Take Charge of Your To-Do Lists

Are you a chronic compiler of sticky notes? Is your wallet stuffed with small scraps of paper? Do scrawl-covered napkins flutter around in your car? If that sounds like you, you might just be a to-do list hoarder.

To-do lists are good. Usually. They help us remember the innumerable tasks we have to tackle for work, home, committees, kids, and more. But if managing – or finding – your to-do lists takes over actually completing the tasks, your lists aren’t helping. Unless you organize or consolidate your responsibilities into a more streamlined system, you’re not being as efficient as you could be.

Here, based on personality types, are a handful of the best ways to organize to-do lists from various aspects of your life – and the products to facilitate your newfound sense of organization.

Moleskine Volant Pocket Ruled Notebook (Set of 2) (3.5 x 5.5)

Separatist

If you strive to keep your professional life separate from your personal life, institute a system that encourages that separation. To help you compartmentalize your various roles and responsibilities, pick up a set of Moleskine Volant notebooks. Dedicate one to work and one to life, and clearly label the two notebooks so that you’re not tempted to grab whichever is closer.

Minimalist

Rhodia Spiralbound Square Reverse Book (8.25 x 8.25)

Not everyone can achieve it, but if your goal is simplicity, consolidate all your to-do lists into one single notebook. The trick is to create a habit of always carrying that one notebook with you since everything will be housed together. A side spiral Rhodia will help you keep all your lists in one place. With a sturdy cover and side binding, a Rhodia can be taken in and out of your bag, tossed in your car, and lugged on an airplane and still keep your to-dos together.

Moleskine Classic Large Ruled Notebook (5 x 8.25)

Traditionalist

Those who love the Moleskine tradition may balk at the idea of replacing their do-it-all notebook for a different system. With a simple hack, convert your Moleskine into a to-do list organizer. Use your favorite size notebook, and divide it into sections for each task area, like work, life, home, goals, and so on. Tabs can be made from almost anything. For example, fold a small sticky tab in half, write the title on the edge, and tape it into place, or cut up expired gift cards for durable tabulating.

Clairefontaine X Large Side Spiral Notebook (8.5 x 11)

Goal-Getter

For those with many goals, many tasks, and many to-dos, a large notebook is a must. The Clairefontaine Classic Extra Large Spiralbound Notepad is 8.5- by 11-inches, which gives you enough space to outline all your tasks and related notes. Plus, since the pages are perforated, you can tear them out to file as needed.

Multi-Tasking Mom

For the busy mom on the go, the Exacompta Exafolio Executive will keep all your lists organized in one place. Six file compartments accompany a notebook, which allows you to keep like items – errands, grocery lists, kid-related to-dos, and so on – together.

Whichever product you choose to manage your to-do lists, the ACME Sing Sing 4-Function Pen is the perfect complement to keep your organization streamlined. Instead of cramming multiple implements in your bag or notebook, this one piece has a stylus for your PDA, a pencil, a pen, and a highlighter for convenient note-jotting.

Whatever your personality, there’s a product that can help you organize that never-ending flow of to-dos. Now, if only there was a product to complete those to-dos for you!

How to Take Efficient – & Effective – Meeting Notes

Meetings take up a huge amount of our work schedules. While it sometimes seems like meetings are held only for the sake of meetings, the reality is that meetings are meant to keep projects on track. However, if the meeting participants aren’t capturing the salient points and important tasks during the meeting, all that time is wasted. Meetings are only as valuable as the action that comes out of them. To make sure you’re maximizing meeting time, focus on developing an effective note-taking system. Bonus: Taking notes keeps you from zoning out during long sessions.

To begin, choose a notebook that encourages clean note taking. A large, ruled, spiral-bound book like the Rhodia Meeting Bookallows for the most efficient note taking. Plus, the pages are easy to tear out in case an unprepared colleague needs a sheet for his own notes.

Click the image to shop notebooks on EPC.

