Make It Happen!: A Workbook & Productivity Tracker for Getting Stuff Done Diary – February 17, 2015

A lot of people have given this book poor reviews because it confused them or did not fit their expectations—legitimate issues, but also ones that do this book a disservice.If you are looking for a regular journal/planner, there are a bunch of good ones right here on Amazon—Passion Planner, Panda, Clever Fox, Simple Elephant, and so on. But we all know that even the best planners leave something to be desired, even if we can’t quite figure out what. So, a lot of people are turning to designing their own planners. That’s one place where this book may come in handy.This book will help you consider how you use, account for and experience time a little differently. There are nine recurring designs. All but one are a single page—the 9th one is 2 blank, lined pages that start off with a question or idea, like “Segment your to-do list. Write your list in chunks of time rather than just tasks.”My favorite page is one that has 5 lines. Each one says, “I could swap {blank} for {blank}”As someone who regularly avoids unpleasant tasks and then ends up getting *nothing* done instead, this was a terrific little light bulb moment. It may not get the thing I hate done, but *something* will get done.There are also boxes and circles, for people who have a more spatial or visual sense of time. Instead of saying, “This took 20 minutes,” a visual person can mark off a wedge of the circle, or draw so many squares in the box.So, again, this is not a DayRunner. What Ms. Chapin is trying to do is to help you make the most of the planner you have (or the one you make), and thereby make the most of your time.If you buy this book with that in mind, I think you’ll enjoy it. I do.

I will probably end up using this entire book within a few months! It's a dream come true to have all of my planning pages in one secure space. Usually would have to print from the computer and have big bulky binders to deal with. This really is perfect.

Too good

Sounded intriguing and the reviews said it could be used as a planner. Not for me! Each page is too different, and too difficult to try to fit things into the variable boxes. Might be good for brainstorming and special projects. Only for creative type minds.

So it's called a workbook and productivity tracker which I guess is as concise as you can get for this little booklet that doesn't quite fit into a box. I've had it a week and don't ask me how. I randomly saw it at a used bookstore and picked it up. I was quite surprised when I looked it up and it wasn't supposed to come out until today. It's probably because mine had a crack in the back cover. Total fluke, but I'm glad it happened because I would have never discovered it otherwise.The pages look exactly like the photos and "Look Inside" that is on Amazon. It's small enough that it can fit in an average sized handbag and is pretty slim. The exercises repeat about every 5 days or so with some small variations and you get 2 pages per day. It is set up so you can have an accounting of your time in various formats. Depending on the page, there may be a task list or a graphic organizer or journal. Sometimes it calls for you to reflect and other times it calls for you to look ahead. There are also tips and questions on the journal and reflection days.Why do I like it so much? For one, it's so much less monotonous than other products. I use a google calendar for an actual appointment book, so I love that this is more of a planner than a calendar and I love that it's not the same thing day in and day out. Even though the days vary, there is always room for you to write what you mean to do that day. It is also very visually appealing. I want to reach for it because it's so attractive.My only complaint? It's just too short. It will last you about 2 months. I'm sure this is meant to be more of a jumping off point, but I would like to use this on a long term basis to see if it would be continually helpful to analyze how I work (and avoid work). If I used it for a year, that would be over $70. I hope Chapin and Chronicle Books consider making a 4-month version in the $15 or $16 range.Anyway, now I'm trying to find more things by this Kari Chapin person. I saw some file folders that look great! Please create more organizing products!!!!!

This was a gift, but one that I was looking forward to using, given the title. It's in spots too generic, in spots too specfic, for me to track my work. Lots of blank pages and spaces where I guess the user is to do with what she wants, and at times has to figure out what the author intends. .

The ideal gift for anyone who is creative, motivated and likes planning. Great quality paper and the perfect size to carry around in your bag.

Very happy with this book. HAS helped me enjoy organising, and as am more "right brain" thinker, this is SUPERB

Love! Will keep me on my toes. Sets everything out in clear tables.

Tried lots of notebooks and organisers this is a guided project notebook that helps you plan and stay on track