#linkspiration

Photo is from @hizpirations on Instagram

The inspirational planner spreads have returned! After several months of work and research, I finally feel confident to bring back this recurring topic to the blog. Enjoy!  know I did.

This featured image is from tumblr’s own studypunked. Please check out her full blog. 

Hi everyone!

I know that the ‘Linkspiration’ series on my blog is the most popular of the articles that I post here. However, it has come to my attention that I have not been citing the original artists as well as they deserve. From now on, I will be contacting each of the creators individually to confirm their permission to use their work, which will take much longer.

It is my hope that this will create a nicer community with the respect it deserves.

If you have a planner that you’d like to share, please contact me through here on Tumblr or through my email: plannerpearls[at]gmail.com

This month was super prolific with beautiful planner spreads that wowed and inspired. Please enjoy these top ones that I love:

mydecoratedbliss’ Hedgehog Happy Planner

(Photo via mydecoratedbliss’ instagram account)

I adore mydecoratedbliss’ spread which features adorable woodland creatures. I’m really impressed at the way she has combined blue, green, and pink together. That’s not a color scheme that I would have immediately thought would look good together. I really like how full and interesting it is to look at.

Emse’s Bullet Journal

(Photo via paper-pens-writing.tumblr.com)

Esme is another blogger here on Tumblr. Please check out her blog further. I’ve been on a significant bullet journal kick this past month, and I really admire this spread. I like how the boxes are so organized. The weather tracker pictures are super cute and I really like how she integrates her work out plans on the sides. The use of patterned washi is just enough to bring some visual interest without overwhelming to overall design.

Miceptic’s Bullet Journal

(Photo via miceptic.tumblr.com)

Miceptic is also a Tumblr blogger - please go show her some love. My favorite part of this spread is the script day headers that extend across both pages of the spread. It creates a unified flow across the whole spread. It also looks like she is tracking the number of followers she has on her blog. I can tell that this gal is driven and is going places in life.

myplanningadventure’s Week on One Page

(Photo via myplanningadventure’s Instagram)

I’m always fascinated by those who can plan their week on just one side of their spread. I always end up needing more room or making it look like a total mess. I really like how well the colors and embellishments work together. The rain clouds and umbrellas are super cute.

agomalley’s Bright Foxy Spread

(Photo via agomalley’s Instagram)

I’m a sucker for animals, and this spread does a beautiful job showcasing the fox insert. The hedgehogs washi at the bottom accents the contrasting reds and greens throughout the spread. Just looking at this spread already makes me yearn for cool fall weather, even though summer is just beginning. Also, I gotta say I’m super jealous of her handwriting - so beautiful!

Ben Hogan.

Wish there were more leather golf shoes like this.

These are links that inspired me this week:

5 Free Apps to Keep Your More Productive - This month is all about productivity on January Blog and I love this list of apps. I'm using Lift and Pocket, but the other three are new to me. 

Do Less: A Short Guide - Leo is one of my all-time favorite bloggers and he nails it with this guide on doing less. 

Reminder: Design is still about the words - As a guy who spends his whole day working on visuals, a good reminder here from the lead designer at 37Signals. 

Must Attend 2013 Conferences for Entrepreneurs - I've always enjoyed conferences and excited to see Big Kansas City, the new conf from Silicon Prairie News, on this list. 

On behalf of yes - I'm always preaching NO as an entrepreneur (which is a post for another day) but I like Seth's outlook on how yes can be good. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Photo via Design Boom.  

What has inspired you this week? What’s the best thing you've read?

Here are the links that inspired me this week.

10 Tips on Writing from David Ogilvy - The original Don Draper explains how importnat it is to be a good writer. This alone affirms why you should journal or blog. 

Humble Beginnings - Starting a company is a roller coaster ride, this week I was reminded of that multiple times. Take a look back at the "early days" of great tech companies like Facebook and Twitter, you'll feel there is hope.

Your Goals in 2013 [INFOGRAPHIC] - Lift is one of my favorie apps, I'll talk about it next week. Here is a great infographic illustrating the most common goals for 2013. 

Four tips on learning how to program - Programming, a goal that is always on my list. Some inspiration from this guy who knew nothing and just starting pushing that boulder. 

What Jason Fried taught me about selling software - Another post with insight from Jason Fried. I love the way he and his company (37Signals) approaches problems and solutions. Even if you're not selling software, just selling something, these lessons apply. 

David Ogilvy photo via Brain Pickings. 

What has inspired you this week? What’s the best thing you’ve read?

No matter what topic I'm tackling here at January Blog, I know that reading and learning from others will be critical. 

One of my ideas is to share the links that are inspiring me every Friday. Thus, linkspiration is born. (cheesy name or good?) I'll simple link to the articles I'm reading and what I like about each one. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on these links or share a link of your own.

Writer's block and the drip - Seth Godin brilliantly describes the feeling of writer's block. A challenge I know I will have to face with January Blog. 

The science of new year's resolutions: Why 88% fail and how to make them work - We all know most people fail at their new year's resolutions, but perhaps there is a scientific reason why. Some actionable steps here from Leo Widrich.

There's always time to launch your dream - I love everything the guys at 37Signals write. This is an old one, but a good reminder at the start of the year.

The 4-Hour Chef - 24 Skill in 48 Hours - Typical Tim Ferris here, I love the bullet list of new skills to learn in a short amount of time.

The New Rules of Fitness for 2013 - One of my favorite writers, Leo Babauta, from Zen Habits looks at how as our world has changed, so should the ways we view "getting fit." Some great ideas here. 

Less stuff, more happiness - A top 5 TED talk for me, I watch this one a couple times a year just to refresh my outlook on stuff in my life, watch below.

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What has inspired you this week? What's the best thing you've read?