Thursday 1 August 2013

Competition!!! A5 Aqua Malden! CLOSED



Hiiii!!!

Today I have a very special post for you... I'm launching a COMPETITION!!!


In yesterday's post, I told you all about my A5 Aqua Malden!! They are now for sale at www.filofax.co.uk in Pocket, Personal and A5!

Malden, Personal Organisers
Pocket
Malden, Personal Organisers
             Personal          
Malden, Personal Organisers
                                                                             A5


If you read my post Introduction to my A5 Aqua Malden... you'll know that I accidentally got sent two A5 Aqua Maldens from Filofax UK!
I've been in contact with Filofax, who have agreed that I could give away one of them as the prize in a competition!


*** COMPETITION!!! ***

So today I'm giving you the chance to win this gorgeous Filofax!!

The A5 Aqua Malden is made of antiqued buffalo leather, has 2 pen loops, 30mm rings, on the left a zip pocket, 3 credit card pockets and 3 larger pockets and a full length slip pocket, and on the right a notepad pocket. The A5 Malden is worth £105!

The binder you would receive if you win is the one you can see me unboxing in this video!



To enter:

Leave a comment on this blog post to answer this question:

What is your best piece of organisation/time management advice for using your Filofax personal organiser?


Rules:

  • The competition runs from 1st August 2013 (today) to 15th August 2013.
  • 1 entry per person. Any additional entries will be ignored and won't count.
  • This competition is open worldwide.
  • If you would like your piece of advice to be featured on Filofax's Facebook or Twitter page in their organisation advice series, please write (Yes) at the end of your comment. If you DON'T want your piece of advice to be featured, write (No) at the end of your comment. Filofax and Ideas Network have the right to choose which Filofax tips they wish to post on Facebook and/or Twitter, and may not publish all of them. 

Good luck!

133 comments:

  1. Get in the habit of carrying your Filofax with you everywhere at all times. (Yes)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have a Filofax Wish-List on hand, so as not to be TOO overwhelmed and confused when you are in retail stores or online shops =) As you know... all Filofaxes can be so lovely and inseperatable with ^^ (Yes)

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  3. Don't be too precious about it and take steps to ensure that you actually use it; if it's on your desk, leave it open, for example; if you carry it with you, make it the only book/notebook type object in your bag so you don't end up using something else. If you can keep your phone in it so you have to get it out to use your phone, then great, extra points. (Yes, I suppose!:) )

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  4. To spend time working out what is right for you so you get the inserts that work with you not against you. If the set up is right you are more likely to find it enjoyable to use and so stick with it getting the most benefit. (Yes)

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  5. Personalise your Filofax with your individual flair. Whether it's for work, finance, organizing your home life, shows your creative flair, your crafty fun side or your journalistic talents if it's part of YOU then you will love using it every day and it will become an investment and maybe even an heirloom.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've always found using a transparent flyleaf in between the diary pages I am currently using is one of the best ways to keep to-do lists and important information in easy view but not cluttering up the diary pages! :) (Yes)

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  7. Keep working on it! The first time I got my Filofax I filled it with things I thought I needed that it turned out I really didn't. I wasn't using it because of it but after a couple re-shuffles it's perfect :) <3
    [Yes]

    ReplyDelete
  8. My best advise is in my youtube video"planner otganization.weekly tasks management" on my channell under name mysummertouch. I'll link to it tomorrow from my computer.
    I'm using two flyleaves on my current week on 2 pages. On it I put slim flags with written appointments and tasks that I do regularly-each flag with one task is placed on the right hour on the right day due to the transparent flyleaf. I could color code these flags, put them on a different hour slot or day if the task was not done. I cut slits in flyleaves so I transfer them easily from one week to another. It saves me time for rewriting those tasks and space on my week on 2 pages! And I use a dryerase marker yo checkoff the tasks that were done. I can erase those marks easily with my finger or a napkin from the flyleaves and check the tasks off again the next week!

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  9. My advice would be to NOT want to organise everything. When I got my personal filofax I stuffed it with EVERYTHING. Diary, Agenda, Blogpost lists, inspiration lists, food journal, exercise... etc. etc. But all it did was make everything more confusing. Don't get me wrong; I would love to have everything planned out to the dot, but life isn't plannable. So I let a few things go and am much happier with my filofax! So that would be my tip. Don't try to stuff everything into your filofax.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It takes time to settle into your Filofax. Once you do, life changes and so does your Filofax. Ladies, remember to always keep it in a zip up pouch in your purse to protect it from getting scratches.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  12. My best advice is to find the balance between beauty and functionality. Although something may look artistic, it may end up never being used OR something may be functional but look so drab that you don't want to use it! Individualize your Filofax with things you know will be important to YOU and have fun doing it! [Yes]

    ReplyDelete
  13. 1) Customise it! It gives you an incentive to open your Filofax and use it more often knowing there are inserts/tabs/dividers etc that you have made specifically to your own taste. It inspires you to WANT to work with your Filo. After a year I'm still in love with Filofax and my life runs smoothly because I am inspired to pick it up.

