If your plans keep changing throughout the week and you’re erasing and re-writing things multiple times, one option is to try a checklist with a due date column instead.
Before the Pen
I resized this US letter (8.5 x 11″) size printable from my shop and used a glue stick to add it to my Kmart dot journal.
Read more: How to resize any printable for any size bullet journal
Rather than just brain dumping a list on the page, I wanted an estimated time and priority section too. I have used this printable in the past for project planning – it’s good for breaking down each task into smaller steps with their estimated time (I usually do 5min, 10min, 15min, 20min, 30min, 45min and 1hr), then if I can decide which task I have time to start and finish before I need to go to an appointment, make dinner etc. Otherwise I have a bad habit of having many half-finished tasks.
I only post my weekly spreads on here at the start of the week, not the end (as I add some other personal stuff I don’t want posted on the internet after I take the photos). I’ve been trying multiple variations of this weekly spread for a few weeks now (hence the lack of weekly spreads being posted), but handwriting the list instead of a printable, and using a Frixion pen so I can change things easily.
After the Pen
I used a 0.7 pen (Uniball Signo), I really like this pen (writes smooth and no ink skipping) but it wasn’t the best choice. The line spacing on the printable was only 5mm when resized. I would use a 0.3 pen next time.
Instead of putting a due date, I just put the day I intended to work on it. If I changed my mind (which I did a few times) I just used white out to put in the new day. If it’s a task that is ongoing or that I do a little bit on each week (e.g. spending a few minutes checking the share market), then I put a – if there is no day it needs to be assigned to.
I kept personal to do’s on one page and work (blog) to do’s on the other page.
I decided it was too plain in black pen only so used a highlighter to color code the priority 1,2,3. Much better and makes the tasks stand out much more.
I try and do:
- Most Important = No more than 3 tasks
- Semi-Important = No more than 6 tasks
- Least Important = Everything else
Supplies Used
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- List printable from my shop (in the checklists kit)
- Uniball Signo 0.7mm pen (black)
- Faber-Castell Textliner 38 Highlighters
- Prima planner date stamps for the priority 1,2,3 code numbers
- Kmart dot journal
- Bostik glue stick clear glue
- The Paper Studio – Agenda 52 Calendar Foiled sticker pack – week number stickers (8 and 14)
- Happy Planner dates and holidays sticker book – March sticker
Pros of the weekly spread
- Quick setup
- Easy way to categorise life lists – work, personal, school, projects
Cons of this weekly spread
- No space to put reminders
- Doesn’t really work if have you have multiple things happening on the same day including appointments that must be done at a certain time
- Very plain (and has become a bit boring after using the same layout for a few weeks)
- As someone that uses their planner for blog planning and personal planning, there was no space to plan blog posts
Will I continue using this layout?
Yes, but in a modified format. I’ll probably go back to my favorite dashboard layout but add extra columns to the do list page for estimated time, priority and day.
Past weekly spreads
- Green themed spread in the Plum Paper Vertical Priorities Weekly planner
- Trying out my custom Agendio Planner (Would I Change Anything?)
- List makers spread in the PAIPUR hybrid notebook
Planning tips
- 7 Bullet Journal Weekly Planner Spreads you probably haven’t thought of
- 50 Reminders to Put in Your Planner or Bullet Journal
- 10 Reasons why I plan using printables (and why you should too!)
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