📅
Hey guys. Hope you are all doing well, and your 2018 is off to a good start.. Today I will be sharing a little something that I have found to kick-start and direct my year the way I envision it.
In my previous post (the one about the elephant), I mentioned that I'd purchased a diary to help organise and plan my year out. I also told you to keep an eye out for a little show and tell of this incredible planner. And so here it is, my highly anticipated.. DIARY TOUR! (Mm, tour of my diary? Diary setup? Diary ideas? Diary show & tell? Diary presentation?) Whatever it is you want to call it (as I'm still unsure of what to title this post), I will be showing you the type of diary I purchased, and how I am using it.
This is something I am super passionate about at the moment, because I honestly believe that a diary, is the perfect tool to utilise your time and information, especially in this new day and age with so many aspects of life to keep up with. I also find it super inspiring and motivating to see how others plan and what they plan. I watch a few YouTube accounts based around organisation skills and ideas, and when you see the dedication someone has to wholeheartedly take advantage of their time and organise their priorities, it's contagious - you want to do it too (well, at least I know I do). So, I hope in me sharing this newfound love for time management, it inspires at least one of you to start small and make minor changes to your day, week, or month.
I knew a little before December 2017, that I wanted to make 2018 my year. I wasn't going to 'waste' another year just 'cruising' along and 'going with the flow'. I wanted to set big goals and do things that I love and inspire me. And the only way to achieve goals and dreams, it to plan them, right? And the only way to efficiently outline your plans is to use a diary, so you can concentrate on breaking down your daily tasks, weekly tasks, monthly tasks and yearly tasks. And so I was on the hunt for a major, all round planner. I had some sort of idea of what I was wanting, but nothing was really standing out and I was a little skeptical about ordering online because I prefer to physically see the diary in person (for size and content reference). But majority of the stores I visited just had your standard yearly diary, with a few added extras, that I probably wouldn't utilise.
Until I came across, Amelia Lane Paper. *Hallelujah* The covers were extremely cute and playful. There are also in-depth videos showcasing all the styles and contents of each style, which was super helpful. The only hard decision for me, was which style I wanted. In the end I chose the 2018 Desktop Planner (with the pineapple cover). I based my decision on what the desktop is mainly designed for - the desk top (pretty self explanatory). In previous years I used monthly desk planners, which take up majority of your desk and can get very plain and boring. So I thought with current renovations to my room, and with new furniture (in particular a new desk), it would not only look cute, it would be easily accessible to me at all times of the day - something that is very important to me. And at the time of purchase ALP was having a promotion with a percentage off the diaries + free shipping - so I jumped at the opportunity and here we are today!
Amelia Lane Paper Facebook: www.facebook.com/amelialanepaper
Amelia Lane Instagram: @amelialanepaper
Amelia Lane YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCIkjfGeqaJ6PyZclETR0OBA/featured
2018/19 Yearly Planner (on the right). Useful for blocking together activities e.g. holidays, school terms. Also a great tool for referencing dates and days for the following year.
Goals Section. Probably the most appropriate feature for a modern diary. Section to list main goal, as well as action steps and corresponding dates. Such an awesome concept! Haven't finished all of my goal setting, still yet to finalise and brainstorm some action steps.
Monthly Calendar. This is where I can visualise my month (in whole) with the ability to confidently plan ahead. I write all things on my monthly calendar and on my daily pages - so I can anticipate it in regards to my month and in a daily manner. I like to be able to see what's happening when, and when it happens in relation to my next/previous event.
Daily Page Layout. This is where most of the magic happens. So over two pages, is two days - which means there is plenty of space for a whole lot of planning (compared to the weekly spread over two pages). There is a timed schedule from 6am-10pm, every hour. This is where I will put both my hours and my partners hours for work, so I can see where we cross over and where there is time off together. Next to that is a to-do list, which is probably my most utilised section. I write down literally everything that I need to do for that day, from washing my clothes, going to the gym, filling my car with fuel, etc. And for my personality type being able to cross/tick off these things makes me feel so accomplished and motivates me to do even more. And then next to that is the health section - which on a daily basis is another very resourceful tool for me. If I am needing a little more encouragement that particular day/week, I will plan out my meals in advance and write what I should be having. Otherwise, if I'm already on track I'll just jot down what I've already eaten that day - and sometimes when you know you're writing down all of the food you've eaten it pushes you to be more conscious of what you do eat. Lastly, there is a little notes section down the bottom, that I will sometimes write cute little inspiring messages for my future self (because I'm corny like that and I need it).
Budget. This is the section where you can basically budget for the month, and record all of your monthly expenses. I have also decided to crack down financially a little (or a lot) more this year - purely because most of my goals require money. The more I save and aware of my money I am, the closer I get to ticking off those goals. I trialed this is January and boy was it eye opening. I'm not going to mention any figures, but I really do need to knuckle down (BIG time). But of course, I'm thankful I figured that out early on in the year and for the next 11 months I can work on that and really start to be more financially aware #adulting
And finally, we come to the back section of the book which has pages for notes, a bucket list, passwords, logins and blank pages for ideas/sketches. I will also mention the tools I use to spice up my diary and make it more enjoyable to use. I have colour coordinated each section and as I need to tick/cross something off I will then highlight it with it's corresponding colour. \
My current key is as follows..
Purple - Goals
Blue - Birthdays or major events
Aqua Blue - My events/work hours (Schedule)
Green - My partners events/work hours (Schedule)
Yellow - To-do List
Orange - Meals & Exercise (Health)
Pink - Budget & Notes
I have also invested in a ruler (to use for highlighting , because I have major OCD and want all things in order), whiteout tape and sticky notes that I also plan on colour coordinating with different sections (again, the OCD).
Honestly, everything has been covered in this diary and I love that there is a section for everything and anything, even things I probably would never have thought of. Would highly recommend an Amelia Lane Paper planner to anyone who loves and is an existing organiser or someone who aspires to be more organised.
Oh and did I mention ALP are currently clearing out their 2018 stock with 30% off all remaining diaries !!! Get in there, it's not too late to kick 2018 into gear 😜
✌
Instagram: @_telishawoodward
Twitter: @telishawoodward
Snapchat: @telishawoodward
Snapchat: @telishawoodward
