Reclaim your focus—one page at a time.
Between blinking notifications and endless browser tabs, working from home can quickly turn into a productivity minefield. If your brain feels like it has 37 tabs open at once, you’re not alone. But here’s a secret weapon you might be overlooking: good, old-fashioned stationery.
At Trefoil, we believe that writing things down isn’t just nostalgic—it’s powerful. Here’s how to create a productivity system that lives on your desk (not your screen) and actually helps you get things done.
Step 1: Start with a bullet journal (and a really nice notebook)
Bullet journalling is more than just aesthetic Instagram spreads—it’s a fully customisable system that turns one notebook into your calendar, to-do list, habit tracker, and brainstorming pad all in one.
What you’ll need:
- Trefoil dotted or lined hardcover notebooks
- Fineliners or gel pens for clarity and colour-coding
- A simple key system (symbols for tasks, events, and notes)
Why it works: You’ll always know where your tasks are, and crossing things off is incredibly satisfying. Plus, it’s flexible enough to adapt with your schedule.
Step 2: Organise by category with colour-coding
Break your day or week into clear categories like Work, Home, and Personal Goals using coloured highlighters, sticky notes, or pens.
Try this combo:
- Trefoil’s pastel highlighters for mood-friendly sorting
- Colour-coded sticky flags for urgent vs. non-urgent items
- Clip folders to file your physical documents by task or project
Bonus tip: Use the same colours across notebooks and folders so your system stays intuitive.
Step 3: Use a “Brain Dump” notepad
Keep a Trefoil notepad or spiral notebook next to you purely for scribbling down anything that pops into your head: ideas, reminders, random to-dos, or things you don’t want to forget.
Why it helps: It gets mental clutter out of your head and onto paper, where you can sort and schedule it later. Less stress, more focus.
Step 4: Weekly planning with a desk pad
Every Monday (or Sunday evening), map out your week using a Trefoil weekly planner desk pad. It gives you a bird’s-eye view of what’s coming, helps with batching similar tasks, and makes sure you don’t miss deadlines.
Don’t forget to include:
- Space for top 3 priorities each day
- Time blocks for deep focus
- A section for “wins” at the end of the week
Step 5: Set yourself up to stick with it
Your productivity system should work for you—not the other way around. Here’s how to keep it sustainable:
- Keep your tools visible and easy to access
- Invest in stationery that feels good to use
- Update your system weekly and adjust as needed
And most importantly? Make it enjoyable. Choose pens you like to write with. Pick a notebook that sparks joy. Make your desk a space you want to sit at.
Final Thought:
A paper-based productivity system isn’t about going “offline” or tossing out your digital tools. It’s about finding balance—and using stationery to support your brain, not overload it.
Trefoil has all the tools to help you build a system that feels personal, practical, and powerful. Whether you’re a list lover, a doodler, or a colour-coded calendar kind of person, we’ve got your desk covered.