    2) Switch it around often - I get bored a lot and I like my Filofax to fit my style at the moment, so I print inserts out with a specific style font, I make dividers to stamp my own style (at the time) and I even use a pen colour (always Frixion to erase things - no way am I having lines or scribbles through my lovely Filo!) depending on my mood or feelings or style etc...

    3) Revise your Filofax Regularly as within a month it can get cluttered of inserts you don't need anymore... your life changes, your mind changes, your style changes - keep your Filofax Updated too ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. My best piece of organisation/time management advice for using your Filofax personal organiser? Write everything down in your binder and never forget to carry it everywhere you go and read it over and over.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Take your Filofax with you everywhere. Put stuff in it which is important for you (at that moment). It can be used while on the phone and best of all: it does not need electricity or a battery to function! (Yes)

    ReplyDelete
  16. My best advice is to use it. ... Set it up with pagesthat serve yyour needs and that will be useful to you. Teacher? Have timetables and student info there. Business person? Use the best time organisation system you know. Take the Filofax with you and write down all the info you need for the adventure of life. And make it your own, in ink colour, stickers or pictures and quotes that inspire you. A Filofax is for life, not just for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  17. My best advice is to use it. ... Set it up with pagesthat serve yyour needs and that will be useful to you. Teacher? Have timetables and student info there. Business person? Use the best time organisation system you know. Take the Filofax with you and write down all the info you need for the adventure of life. And make it your own, in ink colour, stickers or pictures and quotes that inspire you. A Filofax is for life, not just for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  18. USE IT! Write in IT!! and Take a LOOK at it either at night or in the morning so you don't forget any important appointments! Yes

    ReplyDelete
  19. Mine would be: don't spend too much time agonising over the setup and waiting for everything to be perfect before you start using it. Dive right in with both feet first and let it evolve around your life rather than your life evolving around it. The good thing with a Filofax is that it is flexible so you can move things around if they don't work, you can start again any moment you please, and you can always get rid of anything you don't like, want or need. Nothing is bound in stone and just as life is organic and dynamic, so is your Filofax. It will grow and change and develop with you and with your life. Look to other users for inspiration but make it your own by finding out through experience what works best for YOU. yes

    ReplyDelete
  20. Waaaah ! It's such a beautiful piece !
    My advice would be : stop thinking about your filo. I mean, it's a help, not a reason to stress about it. Open it on your desk / table every day, and write on it what YOU want and you'll soon see what work best for you...
    I'll also advice (and it will seem strange) : don't decorate it too much at the beginning. Your taste and use of it will change with time...

    I'm sorry for my english, i'm french ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Write the new habits or routines you wish to form on repositionable stickers. Add them the the day of the week you wish to perform that habit. When you do it move the sticker to the same day the next week. If its undone leave it and at the end of the week, befre mibi it review why it was undone and how you can improve. (Yes)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Use it or lose it. If you're not using it, it isn't working. If it isn't working change it. Don't just put up with something because that is how it started, take pages out, put pages in, swap it around, prettify it, keep losing pages or sections until you use it!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Make sure you are using your planner as a PLANNER. Yes, it is fun to decorate, color coordinate, etc. But if you spend too much time making your planner look pretty, you aren't spending the time actually planning. And that is, after all, the reason we all fell in love with our Filofaxes in the first place!

    {yes}

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  24. My best advice is that you first take the time to think about what you need from your system and then trial it: draw up some diary formats yourself and use each for about a week, taking note of what's not working, and what is. Then take away that knowledge when searching for/designing your own diary inserts. Every person (and their organisational needs) is different, and the perfect thing about Filofax is its flexibility...taking advantage of that flexibility is the key.

