How I am using my Get To Work Book
I am almost two months into using my new Get To Work Book and I have gotten lots of questions about how I am using it and how I like it. I have seen lots of reviews online and thought it was time to throw my voice into the chorus. People often ask how I get so much stuff done and here is your answer: I put everything in ONE planner and it is always open on my desk. I prioritize checking things off in it every.single.day. I break things down into manageable tasks and then I do them. Below is a real life picture of how I do that.The Short Review: I love it. It has changed my planner life. I one million percent recommend it. But like the book literally tells you: it can't do the work for you. You have to make it work for you. 
The Long Review: First, I love the plainness of the pages. Simple white and light grey with black, small text. I do not decorate my planner. I have too much going on in my life and need all the space, no distractions and want to use my creative energy towards making actual things. I love the versatility of all the pages. All but one page is generally plain and you decide what goes in. I do not like prompted script type pages because my life is different from yours and my life is different than yesterday, so I need flexibility. This book provides that. It is completely open to your interpretation and needs. Second, I love the design and the quality. The pages and designs are gorgeous and perfectly my style. The quality is the one issue people have had online. The back of my book did rip within the first few weeks (where the cardstock wraps around the coils on the top) but just like magic, I received an email from Elise saying she would happily ship a replacement back, for free, because she knew of the issue. I did not even have to ask. Which brings me to my third point, the customer service. It's magical. Elise has shared this project from the beginning, so I knew what to expect and was aware of what all went into creating this monstrosity of a planner, so I felt connected to this book before it was even made. Then the books shipped way earlier than promised and she continued to ship them almost same day as people ordered. Her response to questions or issues is pretty well immediate and she makes things right, fast. Her packaging and branding are just as fun as the planner its self. (see photo above) Now I have a new back on my planner and am set. Fourth, the size and weight are big, but necessary. My only drawback is the planners weight. It is the perfect size paper wise though, so I know that this is the effect of that. There are so many great extra pages in here that I understand why it is so 'bulky'. It is not a planner to carry in your purse. But It is a planner where you can actually fully develop ideas and take notes. I need a whole column (and more) sometimes for my daily to-dos, so a tiny box in a small planner just does not work. And, if I really didn't like the size, I could rip out the extra project pages, etc to lighten the book. As I have carried it around (in my book bag), the size and weight have not been as much of an issue as I originally thought. Fifth, the order of the pages can be annoying at times, but there are easy solutions. The tabs and a book mark are a must, as there is so much in this planner, I constantly need that marker to bring me back to my 'home page'. My one suggestion would be to rearrange order to have the main calendar first, then the weekly pages, then the extras. But again, before I could suggest it, Elise has already reordered the book that way for the current edition of the book that is for sale. Problem solved. Sixth, the evolution is such an inspiring story to watch. As I said I have been eagerly following along since the beginning, so watching the changes happen and the further products develop is so incredible. And I get to be a part of that! That is so fun.In summary: The quality is stellar. The design is beautiful, clean and flexible. The customer service is magic. The book is beyond customizable and work ready. The book is big, but packed with useful tools. Here is how I am using my planner. 
Main monthly calendars: I use the main monthly calendar pages for a general overview of travel, etc as we travel monthly and need to plan events around that, etc. 
Above: When I travel or am on summer break etc, I use it very simply to plan appointments or travel dates mostly.Below: These photos are from my average weeks at work. I include all my work tasks, blog/biz tasks and personal/at home tasks here. When I complete a task I highlight it to cut down on messy scribbles. Again, like the clean look of just words + space. You can see as the weeks progressed how I finally settled into a good rhythm. 
Explanations of how I'm using each portion: The daily columns: I write in each task needed to be done on a certain day. I include meetings, events and simple tasks in here.The bottom grid space: On the left side I track my work hours and create a grocery list each week. On the right, I write my blog/biz goals and any random tasks or events that need to get done but don't have a deadline and aren't maybe as important. Like send out a newsletter, reschedule a dinner date with friends, look up a website, etc. 
Bookmark: I created my own bookmark by gluing two 3x4 photos together, adding a clear tab up top, punching holes and then snipping the edges open so it pops in easily. I like that it is photos, but now that I have Elise's clear one I like it so much more because I can see through it and its much thinner. I use the photo one now to mark an idea page where I am developing or working on something. 
Action Items: I use this as my 'big goals' or my 'if I just get that done I can sleep at night' goals. Things like establishing a habit or completing a class or speaking at a big event, etc are the types of things I put here. 
The top spaces: These tripped me up at first, because they were clearly a different color so I felt they should be set apart from daily tasks. Finally I have settled on using them 3 ways: I write that days blog post in, I leave a reminder for myself to read my bible (a habit I'm working on, so you could do run or yoga or 4 glasses of water, etc) and then will put a big event I can't forget about. So if we are out-of-town or I have a mastermind call or a big party or event, etc, that goes there to remind me and to not get lost in the smaller tasks and it tends to ground and direct my day.
The grid pages: insert heart eye emojis here. I use these in so many different ways. My favorite so far are when I drew out my office renovation, our 2015-2016 budget and debt goals, meeting notes (for things I will need to keep and refer back to often), and my new class idea sheet. SO versatile. 
The reflection pages: I will admit that I have not done a great job with these. But maybe one day. They are a great idea and again, you will get out of it what you put in. 
The project pages: FREAKING GENIUS. Seriously, such a great idea. I used this one to brainstorm big ideas on the right and then break them down into tasks on the right.
The back pocket: duh. Gotta stick stuff somewhere right?! I do normally use a paperclip to hold things in here if it is something small so it doesn't slide out in my backpack, especially when I pick it up upside down.
The art prints: Gorgeous and fun! This is actually a creepy, Elise heavy portion of my inspiration wall...
So, there you go. A peek inside my brain and my planner. How are you using your Get To Work Book? If you are on the fence I think you will be happy you got it, IF you use it. If you tend to have multiple planners or only sometimes use a planner, then it's not worth it for you. If that is the case, we can still be friends. YAY for planning nerds. See you on the GTWB hashtag! #gettoworkbookPS. This post is not sponsored nor are links affiliate. I truly love this product and want to support people who are doing great things.