Weekly or Daily

Choosing the format of diary insert can lead you in to all sorts of problems. I'm sure we have all been there at some time. You want a page that is big enough, but you don't want the additional weight or bulk that a bigger size organiser has.

I'm sure most of us choose the size of organiser based on the diary format we settle for and the rest of the set up is adapted to suit that size of organiser.

This can of course lead to many compromises. If you are trying to lead your life in just one organiser, and that organiser is also your wallet, this might restrict you even further. 

Some people choose a day per page or a day on two pages insert because of the number of appointments or tasks they have each day. 

However does selecting a day format or a week format have other advantages or disadvantages?

Josh mentioned in one of his recent videos that he found the clutter of a weekly view too distracting. However when I tried a daily layout a couple of years ago, I missed seeing what was happening in the rest of the week, and having to copy so many things each day if I didn't finish things.

So which do you prefer and why, Weekly or Daily? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Filofax litany

I was thinking about all the Filofax planner/ diary inserts I have tried and/ or used over the years. It's quite a list.

Personal size:

Month on two pages

Fold-out year overview with months as columns

Week on 2 pages

Week on 2 pages Cotton Cream

Week + Notes

Family Organizer (available from Filofax UK), with boxes for each family member each day

Day per page


A5 size:

Month on two pages

Fold-out year overview

Week on 2 pages Horizontal

Week on 2 pages Vertical (days as columns)

Week + Notes

Family Organizer (week view with days as columns)

Dodo Pad diary insert


Having it all written out like that makes it look like sheer insanity!

What formats have you tried in the past, and what are you currently using?

Roll Call: What's Your Format?

Hey everybody, we haven’t had a Roll Call for awhile! (And for those of you who follow the Roll Call link you will notice I shamelessly re-used Inky's bugler image!)

So now's the time to step up and be counted among the ranks. Tell us who you are and answer these:

1) What’s your current diary/ planner size and format? A5 week on 2 pages horizontal? Personal day per page? We want to know. And:

2) Are you planning to stay with the same format for 2010?

Me first! I’m Laurie. After much flitting about and numerous episodes of Calling the Dog, I have finally settled on the original, basic Personal size week on two pages, unlined. After all the millions of planner formats I’ve tried over the last few years, I am absolutely shocked that this basic format is turning out to work the best for me. I guess there is a reason why it’s so popular!

Do I plan to stick with it for 2010? Well, I have very good intentions. I have filled out all the holidays, birthdays, and other events in my 2010 pages. But I will be the first to admit, if I actually stay with it for the entire year it’ll be a miracle. From January to October 2009, I used 12 different formats/ sizes/ planner books in my search for what works best! And frankly, I’m tired of tweaking so let’s hope I have found my solution.

Your turn!