    ReplyDelete
  25. My advice is make sure you always have your Filo with you and you open and review it through out the day. I use Le Pens in mine and have designated a different color for appointments and to-do's for me, my daughters and my hubby so at a fast glance I know what and who needs my immediate attention. (Yes)

    ReplyDelete
  26. My best advice would be to not get too distracted with trying to decorate too much. When I 1st got my filofax I spent so much time trying to figure out how I would actually decorate it that I became distracted from the main point of the planner, which is to plan and organize! Lol it started to become counter productive. Yes, personalization is very important because it is what makes us keep coming back to our planners. Making it look nice and cute helps in wanting to use it, just don't focus too much on that aspect. Of course use it! Keep it with you and make it fun.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've found that having everything in my personal which I take with me everwhere makes it too stuffed so instead I use a "mothership" A5 at home that holds everything and use my personal to note down new appointments or take a note. I will then transfer the information to my A5 or vice versa at the end of the day/week. (yes)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow! I've been thinking about an A5 for a while now -- crossing my fingers. ;-)

    Best advice I could give: Color-coding! It really works! I love using multi-barrel/color pens and I've assigned a color to each of my 2 children, one color for me and one color for my husband.

    When I look at my week, it gives me an idea on who to prioritize -- who needs to do what and go where.

    Thank you for the great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I think the best advice I can give is to write things down.
    So what if you don't have color coded tabs, or if your notes are all spread throughout your binder. Once you get going, you'll get things organized. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are Filofaxes that become life-long friends!

    (Thanks for the great give away and YES!)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think the best advice I can give is to write things down.
    So what if you don't have color coded tabs, or if your notes are all spread throughout your binder. Once you get going, you'll get things organized. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are Filofaxes that become life-long friends!

    (Thanks for the great give away and YES!)

    ReplyDelete
  31. My best advice is to take the time every evening before bed to review your day and plan the next. Put anything you may need for meetings, appointments, errands in your binder so you have everything together. If you have a busy day with a lot of to-do's, you will have a much better chance of getting it all done if you are prepared the night before. (Yes)

    ReplyDelete
  32. My best advice is to take the time every evening before bed to review your day and plan the next. Put anything you may need for meetings, appointments, errands in your binder so you have everything together. If you have a busy day with a lot of to-do's, you will have a much better chance of getting it all done if you are prepared the night before. (Yes)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Use your Filo as wallet/purse. In that case you will never forget to take it everywhere with you. (Yes)

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  34. Look for your own personal system that really works for you and your lifestyle (yes)

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  35. Create your own inserts that work for your lifestyle. Get creative with this, use items that are readily available to you. For example I cut down graph paper and draw out my own week per page for my personal, but for my pocket I hole punched 3x5 notecards and designed a day per page layout that works perfect for me. (yes)

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  36. Colour coding using Frixion pens - I colour code my diary entries and tasks so that I can immediately see if it is a work-related or personal item. Using Frixion pens means that I can erase entries if things change.

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  37. Colour coding using Frixion pens - I colour code my diary entries and tasks so that I can immediately see if it is a work-related or personal item. Using Frixion pens means that I can erase entries if things change.

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  38. My advice is to check it first thing in the morning and to spend 5 mins ever eve reviewing the day and close it off:) (yes)

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  39. My piece of advice would be to leave it open as much as possible - it means you can always see what is happening or what needs to be done so you don't have any excuse to be in organised!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Let your planner grow organically. Don't stuff it from the get go with things you may never use. Use it every day and it will be your best friend and you'll find yourself adding new sections here and there :D

    ReplyDelete
  41. My best advise is...when you get school calendars for the kids that have the entire year outlined with dated and times(like early release days, school pics, field trips) and if there are costs involved. If you get it done in the beginning you will avoid missing activities, kids will have what they need on time, and you will be able to budget if there are expenses involved. For example, when you have the school pic date in your Filofax you will know when to schedule the haircut for the child. I also color code the children. That helps too. (Yes)

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  42. Think outside the box to find methods that work for you. I love using blank mailing labels to mark things. This way I can use a dark, bold color and no bleed-through. A little strip of washi over top makes it pretty. Yes.

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  43. The thing that helps me most is keeping track of my 3 kids school passwords, lunch codes and what have you. Also to keep all my passwords in. "Bill's" I keep all of them on a pretty little card with address, phone, so when I need something like that all I have to do is look in my FF. Otherwise if I didn't have it in there, I would spend so much time looking for said info. This way I don't waste my time... It is at my fingertips.

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  44. Use your Filofax everyday! Plan your week before and look at your appointments and to do's for the next day each evening. Also, if you use a month or year at a glance, use these as much as possible.


    Bonus tip: colour coding! Use a colour for every part of your life. This way will see really quick what you need to do for each part of your life and you will be able to see if your life is balanced.

