Love that you’re still in the Franklin Planner and going to continue for 2025. I need more FP videos to watch! I’m using a Franklin Planner compact and it’s the system that truly works for me too! All the best in 2025!
I used to use The Franklin Planner years ago, and it was amazing for that time! But eventually, I switched to digital-mainly because I’m not a fan of writing things out by hand (lol). While digital tools are fantastic, there’s still something missing. I’ve always wished for a Franklin-style planner in the digital world because nothing quite compares to how well you can plan with The Franklin Planner. Anyway, loved your video-keep up the awesome work!
I LOVED joining you on this journey and I too have embraced my beautiful vintage red leather Franklin planner! I plan to use digital task management for recurring tasks, like you mentioned, and quick notes but you're SOOOO right, there's something peaceful and empowering just sitting in silence without a screen and knowing everything is taken care of. Than you for this series and please please keep updating us!
Incredibly timely, Carl. I have been slowly moving back into my Franklin Planner system from Bulle Journal style analog. Your points are spot on of the advantages of the Franklin Planner system and the peace/control it can provide. Looking forward to additional thoughts and experience.
I agree with you on the point of using a handwritten planner. I found one that I had abandoned in the year 1997. I am using it and feel the same as you are feeling.
Great reflection! Many points resonated, specifically, checking Todoist at the end of the day (I had a habit of frequently checking it and my calendar throughout the day) and the sense of intention. An open planner is less distracting. Here's to a productive 2025!
That's what I've discovered, too, James. The open planner is not shouting at you as I find having my digital to-do list often does. All the best for 2025.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Franklin Planner. I use it in combination with Evernote and other apps. Sharing your tips on the pros and cons of the Franklin Planner helped me to continue what I'm doing, and refining what I do based on the ideas you share. I will enjoy learning your comments in 2025.
I am thrilled to hear this because I keep waffling back & forth about paper-vs-digital and I have noticed how MASSIVELY distracted I get by digital. I can disappear for 30 minutes (or linger) into TH-cam, Insta, WhatsApp groups, etc and forget what I even picked up the phone to look up (same with computer). My excuse is digital is so much more convenient, but when I am honest, FAR LESS productive!
Hi Melissa, I've been thinking about this over the holidays: the trade-offs we make for convenience. It's not just in technology. Fast fashion means we spend more money and produce more waste than our grandparents ever did. I recently discovered my grandfasther bought his one and only wallet/pocket book with his first pay packet and he still had it when he passed away 63 years later. WOW!
Hello Carl, Thank you for the great video. I gave up the Franklyn planner 15 years ago because it no longer worked in my work. As I was travelling a lot, it was too cumbersome for me to carry the planner around with me all the time. As part of the team, I also had to keep an eye on my colleagues' calendars. So I was glad when I got my first smartphone and only had to use a small device when travelling. I understand that it brings you advantages, but unfortunately it doesn't work in my setting and I'm happy to be travelling digitally 99% of the time. Happy New Year and thanks for your productive videos that help me to be more efficient in my work. Daniel
Loved this video! I have always used the franklin planner system and for a couple of months, I had switch. WOW! I felt so disorganized. I supervise five individuals and needed more organization. I missed the notes section and found myself searching for a note pad for notes when meeting with my supervisor. I felt like I was scrambling to remember things or locate my notes! Looking forward to more of your thoughts on the FP system as you continue to use it (hopefully).
Carl, interesting take on using the Franklin Planner moving forward into 2025. I'll continue to follow along this journey and hope for updates along the way. Cheers.
I’m glad the Franklin Planner is working out for you! It’s definitely helped me get a sense of structure when planning my day. There’s something about writing it all down first that beats just staring at your digital calendar. Of course, I still use my digital calendar, but I write everything down first in my planner before adding my appointments to Apple Calendar and my tasks to Todoist. I still haven’t gotten the hang of the weekly compass, but I’m going to finish up the Franklin Planner Training Course on their website and hopefully get a better sense of what to do with this fantastic productivity system. I look forward to any more videos about your experience with the FP!
Having used the Time Manager International system through the 1980's and 90's so much of what you have said rings so true to the extent that I think a return to a paper based system is the right choice, now to find the Franklin system in the UK, sadly TMI stopped producing their system several years ago!!
