The Bullet Journal Method Part 2

If you read part 1, you know I shared one of the many tools utilized to mindfully order your time. If you would like to read it before diving in part 2, I’ll link it here. Ryder Carroll creator of the Bullet Journal Method uses the tag line “track the past, order the present, and design the future”. That tagline resonated with me from the moment I heard it in 2019. I used to enjoy scrapbooking to create beautiful memories of past trips, as well as planning daily to order the present. Where I would get a bit stuck was designing my future rather than allowing it to occur. I certainly set goals, but life design is more than that. Using the Bullet Journal method allows me to not only order the present, but design all areas of my life in a way that “future me” can be proud of. For example, deciding which day I will meal prep, when projects will kick-off to minimize impacting one another, and reflecting monthly which dimensions of wellness supported or neglected. Let’s dive into how BuJo (affectionate nickname) supports career wellness.

In 2019 Writer Anna Russel of the New Yorker labeled her column Can Bullet Journaling Save You? . She interviews Ryder Carrol most notably admiring his nearly empty satchel upon joining him at a library table. She quotes him as saying “The Bullet Journal method’s mission is to help us become mindful about how we spend our two most valuable resources in life: our time and our energy,”. Developing your career requires both time and energy, both of which busy, working individuals don’t always much of…. or so is believed…. After assessing my time and intentions in the tool from Part 1 post (which I do quarterly), I evaluate what areas are need more or less attention rather than mindlessly continuing to “do it all”. This reflection period is paramount to maximizing my time.

Rather than explaining each section of the Bullet Journal, below is a concept and definition grid I created (using the Bullet Journal Method book as reference) for a class taught in 2019. I run through about 6-8 bullet journals a year. I don’t use every concept in each one, as I evaluate the use and needs of each journal before starting another. This helps me ensure I’m only incorporating what I need at that time in my life.

In the Career Development section of Indeeed, Author Jennifer Herrity shares examples for use in each section of the bullet journal method during a job search:

1. Track the companies you apply to or the interviews you have with hiring managers
2. Using the monthly log to design what companies to research and locations
3. Using the daily log to prep for interviews, and reflect on interview performance
4. Using the Future log to identify long-term goals and mindfully curate the time you will spend on activities related to career development

Finally, if you’ve made it this far in the post, know the method can be intimidating before using it. Just remember, the only true essentials are a notebook and a pen. That’s it, start where you are.

In Peace,

J