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  45. Try different page layouts. I always thought I was a 1 PPD girl, but after trying 1 week on 2 pages, I think that may be even better for me! I also agree with previous posters, make your Filofax your own. (Yes)

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  46. Remembering to look back to see what worked and what did not before planning out the next month--

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  47. Open your planner every day. Even during those times when you feel stressed or feel like you don't have anything going on. When you get bogged down with life or stressful times and you don't feel motivated to use your planner, still use it. You can re-purpose it for a moment to write things or save things that are encouraging and uplifting, or write good memories that can help you regroup and re-focus. There are many great uses for a planner, not just for scheduling appointments. (Yes)

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  48. From the perspective of someone pretty new to the filofax world, I think the best advice I can give so far is to make your planner your own and do what is best for you. While all the internet information can be extremely helpful, it can also be overwhelming! But the things that work for other people might not necessarily work for you - pick the best and most useful parts to make your planner your own.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Get several Filofaxes and set each one up for one particular task, e.g. one for work, one for cooking/baking recipes, one for the books I've read and want to read, one for the notes on stories I write, one for planning travels etc. etc.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Schedule in 'to do's' each day and assign specific times for the tasks. If you write them in a list you may not get around to them so put them in your planner so you have time. (Yes)

    ReplyDelete
  51. My best advice is: Do what is best and will work for you!!!! Just because some type of organization looks pretty doesn't mean it will work for you or your lifestyle. I've watch lots of organizational ideas, though they all look nice and neat, most did not work with my lifestyle. I had to create a middle ground and find what is best for me. So in figuring out how to stay organize, make sure you take into consideration your own lifestyle, not just the actual Style! (yes)

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  52. best advice is to USE it and keep using it! it's not just there to look pretty -although they are lovely to stare at and stroke...but i digress. actually using it is the only way you will be able to figure out how to make any system work for YOU. when you (metaphorical/generic you) figure it out, upload a video will ya, i'm addicted to watching those!

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  53. It’s your planner so make it work for YOU. When watching / reading other peoples planners it’s so easy to be temped into changing your set up because it looks good or works for them. Don’t do it. Only change your set up because it’s going to work for YOU. (yes)

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  54. My advise: don't depend your life on your filofax! Your planner is merely a medium to remember your todo's, but YOU are the one to actually do them!!!

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  55. When you find a system and process that works for you stick with it. As inspiring as it is to see how others use their planners, continually attempting to change your rhythm and organizational schema can be a time suck that overtakes the time effeciencies you are after in the first place. In other words, Be true to yourself! :) (yes)

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  56. My best advice, along with all your todo's and appointments, include time-killers in your Filofax. What I mean by time-killers are put in some word games, a sheet with a crossword puzzle or an anagram game. Have 2 or 3 sheets of stickers to do a little decorating with. These things can help pass time if you find yourself waiting to seen at an appointment or stuck at the DMV. Also, use photos of your favorite people, places, things, or even post cards for dividers. Having things inside your Filofax that make you smile is a sure way that you will at least open it everyday. With special dividers you'll be more tempted to flip through it, if for nothing else but to see the things that make you smile!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry I forgot to put YES at the end of my post!! :)

      Delete
  57. Since I don't really need to use the A-Z tabs as an address book much anymore, I use it for a variety of other tidbits I need to keep. Most important phone numbers are in my iPhone, although I have written a few in the A-Z tabs. I mostly use it for things like the filter numbers, ink cartridges, passwords, even a few notes or pieces of information I need to keep that don't fit exactly anywhere else. Is become my private glossary of random bits! (Yes)

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  58. Keep your most important tasks with your weekly diary! Keeping them away in a separate section means they can be easily overlooked. (Yes)

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  59. Use different monthly calendars for different things, such as one for birthdays, one for appointments, one for work so that your calendar doesn't get too crowded and overwhelming. (yes)

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  60. I have only just been bitten by the Filofax bug, and have my very first one on its way (hopefully it will arrive tomorrow) so I haven't got any experience with organising with Filofax but I'd say, don't get carried away and organise and plan so much that you can't actually get round to the doing. (Yes)

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  61. Best advice: There are no rules! Use it how it feels best and works best. When I first started, I just carried it as it came and used it all day long. "I could put this here" and "I need a section for this" were heard for many weeks until I settled in to something that works for me, for today. It looks NOTHING like it did to start with but it works! And it now has a bunch of siblings! It is totally okay to have a Filo Family; remember - no rules. (yes)

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  62. Keep the paper you use for to-do lists as small as you can - that way, it is only possible to write the most important tasks down. When I used larger to-do lists, I would feel compelled to fill them up with either menial tasks that didn't need to be written down (or even be done - sometimes I would fabricate tasks just to fill up the list), or larger tasks (that could wait until later) which would overshadow what actually needed to get done, often meaning that the necessary and important tasks were never completed on time. Nothing is more stressful than seeing a long to-do list with next to nothing crossed off when it feels like you've done so much, or when you realise that something you initially had a week to do is only a day away! (yes)

