Bullet Journaling
Bullet Journaling is a modular set of practices for personal organization. These practices organize schedules, reminders, task lists, ideas, and other organizational artifacts into a single notebook. Though journals are typically handwritten, digital journals can also benefit from the organizational methods and practices of bullet journaling.
Structure of a Bullet Journal
A bullet journal is made up of collections. A collection is a set of closely related information. A bullet journal is made up of four core collections; however, more collections can be added based on the individual journaler's needs.
Core Bullet Journal Collections
- Index. A chronologically ordered list of all the collections in the journal, except the daily log collections.
- Future Log. A calendar of events and tasks that will occur outside the current month.
- Monthly Log. A specialized collection to organize the events and tasks of a particular month. Minimally, it consists of the
- Daily Log. A place to rapid-log tasks, events, and notes as they occur throughout the day.
Custom Collections
Custom collections are created to meet some specific need. For example, to plan a project or to track a fitness routine.
Core Bullet Journal Practices
The Bullet Journal website contains a complete introduction to core bullet journaling practices, which I've summarized here.
Rapid Logging
Rapid logging is the practice of quickly jotting-down notes in a bulleted-list format, typically within the daily log. Specialized bullets and signifiers are used to distinguish between different types of notes. Types of notes are typically tasks, events, or information; however the journaler may choose to invent their own types of notes as well.
Common Bullets
Bullet | Term | Definition |
---|---|---|
• | Task | Something that needs to be completed |
o | Event | Something that happened or is scheduled to happen |
— | Information | Something worth remembering. Facts, ideas, observations. |
Bullet States
Notation | Term | Definition | Applies to |
---|---|---|---|
✖ | Done | Completed task | Tasks |
< | Scheduled | Scheduled for next month or later | Tasks |
> | Migrated | Migrated to another collection | Tasks |
Irrelevant | No longer relevant | All bullets |
Common Signifiers
Signifier | Term | Definition |
---|---|---|
* | Important | Signifies special importance or priority |
! | Inspiration | Signifies inspirational ideas and insights |
Bullet Journal Practices
Bullet journal practices are intended to maintain focus on what matters through daily and monthly reviews intended to refine task lists and reflect on what matters.
Daily Review
Spend about 5 - 15 minutes to review notes from the past day, update with status and signifiers as necessary, and create the daily log for the day ahead. Do this at either the very beginning or very end of each day.
Monthly Migrations
At the end of each month, create a new monthly log for the month ahead. Start by creating the layout for the next month, then review the previous month to:
- Mark completed tasks with
✖
. Cross-outirrelevant tasks, notes, and events.- For tasks you plan to complete next month, mark them as migrated (
>
) and add them to the next month's task list or to the relevant custom collection. - For tasks you plan to complete after next month, move them to the future log and mark them as scheduled (
<
).
The goal is that all relevant tasks have been copied to the next month's task list, the future log, or a custom collection.
Bullet Journaling Resources
Deeper Knowledge on Bullet Journaling
Bullet Journaling Tips & Advice
Simple tips and advice from lessons learned through years of bullet journaling
The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll
A book by Ryder Carroll, the Bullet Journal Method describes an approach to life management through journals
Broader Topics Related to Bullet Journaling
Personal Productivity
Tips and resources to improve personal productivity