Thank you for this video! I completely forgot how to keep track of the notes. I was putting the date without a number so it was harder for me to find my notes. 🤦🏻♀️ I absolutely love the Franklin Planner as it truly helps me keep track of everything I need to do and also of wonderful moments I don’t want to forget.
I get the desire for this and have never moved away from handwritten notes for meeting and daily notes. Lately I've been using a Kindle Scribe and saving the notes weekly as PDFs so I can move them into Apple Notes. I was an early Franklin user, but can't see the practicality of moving back to the big binder. The deal breaker for me is the non-fountain pen friendly paper. Life's to short for bad paper. I found that you can replicate the hand written daily task list and collection in a nice A5 notebook. My calendar stays always digital.
Thank you for the video, not sure I missed this, but I assume you take notes for all your meetings/appointments do you store these in the planner or digitally? The 'Notes' page doesnt seem big enough.
Hi Chris, it depends on what kind of meeting. I have a digital meeting note for each of my team members, plus all my coachung clients have their very own digital note. For everything else, I do keep notes in the FP.
Ah, no very well. I think that's because my "roles" are already locked in. I do write on the back my objectives for the week, though. That reminds me of what I have decided is important that week.
Loved the idea of it, loved the aesthetics of it, love the methodology of the FP. However, the practicalities of actually writing in it drove me to distraction, I could not write on the left hand page due to my hand position. I am back to my page-a-day diary with three sections - Appointments, Tasks, Notes. Simple, cheap and works for me. I so wanted to love the FP, but it was an expensive mistake on my part. Shame
What do you think about the idea of having separate daily and weekly inboxes? With the daily being for ones you need to address this week and the weekly being one you clear out when doing your weekly planning and is for things that you’ll need to do but are not urgent at all?
I love the idea of a paper planner, but in my job I move around several areas of the building during the day, so I don’t want to be lugging an A5 planner around. They seem best suited to the traditional office job where the person is in just one place all day 🤷🏻♂️
I've just returned from a trip to Europe and the FP was so much better than my iPad or laptop. It fit perfectly on the table in the plane and I pretty much planned out the whole year. (Then it was a 14 hour flight LOL)
brilliant video as always, carl! would you also be keen on exploring the hobonichi(s)? i'm a new user, and so far i think it's got the complete features as a planner-journal book!
Hello Carl, do you perform your weekly review on the Franklin planner now? Or do you still use the Planning Book & Todoist? It seems me you are using a lot of different tools (Franklin planner, Todoist, Evernote, Google Calendar)… so I am a little confused? By the way, your videos are great and a continuous inspiration for me! 😊 Thanks for sharing!
For me, it all starts with my planning book and the weekly planning matrix. Then my calendar (Apple Calendar). Once I know how much available time I have for tasks, I will open Todoist and allocate my tasks for the week. The Franklin Planner is for daily planning.
@@Carl_Pullein OK, thanks! So, I understand you still allocate in Todoist your weekly tasks (which come from your weekly planning); then, you will use the Franklin planner for the daily planning/tasks. Interesting. I may try this hybrid system.
Carl, when you do weekly planning with the Franklin cover planner are you writing all your calendar events and tasks on the daily page for the week or doing it at the end of the day for the next day?
I have been a huge fan of your courses and highly recommend everyone get "Digital Life" but I have not been able to let go of my Franklin Planner so please tie them together and lets make it the perfect 2025 get it done year :)
My 1993 planner is still in perfect condition. It cost me £65.00. That equates to £2.60/year (roughly $3.00) And $45.00 per year for the pages is half the price of an Evernote subscription.
