It’s not January, but I’m thinking about how badly I need to get organized. Maybe you’ve had the same thought? Now that I’ve retired from my business career, I’m kind of ad-hoc about being organized. That, combined with the occasional memory blip, means I’m not as focussed as I could be. And that produces anxiety.
You’d think with all the online organizational tools, organization would be a no-brainer. But:
I don’t keep a calendar on my phone or any of my three Macs.
I love a paper calendar. I do. Does that make me a Luddite?
I don’t think so, and here’s why:
I can’t read the tiny little type used for calendar entries on my phone.
I work best with a month-at-a-glance, and on my phone, it’s actually impossible to see what the dots on each date say.
It’s more complicated to add notes on a computer-generated entry.
Since I don’t work other than as a freelancer, I don’t want to worry about synching all my devices.
To be honest, calendars are great, but I like a planner. No, I take that back.
I LOVE a planner.It’s simpler. It’s tangible. It’s versatile. It’s legible. It keeps me organized. And it allows me to exercise my creativity, drawing hearts, happy faces or flowers on entries.
Oh, I know, that sounds juvenile. But we creatives are always in touch with our inner child, right? If you have any doubt, consider the popularity of adult coloring. I rest my case.
So when my friend Kimberly Montgomery came out with her beautiful and practical Choices planner, I wanted it.
Here’s the view I use most: monthly. You can see how well-designed this is and how it can help us live our best lives.
The 6″x 9″ quality, wire-bound format is super-portable and I like having everything in one place. To-do lists are my constant companions and with the Choices planner, they’re all in one place. And because my mind can be somewhat of a mess and my memory has these occasional blips, I like the way I can stay focussed and organized. My planner is my lifeline.
There’s a bucket list section. I love that, since my husband and I are always brainstorming what’s next and then forgetting half of them the next week. I’m not sure I’ll use the gratitude list section, since I don’t write that stuff down, but maybe I should –it might free up some brain space. There are planning pages, blank pages, note pages. Tracking goals–if you have them– is easy with Choices, and there’s lots of “soft stuff” like happiness planning and life choices choices check-in for those who love to see those things in writing.
I’m kind of a practical sort and don’t write some of this soft stuff down. But, it turns out, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. I’m looking forward to my entries here and then, months down the line, looking back at it and seeing if I’ve made progress on any of it.
Here’s the weekly view. I like having my weekly to-dos here.
Helping people create their best lives is what I’m all about and, it turns out, that’s what the Choices planner is about, too. It really does have everything I want in a planner. It’s a one-stop-shop for my life and only $28.
So, you want one? And maybe one for your BFF, your mom, your grown daughter or niece? It makes a terrific gift! Here’s where you order one. But I’m also giving a couple of them away. Leave a comment telling me how you will use your planner here on the website and you’ll be entered in a drawing. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only and closes at midnight tomorrow. You know you want one! (Thanks, Kimberly!)
I’m not sure if I would use this planner for myself (two jobs plus any writing I can find time to do), for my 20 yo nephew who lives with me and is learning how to navigate the adult world of work, bills, extra jobs, etc, or for my college son who is trying to juggle classes, social life, and job fairs and applications. But it would be well used!
I haven’t used a planner since I began to use a computer, but I DON’T use computer calendars/reminders well.
I’d LOVE LOVE LOVE to win Kimberly’s book. It sounds amazing and perfect for what I need. To organize myself a lot better than I’m doing now. I am all over the place, with my wall calendar, and then trying to sync my phone with my Google calendar. I need something better than that.
Oh, boy, I’d love to win this. (P.S. So happy for Kimberly)
As a blogger and a person who is highly organized, I love a good calendar. I much prefer a paper calendar too although I do use both. Thanks for the lovely giveaway! May the force be with me 🙂
I’m terrible for writing lists – even if I don’t write them on paper, I always write them on Word! This looks like a really good idea for keeping everything organised and all in one place.
