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. 

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:

Related: Kikki K Weekly Planner Review

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

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!

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

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!

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 

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