The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 43

Digital Planning vs Analogue Planning

Can the digital planning world mix with the analogue planning world? Can they over lap, can they work alongside each other.

In this episode we discuss how the two methods can co-operate and complement each other when organising your task lists.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:30 - When is something a to-do list item and when is it a calendar item
04:30 - Splitting your to-do list between electronic reminders and paper reminders
06:30 - To do list apps that allow for time zones?
07:30 - When travelling use paper!
10:00 - Routines app
10:30 - Use your paper planner as the back up
14:00 - Setting times for tasks
15:00 - The moving of tasks in to the calendar (photo below)
17:20 - Using different inserts to filter down from yearly to daily timings
19:00 - Enhanced Time Manager Insert with more appointment time slots
20:00 - Using your email in-box as your to-do list or not using it like this
21:00 - Reducing your in-box to zero
22:00 - Auto archive emails that you have read and actioned but take control of your in-box
25:40 - Note down on your planner to respond to communications and note the source
27:45 - Unsubscribe from unwanted clutter
28:30 - Use that delete button

Episode 43 - Digital Planning vs Analogue Planning

A direct download is also available here: Episode43.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

If you want a quick link to all the podcasts remember: http://philofaxy.com/podcast/

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 42

Planning vs Organising

The answer to life, the universe, and everything.

Yes, we have reached out to Deep Thought and what she gave us was the answer we’ve all been waiting for: 6 rings or 9 rings = 42.

Or listen in to see the variations in D minor as Morton and Tovmassian tackle what a planner is versus what a planner is not, what is organizing versus what planning is and defining planners by purpose.

Be a hoppy frood and listen in!

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Planning vs Organising the differences
10:00 - Getting the most out of a short stay
12:30 - Travel packing list
16:00 - What a planner is and what it isn't
17:00 - What should be in your planner
19:30 - Prepare for the week ahead
22.30 - Tabs or separate planners
23:45 - Only carrying relevant information
25:00 - Purpose of your planner
27:15 - Just because you own an organiser doesn't mean you are organised.

Episode 42 - Planning vs Organising

A direct download is also available here: Episode42.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

If you want a quick link to all the podcasts remember: http://philofaxy.com/podcast/

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 41

Short and Long Term Planning

How do you begin to plan for Christmas? Major holidays?

What is the difference between long term and short term planning? 

This week, the gruesome twosome discuss how to manage the holidays and the end of the year while remaining organised and calm.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Planning for epic events
03:00 - Don't Panic
03:30 - Using your planner to plan for Christmas
05:00 - Put in key dates to highlight dead lines for long term planning
07:45 - Start checking the weather ahead of the holiday that might impact on travel arrangements
09:30 - Note down grocery store opening hours
10:45 - Check and up date your lists and information pages.
13:00 - Emergency numbers for the utility companies
14:00 - Short term plans are the detailed tasks
16:30 - Build in contingency time
18:00 - Contact your visitors ahead of time
20:00 - Being in-control will reduce the stress
23:00 - Use undated daily inserts to enhance the detail you need for these busy days.

• A5 - Day Per Page (Undated) - .doc .pdf
• Personal on Personal - Day Planner (Undated) - .doc .pdf
• Personal on A5 - Day Planner (Undated) .docx .pdf

24:00 - Plan things out in advance
26:00 - Record the details in advance to allow for postage or delivery
29:00 - Write everything down it will reduce your stress levels

Episode 41 - Short and Long Term Planning

A direct download is also available here: Episode41.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

If you want a quick link to all the podcasts remember: http://philofaxy.com/podcast/

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 40

Good and Bad Planner Habits

This week Kim Kiyabu asked Karine and Steve to discuss a list of good and bad planning habits.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:50 - Bad planner habit no. 1 - Not using it at all
03:00 - Trying to remember everything
03:30 - Carry your planner and have it handy
04:00 - Make sure your notes make sense
05:00 - Focus on what you need when travelling
06:30 - Don't be too restrictive on scheduling
07:30 - Plan out your day before you go to sleep the night before
09:45 - Don't overfill your planner
11:40 - How many spare pages do you have stored in your desk
13:00 - Collect all of your things together in one place
13:30 - Use A-Z index dividers to sort inserts
14:30 - Make lists of the inserts you have 'in stock'
18:00 - Don't take a planner from one place to another when travelling and not using it
20:30 - Don't tear out pages out of your planner
21:00 - Don't open your rings with your fingers ONLY use the tabs
22:00 - Be consistent in using your planner
24:00 - Cross reference/index the information in your planner
26:00 - Use context for notes
28:00 - Use your planner to balance out your week

Episode 40 - Good and Bad Planner Habits

A direct download is also available here: Episode40.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

If you want a quick link to all the podcasts remember: http://philofaxy.com/podcast/

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 39

Reader Question - Tackling Planner Size Change

Kelly wrote to us asking for us to discuss the following:

I was wondering if there might be an opportunity to do an episode about switching between planner sizes and doing so in a productive way. I know I'm guilty of switching between different sizes when my circumstances change.  

