How It Works
Ryder Carroll is the inventor of the Bullet Journal Method. He describes this method of journaling as a "mindfulness practice disguised as a productivity system". Bullet Journaling is a journaling method that helps you align your intentions with your actions.
1.
The Parts. The set up of the bullet journal is what uniquely sets this method apart from others. The very foundation of this method includes these parts: a bullet key, a table of contents, a future log and optional collections.
2.
The Compass. For your intentions to align with your actions, you must first set intentions. Start with a SMART goal.
3.
Make it a habit. Bullet Journals have made the habit tracker famous. Make your first habit you track the act of opening your bullet journal every day.
4.
Make it your own. The rest is all optional. The Bullet Journal can be incredibly simple or highly complex, the strategy that works best is the one that works best for you.
The Parts
The Bullet Key
This is pretty much the original key. Carroll's journal method was about getting stuff done, so this key is a straightforward and simple code to organize your list. Search up bullet journal keys and you will find extensive code systems for tracking and filing your lists. This is your system so it can be as simple or complex as you like...as long as it gets used.
The Table oF COntents
The Bullet Journal melds the traditional day planner together with your thoughts, ideas and experiences. The way the Bullet journal works is that you start from the front and fill in the pages until you get to the back. That means collections can be hard to find as your book fills up. The table of contents, makes it easy to look back on collections such as your reading wish list.
The Future Log
The Future Log is unique to the bullet journaling method. Essentially it is a 6 month glance into the future. When you can see important dates, deadlines and goals as it relates to your next 6 months, it helps to get a perspective on what your priorities are. You start to realize some of the things on your to-do list aren't actually all that important and somethings need to happen with a little more urgency.
Collections
The Bullet Journal is like a day planner+. The plus is the part that makes it yours. The pluses are your collections and trackers. Use collections to keep a reading list or a reading log. Record memories, or start a-line-a-day gratitude practice. Keep track of habits such as exercise, food and spending. The most important tip here is to create collections because this information is important to you, not because it's trendy.
The Compass
Did you know writing your goals down increases your chances of achieving them by 42%. It has a lot to do with that "encoding" stuff. Once you write your goal down it helps your brain file it away so it can be accessed more easily later, but it also creates a compass for your intentions.
Make it A Habit
Step 1.
Open your journal.
Every day! That's it. You don't have to write in it. You don't have to plan. You don't have to decorate it. You just have to get used to opening it.
Step 2.
Track this simple habit.
Every day circle the date. Make a tracker in the front page of your journal that's just the dates for the next several months. Get in the habit of opening your journal at the same time every day to solidify the habit.
Step 3.
Invest 2-minutes.
Once you get the hang of opening your journal every day, now it is time to start using it. Invest 2-minutes, or commit to 2-words or even 2 whole sentences. Keep it small, because journals only work if you use them, and simple habits are easy to repeat.
Step 4.
Start Aligning.
Take a look at your compass answers: your SMART goal and your HAVE's, DO's and BE's. Now make sure your two minute investment aligns with the direction you are heading in. Don't just start filling your journal with random trackers and collections you pinned to your Pinterest board. Think about what you want to measure.
Make it Your Own
Choose your style.
Are you a t-shirt & jeans or a rhinestones & heels kinda girl? Do you like simple, clean lines or colorful, flashy themes? Maybe you need simple one week and flashy the next. Be you all the way down to the dots and lines of your pages.
The Format.
Setting up your bullet journal each week can feel like an extra item on your to-do list at first, but in time you will realize that the set-up is a mindfulness practice that makes you reflective and aware of your upcoming week. This video runs through a few different weekly layouts and my favorite part is that she times each set up so you can set a realistic expectation for time that it will take you.
The Trackers.
What matters to you? If you search Pinterest you will see some awesome ideas for mood, savings and even water trackers, but what do YOU want to track? Have you ever heard the saying "What you measure, gets managed." ? Want to read more? Start keeping score. How many pages a day do you read? How many books have you read this month? Want to make more genuine friendships? How many new people did you talk to this week? How many new friends have you exchanged meaningful texts with? When was the last time you made plans with someone new in person. Start tracking the stuff that matters to you....not just the pretty Pinterest ides.
The Collections.
The collection pages are expression pages. These pages can pop up in the middle of your month, right smack between week 1 and week 2. You don't have to wait for a special space.
Collections are anything you want to collect and remember. Memories like: "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" (Thank you Darius Rucker for this collection header in my journal.)
- Songs to remember.
- A-Line-a-Day.
- A quote collection.
- A cartoon collection.
- A candy wrapper collection.
This is your journal. The collections emphasize your Why, reminding you why this space is so fun to open up and dive into.
THIS IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME.
REMEMBER. Bullet Journaling is a mindfulness practice disguised as a productivity system. In order to be productive. In order to use this journal as a tool to reach your goals, YOU MUST USE THIS JOURNAL. Make it fun. Make it yours. Make sure your journaling practice aligns with your intentions.