Someone asked if I was still using the Full Focus Planner. The answer is YES. I find it a nearly perfect planner for the COVID-19 lifestyle. The layout helps me to keep my mind focused (yep) on the present day, which is really helpful right now. It is enjoyable to write in and fill up, and I think it has helped with my productivity and mental state.
I call it “nearly perfect” because I wish it contained weekly calendar pages in one section. There is a weekly calendar of sorts, but it’s embedded throughout — ie, one page every time a new week rolls around. It makes it hard to use this book to track schedules which is FINE right now — there isn’t much to plan! — but which might be tricky with normal life.
I do think it is an opportunity for me to play around with different planning techniques, including using my calendar apps more diligently. Even though I love having a paper version, I do refer to the Apple Calendar app, which is synced to both my Google Calendar (where Josh sometimes puts things, and I sometimes put family events) and my Outlook Calendar (work things like meetings and resident conferences).
Could I ever go fully digital for scheduling things? Maybe. I’m just not sure I want to. Being forced to plan my weeks out on paper helps me to plan more realistically, I think. BUT, I would never say never.
And now is definitely a good time to experiment!
I do miss my Hobonichi, which is sitting on my desk unused. I just prefer the structured format of FFP right now, and seeing all of the pre-written (by me) events that are not happening really did bother me!
Time will tell whether the Hobo remains on the bench for the remainder of 2020. I think maybe.
TODAY:
- Round in hospital (it is busy!)
- Catch up on notes (including outpt tele 3 from yesterday, oops)
- Phone follow up w/ several patients
- Grab schedule info & bone age book from office (!)
- Meal plan / grocery list (was going to shop but maybe tabling that until tomorrow)
- Workout (21 DFX Dirty 30)
(Josh is on call so our nanny is working today. Hopefully will get some kid time in there too, but work will be priority.)
4 Comments
It is fun to see a different layout so thanks for sharing! I’m still using my hobonichi because I don’t pre fill in the daily pages so every day is a clean slate and I’ve been playing around with my layout. I’d love to see more pandemic daily pages (maybe a reader all call for your planning Instagram?).
I tried to see if you’d already had her on BOBW already because I feel like you did interview someone who designs planners before, but if you haven’t, I was looking at the promo materials for the Full Focus Bold, and the COO of the company Megan Hyatt Miller might make a good guest. She has 5 kids and seems very involved in growing the company AND she obviously loves planners.
We had Tonya Dalton from Inkwell press! We contacted Megan Hyatt Miller and sadly got a “no” from a staff member. Maybe someday we will try again 🙂
Thanks for the update! Great perspective on this format keeping you in the now, and I like how you’ve broken up the pages for your use.