It would be great to share ideas and resources for making the transition. I have been thinking of ways that I might do it and thought the process has probably already been successfully by someone else and I am reinventing the wheel. 

So if there are resources and ideas that make it easier for myself and everyone else, I'd love to hear an episode about that. 

At the stage where I am at now, I am wondering if I should do something like have all my important information typed out in one central location like Microsoft Word where I can edit it from there and then copy and paste to the relevant planner size and print it out so I'm not having to hand write all the information every time I change planner size.

We thought it was a great topic to tackle. We hope you enjoy it too.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:30 - A frequent question and one that sometimes doesn't have a happy ending
02:00 - Not just size... but the type of planner
02:30 - Too many choices?
03:30 - Rewriting everything?
06:15 - Changes in circumstances
07:00 - Trends in size changes
09:00 - Is it the page size or the planner size that is influencing your need to change
12:00 - Where you use your planner will influence your size choice
13:30 - Using more than one planner, but there will be duplication
16:00 - Fold out pages
17:00 - Context of planning influencing your size choice
18:30 - Decide on size based on your planner requirements, the number of appointments/tasks
20:00 - Quo Vadis planners
23:00 - Colour code depending on the type task
24:00 - Looking at goals and achievements, recording things to measure achievement
27:00 - Using your journal to help you assess what your size your planner needs to be
28:00 - What is the normal, average number of tasks/appointments each day/week
30:00 - Decide what does work for you and what doesn't work

Episode 39 - Reader Question - Tackling Planner Size Change

A direct download is also available here: Episode39.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 38

Self-Improvement or Personal Development

Self-Improvement or Personal Development are areas we all want to somehow incorporate into our planning lives.

Sit with Karine Tovmassian as she interviews Pat Duggan of the Duggan Difference on how she employs her planner to move her business along.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - Understanding how personal development fits in to planning
02:00 - Background
03:30 - One person, one life, one planner
06:00 - What planners Pat uses
08:00 - Tracking information
10:30 - Ensuring plans don't fail
11:30 - Tracking things we enjoy
12:30 - Personal and professional development
14:30 - Where to put things
16:45 - Personal Goals
19:30 - Your planner as a roadmap of life
20:30 - Tasks vs To-Do Lists
23:00 - Using Multiple Planners
24:00 - Pat's A5 insert
25:00 - What size to use for what
26:00 - Suffering from grief or depression

Episode 38 - Self-Improvement or Personal Development

A direct download is also available here: Episode38.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Pat Duggan
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Pat Duggan: Duggan Difference
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 37

What is productivity anyway?

Why should you care? Steve and Karine discuss the inner workings of getting something/anything done in relation to planners and productivity in this week’s episode.

Many thanks to Kim Kiyabu for the great topic idea.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:45 - Management view on productivity
04:00 - Judging for yourself
05:00 - Don't get yourself tied down with the processes
05:15 - Get the balance right between planning and doing
08:00 - What tasks do you do in what order
10:00 - Getting things ticked off your list
11:00 - Putting things in to context to help you decide what tasks to do
13:00 - Learn to delegate
14:30 - Blocking times to help you focus on the tasks
17:00 - Keep some flexibility in your schedule
19:00 - Inbox Zero
20:30 - Turn off distractions and notifications
24:00 - Our own progress in planning

Episode 37 - What is productivity anyway?

A direct download is also available here: Episode37.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 36

The Planner Community.

Clubs? Memberships? The Planner Community? We are there!

This week we go over what clubs we like and why contributing to our communities is a great thing to enjoy.

Join us for another episode of planners in the wild. 