Hello Mr. Carl Pullein, I have been using Franklin Planners since the switch from Franklin Quest To Covey back in 1992, as well as their Middle and High School Academic Planners, when I attened those places having Graduated H.S. in 2002. I have basically used every size except Compact, having found that using a Pocket Binder w/ a Weekly Calendar(Monticello) as an advanced Wallet for Everyday Carry, (Personal use), and a Monarch Planner (Leadership) for my Desk, (Goals and Work) ,works best for what will be my needs in 2025. I was just wondering what were your most favorite things about the Franklin System, Your Least Favorite Things about it, or what You could change in it, and what your opinion was on the differing Appointment Schedule Time hours measured between the two different systems pages You are using, (Monticello Vs. Leadership), The standard Appointment Schedule Times are listed like in the Monticello Pages going through a standard 8 AM to 8 PM (or 08:00-20:00 in US Military Time), While the “Leadership” Pgs. start at an earlier time, 6:00 AM (06:00) and end at 9 :00 PM (21:00) but give less lines to write on during eqch hour, (approx. 2 lines each hour). Do You have a preference for which Appointment Schedule Hours meet your Daily needs? Also, If you see Pictures on the Franklin Planner US Website, for an additional planning Calendar Page system called “The 7 Habits” or possibly also, The “Sandstone,” system, you’ll notice that the PDTL has a minor Highlight on each line for approx every 10 lines on a 30 Line PDTL, what do you think of that implementation of organizing/organising the PDTL? Should a person try to create that in their own Franklin System if not already there? Thank You for your Awesome Franklin Planner Videos I have learned a lot from them and You; You are Awesome!😎👍🏻👍🏻
I don't mind the different times on the calendar. I use correction fluid to change the times if I need to. The Monticello pages work best for me as they have the daily tracker to note little payments I've made or things I've ordered online. My favourite thing about the planner is the way it forces to my to slow down and think about what I wan to / need to do each day. I haven't started using the numbered notes sections yet, but I'm sure I will find a use for those pages soon.
Love that you’re still in the Franklin Planner and going to continue for 2025. I need more FP videos to watch! I’m using a Franklin Planner compact and it’s the system that truly works for me too! All the best in 2025!
Thank you, Tanya. All the best to you too.
I used to use The Franklin Planner years ago, and it was amazing for that time! But eventually, I switched to digital-mainly because I’m not a fan of writing things out by hand (lol). While digital tools are fantastic, there’s still something missing. I’ve always wished for a Franklin-style planner in the digital world because nothing quite compares to how well you can plan with The Franklin Planner. Anyway, loved your video-keep up the awesome work!
I LOVED joining you on this journey and I too have embraced my beautiful vintage red leather Franklin planner! I plan to use digital task management for recurring tasks, like you mentioned, and quick notes but you're SOOOO right, there's something peaceful and empowering just sitting in silence without a screen and knowing everything is taken care of. Than you for this series and please please keep updating us!
Will do, Lisa.
Incredibly timely, Carl. I have been slowly moving back into my Franklin Planner system from Bulle Journal style analog. Your points are spot on of the advantages of the Franklin Planner system and the peace/control it can provide. Looking forward to additional thoughts and experience.
Thank you.
I agree with you on the point of using a handwritten planner. I found one that I had abandoned in the year 1997. I am using it and feel the same as you are feeling.
Great reflection!
Many points resonated, specifically, checking Todoist at the end of the day (I had a habit of frequently checking it and my calendar throughout the day) and the sense of intention. An open planner is less distracting.
Here's to a productive 2025!
That's what I've discovered, too, James. The open planner is not shouting at you as I find having my digital to-do list often does. All the best for 2025.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Franklin Planner. I use it in combination with Evernote and other apps. Sharing your tips on the pros and cons of the Franklin Planner helped me to continue what I'm doing, and refining what I do based on the ideas you share. I will enjoy learning your comments in 2025.
Glad to be able to help. :-)
I am thrilled to hear this because I keep waffling back & forth about paper-vs-digital and I have noticed how MASSIVELY distracted I get by digital. I can disappear for 30 minutes (or linger) into TH-cam, Insta, WhatsApp groups, etc and forget what I even picked up the phone to look up (same with computer). My excuse is digital is so much more convenient, but when I am honest, FAR LESS productive!
Hi Melissa, I've been thinking about this over the holidays: the trade-offs we make for convenience. It's not just in technology. Fast fashion means we spend more money and produce more waste than our grandparents ever did. I recently discovered my grandfasther bought his one and only wallet/pocket book with his first pay packet and he still had it when he passed away 63 years later. WOW!
Hello Carl,
Thank you for the great video. I gave up the Franklyn planner 15 years ago because it no longer worked in my work. As I was travelling a lot, it was too cumbersome for me to carry the planner around with me all the time. As part of the team, I also had to keep an eye on my colleagues' calendars. So I was glad when I got my first smartphone and only had to use a small device when travelling.
I understand that it brings you advantages, but unfortunately it doesn't work in my setting and I'm happy to be travelling digitally 99% of the time.
Happy New Year and thanks for your productive videos that help me to be more efficient in my work.
