M by Staples™ Arc System Task Pads, White and Gray, 2-1/2” x 6-7/10”

Great alternative to "sticky notes"

We discovered these when we stopped by Staples to refill my planner. They are for the Arc system notebooks and they stick out above the page but do not cover the whole page. Thus,...Read complete review

We discovered these when we stopped by Staples to refill my planner. They are for the Arc system notebooks and they stick out above the page but do not cover the whole page. Thus, I can use them as tabs (to start a new section) or as lists.

In the calendar/weekly spread part of my planner I have one that summarizes my weekly schedule on the front and has notes of later events on the back. I summarize the week's appointments along the right edge of my page, so I can see the "constant" schedule and the "one-off" schedule at the same time, as well as the "errands" listed below the task pad. It also serves to show which week I am on until I get around to archiving my old pages. (8 Another task page lets me have a running shopping list that is still small enough to tear out and tuck in my wallet if needed.

In other sections of my notebook they serve as the tabs starting sections while at the same time providing overview pages or to-do lists, while full size pages after that record meeting notes, project details, brainstorming, etc. This is the vaguely GTD style of planning that works for my brain.

The only downside I am finding is that if you move the page repeatedly the binding holes can get a little frayed. However, this is mainly a problem for my "constant" calendar page and that is going to need to be re-done soon anyway because of changes, dates passing, new dates needing room, etc. The ruled lines are fairly narrow, which I like but might be unhappy for some people. My fountain pens have been packed up so I can't report on them, but my guess is at worst the surface may be slightly smooth for them. The paper has a reasonably heavy weight and is very affordable, even on a student budget.