Starting a bullet journal in 2023 is an excellent way to stay organised and focused on your goals. A bullet journal is a type of planner that uses a simple, customisable system to help you track your tasks, events, and notes. It’s a versatile tool that can be used for anything from daily to-do lists to long-term planning and goal setting.
Choose a Notebook & Pen
The first step in starting a bullet journal is to choose a notebook and a pen. You can use any notebook that you like, but it’s best to choose one that is the right size for you and has enough pages to last for several months. Do not worry about other stationery. The first thing is to start simple.
You’ll also need to decide on a system for organising your bullet journal. This can be as simple or complex as you like, but the basic idea is to use a combination of symbols, abbreviations, and colours to help you quickly and easily track your tasks, events, and notes.
Create a System for Noting Down Your Tasks/Events
Once you have your notebook and a system for organising your bullet journal, you can start using it to track your tasks, events, and notes. To do this, you’ll need to create a “future log” where you can record upcoming events and tasks, as well as a “monthly log” where you can track your progress on longer-term goals. You can also create a “daily log” where you can record your to-do list for each day, as well as any notes or thoughts that you want to remember.
The main part of any bullet journal is the keys. I use the ones by Ryder Carroll, personally.
Bullets:
- [Dot] Task
— [Dash] Note
○ [Circle] Event
Signifiers
- Priority
! Inspiration
Status of the Task
- Task incomplete
/ Task in progress
X ****Task completed
> Task migrated into a collection
< Task scheduled into the future log
Task irrelevant
The Why?
Helps you to Stay Organised and on Top of Your Tasks
Bullet journals can help you stay organised and on top of your tasks. By using symbols and shorthand, you can quickly and easily see what needs to be done, and when. This can be especially helpful when you’re juggling multiple projects or responsibilities, as it allows you to stay on top of everything without feeling overwhelmed.
You Can Customise it to Suit Your Needs
One of the best things about bullet journals is that you can customise them to suit your needs. Whether you need a simple to-do list or a more elaborate system for tracking your tasks and goals, you can create a bullet journal that works for you. This means that you can start simply and then add more complexity as you get comfortable with the system.
Start Your Collections
One of the benefits of using a bullet journal is that it allows you to customise your planner to fit your specific needs. You can create different pages and spreads for different types of information, such as a “habit tracker” where you can track your daily habits, or a “gratitude log” where you can record things that you are grateful for. You can also add stickers, washi tape, and other decorative elements to make your bullet journal more visually appealing.
Final Take
Starting a bullet journal is a great way to stay organised, focused, and motivated. Whether you’re a student, a busy parent, or a professional, a bullet journal can help you manage your time and achieve your goals.
Here’s Ryder Carroll’s video on How to Bullet Journal:
Why not give it a try and see how it can benefit you?
Anwesha RC 