AIBU to ask for your tips on a foolproof paper-based organisational system?

[PamplemousseRouge]

Hi everyone,

I'd be really grateful if you could give me advice on improving my organisational skills please.

I'm a trainee teacher, so I've got responsibilities for classes as a teacher as well as responsibilities and tasks to complete for training.

I've been given a teacher's planner by my school to write down lessons, reminders for meetings and to-do lists etc. I've also got a diary that I use to write down appointments and meetings.

However, I'm finding that neither has enough space and I don't always carry both of them around me all of the time, so I'm struggling to keep to one system to write down tasks and to-do lists.

I've also tried using an Eisenhower matrix, where you split tasks to do into 4 sections depending on how urgent or important they are.

With all of these systems (the teacher's planner, my diary and the Eisenhower matrix) I feel that there isn't enough space for me to write down everything that needs to get done and to organise it into differeny sections so I can prioritise it, time it and ensure it gets completed.

I've also recently tried the organisation app Remember the Milk. It has been really useful, but I don't really use my phone much during the day, so I would prefer a really simple but effective paper based to-do list that helps me achieve and prioritise.
I'd like to ideally have one system that includes professional and personal tasks, but separates then into two sections.

Sorry for the really long post! I'm getting so frustrated with myself that I can't complete things on time or enough things throughout the day.

I would be so so grateful if anyone has any tips for a system/strategy I could use to really get myself on track!!

Thanks!

[HeCantBeSerious]

Bullet journaling?

[PamplemousseRouge]

Ooh great suggestion Serious :) thanks! Do you keep a bullet journal? Any tips on how I can get started? I've been looking for tips online, but I'm not sure if it's best to use a diary with dates in or a blank notebook with no dates?

[VallarMorghulis]

There are a few threads on bullet journals, here's one http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/2577744-BuJo-Wankers-2-declutter-your-mind

[steff13]

I have a Plum Paper Planner. They make a family one that has 7 different "categories" for each day, and you can name them yourself. For instance, mine are "Work," "Personal," "#1 Son," #2 Son," "Girl One," "House Stuff," and "Appeals (also to do with work)."

[CancelTheCheque]

I use a filofax with a vague gtd set up. Having a bit of a planner fail at the moment but that's more to do with me than the planner. Look up 'GTD in 15 minutes', it gives a pretty good run down. Bonus of the ring planner is being able to add notepaper and extra pages wherever you need it and file it elsewhere if it gets too much.