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January 10, 2018

Planning by category rather than by day using a Kikki K Notepad – ‘Work Smarter : Live Better’ (Week 47 of the 52 Planners in 52 Weeks Challenge)

I was drawn to the ‘Work Smarter : Live Better‘ notepad from Kikki k where you can plan the week by category, rather than by day. I tried this method in week 5 of the 52 Planners in 52 Weeks challenge and it worked well, so I was keen to try it out using a different planner layout.

Related: Kikki K Weekly Planner Review

This is not a sponsored post. I purchased the planner myself – as always – all opinions are my own. 

kikki k planner review work smarter live better notepad plan by category rather than by day color coding

Setting up the week

I initially set up the week in black pen but decided this was a bit boring so highlighted literally just for the purpose of adding color to the page.

Some of the columns are disproportionate in size for the headings. I don’t need an entire column for a ‘speak now list’ so I opted to cover up some of the headings with white out correction tape and add my own:

kikki k planner review weekly planner notepad no days categories project planning australian stationery shops haul inspiration ideas color coding minimalist-min

Related: Kikki K Weekly Planner Review

weekly planning using a notepad kikki k color coding ideas project planner blogging no days inspiration ideas australian planner addict diy-min

Rather than using stamps or drawing checkboxes to track blog post workflow, I opted to use something different – checklist washi tape.

I used a new (to me) gel pen – the Pilot Multiball LM-10M-B 100 – to write on and the ink didn’t work as well as ballpoint pens. I’ll definitely be sticking to using ballpoint pens when writing on washi tape.

Related:  Best pens for writing on washi tape  and What type of pens write best on correction tape? (gel pens vs. ballpoint vs. marker pens)

I used my usual code for blogging (if it ain’t broke, don’t ‘fix’ it’!)

  • D = Draft
  • E = Edited
  • I = Images
  • P = Pinned to Pinterest

planner tips checklist washi tape hacks diy blog post planning workflow tracker color coding ideas inspiration-min

The notepad also has a section to note the time you need to complete the things you’ve scheduled and how much time you actually have so you stop adding tasks. I tend to just keep adding tasks to fill up the page so I think this little accountability section is a good idea!

kikki k weekly notepad review time management tool pen and paper color coding pros and cons australian planner shop haul-min

Supplies Used

  • Smiggle tri barrel ballpoint pen in black (cheap pens that write nicely)
  • Pilot Multiball LM-10M-B 100
  • Checklist washi tape from my sister’s planner supplies store, Carefully Crafted (also comes in hearts and square checkboxes) – similar washi tape by We R Memory Keepers
  • Highlighters
    • Zebra Optex  (Purple)
    • Artline (Dual Color) – blue and yellow
    • Pilot Spotliter 2 Dual tip (Pink / coral color) –
    • Zebra Just Fit Dual Tip (Teal)
    • Kmart (Orange)

Related: 6 Useful ways to efficiently plan your week using highlighters 

Pros of the Kikki K ‘Work Smarter: Live Better’ Notepad

  • Reasonably priced – only $12.95 AUD
  • Good line spacing – not too close together but not too far apart
  • Just the right amount of space for each section
  • Simple, minimalist layout and colors
  • Undated, start using at any time. If you skip a week it’s ok, you can come back and pick up where you left off – you’re not ‘wasting’ any pages

weekly planning using a notepad kikki k color coding ideas project planner blogging no days inspiration ideas australian planner addict diy-min

Cons of the Kikki K Notepad

  • The last column on the page doesn’t have space to put times against the tasks
  • Some of the columns are disproportionate for the headings such as the ‘speak now list’. I opted to cover up the headings with white out correction tape

Would I use this planner again?

I quite liked this notepad mainly because it’s the only one I’ve found that doesn’t have days of the week printed on it (and the gold foil is pretty too!) I’d consider using this notepad again if I was planning a project and wanted to break down the tasks that needed to be done for each category into separate columns to keep it organized.

Found this post helpful? Pin it to Pinterest!

kikki k planner review notepad plan by category rather than by day color coding favorite highlighters for planning bujo spread

Catch up on past week’s of the challenge:

  • Week 5: Planning by category and task, rather than by day
  • Week 20: Weekly planning using only a checklist and habit tracker – download a free printable
  • Week 21: Using Microsoft Word to plan your week
  • Week 22: Using Erin Condren size planner stickers in the Mini Happy Planner 
  • Week 23: Using Limelife Planners Weekly Layout C 

Related Posts:

  • Creating a custom, personalised planner with Agendio
  • Ultimate Comparison: Erin Condren Life Planner versus Plum Paper Planners – Which planner is better? 
  • How to keep track of blog post ideas using sticky notes and a notebook 

Browse all posts on the blog!

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Posted In: 52 Planners in 52 Weeks, Planner Reviews · Tagged: cheaper alternatives to kikki k, kikki k 2018 planner, kikki k haul, kikki k life planner notepad, kikki k notepad, kikki k notepad review, kikki k planner, kikki k planner haul, kikki k planner review, kikki k pros and cons, kikki k stationery, planning by category rather than by day, work smarter live better notepad

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Welcome to All About Planners! I’m Rachael, a 20-something Aussie addicted to graphic design and all things planning. On the blog you’ll find more than 1,000 posts about all things planning including planner reviews, tips, favorite supplies and some of my past weekly spreads.

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