Daniel
Loved this video! I have always used the franklin planner system and for a couple of months, I had switch. WOW! I felt so disorganized. I supervise five individuals and needed more organization. I missed the notes section and found myself searching for a note pad for notes when meeting with my supervisor. I felt like I was scrambling to remember things or locate my notes! Looking forward to more of your thoughts on the FP system as you continue to use it (hopefully).
I definitely will do.
Carl, interesting take on using the Franklin Planner moving forward into 2025. I'll continue to follow along this journey and hope for updates along the way. Cheers.
I'll certainly do that 🙂
Thanks for this. I just ordered the bound Tomoe river paper Franklin planner from Amazon Japan. Planning to start using properly this year.
Ooh, Tomoe River paper in a Franklin Planner. I'll be searching for that.
Loved this! I'm using Franklin Planner with Asana, too.
I’m glad the Franklin Planner is working out for you! It’s definitely helped me get a sense of structure when planning my day. There’s something about writing it all down first that beats just staring at your digital calendar. Of course, I still use my digital calendar, but I write everything down first in my planner before adding my appointments to Apple Calendar and my tasks to Todoist. I still haven’t gotten the hang of the weekly compass, but I’m going to finish up the Franklin Planner Training Course on their website and hopefully get a better sense of what to do with this fantastic productivity system. I look forward to any more videos about your experience with the FP!
Thank you for sharing that 🙂
Having used the Time Manager International system through the 1980's and 90's so much of what you have said rings so true to the extent that I think a return to a paper based system is the right choice, now to find the Franklin system in the UK, sadly TMI stopped producing their system several years ago!!
Good luck and enjoy your journey, Julian.
Wonderful video. Thanks.
You're very welcome, Norma.
I telepathically led you to do it. That's why.
Hahaha
Thank you for this video! I completely forgot how to keep track of the notes. I was putting the date without a number so it was harder for me to find my notes. 🤦🏻♀️ I absolutely love the Franklin Planner as it truly helps me keep track of everything I need to do and also of wonderful moments I don’t want to forget.
You're very welcome, Tanya. Glad to have been able to help.
And I forgot how to write. Too much typing over the decades...
I get the desire for this and have never moved away from handwritten notes for meeting and daily notes. Lately I've been using a Kindle Scribe and saving the notes weekly as PDFs so I can move them into Apple Notes. I was an early Franklin user, but can't see the practicality of moving back to the big binder. The deal breaker for me is the non-fountain pen friendly paper. Life's to short for bad paper. I found that you can replicate the hand written daily task list and collection in a nice A5 notebook. My calendar stays always digital.
Thank you for the video, not sure I missed this, but I assume you take notes for all your meetings/appointments do you store these in the planner or digitally? The 'Notes' page doesnt seem big enough.
Hi Chris, it depends on what kind of meeting. I have a digital meeting note for each of my team members, plus all my coachung clients have their very own digital note. For everything else, I do keep notes in the FP.
Please conmbined both....we need both
I hope you stay with it. ❤
I'm certainly moving in that direction.
Carl - love the Franklin Planner experiment. I decided to do it myself for Q1 2025. Quick question: how do you use the Weekly Compass cards? Thanks.
Ah, no very well. I think that's because my "roles" are already locked in. I do write on the back my objectives for the week, though. That reminds me of what I have decided is important that week.
Loved the idea of it, loved the aesthetics of it, love the methodology of the FP. However, the practicalities of actually writing in it drove me to distraction, I could not write on the left hand page due to my hand position. I am back to my page-a-day diary with three sections - Appointments, Tasks, Notes. Simple, cheap and works for me. I so wanted to love the FP, but it was an expensive mistake on my part. Shame
What do you think about the idea of having separate daily and weekly inboxes? With the daily being for ones you need to address this week and the weekly being one you clear out when doing your weekly planning and is for things that you’ll need to do but are not urgent at all?
It depends what problem you are trying to solve. The more inboxes you have, the more decisions you have to make and none of it gets any work done.
I love the idea of a paper planner, but in my job I move around several areas of the building during the day, so I don’t want to be lugging an A5 planner around. They seem best suited to the traditional office job where the person is in just one place all day 🤷🏻♂️
I've just returned from a trip to Europe and the FP was so much better than my iPad or laptop. It fit perfectly on the table in the plane and I pretty much planned out the whole year. (Then it was a 14 hour flight LOL)
Hello, have you tried the everbook?
