Jan 16

Jan 16 Planning, Bullet Journaling and Increasing Productivity

Back in December, I was on the lookout for a new journal. I knew I wanted something clean and simple. I bought this sleek coral “bullet journal” pictured above thinking it was a journal with simple bullet points. That worked for me. When it arrived in the mail, I saw this unfamiliar bullet-grid layout and I’ve come to learn bullet journaling or “bu-ju” is a major trend right now. It’s a way to blend a journal with a planner, making it completely customizable. The pins I saw when “researching” this on Pinterest had these gorgeous calligraphy headers and aesthetically pleasing spreads. Since I accidentally found myself immersed in the world of bu-ju, I thought I would give it a go. After an hour or so, I realize I HATED it. Handwriting a calendar is WAY more time-consuming then I thought it would be. Besides, I already like my planner. This is how I am making my journal work for me.

“INDEX JOURNALING”

Instead of treating my bullet journal as a planner and journal wrapped into one, I am treating it as a categorized journal. My journal has an index in the front with page numbers. This allows me to jot down my thoughts in an organized way. The perk of this is when I want to find something specific, I can easily refer to the index. My journal is a place where I process dreams, goals, abstract ideas and my emotions.

PLANNER

My planner is where I keep tabs on my calendar, appointments, tasks and to-do lists. I like that my planner is more concrete planning whereas my journal is conceptual thinking.

I have discovered it’s important to review my journal so that I block time in my planner to implement and accomplish goals.

FAMILY CALENDAR

From there, I have implemented a family calendar this year. This is a place where Justin or I note anything outside of our normal routine, extracurricular activities, after-hour meetings, work functions, social engagements… etc. One glance keeps us in the loop… hopefully saving miscommunication and arguments. 😜🙏🏻

FOREST APP

I have a bad habit of mindlessly grabbing my phone. I don’t like the optics of it, the poor example I am setting and the fact I can waste so much time. I recently discovered the Forest app and I love it! Forest is a productivity app that helps people put down their phone and focus in an intriguing way. Users can earn credits by not using their phone and plant real trees around the world. Cool, huh? This has really helped me to stay present with my kids and whatever task is at hand. I am not sponsored in any way, but I highly recommend this app.