How do you prepare for the new year? Here’s how I’m using a bullet journal in 2024.
This is my ninth year using a bullet journal. I use mine for organizing my task list, meal plan, ideas, projects, meetings, habits, notes and reflections. I create goals for my business and personal life.
Ryder Carroll created the bullet journal system because he was trying to help his ADHD. He created a system similar to the ones that are recommended for ADHD management. Writing down tasks in a book that you keep with you, helps you remember and execute them. If you use the book for notes, tasks and calendar appointments. You only need a pen or pencil and a notebook to create your own.
My Favourite Tools of the Trade
- Zebra Clickart Pen – I use this pen for bold titles or where I want the text to be bold.
- Zebra Mildliners – These are used to add colour to layouts or to highlight certain areas.
- Uniball Vision Needle – I like this pen because it’s fine. I can write small and it dries quickly.
- Metal Stencils – I bought these off of Amazon. They are small and fit in the back pocket of the journal. They also double as a ruler.
- Field Notes – These are small dot grid notebooks for when I don’t want to use the bigger ones. It’s great for throwing in your bag.
- Leuchtturm1917 A5 Notebook – This is the brand I’ve almost always used over the years. I like that it is a dot grid and numbered pages. I start the new year with a new notebook that lasts the whole year.
Bullet Journal System
The Bullet Journal System has many spreads but these are the ones I use:
- Index – This is where the numbered pages come in handy. The index helps you find your content quickly.
- Future Log – The future log lets you look ahead at what you have planned. I use this section for birthdays, anniversaries and other important dates. I’ve seen other people use it for upcoming appointments as well.
- Weekly/Daily Log – The daily log is a place where you can keep focused on your day. I also keep a running task list off to the side and carry it over to the next week for any tasks that don’t get accomplished.
- Monthly Projects – This is where I list the upcoming projects I have going that month.
- Monthly Review – I write how my month went to achieve my goals.
- Various Trackers – I keep track of my social media growth. I also create trackers for any habit I’m trying to start or if I’m saving money for a larger item.
- Notes/Collections – These are notes that you might take that you want to keep in your bullet journal. Collections could be the list of books you have read through this year.
Setting your goals
I like to look through my goals from last year and see how I did throughout the year. I struggle sometimes to stay on task and sometimes change my goals within the year. I like to make a goal that realistically I can accomplish. When I first started doing this I remember I was going to be the healthiest, most productive and read all the books kind of goals. It was unrealistic.
Write an Action Plan
Now you have a list of obtainable goals for the year. You need to think about how you will write an action plan for your goals. Break down your goals into a manageable action plan. If it’s a long-term goal try and break it down into monthly or quarterly goals.
I plan my weekly blog post themes, newsletter and social media posts every month. I schedule my social media posts to promote my blog post. Doing this ahead of time is very helpful. I also like to schedule older posts on social media. This can be a real lifesaver when you have an emergency that week or become ill. Also, it’s nice to show people older posts that may be informative.
Keeping track of your goals and obtaining your goals
Keeping track of how well your goals are going on a monthly or quarterly basis is a good way to see if you know your action plan is working. Then you can make readjustments when you need to.
I use a bullet journal to keep track of all my goals and schedule blog posts and social media. It’s also a good way of keeping track of your projects and planning them out appropriately. Having goals that involve your social media analytics means that you should be keeping records. Studying these can be quite helpful too. Do you gain followers after writing a specific post or hashtag? Maybe your audience responds well to a video and shares these posts.
This isn’t a perfect system for me. I do fall off and forget or lose motivation but the Bullet Journal system is pretty forgiving. You can just start up on the next blank pages of your notebook. You won’t have to see empty calendar pages that can be unmotivating as well.
More information
If you don’t know what a bullet journal is or are interested in starting one, check out their official website here. You can also check out #bulletjournal on Instagram or search Pinterest.