanThe Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized: *Manage Your Time *Eliminate Clutter and Experience Order *Keep Your Family First
Paper Mate InkJoy 550RT Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point, Assorted, 4 Pack (1951274)
Paper Mate InkJoy 550RT Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point, Blue, Box of 12 (1951344)
BIC Xtra-Life Mechanical Pencil, Clear Barrel, Medium Point (0.7mm), 12-Count , Black
BIC Xtra-Comfort Mechanical Pencil, Medium Point (0.7mm), 12 Count
AT-A-GLANCE 2023 Weekly Planner, DayMinder, Hourly Appointment Book, 5
AT-A-GLANCE 2023 Daily Planner, DayMinder, 5
AT-A-GLANCE 2023 Weekly & Monthly Planner, QuickNotes, 8
AT-A-GLANCE 2023 Weekly & Monthly Planner, Simplified by Emily Ley, 8-1/2
AT-A-GLANCE 2023 Monthly Planner, 9
AT-A-GLANCE 2023 Daily Planner, DayMinder, 5
AT-A-GLANCE 2023 Daily Diary, Standard Diary, 5-3/4
At-A-Glance 80620430 Plan. Write. Remember. Planning Notebook Two Days Per Page 9 3/16 X 11 Gray