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Steve's clubs and associations over the years.
03:30 - Readers posts on Philofaxy
04:15 - The list... TV camera man for a cable Sports TV show (see news clipping below)
08:00 - Fund raising co-ordinator
09:30 - DJ at a Housing Association complex
11:00 - Radio Society of Great Britain and other Amateur Radio clubs
14:45 - Karine's participation in Toastmasters International
15:30 - You get out of things what you put in to it.
16:00 - Learning new skills and improving existing ones
19:00 - The planner community how it has evolved
21:00 - The community experience
23:00 - No one judges you in the planner community for still using pen and paper
24:10 - Planner Con 2017 - USA
25:00 - The planner is the common link or the starting point for other friendships and associations
26:00 - Steve's interview on BBC 5 Live Pods and Blogs from November 2009
28:00 - Contribute and enjoy doing things with people with similar interests.

I had a lot of hair back then! I was about 18/19 years young then!

Episode 36 - The Planner Community

A direct download is also available here: Episode36.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 35

Wellness Planner.

You want to collect yourself and all your emergency data. Where do you start?

Listen in to Episode 35 where the gruesome twosome discuss various ideas for putting together a wellness planner and getting emergency contacts in order.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Recent events
03:00 - Emergency contact numbers
04:30 - Emergency contact person to inform
06:45 - Have multiple ways of recording your contact list to cover every eventuality
07:45 - Mini Planner as a store of emergency information
08:45 - Key medical information
11:00 - Journalling
13:00 - 5 year journals
18:00 - Colour coding your week
21:00 - Animals/Pets records
22:00 - Doctors records
23:30 - What to carry with you and what store
25:00 - Record your prescription dates
26:30 - Sudden memory loss
28:00 - Thought/Task of the week
29:00 - Tip of week

Episode 35 - Wellness Planner

A direct download is also available here: Episode35.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 34

Listeners Question.

Cara Jonkers asked in the Plannerology Facebook Group " I would love an episode on how Steve's planning habits / process has changed over the life of the podcasts.

I know you touch on it in most episodes - but the journey to get to where he is now in one podcast I think would be helpful and insightful."

So I was not prepared for this, but I hope that I answered Cara's question well enough.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - The question....
02:30 - Have my planning habits changed?
04:30 - The changes through the year
06:30 - Getting things written down
08:00 - Time Bank
08:30 - Time Investment article in Paper Planning Magazine
09:15 - Splitting your time during the day
10:00 - Motivation
11:00 - Steve's other voluntary work (RSGB ETCC)
15:00 - Project management
16:30 - Dual calendars for Home and Work
17:30 - Going over to one organiser instead of two, the arrival of the A5 Heritage
19:20 - A6 Time Management Inserts
20:00 - What am I using/looking at on a regular basis?
21:00 - Not always carrying my planner away from home!
22:00 - Carrying an A5 all the time
23:00 - Try and pick your size wisely
25:00 - 2017 inserts ready
25:30 - Contextualising tasks and how I use my inserts
27:00 - Regular reviews
28:00 - Podcast workflow
29:00 - Final thoughts

Episode 34 - Listeners Question.

A direct download is also available here: Episode34.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 33

Pens and other writing instruments etc

With all planners you need some form of writing instrument to note things down in your planner. 

We discuss the various types of pens and markers and some useful hacks too. 

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:30 - What are your favourite pens to use in your planners?
02:15 - Papermate Flare
02:40 - Sharpie Ultra Fine point markers
03:30 - Highlighting with pencil.
04:00 - Colour coding
04:45 - Pilot Frixion
05:40 - Mechanical pencil
06:00 - Uniball Vision Elite
06:30 - Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen
08:00 - Lamy fountain pens with interchangeable nibs
10:00 - The writing experience
11:00 - Issues with erasable ink pens
13:30 - Colour coding
15:00 - Colours and contexts
17:30 - Matching colours
19:00 - Using only one colour
22:00 - Frixion pen hack (video)
23:15 - Pen storage
24:30 - Pen cases
28:30 - Rotring Isograph
29:00 - Tip of the week

Episode 33 - Pens and other writing instruments etc 


A direct download is also available here: Episode33.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 32

Proper storage, care and shipping of planners, inserts, rings etc

Sending planners in the post of any type can be a worrying experience if you have never done it before. 

In this episode Karine and Steve share their experience of sending planners in the post to far and distant places. 

