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starting a new notebook or planner

05 January 2018 |

It’s a new year and many are opening new notebooks and planners and wondering how to begin. While I prefer not to start a new book on January first, it is easy to feel overwhelmed whenever you open a new cover. This post will discuss how I break in a new notebook or planner.

three ways to start a new notebook or planner

The blank page can be intimidating. A whole new book can induce anxiety that it might be ruined. It’s my opinion that the only way a notebook is ruined is if it’s never used. How do I get past the frightening vast blank expanse?

method one: scribble

I shut my eyes and flip to a random page. Then with my eyes open I take a pen and doodle a small scribble toward the bottom of the page at the inner margin. There is a bonus if I don’t allow the ink to dry and it transfers to the facing page.
blank notebook with small scribble

method two: pen test

This is one of my favourite and easy ways to start using a new notebook. I turn to the final sheet and write so that if the ink bleeds it does through to the back cover. This also helps me to tidy up my work space and organize my writing instruments as I work to make sure I include all my favourites.

final page of notebook testing various pens and inks

method three: jump straight in

This final method is used the most when I am moving into a new edition of the same planner or notebook. For a planner, I first add known dates, such as fiber festivals, holidays, and birthdays. For a notebook I will transfer useful information such as my active client list.
Shows planner open to March 30-April 1 2018, making note of the start of Pesach

How do you begin a new notebook or planner? A future post will discuss how to choose a new book without feeling overwhelmed.

additional resources

  • The Case for Using a Paper Planner
  • In A Digital Chapter, Paper Notebooks Are As Relevant As Ever
  • Why the Humble Paper Notebook is Still The Greatest Productivity Tool

Filed Under: General

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