I’ve been asked many times how do I keep the pace? I am a Mom, Aunt, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Health Exec, Health Coach, Blogger, ect… that still finds time to read, move my body, eat mindfully and take a weekend nap. I have no secret time machine, I Bullet Journal.
This is year 4 of my bullet journal journey! Often, I like to look back on what I was thinking, doing, feeling in previous years so I’ll peer open a past bullet journal. It’s almost like I’m re-living that time period as I read my old life musings, challenges, and milestones. The Bullet Journal method has worked for me mostly, because it’s customizable and flexible. There are times I tried other planner/time management systems but they’ve been short-lived.
What is a Bullet Journal?
According to the Ryder Carroll, Founder of the Bullet Journal Method; it is a mindfulness practice disguised as productivity system. Emotional wellness is supported using daily reflections to identify what’s meaningful by stripping away what’s meaningless. This exercise enables a strong sense of empowerment around our most valuable assets…time and energy. I find the daily practice allows me to intentionally set my own priorities, rather than external demands. The best reflection in Ryder’s words “being mindful of what you are doing and why you are doing it”. I go much deeper into the “why” and “what is bullet journaling” in my previous post The Bullet Journal Method Part 1.
Components of a Bullet Journal?
| Key Concept | Definitions |
| Index | Used to locate content |
| Future log | Used to store future tasks |
| Monthly log | An overview of events and tasks for month |
| Daily log | Intended tasks, events, and notes for day |
| Rapid Logging | Brain Dumping notes, events, and tasks |
| Collections | Used to track habits, travel plans, anything you want to reference |
| Migration | Daily or monthly process of transferring undone tasks, or deleting |
What are MY 3 Top Uses?
Weekly Logging
In the split section on the right I use one column to list meetings, and the other to list key notes, tasks, reminders. If there is an action item from the list to be done on a specific day I plot that out ahead of time. For example, if I need to review a dashboard before Thursdays meeting, I place “review dashboard” on weds section so I’ve done my due diligence ahead of time. Key note * Why do I write down meetings that are listed in an electronic calendar? Mindfulness…. as I go through my calendar, writing it down helps me process do I need to prepare, attend, delegate, or reschedule. I could dedicate a entire post on calendar management. Time is my most precious asset, I use these systems to manage it mindfully.
2. Task Management
In the pic above you’ll see a section called “10 actions”. I fill in this section with must do items for the week. However, key note *I do not apply overt pressure on myself to complete those tasks. A key part of this system is to be gentle on yourself. If you don’t complete a task, simply migrate it to the next week. The world will keep spinning :). That section helps me process the 10 most important actions for the week. It’s very easy to get distracted by actions that may be urgent but not important. This view allows me to stay focused on what’s truly urgent and important. Tasks that do not get completed I keep on a running log. I use the running log to pull tasks from each week for the top 10.
3. Staying focused on a specific Goal or Project
Example 1: In my post The Bullet Journal Method Part 2 I talk about a specific way to track a long-term goal or project. In that example, I talked about the process of career development. If you’d like to learn more about this specific example click the link above.
Example 2: If you take a closer look at the work layout image above, you’ll notice a section called “ADMN”. That section is dedicated to administrative tasks I want to remember to do every day. This includes viewing productivity reports, checking my calendar, spending dedicated time on emails, addressing projects, and I usually call out 1 or 2 very specific projects I want to spend focused time on. For example, I recently submitted a research abstract. For several weeks leading up to submission I included “research” as a visual cue to remind myself to spend 30 min a day on research. I place a check mark in that section and day that I complete this task. This consistency allows me to take big complex tasks, and break them down to daily intervals.
Example 3 Mind Map: When I’m planning a project or travel, I like to use a mind map to process my thoughts. The format helps me branch out tasks and transfer them in various task/project sections of my weekly. The above map shows how I branched out planning a class. I do like to use Cloth and Paper’s Engineering Grid Desk Pad for mind maps. A plain piece of paper works just as well.
The biggest takeaway from bullet journaling is each system builds upon the other. Which components I use and don’t use evolve from year to year, but I love the flexibility of customizing the system to fit life’s needs at that time. If you are looking for a new time management tool and would like to learn more about Bullet Journalling I will be offering a virtual class. Click Here for more information.
In peace,
J
References:
- The Official Bullet Journal Website
- The Bullet Journal Book
- Journal supply shop Archer & Olive
- Supplemental supplies (pens, markers, ect..) Cloth & Paper