Business diaries: How to Plan and Manage Your Day in a Personal Way
Despite technology creeping into every aspect of our lives, Australians still love a physical diary or planner. Perhaps it is about the tactile nature of a diary: We like being able to easily flick between the pages, handwrite appointments and reminders, and feeling the satisfaction of ticking off a completed task.
The one big thing that makes a paper diary or planner stand out from its tech-based counterparts is that a diary can be personalised. Rather than having to enter information into a set field, you can organise your diary in a way that suits you. This starts with choosing your diary.
There are plenty of options to choose from. Think about how you will use your diary, to decide which of the following options will work best for you.
- Size: A4 or A5? If you intend to carry your diary with you to meetings and when you travel, perhaps a smaller diary that can fit into a computer bag or hand bag is best.
- Durability: If you need a sturdy option, choose a bound diary. For a diary that can lay flat on a desk, choose a spiral-bound diary.
- Display: Will you prefer a diary that offers a day to a page, or a week to a page?
- Calendar type: Will you work best with a calendar year diary, or a financial year diary?
How will you organise your diary?
Some people use colour codes to differentiate between appointments and tasks, or between personal and work commitments. Others develop their own bullet point system that works just for them.
Choose where and how you list reminders to pay bills, to call or email people, or to wish a colleague a happy birthday. Making the most of your diary or planner relies on finding a system that works for you.
Then, all that’s left is to use your diary. This might sound simple but, if you are new to a diary or planner, finding the most effective way to use it could take some practice. Some things that might help you get the most out of your diary include:
- Keep your diary close at hand, and refer to it regularly. Take it with you to meetings and appointments so that you can confidently commit to dates and deadlines.
- First thing every morning, check your diary and update it so that you start your working day knowing what is coming up.
- Don’t just note a final deadline date in your diary. Work back from that date and diarise key milestones that need to be completed in order to comfortably meet that deadline.
Start the search for your ideal diary or planner by looking at COS’ extensive Diaries and Planners range.
With a little thought, practice and personalisation, your diary will become an indispensable business tool, allowing you to manage and plan your work day, week, month and year.