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  63. Personalize it to make it your own. I think it's very important to personalize it with things that make you happy. If you love lots of colors, or if you prefer simplicity, it's important to enjoy your Filofax and to be happy to use it.
    Also, I think color coding is very useful. You can see very quickly what you need to do. (No)

    ReplyDelete
  64. I agree that one should personalize it and find out what works best for you. Make a lot of lists, change the diary refills, experiment, and take it everywhere with you! Write everything you need to do down in your system. Use stickies and dashboards to help with urgent tasks. To slim line things, I've started using the A-Z contacts section as a file folder too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forgot to write YES that you can share it. :)

      Delete
  65. My advice is to take a little time at the outset to personalize it. Maybe decorate the dividers. Use a plastic insert to put some photos in front where you will see them when you open it. Maybe draw or doodle or apply a sticker to a few pages. The idea is to make it YOURs and a bit more welcoming, so when you open it you are not daunted by the blank pages and strict lines and areas asking you to be more organized than you might feel you can be. The idea is to remind yourself that this is YOUR organizer to use in whatever way works for you. It doesn't have to be much, just so you feel good when you open it. (Yes, you can share this.)

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  66. my advise would be write things down IMMEDIATELY do not rely on you're brain to remind you to jot it down later. Your Filofax will remember it much better than you can :D (yes)

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  67. My advise would be to have a Notes section that is dedicated to jotting down quick things that you need to file or remember later on. Sometimes there's not enough time to get a sticky note out or to flip to the week and write it in that exact spot. My Notes section has helped me a TON and I thought I would never use it. Plus it doesn't have to be all tidy and color coded: it's just a quick place to jot stuff down that's on your mind that you don't want to forget. (No)

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  68. Apparantley my first comment didn't post since I wasn't signed in! My advice would be to get a Filofax/Planner that you love and actually use it. Decide what sections are the best and most practical for you, and go with it! Get ideas from Flickr, YouTube, Philofaxy, Facebook, etc., but MAKE IT YOUR OWN! (Yes)

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  69. Making to do lists! As much as we thing we will remember everything and don't need to write it down, trust me we will forget something so writing it down is so helpful. And don't just make the list, use it by checking things off. I like to use check boxes but some people like to use stickers or hilighters, whatever works for you. But having that sense of accomplishment will help you work through your list!

    Yes!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Make the planner what you want, If it is not what you want then you will probably not use it. Decorate it and personalize to your hearts content and leave it open where you will see it so you can look at it when it is needed. YES

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  71. Make it something you want to look at all the time, and then do it! Write everything down and worry about needing to cross things out. When you look back at it all the information will be right there and your mistakes will make it even more personal:-) yes.

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  72. Make it something you want to look at all the time, and then do it! Write everything down and worry about needing to cross things out. When you look back at it all the information will be right there and your mistakes will make it even more personal:-) yes.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Ok? I can't add a reply to my comment way on the top, so I'm posting it here. Here is the link that I wrote about "Planner organization: weekly tasks management (Filofax)"
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAm6NZ96O5I

    ENJOY! :)

    ReplyDelete
  74. Play about with the inserts you use until you find the right ones for you. Don't worry about what works for others, it's your planner! It's taken me a long time to realise that standard week-on-two-pages just doesn't work for me, and that an undated planner is perfect as some days I don't need to write anything, but other days need a huge amount of space.

    Also, take it with you - EVERYWHERE. I'd be lost without my Malden if I went into university without it!

    http://wp.me/27Edr

    (YES)

    ReplyDelete
  75. The beauty of having a Filofax is being able to switch things round as we need. That's what makes them so brilliant! Whether you're an efficient business person, busy student, hard working stay at home mum... you can make your Filofax suit your life. Experiment with trying different diary inserts, and different tabs until you have what suits your needs.

    Make your Filofax adapt and change as often as you do.

    ReplyDelete
  76. My advice; adding lists/To Do's for every month, week, day. I'm using day on 2 pages to get the daily ToDo's done.


    It's like this; monthly list (to do pages) allows you to plan ahead. Maybe not the full year but at least 3 months is doable. Break them up into weekly To Do's , when the upcoming month arrives. Do the same to the weekly versus Daily To Do's. This allows you to actually prioritize and stay on top of things. Works for me, ever since I've found out about using a Filofax!

    Yes!
    And thanks, Kate, so much for the opportunity. Very much appreciated! :)

    ReplyDelete
  77. I think the best organization tip is to really figure out what works best for you individually. Not everything has to be super over organized. If you have an area of life that needs a lot of organization and but others that you just don't feel the same way about, than go with it. Your filofax has to work for you, not anyone else.

