PlannerPad-style template in Excel
*** UPDATED: Automated version ***
I finally took the time to automate this template so that the dates are all driven by entering one start date for the quarter, on the first (instructions) page. You put the date of the Monday of the week that the first quarter starts in there, and it fills in all the dates (at the top of the page and in the daily boxes). I haven't used it yet so try it out and let me know if there are any issues.
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I tried Planner Pads, and really liked the system, but there were 2 drawbacks: 1) I work in an office which uses Outlook for scheduling (meetings etc), and 2) I like the Levenger Circa system. So I also created my own format similar to the Planner Pad, for use in my Circa notebook.
As an MS Office guy, it's all in Excel. This template creates one quarter's worth of weeks.
The format is basically this:
- Top section: replicates the Planner Pad, with capture lists that can be labeled based on what I'm working on that week (usually project names). I also have one list (top/right) labeled "Personal" and colored yellow, where I write down personal stuff to be done that week.
- Middle section: instead of a calendar, this is a daily task list. I look at the top section for items to be done and put the specifics down in this section, usually on a day-by-day basis. Any quick task (return phone call, e.g.) also gets jotted down here
- Bottom section: I call it Daily Notes and it's divided into 2 sections:
o Notes - anything I need to be aware of that day (wife traveling, etc.)
o Commitments - here I write down my meeting schedule for the day
I've been using it for about 18 months and find it very useful.
First worksheet has instructions for printing one continuous, two-sided calendar. You will probably need to experiment with the paper orientation on the printer you use.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| QuarterlyPlanner_template.xls | 388 KB |
Blank dates?
I would like to print these without dates in the boxes next to the days -- but I don't see at all where that is "hidden"...
To add dates
Hi,
I did something like this too....
Since you're using excel you can have the dates fill in by using a formula.
In my excel calendar I started with the first date in a cell, then referenced the first date + 1 for the next cell, and so forth. It kinda looks like this:
cell N28 = 12/31/07 (make sure format is set to Date/Time)
cell Q28 = N28 + 1
cell T28 = Q28 + 1
get it?
After a week you could just copy and paste the whole template and all dates including the leap year will populate!
Dates
I can't remember why now, but the dates are all little text boxes (as opposed to typing in the cell). I think it was because I was trying to match the style and couldn't figure out another way to do it. In any event, that's why I can't use formulas to auto-create the dates. Maybe I'll take another look/shot at it one of these days.
I have made some slight updates and will try to post the updated version from work (where it's stored in my personal drive). Main change is removing the "Goals" section from the top of the lower column for each day, in favor of a "Notes" box above and larger "Commitments" box below (these days I have more meetings to write in and fewer deliverables...ah, management...)
You'll pretty much have to
You'll pretty much have to select each date box and delete it (or delete the # inside it). This isn't very high tech, as you can see.
***Template updated
Updated template to automate entry of dates