It’s important to develop a consistent note-taking system that works for you. You don’t have to use an “official” method like, for instance, Cornell Notes, but it’s worth experimenting with different styles. Regardless, there are several steps you should take to make your meeting notes effective and efficient.

First, always notate the meeting specifics. Jot the date, start and end times, and attendees at the top of your page. This is especially important for a big project where questions can arise about who is responsible for – or who dropped the ball on – specific tasks.

Next, remember that it isn’t necessary to write down everything said during the meeting. Capture the significant points of each discussion and any supporting details. If tasks are delegated – especially to you! – capture the assignment, the due date, and the names of anyone else involved. Be sure that these tasks stand out on your page by marking them with a box or star or highlighting that line.

To speed up your note taking, abbreviate! Abbreviations are only useful if you remember what they actually mean, so until you’re accustomed to abbreviating your meeting notes, create a list of abbreviations you plan to use frequently. Here are a few common abbreviations to get your list started:

• re = regarding
• w/o = without
• incl = including

Finally, the real test of effectiveness is what you do with your notes after the meeting. Meetings aren’t productive by themselves; the productivity comes from the action taken after the meeting. Meeting notes should be processed as soon as possible after the meeting so that crucial information isn’t lost. Type your notes and file them with the handwritten copy. Transfer all project timelines and tasks to your day planner. Enter any follow-up meetings into your planner or send out meeting requests for check-ins immediately after in order to keep everyone on schedule.

Rhodia “Fab 5” Giveaway Winners

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway(s) and spread the word! We’ve got loads more giveaways, articles, tips & tricks, etc. on the way, so check back frequently. To keep in the loop, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, subscribe to our RSS feed, and/or sign up for our weekly newsletter.

If you have any ideas or feedback, definitely let us know in a comment on this blog, or you can email us at info@europeanpaper.com!

Choosing a Notepad: Top vs. Side Staplebound

The Invention of Staples

Did you know that staples have been around for over 100 years? The concept began in the 1850s when eyelets were used to hold papers together. Patented in 1859 by W.H. Rodgers, metal eyelets were used in place of the modern day stapler. Next came brass paper fasteners, introduced in the mid-1860s, which were used to bind several pages together.

Innovation came rapidly in the 1870s. Machines to insert and fasten individual staples were patented; then quickly followed by machines supplied by a whole magazine of staples.

Today, in the case of top and side staplebound notepads, pages are held together by heavy-duty staples, which provide for stability and strength.

Click to see all Notepads on EPC

Top Staplebound

Most top staplebound notepads have micro-perforated paper near the closure, for easy and clean tearing. These notepads can also have scored covers or non-scored covers. Scored coverings are best for easier folding, as the cover is meant to be folded back time and again without tearing the cover. Non-scored can still be bent back, but tend to wear down the cover. Many top staplebound notepads have a stiff back cover to avoid pages getting crinkled, but also to support writing on-the-go. Try writing or drawing on one of these notepads on the bus or on a flight and you’ll feel how the sturdy back cover gives you a surface of strength to put ink on.

A favorite of architects, designers, and scientists, top staplebound notepads are ideal for quick sketches, doodling, a grocery list while you’re out, or even a science report in the classroom. An on-the-go example would be Rhodia’s No. 08 Pad, or if you’re in need of a large space for a design project, check out Rhodia’s No. 38 Pad.

But if you’re a musician, Clarefontaine has you covered when you’re in the studio or in the rehearsal hall. The Music A4 Top Staplebound Notepad features 12 staves per page to compose your latest masterpiece.

Side Staplebound

Some notepads are stapled on the top, whereas others are side stapled. The side staple notebooks give a little retro throwback with their school composition book feel. All modern side staplebound are made with reinforced staple binding for extra strength as well. These notebooks have many purposes and are able to be utilized in both the office and the classroom.

When you need bright colors to organize your classes or work, Clarefontaine’s Classic Side Staplebound Notebooks are my personal go-to notebook. In colors like red, lime green, blue, purple and more, you can use these as part of your color coded organizational system. The acid-free paper is exceptionally smooth and allows for easy and clear writing.

