Alec the Geek

or “My big fat geek’s blogging”

Going back to a Filofax

For a number of years I used a Filofax as my diary and notebook, then I used a PDA with MS Outlook and embraced GTD, that worked very well. Since I migrated to Linux the PDA integration broke so I became all trendy and got myself a notebook and embraced GSD, which worked really well for 4 months.

However I now have a few problems:

  • My daily task list and schedule has reached into the space for my project notes (which advances from the other end of the notebook)
  • The scheduling does not work so well, as I mentioned a few weeks ago
  • All my notes for current projects are stuck in my current notebook, which is a problem when I have to move active projects to a new notebook
  • I have no space for addresses

My proposed solution is to resurrect my Filofax, but in a much simpler GSD style. It will have a diary (I will initially try one day per page for today’s next actions lists etc.), an address section and then just lots of quadrille paper for projects, designs, action lists, notes etc. Specialist options, for financial records for instance, are also possible. I will also try and use heavier paper this time, it makes a difference to writing.

24 November 2006 - Posted by Alec | Work Practices | | 5 Comments

5 Comments »

  1. Hi Alec,

    Glad to see I’m not the only one who moved from a PDA back to a Filofax. I’ve recently started a series of articles on why I’m using a Filofax over on organisedlife.com. I have the same problem with addresses, though — have you found a solution to that issue yet?

    Cheers!

    Comment by David Mackay | 2 January 2007

  2. I use normal address pages and write in pencil. It’s tedious but it works.

    I should really write some Perl scripts to extract the details from my Gmail contacts database and create Filofax pages using LaTex or similar.

    I’ll look at your posts with some interest. My Filofax GTD system is currently lacking enthusiasm on my part :-(, perhaps you will inspire me.

    Comment by Alec | 3 January 2007

  3. I recently bought my very first Filofax! I am very excited. I used to plan on a Treo 700p smartphone, but now I sometimes just use the mobile for quick notes to transfer later and I use the paper planner as my main source. I love the accessories such as the clear pockets and card holders, post-its & flags sheet, mirror, maps, multi-colored notepaper (although at plainest I love the cream, not white), etc. I love to stick photos in it and glue in inspiring pictures on blank note sheets. I prefer the Day on Two pages diary format, which fits in with the method I use to plan life. I also love journaling in it. I have a bigger, even fancier leather journal at home where I write at the end of the day and transfer select notes from my Filofax pages.

    Comment by L.D. | 10 November 2007

  4. Since Writing this post I have started using Entourage and a Smartphone for GTD. Not quite there yet as I don’t have all the sync issues sorted out, but Entourage works well.

    Comment by Alec | 10 November 2007

  5. Hi Alec,I’m in the UK doing a project on filofaxs for college and how people seem to be coming back to them or using them alongside electronic media,is it possible to email you some questions about the role it plays in your life.

    Comment by Spencer | 19 August 2008

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