Comments on: What notebooks or planners do you use for your art business?

By: Mira

Sun, 11 Dec 2016 03:47:07 +0000

I use the happy planner for a productivity journal and hard calendar. I alsontrack my challenges in it. For those that don’t know, productivity is similar to bullet journal but it has been proven to increase productivity and focus. At the end of each day, you jot down what was done that day. It doesn’t have to be super descriptive. Then you pick 3 top priorities for tomorrow and write those down. Its not supposed to be a huge to do list, just top 3 for the day. I find it really works.

The happy planner has a special binding system that has the benefit of a spiral and a binder. I add cards, notes, and all kinds of things that don’t have a home. Even random drawings. In the end, I end up with an artjounal/ephemera keeper/and bullet journal of the year.

I keep up the calendar in the journal but also do google calendar for appointments and deadlines that need reminders.

Aside from those, I use tablets for color theory logs, kiln logs and art journals.

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By: Trudy Rice

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 10:50:33 +0000

Thanks everyone, some terrific ideas that I’ve read so far.

I’ve used a paper diary for the past couple of years the “Passion Planner” which I love however, my husband likes to send me online meeting invites and appointments so I often miss writing things in the diary that I’ve accepted online.

About 2 months ago I started using “Pocket Informant” (https://www.pocketinformant.com/) an App which is a diary and to-do list in one. It syncs with iCal and my Reminders and I can access on my Computer, iPhone and iPad which is handy. I still like writing it down and am torn between the two, but it is the best App I’ve found so far.

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By: Cindy

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 15:17:38 +0000

I use a bullet journal. I started using this system over the summer, and it has changed my life. It is customized, keeps everything in one place, and is analog (and thus portable). If you would like to learn more about it, her is a fabulous link to the website:

http://bulletjournal.com/

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By: Marrianna Dougherty

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 13:13:49 +0000

I use both digital and analog. I like to see my month at a glance and often use the week spread to track what I did on any given day. I usually have small notebooks all over my home and use them often for various things. Right now, I have a thin one that I use to record when I take what meds for pain/muscle relaxer. The monthly view includes my appointments. I also use the calendar on my iPhone which migrates to my MacBook Pro and my iPad. I purchased a huge spiral bound iBloom 2017 Life & Business Planner and will be trying that out in 2017. I also plan to track my spending in this journal.

I have an large bound planner designed by Nicole Miller via Blue Sky online. For the last half of 2016, I’ve been using the large planner. I wanted something smaller that is easer to carry in my purse, so I ordered one of her smaller designs for 2017.

I’ve read most of the replies to this Curious Monday question, and as a result, checked into some of the other systems people use. I have Evernote and may try to use it for journaling. I looked at the MacJournal app but the free trial version didn’t download as planned. Maybe I’ll look into it again later this year.

Confession time: I’m a magpie and love the next new and shiny thing. Therefore, I keep trying what I think looks good, catches my eye, and would work, possibly. I ordered a Leuchtturm1917 Medium Size journal with an orange cover. I had one of these several years ago and loved it. The pages are very smooth for writing. I might try to “bullet journal” in it. Or not.

I’m going to take time in December to look at what I want to accomplish in 2017 in various areas of my life including spirituality, family/personal relationships, volunteer service, professional photography, business growth, and quilting.

Now it’s time to go over to our Facebook page and post photos of my stash.

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By: Leslie

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 05:17:00 +0000

I tend to follow the Getting Things Done method, with my own tweaks of course, and this is what it ends up looking like:

DIGITAL: As things come up, I enter them into the calendar on my iPhone or Mac, or into OmniFocus using my iPhone or Mac if it is a task or project-related issue. I prefer this method, as I am almost always within reach of my phone or computer, and the phone and the computer sync to each other, which makes both my calendar and my task management always current. I also like OmniFocus, because I can forward emails to it, so that emails that have a “to do” function are immediately available from within the software and my inbox can be kept to nearly zero. Every Friday afternoon, I do a weekly review of OmniFocus and get clear for the next week.

PAPER: As much as I love the digital piece–and it really is super convenient for me–I still like seeing my week on paper. I have a handy, portable binder filled with the dated version of Planner Pads. I prefer Planner Pads, as the format allows me to see the main projects I have going for the week (pulled from OmniFocus) and the corresponding tasks that need to be worked on that week (and the ones to think about for next week). The format also shows my appointments for the week, and then there is a handy section where the daily to-do’s can be planned out. After I go through my weekly review in OmniFocus, I plan out the upcoming week on the Planner Pad pages. Every evening, at some point between leaving work and going to bed, I open up my binder, see what tomorrow looks like, and write my next day’s appointments and to do’s on a 3×5 index card that I can simply carry with me in my wallet, easily accessible, no matter what the situation.

This system might sound complicated, but on the contrary, it has really simplified my life. I have tried several different methods, and this is the one that has kept me on track the best thus far. Since information is entered into the calendar and OmniFocus throughout the week, the weekly review of Omni Focus only takes me about 20-30 minutes, along with another 10-15 minutes to fill out my Planner Pad pages. Consequently, I spend maybe two minutes each night to plan the next day. As much as I have wanted to be completely digital, I finally gave in to my need to see my whole week in front of me on paper!

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By: Betsey Crawford

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 18:09:44 +0000

In reply to Rebecca Nolda.

Hi Rebecca,

I’d love to know how you “rely on your blog posts to populate Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram.” I know how to do this with Facebook, though I don’t use it, because I like to choose the words and pictures.

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By: Betsey Crawford

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 18:02:45 +0000

I’m a Mac person, so I use the Apple calendar, which syncs with my phone, and is available when I don’t have wifi, which is often, since I travel a lot. I color code for different things. To capture random notes, make to do lists, keep things I need handy I use Notes. I use Evernote the way I’d use an actual filing cabinet, for everything, and it’s helping me get to an almost paperless life, as long as I keep up with scanning. I keep notes and research for my blog posts there, but write them in MacJournal, since I’m used to writing there. It’s interesting how our creative juices respond to things, even apps.

I like mind maps, but wanted to find the simplest version, like the kind I might do with pencil and paper. The best I’ve found for this is Simple Mind. I use the free version, which is great for me, but assume there are more bells and whistles with the paid one.

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By: Nela Dunato

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 18:55:51 +0000

My paper planning tools are:
– Large hand-drawn yearly calendar on my wall with post-its for events and projects
– Intention journal – blank journal where I list what I want to accomplish, how, project breakdown by month & week, and most importantly: weekly and monthly reflections on what went right, and what to improve

My digital arsenal includes:
– Trello project management
– Google Calendar
– Google Docs & Sheets
All my nitty gritty planning happens in the cloud.

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By: Robin Edmundson

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 18:03:20 +0000

In reply to Cynthia Morris.

Cynthia – You’re absolutely right. It is time for me to design my own planner. There are a couple of places online I’ve decided to check out. Personalplanner.com and Agendio.com I don’t know if I’ll find what I’m looking for, but it’s always good to have options.

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By: Felice Panagrosso

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 17:48:06 +0000

Thank you Alyson, this is a great question. I use Bullet Journal for notes and lists, Artwork Archive for Inventory and in the future contacts as well. Calendars are now on Google and Bullet Journal but I’m not quite happy with it.

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