No. I've looked at it. But I've found the FP works perfectly for me.
You mentioned using Apple Reminders. So are you using both ToDoist for Tasks and then Reminders for recurring items?
I have to use Reminders as my wife will only use that. So bill reminders and groceries are in Reminders. Both lists are shared with each other.
brilliant video as always, carl! would you also be keen on exploring the hobonichi(s)? i'm a new user, and so far i think it's got the complete features as a planner-journal book!
It might be something I will look at soon 🙂
Hello Carl, do you perform your weekly review on the Franklin planner now? Or do you still use the Planning Book & Todoist? It seems me you are using a lot of different tools (Franklin planner, Todoist, Evernote, Google Calendar)… so I am a little confused? By the way, your videos are great and a continuous inspiration for me! 😊 Thanks for sharing!
For me, it all starts with my planning book and the weekly planning matrix. Then my calendar (Apple Calendar). Once I know how much available time I have for tasks, I will open Todoist and allocate my tasks for the week. The Franklin Planner is for daily planning.
@@Carl_Pullein OK, thanks! So, I understand you still allocate in Todoist your weekly tasks (which come from your weekly planning); then, you will use the Franklin planner for the daily planning/tasks. Interesting. I may try this hybrid system.
Some say, Trust the science.
Carl says, Trust the system.
Hahaha so true.
Can I throw a suggestion out there for you. Have a Quick Look into the everbook, the complete flexibility is amazing but it’s not for everyone.
Than you for the suggestion. I'll take a look.
Carl, when you do weekly planning with the Franklin cover planner are you writing all your calendar events and tasks on the daily page for the week or doing it at the end of the day for the next day?
For the tasks I know when I will do them, I will add them to their correct date. Mostly, though I will add things on a daily basis for the next day.
I have been a huge fan of your courses and highly recommend everyone get "Digital Life" but I have not been able to let go of my Franklin Planner so please tie them together and lets make it the perfect 2025 get it done year :)
Hahaha something's being developed. 🙂
Thanks Carl. Are those official Franklin pages or have you created them yourself?
No, you can buy them from the Franklin Planner website.
Ah, a pair of Minnetonkas at home. Nice!
The planner is very expensive
My 1993 planner is still in perfect condition. It cost me £65.00. That equates to £2.60/year (roughly $3.00) And $45.00 per year for the pages is half the price of an Evernote subscription.
Hello Mr. Carl Pullein,
I have been using Franklin Planners since the switch from Franklin Quest To Covey back in 1992, as well as their Middle and High School Academic Planners, when I attened those places having Graduated H.S. in 2002.
I have basically used every size except Compact, having found that using a Pocket Binder w/ a Weekly Calendar(Monticello) as an advanced Wallet for Everyday Carry, (Personal use), and a Monarch Planner (Leadership) for my Desk, (Goals and Work) ,works best for what will be my needs in 2025.
I was just wondering what were your most favorite things about the Franklin System, Your Least Favorite Things about it, or what You could change in it, and what your opinion was on the differing Appointment Schedule Time hours measured between the two different systems pages You are using, (Monticello Vs. Leadership), The standard Appointment Schedule Times are listed like in the Monticello Pages going through a standard 8 AM to 8 PM (or 08:00-20:00 in US Military Time), While the “Leadership” Pgs. start at an earlier time, 6:00 AM (06:00) and end at 9 :00 PM (21:00) but give less lines to write on during eqch hour, (approx. 2 lines each hour).
Do You have a preference for which Appointment Schedule Hours meet your Daily needs?
Also, If you see Pictures on the Franklin Planner US Website, for an additional planning Calendar Page system called “The 7 Habits” or possibly also, The “Sandstone,” system, you’ll notice that the PDTL has a minor Highlight on each line for approx every 10 lines on a 30 Line PDTL, what do you think of that implementation of organizing/organising the PDTL? Should a person try to create that in their own Franklin System if not already there?
Thank You for your Awesome Franklin Planner Videos I have learned a lot from them and You; You are Awesome!😎👍🏻👍🏻
I don't mind the different times on the calendar. I use correction fluid to change the times if I need to. The Monticello pages work best for me as they have the daily tracker to note little payments I've made or things I've ordered online.
My favourite thing about the planner is the way it forces to my to slow down and think about what I wan to / need to do each day. I haven't started using the numbered notes sections yet, but I'm sure I will find a use for those pages soon.