They also discuss storage and care of your planners when you aren't using them, plus tips on the storage of inserts and your other planner supplies and tools such as washi-tape and cutters and punches.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Image Source:
http://www.vashiwashi.com 

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - Looking back!
04:30 - Modern day packing
06:20 - Pre-paid packing box including postage
07:00 - Preparing your planner for posting
08:00 - Remove the inserts from the rings on a ring bound planner before shipping.
09:00 - What packing materials to use.
12:30 - Insure your parcel in case of loss in transit.
13:00 - Every day storage and care
15:00 - Care when storing
16:30 - Removing surface rust from rings and metal fixings.
20:00 - What to store your planners in?
21:00 - Inserts storage
25:00 - Washi Tape storage
26:00 - Maintaining your paper punches and cutters
29:00 - Tip of the week

Episode 32 - Proper storage, care and shipping of planners, inserts, rings etc 


A direct download is also available here: Episode32.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Louise Umeki
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 31

Guest Interview - Louise Umeki - Plannercon 2017

1st PlannerCon 2017 National Conference in beautiful San Francisco, California. Play and plan throughout two fabulous days with your friends and connect with new friends! Vendor expos with your favourite vendors, workshops & classes, amazing speakers, development personal and so much more!

Plannercon 2017 is a unique event that will be held in March 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel - San Francisco Airport, 1333 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California, United States

Karine interviewed Louise to find out all about the event.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:30 - Dreams to reality
02:00 - How did this come about
03:00 - The Planner World and the start of the idea of Plannercon 2017
10:00 - Ticket Sales
13:15 - Vision boards
14:15 - Travellers Notebooks
16:30 - Vision books
22:20 - Background career
25:00 - More to Plannercon than being a meet up
26:45 - Thought of the day from Louise

Episode 31 - Guest Interview - Louise Umeki - Plannercon 2017 


A direct download is also available here: Episode31.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Louise Umeki
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Louise: PlannerCon,
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 30

Form Following Function

So you have decided on the size of your planner, but how do you decide what other features your planner needs.

When we talk about planners in this episode we aren't just referring to ring bound planners because other forms of planners can also have various storage options in their covers as well. 

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - Size decided, what next.
02:00 - Choosing what you need
03:00 - Be aware of the design rules on certain sizes.
04:30 - If you could design a Custom Planner what would you include?
06:00 - Do you use separate wallet?
07:00 - Finding the perfect bag
08:00 - Create a priority order of features you need.
09:00 - Which planner is the planner.
10:00 - At what point did you make the decision when seeing something.
11:00 - Filofax Heritage A5
12:00 - Remember what is it you are going to use.
13:00 - How much do you really need to carry
15:15 - The extremes of designs
16:15 - The context of use influences the designs
17:45 - Organiser as a wallet - Video
18:00 - Steve's coin holder/pocket
19:00 - What else do you need to carry
20:15 - Where do you carry your mobile phone
22:45 - Do you want to carry a small tablet/electronic reader
24:30 - Having your planner with you and using it is the most important thing.
28:00 - Tips of the week

Episode 30 - Form Following Function 


A direct download is also available here: Episode30.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 29

Seasonal To Do Lists

In order to maintain your home there are a host of small jobs you need to do on a seasonal basis.

What better place to record these tasks than in your planner, may be in a separate home planner.

We hope to highlight some of the tasks we have thought of, but we are sure you will be add to the list of things for your own home. 

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Why you need to have a seasonal to do list.
03:00 - Spring
08:00 - Regular car maintenance
08:30 - Checking smoke and carbon monoxide detection alarms monthly
11:00 - Summer
15:30 - Regular home cleaning
18:00 - Regular tasks stamp - Joshua La Porte video
21:00 - Autumn
22:00 - Winter
25:00 - Home inventory
27:00 - Tips of the week

A full check list here.

Episode 29 - Seasonal To Do Lists


A direct download is also available here: Episode29.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 28

Making and Keeping annual goals

Ah, the dreaded new year’s resolutions. 

Annual goals seem to go astray as the months of summer drag on. 

Listen in as the gruesome twosome get everyone’s fires lit for ending the year with task, purpose and motivation.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:15 - Do you get concerned about completing your goals
02:15 - The 80:20 rule
03:15 - Tim Ferriss “The 4-Hour Workweek"
04:15 - Goal Setting
05:00 - Master task list
07:00 - Working through an example project
10:30 - Track your progress
11:00 - Weekly Mini Goals
13:00 - Tackle some of your tasks
13:15 - Using an annual planner
14:00 - Setting Main and Sub Goals
16:00 - Colour coding your annual planner
18:00 - Breaking it down to Monthly, Weekly, Daily
20:00 - There is no end to the year, it is a rolling 12 months
21:00 - December!
23:00 - Allow for 'slack time' in your planning
24:30 - 'Firefighting'
26:00 - Put your main goal at the top of the page
28:00 - Routines
29:00 - To Do Tasks for this week

Episode 28 - Making and Keeping annual goals


A direct download is also available here: Episode28.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 27

Organising the family

The planets have aligned and your planner is chugging along perfectly.

