Monday, December 2, 2013

Plan Your Work

I spent Black Friday visiting family and definitely not shopping. I have a very short list of gifts to buy and most of them will be done on this machine I'm preparing this post upon. I miss that special joy of surprising my children when they were little on Christmas morning. But now that they're older, the enjoyment comes from spending time in each other's company. It saves me money and shopping time.

On the other hand, usually right before Thanksgiving there is something I start searching for. The exact, perfect planner for on my writing desk. This isn't the calendar I put on the wall in the kitchen to mark dentist appointments on but the one I use to jot down all kinds of things related to writing. Book releases, promo ideas, blog post ideas, writing meetings, and any other bit of info I might sometime need.

As I look over last years, I find something written in for almost every MWF as I planned blog posts. April was really full with the A to Z craziness. The first Wednesday of every month reminds me that it is IWSG post time. I haven't missed one in a long time, maybe never. Don't forget it's post time on Wednesday.

I like a planner that has a spiral binding so it lays flat on my desk and if it has pretty pictures in like my Audubon Society one did in 2012, so much the better. 2013's model was plan but I had to go cheap last year. This year I spent only a few dollars more and picked up The Old Farmer's Almanac. It has lots of cute tidbits and recipes scattered among the pages. I'll probably share some of those with you. This is the perfect time or year to find the perfect planner. Of course, if you wait until after Christmas, you might score a really cheap price though the selection might not be great.
January, 2014

I wanted to suggest a visit today to Mark Koopmans' blog to hear about 50 States of Pray. This is a terrific idea so check it out.

So do you use a planner for your work and/or your writing? Do you keep your schedule on a digital device or rely on pen and pencil like I do? Make sure you visit the IWSG blog and check out something special happening this Wednesday.

16 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

I haven't used a planner in years. I adored mine though. Made me feel so accomplished. :)

Nowadays, it's strictly digital.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I have a To Do app on my phone which I use for my most things, but I do have a pocket calendar for keeping a more visual track of blog posts, when they're due, what I already have scheduled, etc. Plus I have a wall calendar for the new writing and sticker system I've got going on…. :)

Julie Flanders said...

I just got my 2014 planner last week. I love them! I tried switching over to my phone calendar but I couldn't do it, for some reason I need to actually write things down in order to plan.

Pat Hatt said...

Everything I need to do I keep in my head, always have, easier that way.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I use the calendar on my iPad for regular stuff, and then online stuff I keep track of in a binder. I could probably use a calendar like that.

Robin said...

I haven't used a planner... but that doesn't mean I couldn't use one!!!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Oh, Pat, I remember being able to keep things straight in my head pre-children.
Robin, I fought against needing one but now I'm glad I do.
Women after my own heart, Julie and, Marie and Madeline.
Try it, Robin, it does make one feel organized even when you're not.

Unknown said...

I love planning, sometimes a bit too much as I often over plan. Currently I use my phone and Outlook. Although I do miss paper and pencil.

Michael Di Gesu said...

I LOVE planners. I try to get one every year, but I usually wait to after new year's to save. I am such a BOOK lover… I guess we all are. Anything leather, etched, intricate lacing, I love them all.

I hope to find a really cool one this year.

Glad you had a pleasant Black Friday with family. The stores are MADDENING this week. I certainly stayed away. Did all my shopping in COLOMBIA. So lots of unique and fun gifts to give.

I will be also hosting a COFFEE blog hop next week or so and will be giving away three one pound bags of authentic Colombian Coffee. Nothing like you've ever tasted in the states.

I've missed you too, Sue and I am THRILLED to be back in the blogosphere!

Unknown said...

I just bought my 2014 planner too. Like you, I like the spiral kind. I like one that has the month as well as the week with space to write in daily appointments/to-dos. The one I like best is $7 variety from Wal-Mart!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I love planners. I need to start looking for a good one. The way I use one, it needs to lay flat.

Cate Masters said...

I just use a wall calendar. If it's not in front of my face, I forget. :)

Mark Koopmans said...

Oh my.... a planner!!!

When I was a restaurant manager, I *never* left home without my dear, black leather planner...

I still have it somewhere... I should go rescue it from a box...

PS: Thanks so much for the Shout Out for 50 States of Pray :) Really do appreciate it :)

Heather R. Holden said...

I love planners! I always purchase two and get mine from Peter Pauper Press. One is to jot down regular stuff, such as appointments, while the other is used to keep track of the art I work on each day...

Anonymous said...

It's been a few years since I used a planner. I use hanging calendars to keep track of things. One for our family appointments, one for my writing/blogging, one for the bills, etc. I especially like when I can get the ones with large squares. More room to keep track of things! I also use a spiral notebook to keep more detailed records of things I need to remember.

Dana said...

My planning is all done on Post-its. I really should be more organized. :)