    -yes

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  78. Everyone has a system that works for them. You just have to play with it and keep changing things up until your filofax is perfect for your lifestyle. :D My own perfect system includes color coding. I have different dot stickers and multi pens that hold different colors. Each color is coded for a different person or thing, such as bills, my job, my family, or fun things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes!

      Sorry, I forgot to put this at the end of my comment. :D

      Delete
  79. My best advise is to really commit to using a system. It's so easy to get caught up in trying to find pretty planners and post-its and wash tape. You can go broke buying everything at stationary stores, but at the end of the day, no amount of washi tape or stickers will make your planner work for you. The only thing that can make you use your planner is you.

    -yes.

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  80. Put in *everything* you want to remember, not just tasks and appointments, but also habits, scriptures and quotes to learn, qualities to work on, goals... preferably all on the diary page, or at least diary page + flyleaf, so that you see those important things *every single time* you open your binder.

    Also, don't be afraid to try different insert styles (but wait until well into a year when they're reduced!) but remember/make a not of what *doesn't* work - seeing all the amazing set-ups around makes it so tempting to change style every week, even if inside you know it never works for you!

    Yes, and thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Look at pictures and videos of set-ups for inspiration, only! Don't feel like you need to have the same sections other organizer users have. Sit down and think about what you track/do/care about/etc. the most and make sections for those. Doing so, will guarantee you get a lot of use from your planner!

    (YES!)

    ReplyDelete
  82. My advice would be:

    Ignore what everyone else is doing, and don't compare yourself to others too much. Try out a few different layouts, and yes have a look at what others are doing, but don't use something because it seems to be a 'popular' choice. If it works for you, stick to it!

    (And yes!)

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  83. my advice is to find a system that works for you. Look at what others do for inspiration but make the planner work for you otherwise you will never use it. Figure out where you need things, what you need with you at all times and then keep it that way.

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  84. Use it in a way that works for YOU-do not try to copy anyone else, even if you think their planner looks beautiful. Yours may be messy or scribbled in or wrinkled, but if it works, it's perfect! (yes)

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  85. Use an erasable pen, and use it religiously.

    I use Pilot Frixion pens as they erase easily and neatly. They let me keep everything colour-coded and up to date without a lot of messy scoring out. "

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  86. I would say use it for planing out the year for your church/organization. I am currently looking into an A5 for that purpose. Yes

    Thanks

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  87. I would say use it for planing out the year for your church/organization. I am currently looking into an A5 for that purpose. Yes

    Thanks

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  88. I would say first you need to find youself in your planner.take your time,think about what your needs are. You have to like the feel of it in your hands. The inserts have to match your needs.use other peoples planners as inspiration. Don't try to make theres ,yours. Your planner is a place that you will want to go to as well as a place you will need to go to on a daily basis. Don't try to put everything in it just because it will fit or because you think you need everything in one spot. That idea is great,but never really works,because you just end up gettin over whelmed. Your planner isn't a storage box it is a tool for you to use. Love it,use it, and make it work for you.:-)

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  89. I would say first you need to find youself in your planner.take your time,think about what your needs are. You have to like the feel of it in your hands. The inserts have to match your needs.use other peoples planners as inspiration. Don't try to make theres ,yours. Your planner is a place that you will want to go to as well as a place you will need to go to on a daily basis. Don't try to put everything in it just because it will fit or because you think you need everything in one spot. That idea is great,but never really works,because you just end up gettin over whelmed. Your planner isn't a storage box it is a tool for you to use. Love it,use it, and make it work for you.:-)

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  90. Make your planner fun to use and look at - make sure you put fun events or notes about your day rather than just appointments and to-dos. I also love using lots of ink colors and stickers to make my planner pages festive and a joy to look at.

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  91. When your feet hit the floor in the morning, open your Filofax immediately to see what your day holds. (yes)

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  92. don't get banana squashed on your beautiful (and fabric) swift *sobs*

    Sensible advice - check the diary section each morning. I also write 3 max must do's for each day.

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  93. I know lots of people may disagree with me, but my best advice is to not spend too much time decorating or changing your system around too much. I enjoy working on my Filofax, but it's main job is to help me be better organised & get stuff done. In the past, it's been too easy to not achieve as much as I'd like as I was playing around in my binder instead! (Yes)

    Thank you, Kate, for the opportunity to win this gorgeous Malden :)

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  94. Like many of you I have my adresses in outlook and my iPhone but I recommend to write down the most important on paper as well. My tip: use different pages for different categories and write the category at the top of the page. I have: doctors (with opening hours in a different colour), job, family (one for my mothers/fathers side, one for my hubbies side and one for my sister and her hubbies family), friends, hobby, craftspeople for my house, local authorities and shops (with opening hours and even membership numbers in different colours). I sort them into the A-Z-register according to their category (doctors -> C-D, house/craftspeople -> G-H) mixed with all the other information I sorted into A-Z. (Yes)

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  95. Thanks for this Give-away.