As possibly the busiest woman in the world, I definitely need this. I have finally after years of struggle embraced the calendar thing, but my inner child is throwing a tantrum about the to-do list thing! I like that it is small enough to fit in my purse. That would make it easier to use.
I love planners! Give me a planner and a pen and I’m in my happy zone. 🙂 My kids call me the “sticky note mom” because if it’s not on my planner, it better be on a sticky note!
Oohhhhhh. I likey. I’m a pen to paper gal myself. Love the combinations she has intertwined: the Reflections, Tasking, Goal Tracker, etc. How clever. Thanks for turning us on to this.
Wow..I haven’t yet used the planner as such in my life (doesn’t surely mean that I am dead organized all the time 🙂 ). Guess, I might just want to try one this time. Great post Carol 🙂
I need this desperately! I have a new book coming out in January and I am already so confused by the schedule that seems to get added to daily.
There are several people on my Christmas list I will be ordering these for too!
At one time, I preferred a HUGE paper calendar. That was until I mistakenly blew off more than one important meeting because I couldn’t read my own handwriting. Now I am dependent on my online calendar, without which I’d never get out of bed.
I absolutely do better writing things down rather than having a digital planner or ‘to-do’ list! Something about writing it and seeing it in my own handwriting just speaks to me.
I love a paper calendar. Well, two paper calendars in my house — one for work and one for personal stuff. I’ve attempted using the ones on my phone or computer, but always fall back on the paper ones, though I do use the “alerts” on my phone.
Sounds like a super planner you’re giving away! I’d be delighted to win.
Yes, Carol, the fact that you love paper planners does make you the last of the Luddites! 🙂 But, I’m the touchy-feely type, and secretly, I love them too!
I keep my calendar and to do list in my phone and on my laptop, but I still like to keep my blogging calendar in a paper planner. This looks like a cool one, for sure.
It’s funny that I’m reading this today as I just opened my 2016 paper dayplanner. While doing so the thought that a paper planner certainly dated me; I’m so happy to not be alone in physically writing down my appointments in hopes of remembering them.
I love that this offers a mix between fluffy and professional pieces. I’m always on the hunt for a planner that gives me a variety of things in a quick glance. I too, prefer the month view but always struggle with finding a planner that entices me away from technology. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for a wonderful review of the Choices Notebook Carol! I did the press check for the notebooks last week and they look fabulous! This has been a labor of love for me and I can’t wait to get the Planners out in the world. Good luck to all your readers!
Kimberly XO
I’m a paper calendar person through and through. Never understood the appeal of the early PDAs and, while I love my iPhone and Mac, I just don’t use them as calendars. So I would love to win Kimberly’s Choices Notebook (especially since I’m starting to write things down for 2016)…it sounds so practical and efficient to have a single notebook to use as a calendar, to-do list (I use a spiral notebook and a month-at-a-glance wall calendar to keep track of my to-dos), and a go-to place to jot down blog ideas, etc. So PICK ME! Please.
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I’m not sure if I would use this planner for myself (two jobs plus any writing I can find time to do), for my 20 yo nephew who lives with me and is learning how to navigate the adult world of work, bills, extra jobs, etc, or for my college son who is trying to juggle classes, social life, and job fairs and applications. But it would be well used!
I love the idea of introducing planners to a young person just starting to deal with all that!
I haven’t used a planner since I began to use a computer, but I DON’T use computer calendars/reminders well.
I’d LOVE LOVE LOVE to win Kimberly’s book. It sounds amazing and perfect for what I need. To organize myself a lot better than I’m doing now. I am all over the place, with my wall calendar, and then trying to sync my phone with my Google calendar. I need something better than that.
Oh, boy, I’d love to win this. (P.S. So happy for Kimberly)
I gave that up when I retired–I am so much better with a monthly view. The big picture, so to speak! Try THAT on a smartphone! LOL
As a blogger and a person who is highly organized, I love a good calendar. I much prefer a paper calendar too although I do use both. Thanks for the lovely giveaway! May the force be with me 🙂
Thinking good thoughts!
Thanks much Carol. Awesome giveaway!