Then suddenly: FAMILY! How do you get your family on board with planning or at least participate in your interplanetary goal of dining at the restaurant at the end of the Universe?

In this week’s episode, Steve and Karine discuss strategies and tactics for staggeringly minuscule successes in planning with others.

Tune in and thanks for all the fish.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - Are they more organised than you?
02:00 - Are you the 'hub'
02:30 - Family calendar
05:00 - Deciding what and what not to share.
07:30 - Family travel planner - Kayak
09:00 - Colour Coding
11:00 - Have one In-box
12:30 - Contextualising tasks
13:00 - Sharing what you are planning to-do
16:00 - Shared family electronic calendar
17:30 - Matching colour codes between Electronic and Paper Planners
18:00 - Separating your life in to different calendars
20:30 - Using the colours to help indicate your life/work balance
24:00 - Encouraging your partners to use a planner.
25:00 - Use a small notebook to discretely plan
25:30 - Getting children to tell you of their planning needs
28:00 - A central planner for the family
29:00 - Don't be a 'Fire fighter'

Episode 27 - Organising the family


A direct download is also available here: Episode27.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 26

Hobonichi's or ringed planners

Rings? RINGS?! We don’t need no stinkin’ rings! 

Gather round all ye who enjoy the Hobonichi notebook and pay heed as our lovely guest, Theresa Hall, shares with us her inspiration for art and all the advice she has for those who have been thinking about planning in a Hobonichi style planner. 

Steve is on special assignment this week.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Art in ringless planers
02:30 - Why doodle?
04:00 - When did you start?
07:00 - Why a Hobonichi and not a ringed planner
09:00 - What if you are critical of your drawings
10:30 - Planning in a Hobonichi
12:00 - Stickers and washi tape
15:45 - How has your system evolved
19:00 - Digital world
22:00 - Disconnecting from the digital world
24:45 - To do list for the week
26:00 - Why should you use a Hobonichi?
26:45 - Karine's experience of using a Hobonichi

Episode 26 - Hobonichi's or ringed planners


A direct download is also available here: Episode26.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Theresa Hall and Karine Tovmassian
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Theresa: To Far Away Places (IG)
Karine: Plannerology

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 25

Guest interview - Ray Blake

In this episode we welcome Ray Blake who is a major contributor to the planner community in the form of his planner inserts which he does with Steve and the ones he does for travellers notebooks as well.

Ray describes how he uses his Travellers Notebook on a daily basis

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - The meeting!
02:40 - Travellers Notebook sizes and their evolution.
07:40 - Cutting notebooks to size (video)
08:00 - Making your own TN inserts
09:15 - What Ray uses for planning
12:30 - The three things, Planner, Todo, Notes
13:45 - Journalling
16:30 - Ray's Journalling Book
17:00 - Pens
20:00 - Carry it, write in it and read it.
23:00 - Best time for ideas
24:00 - Last minute at night notes
26:45 - Notebook archive and database
28:00 - Tip of the week
29:00 - Midori Travellers Resources Facebook Group
30:00 - Always start with plain paper

Episode 25 - Guest Interview Ray Blake


A direct download is also available here: Episode25.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Ray Blake and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Ray: My Life All in One Place Midori Travellers Resources Facebook Group
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, @MrPhilofaxy

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 24

Defining the important things from the urgent things

URGENT! No, not really. NO! It’s URGENT! DO IT NOW!

How do you define the importance of to-dos and layout a strategic plan for planning? Join the gruesome twosome in figuring out these details in the Plannerverse. 

Nothing we say can be used against us, unless of course, it’s urgent.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - Prioritising things
01:10 - The Eisenhower quadrant
03:00 - Article on the website - Art of Manliness
03:45 - Demands on our time
07:00 - Your decisions on a daily basis
07:45 - Distinguishing the important and the non-important issues in life
08:30 - Working towards goals
10:00 - Weekly planning
11:15 - Assigning tasks to days
12:30 - Small and permanent habit changes
14:15 - Quadrant four time wasters
15:00 - Breaking down the big tasks/projects to make them acheiveable
17:15 - Assigning priorities to tasks in a paper planner
18:00 - Splitting tasks throughout the year.
19:30 - Delegating tasks
19:50 - Omnifocus
21:00 - Putting tasks in to contexts
22:15 - Bullet Journalling
23:30 - Parallel and consecutive tasks
25:30 - Train yourself from living in quadrant 3 and 4
26:45 - Dive in to a book or listen to our podcasts when you want to have 'time out'
28:00 - Steve's homework for this week!
29:45 - Tip of the week