But if you’re looking for something portable, the Rhodia Side Staplebound Pocket Notebook is a quick grab-n-go notebook. Notebook portability is important, especially when you are out and about and an idea pops in your head. Taking the Rhodia Pocket Notebook on trips is also a must have. It can fit in your back pocket or in your luggage without taking up much space at all.

Which do you prefer?

If you use a staplebound notebook and/or notepad, which do you prefer, and what do you use it for?

Crazy for Rhodia Notepads? Rhodia Drive Contest! [Closed]

Can’t get enough Rhodia? Rhodia Drive just announced their contest for 20 Rhodia 2012 WebPlanners! Check out their post here and fill out the form for a chance to win ONE of the 20 webplanners they’re giving away. You’ve only got through Monday 10/31 to sign up, get the word out, and cross your fingers for luck before they announce the winners next Thursday 11/3!

Plus, you still have time to enter our giveaway for a Rhodia Treasure Box! See the original post for details on how to enter. Be quick – the winner will be announced tomorrow!

Giveaway: Rhodia Treasure Box! [Closed]

Giveaway Alert: We’re giving away one Essential Rhodia Box! Open up the sturdy orange case (that looks like a big Rhodia pad) and you’ll find 4 classic Rhodia notebooks–a No. 8, a No. 16, two No. 11s (all with graph paper interiors)–PLUS, 2 Rhodia pencils! Rhodia’s signature orange dates back to the 1930s – it was a standard hue for cardstock at the time and remains unchanged to this day.

To enter:

• Leave a comment on this blog post & include your email address
• Tweet about the giveaway and tag us @EuroPaper
• Mention us on Facebook and tag European Paper Company

Do all three and you’ll have a total of 3 entries! {You must live in the U.S. to win.}

A big thanks to Rhodia Drive (Rhodia’s official blog) for the giveaway shout-out! The giveaway winner will be announced this Friday Oct. 28!

Orange You Glad for Rhodia

Since the 1930’s, Rhodia has been a favorite among writers, artists, and designers alike. Easily recognizable by their original orange covers, Rhodia has become a symbol of excellence throughout the world. It doesn’t just stop at the orange or black covers, though – inside is renowned Clairefontaine paper with an extra-smooth finish that provides the perfect surface for your pen to dance.

History

Rhodia was founded in 1932 by the brothers Henri and Robert Verilhac, who founded the Verilhac Paper Mills in the French Alps. The name was inspired by the Rhone River – legend has it that the two Rhodia fir trees of the logo symbolize the two founding brothers.

& It’s Eco-Friendly, Too!

Rhodia was purchased in 1997 by the historic Clairefontaine company, located in the Vosges region of France. This was a match made in heaven. A paper-making legend itself, Clairefontaine was established in 1863 on the site of a 16th century paper mill and continues to this day. In fact, it’s currently the only manufacturer making its own paper for its own products. This guarantees not only consistent product quality, but also controls the environmental impact of the manufacturing process.

Clairefontaine only buys pulp from sustainable forests that are certified according to recognized international standards (PEFC, FSC, etc.) These certifications also ensure that endangered wildlife habitat is protected, worker health and safety laws are kept, and the rights of indigenous communities are respected. The river Meurthe is the source of water supply for the Vosges mill – the water is so clean when it leaves their facility that local people can swim within sight of it.

Why Orange?

Turns out that it was a standard hue for cardstock at the time and it remains unchanged to this day.

Form & Function

The Rhodia notebook, originally a sideline for Rhodia, was to become its most famous product. The Rhodia pad was considered a professional tool, and so was designed to be easy to use and durable, incorporating details like a fold-around cover, hard coated-board backing, and nice paper. It immediately overshadowed other notebooks of the time because of its quality materials and the innovative design of the scored folding front cover. Over time, Rhodia has become the most popular pad in France. Today, Rhodia has branched out into dozens of styles and covers, all melding signature form and function.