Why?

I definitely have “planner must haves”. I. Am. A. Compulsive. List. Maker.

My husband will tell you, I make list of my lists. Which is ALMOST true. The fact is, I am probably worse.

I have ADHD, and am a very visual person. Making lists and having a visual cue to remind me what needs to be accomplished, work best for me. If I do not write it down, it will NOT happen. People think I am joking. I’m not.

Knowing visually what is expected, makes me feel less anxious. Especially since I am now doing my art full time.

Outcome

I need to know what I am working toward. The big picture and how it all fits. Especially if things are going slow. Which they currently are. But, I can look at what my big-picture goals are, and KNOW that I am doing whatever I can to make those things happen.

My income not as high as I would like? Not a big stressor because I have planned ahead and know without a doubt that it WILL come if I keep working the plan. If I did not feel that certainty, I would be a quivering ball of anxiety on a daily basis.

What do I actually use?

So what do I use to plan? What office supplies do I kneel in front in the middle of the aisle because I am in total and complete AWE!? I use, and plan to keep using my PowerSheets (Link takes you to a YouTube Review by PlanWithLaken – Skip to 4:50 to see inside the PowerSheets) every quarter. They help me focus on what I want to accomplish.

When it comes down to it, I can not live without a simple notebook and pen. Yes, I can glam it up with covers, colored pens/pencils, stamps, stickers and photos of the grandkids. But what it comes down to in the end. What I absolutely MUST have, is a notebook. Preferably a nice notebook, but a .50 composition book will do the same work in the end.

I am a sucker when stores come out with the back to school specials! The supplies almost make me giddy. Who am I kidding? I am giddy, I just learned to hide it so the people in Michael’s aren’t frightened at the site of me.

I want every notebook, every pen. Especially if they are sparkly. (SQUIRREL!) I have a stockpile of notebooks. Yes, I am guilty of indulging in open commercialism.

Currently this is my studio shelf of must have notebooks to use “someday”.

My notebook of choice is one that will fit into a book bag, purse, or can be carried without much hassle. Right now I am using a traveler’s notebook that has simple inserts you can take in and out to meet your needs. The link above for traveler’s notebooks takes you to a wide range of Amazon offers. The one I currently use is a cheapy from the discount store. I bought it on a whim and have found it to be the perfect size for my needs.

How?

My inserts include One for a calendar, both monthly, and weekly. One I can jot down notes for an idea for biz, art, reading or writing project. All indexed so I can easily find what I need. One for finances, that I keep on hand to write down business expenses or remind me when or how much specific regular bills are that I need to include in my budget. Then in the very back, I have a smaller pocket-sized notebook from Fieldnotes. It is small enough I can easily transfer to and from whatever system I use. It has important personal info that I may need when on the go.

To write all this down a good pen is a must. Yes, “Pen Nerd” IS a real thing. My current pen desires are squelched with a Pilot G2 .38

The method I use for keeping it all in order is similar to what can be found at bullet journaling books and videos. I lean toward a more minimalist style as I prefer to use my creative time for my fine art.

So what do you use? A Happy Planner? A Erin Condren? A bullet journal? Or a Frankenstein mixture of something in between?

Let me know in the comments below. We nerds need to stick together!