    Make it your dairy
    your own place
    to get your peace.
    Work with it as your best friend
    and your world will be happiness. (Yes)

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  96. MY ADVICE WOULD BE TO MAKE IT YOUR 'SIMPLE LIFE'. USE IT FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS ACTIVE IN YOUR LIFE. EX..TO DO'S, MEAL PLANNERS, CONTACTS, REMINDERS, MEMORIES [PLACES YOU'VE BEEN/THINGS YOU LIKE],JUST EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON, AND DEFITNITELY ORGANIZATION!! IT SHOULD BE YOUR LIFE ORGANIZED INTO A CREATIVE BOOK, WITH YOUR OWN PERSONAL TOUCHES BUT SIMPLE!
    [NO]
    [THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY] :)

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  97. My advice would be to treat your Filo much like you would your first born *at least for the first couple of months =P* Make it the first thing you consider each day (within reason!), take it everywhere (don't neglect it!), share your life and memories with it and watch it evolve in front of you!

    I like to think of mine as a keepsake for the future reminding me of my past, yes it has it's functions but remember your filo contains what was essentially a whole year of your life. Personalise it so when you come back to look at it, it is a pleasure to read but not to the point where you don't physically do what you've tasked yourself and/or you are reminded of your primary school handwriting!

    Remember no two people are the same and therefore no filo's should be identical.

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  98. My advice is to capture all of your notes, to dos, etc. in your planner. Make it your one "go to" place!

    Yes

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  99. Now that's a great competition ;) Thanks a lot!

    My advice: Even if it's tempting - don't use too many dividers. Because if there is a divider for every sheet of paper in your Filofax it will be getting just overwhelming after a time instead of looking/feeling structured.

    [No]

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  100. Stop worrying about the perfect setup. Instead, try to find a setup that's perfect for you. If that means having one (true filofax) or 10, do what you want. Organisation should be fun! (yes)

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  101. My advice is to use it - actually use it. Live with it.Open it. Read It. Write in it. Refer to it. Don't just admire it's beauty; make it work for you.(yes)

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  102. My best advice is - KISS - 'keep it simple sister.'

    Some of my steps for keeping it simple-

    1. No decoration for work filofax
    2. Personal Filofax - decorate days, weeks, and months ahead of time.
    3. Rotate exteriors - but dont keep multiple calendars and lists in separate filo's.
    4. Not able to take it with you due to size or weight - dont fret- snap a picture of the day, week, or month views.

    (yes)

    Thanks for the contest!






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  103. I have been lusting after this particular Filofax so thank you for the opportunity to win it :-)

    I believe in personalizing your Filofax to fit your life and who you are. For example, I use my Filofax to organize my personal and work life. For me, that means using two different color pens. I have seen people use many more and/or use stickers but, for me, it would be hard to maintain. Two colors is as much as I can handle without it getting confusing :-) There is no one right way to organize yourself and a Filofax let's you personalize.

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  104. I love using sticky note tabs! And colour coordinating pens to different subjects/level of importance!! I'd love to win! I've never had a Filofax before!

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  105. Don't make it to complicated. Figure out what works for you!

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  106. There are so many "Hacks" to making a Filofax work harder for you. But the one that comes to mind the most is if you wish to incorporate routines that you take care of daily or weekly, utilize the credit card holders and put pieces of card stock in them that outline these routines and put the card holder between your current weeks pages. Then as you complete the task, cross them off using a dry erase marker. Its a time saver as you simply have to wipe the card holder off with a paper towel at the end of the week and you don't have to keep writing these routines into your planner each week. (Yes)

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  107. My advice is to not worry about making every page perfect so it will look super-cute afterwards. Just write down everything and if you make a mistake or your plans change, just cross it out. Next day/week, you'll turn the page and probably not look back at what you did last week.

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  108. I think my advice would be to personalise your planner to your needs with sections you will truly use day in-day out. There's no point adding sections just because you can or have the refills to do so, I learnt this the hard way! Add a little colour here and there, something that will make you want to use your planner daily but also keep it minimal if using for business purposes (unless your lucky to work from home!). I think the main thing for me and my planner personally is keeping it simple whilst also incorporating a little colour like mentioned above.

    I've been lusting over an A5 for awhile now so thank you for holding this competition and giving us the opportunity to win :).