Other resources:

Time Management - Readers links - Philofaxy

• Why You Must Define Your Time Management System - TMN
• The Best Dead Simple Way to Start Your Day - TMN 
• Four Buckets for Maximising Your Time - Day Timer Blog 
• Building a Smarter To-Do List - 43 Folders
• Getting started with Getting Things Done - 43 Folders
• Time Management Tips & Strategies - Growth Cheat Sheet

Episode 24 - Defining the important things from the urgent things


A direct download is also available here: Episode24.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Karine: Plannerology @karinetovmassian
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, @MrPhilofaxy

Rita has also been one of our 'Readers Under The Spotlight'

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 23

Guest interview with Rita Sedani

For this episode I was joined by the lovely Rita Sedani to discuss how she uses her planners to keep her busy life on track. Rita as you will hear runs her own business as well as leading a busy social life.

You will hear how her planners keep her focused on the projects and keep herself motivated and spiritually balanced.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Project based planning
02:50 - Abstract planning
03:40 - Being productive
04:00 - David Allen - GTD
04:30 - Work life balance
08:00 - How not to be a workaholic
08:40 - Moods effecting your productivity
10:30 - Building in gratitude in to your day
11:00 - Work planner - Dapper Desk
12:30 - Avoiding duplication
13:00 - Completing tasks
14:15 - Personal planner - Foxyfix
15:00 - Progression
17:00 - Goals
19:00 - Mental strength
20:30 - Book a week
24:00 - Why were goals successful?
28:00 - Rita's tip

Episode 23 - Printing your own inserts


A direct download is also available here: Episode23.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Rita Sedani and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites:
Rita: Spoken4, @Rita Sedani  @RitaSedani, @Reetsstationerymadness
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, @MrPhilofaxy

Rita has also been one of our 'Readers Under The Spotlight'

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 22

Printing your own inserts

Print your own inserts, they said. It'll be easy, they said. 16 reams of paper later you are tearing out your hair. In this episode Steve leads us all to the promised land of printing your own inserts.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
02:00 - Why print your own inserts?
05:45 - Software to use to manipulate the files.
07:30 - What else do you need. Punch, Trimmer, Printer
10:00 - What sort of printer
12:00 - What to look for if you are buying a new printer
14:00 - Paper handling differences between laser printers and inkjet printers
16:30 - Consider the price of the consumables for your new printers
17:45 - Tips on printing inserts or printing A6 size inserts
19:00 - Getting started on designing your own inserts
21:45 - Always print the first blank page.
24:00 - Do a simple test print
24:15 - Printing both sides of the page
26:15 - So if it is so complicated why do you do it?
27:30 - Don't give up..... don't panic, help is at hand
28:00 - Use an office supply store for cutting and punching pages - Hole spacing
29:00 - Tip/Challenge of the week

Episode 22 - Printing your own inserts


A direct download is also available here: Episode22.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites: Plannerology, Thinker Extraordinaire, Thinker Extraordinaire (Services) Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 21

How to derail your planning system by over thinking

Over planning things is just as dangerous as under planning or not planning.

If you are spending more time planning than doing, then something has gone wrong somewhere. Or if planning is taking you too long each week to up date your planner then you are not going to be very efficient and also it ceases to be a useful tool and becomes a burden and things start to slip through the cracks.

Have a sit down with the Gruesome Twosome in Episode 21 where we zen out on planning

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions
01:00 - When is the task too big?
02:00 - Stick to small
03:00 - Notebook scribblers!
05:00 - Finding the happy medium
07:30 - The evidence of incorrect use of a planner in Steve's first Filofax!
10:00 - Using your planner in a productive way
11:30 - Quo Vadis - Daily 21 planner/journal
13:00 - Journalling
14:30 - Segments of life (Past, Present and Future)
16:00 - Spending time to plan
17:45 - Trust your planner
18:15 - Listener challenge - Keep your planner open
19:30 - Can you have too many sections in your planner
22:00 - Where to write things down.
23:00 - Indexing
24:00 - Training your brain
25:00 - Don't over think things
27:00 - What is in our planners this week
27:45 - Tip of the week

Episode 21 - How to derail your planning system by over thinking


A direct download is also available here: Episode21.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites: The Streamlined Life, Thinker Extraordinaire, Thinker Extraordinaire (Services) Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.