Friday 1 February 2013

How to Use a Filofax


If you are happy with the way you are currently using your Filofax, stop reading. The worst thing you can do is tinker unnecessarily with a system that works well.


Still reading? OK then. This post will seek to briefly answer the question of how to use a Filofax. It will not address the issue of why to use a Filofax, nor whether to use a Filofax. I'm assuming you have worked through these questions yourself.


So, how should you use it? the real - but potentially unhelpful - answer is, 'However you like.' What follows is just one possible answer. It is based on my experience of what works (for me) and what doesn't (again, for me), filtered through the sieve of my own likes and annoyances. I'll try to keep it snappy; we're all busy people.

The rules

1. Put all other notebooks, planners and pads out of reach. While you are getting your Filofax up and running (say, the first couple of weeks you spend using it) you don't want the distraction of handling multiple systems.


2. Write in your diary every appointment you need to remember, including other people's insofar as they affect you. For instance, is your partner going out for the evening one day next week? That needs to be in your diary too if it means you will have to be at home providing childcare.



3. Every day, read today's diary and scan about a week ahead. Look for events that have been cancelled or are no longer relevant. Delete them. Think about any events you might need to add. Add them.


4. Maintain a separate (i.e. separate from the diary) list if you want to use your Filofax to manage tasks. The only time a task should be in your diary is if it needs to be done on a particular day. If it is just a matter of having to be done by a particular day, it belongs not in the diary but in the task list, where you should also note the deadline date. You can do this with standard Filofax task pages, but it's easier with Turbo Task pages.



5. Scan your task list at least daily for items you can or must do and mark complete.


6. Carry your Filofax with you everywhere. This is really important.


7. Whenever you set or accept an appointment or identify a task, write it down in the appropriate section straight away. Don't try to remember it to write in later. Don't write it on a scrap of paper to transfer later. Write it in the correct place in your Filofax right now. No excuses.


8. Have a notes section with plenty of blank paper. Write down anything you need to remember that isn't a diary or task entry. You can use plain paper or lined, grid, dot grid or a selection. The paper can be different colours if you like. If you must, you can decorate it.



9. Before you agree to an appointment, check your diary. You need to be able to trust what you see written there, hence the earlier warnings about writing things in right away.


10. As soon as you complete a task, mark it as complete in your tasks section and if you have time choose another to get started on.


11. These three sections - diary, tasks and notes - are the heart of your Filofax. If you want you can have other sections too, say for addresses, to track your finances or to hold long term reference information.


12. Do not stuff your Filofax with pages or accessories you will not use every day. Your system has rings. You can add things and remove them whenever you like. Have a photo or two in there if you like, by all means, but it is a personal organiser, not a scrapbook. Anything that doesn't help organise you should not be in it.


13. Use dividers to help you get to different sections quickly. Use sticky tabs to categorise sub-sections. This might be useful if you decide to keep multiple lask lists (e.g. home and office.) Have some sort of 'today' marker in your diary.



14. Keep a pen or pencil in the pen loop. Choose one that fits the loop and that will not fall out. Don't feel that you need to use that particular instrument every time you write in your Filofax. If you carry a pen or two in your pocket or bag, use those. But keeping one pen/pencil in the loop means you will never be caught without something to write with. It's a fallback.


15. Keep doing all the above. Don't lapse. Keep forcing yourself until it becomes habitual. Again, no excuses.

Now what?

You can, of course, download and print most of the pages you'll need from this site. Diary inserts are here. Other inserts are here. They are free to download and free for your personal use.



So there it is. That is how to use a Filofax. Unless you want to use it differently. It's up to you. You can do what you want; I'm not your mother.

18 comments:

Alison Reeves said...

Sometimes it just needs to be said ...

What size Filofax do you use Ray?

Ray Blake said...

Personal, usually. Sometimes A5, especially in a business context.

Tina and Blake said...

Thank you, this is just the post I needed. I just ordered my first Filofax, but I am in the US and am very confused about paper sizes and a few other aspects. Do you know of any good resources to help a US user?

Ray Blake said...

There are lots of US Filofax bloggers. Is there anything in particular you're looking for help with? Philofaxy.com has 'open' posts on Tuesdays and Fridays where you can ask questions that the community will answer. It has a wide-ranging international readership.

Tina and Blake said...

I was just over on Philofaxy and found a great post on obtaining A5 paper in the US, then watched your video on printing diary pages. This project seems digestible now. Thanks for the tip; I will refer to the Q&A posts for my inevitable future inquiries. Thank you for the printables and detailed instructions!

pattygardner.com said...

Nice post, Ray.

I so agree with take it everywhere and check it before making appointments. Well, actually I agree with every point you made. For someone who didn't know how to use a planner, this post would be very helpful. And for those of us who do, it's a good reminder.

Savannah said...

Thanks for the refresher Ray. It's simple, clear and to the point. Nice.

mppaul2 said...

Excellent Post!! Thank you for saying "it's not a scrapbook''

Ray Blake said...

Thanks, everyone. This seems to have struck a chord.

Unknown said...

I agree, thanks for the reminder about how it's not a scrapbook. I am a scrapbooker and I feel like it shows in my filofax, but I think there needs to be a balance and there is a point when too much "scrapbookiness" just turns your planner into a pretty, yet useless pile of paper in terms of planning.

SSA said...

great post and great truth!! so many of the webfinds on philofaxy show filofaxes as scrapbooks. decorated with tape and stickers and an array of colours.

Austin Linden said...

As always, thank you for an informative and thought provoking post!

Laurie said...

Ray this post is absolutely spot-on! Excellent, through yet concise and very clear. Essential reading for everyone who uses a Filofax, whether just starting out or after years of use!

I have to know, what is that gorgeous, well-loved vintage Filofax in the last photo? It's amazing!

Ray Blake said...

Thanks, Laurie. I'm afraid I can't tell you much about that binder. I buy some of my pictures from a clip art library and a recent search threw up that picture. It's clearly a well-used, treasured friend and I had to buy it.

Laurie said...

Ah that's too bad, I was hoping it was one in your collection!

Beth Nelson said...

I have lots of dividers and sub sections in my filofax that never seen a pen or even daylight. They shall be removed. Excellently written piece, thank you.

Synergy638 said...

Ray can you suggest a suitable hole punch for a personal and an A5 please. Thanks in anticipation Regards Jonathan

Ray Blake said...

Philofaxy did a good post on this recently: http://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/filofax-punches.html. I use the KW-Trio.

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