The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future

Extremely clear and understandable, helpful guide to bullet journaling, for anyone who wants to become more intentional and organized. These tools have helped me to clear away schedule clutter, and focus on what is most important.

My bullet journal didn't "bullet". I bought an "official" Leutchtturm brand bullet journal, which was the most expensive journal I ever bought, but the quality was undeniable. Great binding, and probably the silkiest, creamiest paper I ever had the pleasure to try to write with in fountain pen ink. I had watched Ryder Carroll (the author of the book, and the accredited "creator" of the bullet method) on YouTube--the free ones--and read what tips and tricks came with my notebook, as well as any other tips and tricks I could find without signing up for Ryder Carroll's very expensive Bullet Journal workshops. Even if I could afford such a workshop, I don't think I care that much to make a journal the entire focus of my life. Which would indeed happen since I have such terrible organizational skills that this would HAVE to be my main focus. Which is why a system that was actually written by a man, who supposedly has ADHD like I do (late diagnosis) felt completely overwhelmed. Since I am now essentially retired and have actual physical reasons every day tasks can seem daunting, I was doomed to give up this attempt at journaling, along with every other journal or diary I've tried. Oddly enough, I do have been using a pocket calendar to write down all appointments, events, important-to-do's, my monthly spending, etc. So I CAN and do keep track of things that I need to keep track of. If you've ever seen Mr. Carroll on video--he comes across as such a positive and personal fellow, that you DO believe you can stop wasting time staring out the window at squirrels trying to climb over the bird feed baffle, and get things done now that I don't even have a job to worry about. I did read enough of the book, in bits and pieces so as not to scare myself, that my main takeaway is that I can use whatever works for me and leave the rest. Others may have bullet journals that would rival The Book of Kells, while others just pick up a notebook from the Dollar Tree and dig out a No. 2 pencil stub from under a couch cushion. Really over all, the method makes sense to me. I'm not sorry I bought the book. I got it on sale, and taken in small bits, it's less overwhelming. It's also nice to have something written to refer back on easily, without having to try to find it online or something. Unfortunately, I ripped out those pages in my beautiful Leuchtturm Bullet Journal that I mapped out and dated prematurely and those pages filled with complete nonsense because when I feel I have to write something of substance, I can't think of anything. Or as this review reveals, I ramble a lot. It was not easy to rip out those pages. As I said earlier, those things are bound very well. But Ryder says I can use ANY notebook. So, yeah, if you think you might want to try to a way to become more organized or keep track of present or future goals, and a record of your accomplished (or not accomplished) goals and achievements--get the book. Watch a few videos and what online information you can get without spending a bunch of money before you have any idea of your level of commitment. Borrow the book from the library (I did and didn't read it for the whole time I had it). Then, if you think Bullet Journaling might work for you, THIS is the book to get. It will be a basic guide for you, including ways you can personalize your journal so it works best for you. Many other guides, not written by Mr. Carroll, may be overwhelming for beginners not used to keeping any kind of journal or scrapbook or anything of the kind. You don't want to feel bad from the get go that you can't decorate your pages with your watercolor sketches of all the plants you found on that morning's nature walk. Neither do you want someone to tell you that you CAN'T.

Awork colleague recently tipped me off to bullet journaling. Ok, truth be told, she tipped me off to it a year ago when it transformed her life. My work environment was pretty well organized at the time and remains so; thus, I passed on her tip. About one year later, she brought it up in another context, but this time I bit the bait because I have felt the need to get my personal life in better order. Therefore, I bought this book along with one bullet journal to get started. Ryder Carroll’s book gives any reader the tools and inspiration to get started for whatever purpose they need to bullet journal. I’m a writer by nature, but journaling has never played a huge place in my life. At times, I’d write my emotional thoughts down just to get them expressed, but it’s never been a daily discipline. Now, however, I find that many lives depend on mine, whether at work, in my family, or in charitable opportunities. Being organized so that things aren’t dropped has become crucial. Electronic planners don’t work as well outside of work because I want to get away from screens on weekends. Enter bullet journaling. I’ve started to keep a list of big tasks that I want to get done in the next three months and divided them up in achievable chunks. Not only will this give me a running log of my life, something Carroll highlights, but it also allows my mind to become unburdened by repetitive items. Thus, my energy can be freed up to approach new tasks instead of remembering older ones. Carroll explains all such potential benefits in the book. Carroll doesn’t just explain how he personally uses it; rather, he explains how all sorts of people have been using it through seminars he’s led. Thus, the message isn’t just from one person’s brain but from a chorus of people gaining benefit. Befitting today’s world, bullet journaling is highly customizable and personalizable. It also expedites entries so that those journaling don’t have to write expansive prose to register their thoughts. In fact, I found the myriad of shorthand techniques one of the most helpful parts of the book! Almost anyone has some domain in their life that they can improve. Most of the time, no one book, class, or expert can fill in all the gaps for a given task. Life is complicated and requires a customized approach from each individual. Bullet journaling offers a method to begin to prevail over complex problems. In our age of too much information, overcoming complexity is something we all need. I certainly do. That’s why I’ve started to record my diverse but rich life in my own journal. As an postscript, the official bullet journal (a separate item) isn’t required for Carroll’s work. It’s nice but much more expensive than generic options. Other bullet journals fit the bill for a much lower price. Carroll himself admits such in the Frequently Asked Questions. Save yourself a few bucks, and buy someone else’s version.

The book is not necessary to bullet journal but I found it motivational and clarifying as a beginner to this excellent way of journalling.

Great way to organize your journaling but the book is fleshed out with some very insightful philosophical observations.

The text is good, although, I think you can pick-up most of the material from the free YouTube videos. I was a bit disappointed that I paid extra for the hardcover version, because I like my books to lie flat instead of fighting to hold them open, and this book turned out to be the same as the softcover version (the "perfect binding" method) just attached to the hard cover. I also heard that by paying more for the hardcover version you get a bullet journal notebook as a part of the set - but maybe it's not the case with Polish Amazon. Also, the cover was slightly scratched. Hence, 4 stars.

📝it's interesting that I read this book right after reading "Make Time." The Bullet Journal Method points out that we can't make time—we can only take it. Although we can't create more time, we can improve the quality of the time we use. This book not only teaches you how to bullet journal but, more importantly, provides insights into why you should do it and how it will benefit you. It will teach you about setting goals, focusing not on pursuing happiness but rather on meaningful tasks and objectives. A must read for those struggling with time management and consistency. ✍️ My Top 3 Quotes In the end it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln We must take it upon ourselves to grow. We grow by learning. And we learn by daring to take action. There will always be risk because we can't control the outcome. This is the way of life and it's unavoidable. What is avoidable however is being perpetually haunted by all the things that could have been if you have only dared. Begin by giving yourself permission to believe you're worth the risk. - p.129 f Happiness is the result of our actions then we need to stop asking ourselves how to be happy. Rather we should be asking ourselves, How to be. - p.141

Fantastic book. Found it useful and easy to adopt the principles shared.