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  109. My tip if you're using a pocket or mini as a wallet and want a receipt pocket or to have a way to keep receipts separate is to use library book pockets. You can find them in different patterns, not just the plain one's you might recall from he library, and simply punch the holes. Quick and easy. :) (yes)

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  110. Kate I hemmed and hawed about entering but just saw your facebook post and decided to - My best piece of advice is about set ups. Set it up slowly, dated pages and some notes first and see what else really needs to be in there. When you find you need something don't add a section, add a single page. Don't put in a section until you're sure you the information separated. And live with your set up without a total overhaul for a set period of time - at least a week. Everything feels wrong and awkward at first - committing to a period of working with it is the only way I've found to get to a place where everything works well.

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  111. My advice is stick to a planner and insert pages for awhile and give them a chance. Use the address index as a file cabinet. Thank you for a chance to win this .

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  112. This is a great competition!! Awesome!

    The best advice I've gotten is "Use your planning system everyday/all day to create a habit."

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  113. When asked this question, my answer is always two-fold:
    1. Take it everywhere and write everything down. **Make it your Surrogate Brain**. This ensures two things: that nothing is slipping through the cracks and that you are giving your set-up the best test possible (which leads to #2...)
    2. Notice what you are utilizing in your planner and what you are not. Don't be afraid to take stuff out, put stuff in, or rearrange stuff. That's why it has rings. *Get Comfy* in your planner.
    (Yes)

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  114. My advice would be that you choose a filofax which you like, whether it be a mini to a A5, not what's in fashion or what suits one person, might not suit you, as this can sometimes be why we don't connect with our Filofax's. When it comes to organsing your Filofax I would recommend you keep it with you at all times, (in your bag, car, desk, gym, etc..) by doing this you will not only learn to use it, but grow to love it. Most importantly keep it simple first at first, adapting it to suit you.

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  115. Decide if you want to use it as a diary planner to write down your appointments and dates, or as a journal to write down your reflections of that day. The two are completely different! Once you decide, it will be easier to personalise and set up your Filofax! (yes)

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  116. As a newbie, my advice is to join the 'Filofax for Philofaxy Fans' group on Facebook. I have learned so much from the 'Filo-Experts' and am figuring out how to make my planner work to suit my needs. The process would have been much harder without all of the helpful hints I've learned online. Thanks for the generous giveaway! (yes)

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  117. Carry everywhere, and have open on desk. Best planning in the world won't work if you don't see it. Yes

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  118. What is your best piece of organisation/time management advice for using your Filofax personal organiser?

    The best piece of advice would be to just sit down and just begin! DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! IN ORDER TO HELP YOURSELF WITH MANAGEMENT simply by opening our "go to" planner! begin by opening our filofax and just start jotting notes or decorating/personalizing! I got into this hobby because I wanted to better myself! So I would advise others that to keep myself more organized and neat, My best advice would be to have a "go to" Filofax! This can be for traveling, recipes, diary entries, jotting notes. I hoped I can improve my lifestyle by having a "go to" filofax for all of these things! Take your planner everywhere you go if you wish. I will be doing this with my "go to" planner.I am a college student and therefore owning a filofax and managing my time with my planner has helped me alot throughout school. Another thing is that there are dividers we can create/customize which allows us to have as many sections as we wish! All can be included in our personal "go to" planner. Again, all it takes is to just sit down, pour some cup of coffee or play your favorite songs. Organization is all about having patience and having time for yourself. And this includes being able to sit and relax and reflect on your past week. It will feel good to look ahead and look back at all the things you have and can accomplish. The best advice I was given was to purchase a planner. And that's what I will tell others. get a planner. do it the old fashion way and experience the ease of relaxing and not stressing while you decorate your planner and/or plan for a better future.

    Yes.

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  119. My advice is to carry your Filofax with you and refer to it often throughout the day. Highlighing or checking off completed items increases your motivation to complete your daily goals.

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  120. Even though its nice to see what other people do in their binders to make it pretty..there really isn't a point if you are not using it for what it is meant for..you can decorate to your hearts content at anytime but you first need to learn what system works best for you..there's nothing worse than spending hours picking out or making customer pages/dividers/etc. and then realizing after you've done the work that you are never going to use them (correction..nothing worse other than misaligned rings...) =) Thanks for the opportunity to win..but most of all to connect and see other Filofax lovers out there!!

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  121. My advice is to carry your Filofax with you and refer to it often. Checking off or highlighting your completed items increases your motivation to complete your daily goals.

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  122. I know everyone says it, but customize it. If you are using a ringed Filofax, then move the pages around or take them out if you don't use them. That's the beauty of the rings! the order the pages come in initially is not the order they have to remain in. If you are using a Flex, make use of all 4 side pockets. Who knows? Maybe writing on the left side of the cover will work for you!

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