Bullet Journal
The planning tool increases your productivity and awareness
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Appointment calendar, to-do list and diary in one? You can do that with a bullet journal. GALA tells you how to integrate the planning system into your everyday life and how to benefit from it.
In a society in which as many tasks as possible should be completed as quickly as possible, it is not only difficult to stay mentally healthy, it is also impossible to keep an overview. The Bullet Journal is designed to help you stay on the ball while not forgetting your personal needs. Thats how it works.
What is a bullet journal?
The Bullet Journal (abbreviated: Bujo) is a special type of appointment calendar. Rather, it is a planning system that is as individual as we humans are. The Bullet Journal was developed by New York graphic designer Ryder Carroll with the ulterior motive of finding a solution work in a more focused and goal-oriented manner and to live. It’s not about ticking off one to-do after the next, but rather putting the chaos in your head on paper and setting yourself realistic goals without putting your own needs behind.
Bullet journal method: how does it work?
The bullet journal method is characterized by being clear and uncomplicated. In addition to various categories, which we will mention in more detail in the course of the article, everything revolves around the eponymous “Bullets”. Only short sentences and keywords are used. The legend then looks like this:
- Tasks or to-dos get a classic Bullet point (•). When the task is done, it becomes a “x”. If the to-do is postponed to the next day, it gets one Arrow (>).
- Events get one Circle. When these are finished, the circle becomes one Hook.
- notes become dashes (-) prefixed.
How is a Bullet Journal structured?
Basically, the structure is very easy, because there are not many rules. Ryder Carroll only provided a few elements for the bullet journal that give the notebook a structure, but do not necessarily have to be used.
- Index: The index forms the table of contents of your bullet journal. You should keep the first four to six pages of your notebook free for this purpose. At best, start with a pencil, so the index remains changeable. Always add your topics first and then the page numbers so that nothing gets mixed up.
- Legend: After the index, the legend comes into play. Plan about one or two pages for this. The legend is used to adhere to the bullet journal method. Which symbol is responsible for which topic? Here you can work not only with different symbols, but also with different colors.
- future log (Annual overview): If you like, you can include an annual overview in the Bullet Journal. There you have all birthdays, public holidays and other dates at a glance. You can print out small calendar overviews for the individual months and stick them in or draw them yourself. If that’s too much for you: There are even small calendar stickers as tabs. Be sure to leave some space next to it for additions.
- Daily Log (Daily overview): Now it goes into detail. What’s on that day? You can decide individually whether you plan one page per day or a double page per week. The possibilities are manifold.
- Tracker: If required, you can also create so-called trackers, e.g. on the last pages of your bullet journal. Habits and sensitivities can be documented at this point (e.g. sleep tracker, sport tracker, food tracker, mental health tracker).
- Collections: To collect memories and train mindfulness, you can leave a page blank after each week and fill it with memories. Has anyone complimented you in the past week? Have you heard a song that you can’t get out of your head? Even the concert ticket or pictures from the photo booth can be found here – as well as other inspirations or words that touched you in the respective week.
What do you need for a bullet journal?
What materials are needed depends on your personal preferences. If you want to let off steam creatively, you can work with different colors and pens. Others like it simple and only use pens and notebooks. Here’s some inspiration:
How do you start a bullet journal?
Before you start your bullet journal, you should consider what you want to use the planning system for. Would you like to manage your entire family’s schedule, only use the bullet journal for private tasks, or do you also have professional to-dos? There is also the option of empty notebooks or Calendars that already contain pre-printed pages for a bujo, to grab. Answering these questions can give you a first orientation and filter out in which direction you should go. If you are not quite sure yet, you can also fill the bujo with a pencil at the beginning to allow changes. Do not forget: The Bullet Journal is characterized by change. By transforming an empty notebook into a notebook full of memories and through your personal transformation into a mindful person.
Is the bullet journal better than a traditional planner?
You have to find out for yourself whether the bullet journal works better for you than a conventional planner. The bujo brings at least the advantage that it includes every area of life. So it’s not just about the stubborn entry of appointments, but also about personal development. In addition, it offers the possibility of bringing life content away from the monitor and back onto paper. This increases cognitive abilities. In the following you will find many other advantages at a glance.
Bullet Journal: These are the benefits
- Provides clarity and structure
- The bujo can be designed individually
- Helps you focus on your work without being distracted by messages and emails
- Train mindfulness
- Promotes creativity
- Increases productivity
- Regardless of time and place, since it works without a mobile phone, laptop or internet