I’m terrible for writing lists – even if I don’t write them on paper, I always write them on Word! This looks like a really good idea for keeping everything organised and all in one place.
As possibly the busiest woman in the world, I definitely need this. I have finally after years of struggle embraced the calendar thing, but my inner child is throwing a tantrum about the to-do list thing! I like that it is small enough to fit in my purse. That would make it easier to use.
You will LOVE using it and especially this one!
I think this planner is way cool. However, I lose EVERYTHING. I’m better off online! Wouldn’t they make cool xmas gifts? Or Chanukkah gifts?
GREAT gifts!
I love planners! Give me a planner and a pen and I’m in my happy zone. 🙂 My kids call me the “sticky note mom” because if it’s not on my planner, it better be on a sticky note!
I don’t know that I’d use a planner. I have all my calendars synced across devices, and that keeps me on top of things. Usually.
Oohhhhhh. I likey. I’m a pen to paper gal myself. Love the combinations she has intertwined: the Reflections, Tasking, Goal Tracker, etc. How clever. Thanks for turning us on to this.
Planners are just awesome, I have one that I customized myself and it is almost like my best friend. Everything life wise and blog wise is there.
Wow..I haven’t yet used the planner as such in my life (doesn’t surely mean that I am dead organized all the time 🙂 ). Guess, I might just want to try one this time. Great post Carol 🙂
I need this desperately! I have a new book coming out in January and I am already so confused by the schedule that seems to get added to daily.
There are several people on my Christmas list I will be ordering these for too!
I definitely know I want one! Having a good planner creates the illusion that Everything Is Under Control. I LOVE that feeling.
At one time, I preferred a HUGE paper calendar. That was until I mistakenly blew off more than one important meeting because I couldn’t read my own handwriting. Now I am dependent on my online calendar, without which I’d never get out of bed.
My life is made of lists. They are everywhere. I wonder whether having this would help me keep everything together!
I use my phone calender and Notes for extra info. I can see the benefit of a paper calendar for the extra stuff you can put on a page though.
I absolutely do better writing things down rather than having a digital planner or ‘to-do’ list! Something about writing it and seeing it in my own handwriting just speaks to me.
I love this planner, too. I can’t imagine not using a paper planner any more!
I love a paper calendar. Well, two paper calendars in my house — one for work and one for personal stuff. I’ve attempted using the ones on my phone or computer, but always fall back on the paper ones, though I do use the “alerts” on my phone.
Sounds like a super planner you’re giving away! I’d be delighted to win.
Yes, Carol, the fact that you love paper planners does make you the last of the Luddites! 🙂 But, I’m the touchy-feely type, and secretly, I love them too!
I keep my calendar and to do list in my phone and on my laptop, but I still like to keep my blogging calendar in a paper planner. This looks like a cool one, for sure.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison Jones
It’s funny that I’m reading this today as I just opened my 2016 paper dayplanner. While doing so the thought that a paper planner certainly dated me; I’m so happy to not be alone in physically writing down my appointments in hopes of remembering them.
I love that this offers a mix between fluffy and professional pieces. I’m always on the hunt for a planner that gives me a variety of things in a quick glance. I too, prefer the month view but always struggle with finding a planner that entices me away from technology. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for a wonderful review of the Choices Notebook Carol! I did the press check for the notebooks last week and they look fabulous! This has been a labor of love for me and I can’t wait to get the Planners out in the world. Good luck to all your readers!
Kimberly XO
I’m a paper calendar person through and through. Never understood the appeal of the early PDAs and, while I love my iPhone and Mac, I just don’t use them as calendars. So I would love to win Kimberly’s Choices Notebook (especially since I’m starting to write things down for 2016)…it sounds so practical and efficient to have a single notebook to use as a calendar, to-do list (I use a spiral notebook and a month-at-a-glance wall calendar to keep track of my to-dos), and a go-to place to jot down blog ideas, etc. So PICK ME! Please.
Awesome choices! I really need a new planner for 2016 where I can lay out all of my upcoming blog posts.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison