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Bullet journling has been buzzing around social media for a while now. At first I didn’t think I had the time for it and didn’t think I needed a bullet journal. But then one day it clicked. I’ve been bullet journaling for years, just in a stripped down, simple form. I’d always called it my To Do List, but it’s the same thing as a bullet journal. The single best think about a bullet journal is how you make it work for you. It’s 100% customizable to meet your unique needs and personality.

I tend to use more of a minimalist bullet journal and it works beautifully for me. You may find that you prefer a more artistic version or a more comprehensive bullet journal with lots of logs, lists and graphics. The magic of the bullet journal is that you’re not limited by any preprinted forms or formats. You can design it perfect just for you. 

Make Your Bullet Journal Work For You

The foundation and best part of a bullet journal is that it’s so deceptively simple. There are only a few guidelines to follow to make it work well. If you prefer to go more elaborate, you have the freedom to do so, too.  This gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to making your bullet journal work for you.

Take It For A Test Drive

You can read all about using a bullet journal and spend hours watching YouTube videos or looking at Pinterest and Instagram to get ideas. But you won’t learn what will work for you until you jump in and give bullet journaling a try. Start with an inexpensive notebook and a pen you already have. If after the first month your bullet journal is working for you, you can splurge a bit on a quality journal and pens.

Follow the basic bullet journal layout with an index, a key and a monthly spread. Track your daily tasks and see how it works for you. Add a few lists or collections and get a feel for what type of information is useful and what isn’t. Slow try additional trackers and various other ideas you come across to determine what works for you. 

First Bullet Journal Layout

• Index
• Key
• Monthly Spread
• Daily Task/To Do Lists

Start Small and Don’t Track Too Much

When you first start out bullet journaling, you may be tempted to write down and track every single thing. You have lots and lots of ideas for collections. Bullet journaling can be exciting and you may over-commit and start tracking too much. You don’t want your bullet journal to become a dreaded chore or a book of lonely, unused pages. It’s a tool to help you. Start slowly and figure out what works and what’s sustainable for you to write down and track. Remember, this is supposed to be helpful not add to your workload or gather dust on your desk.

Don’t Be Afraid To Rip Things Out And Start Over

If you find that something isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to rip it out or cross through it. Did you think the weeklyhabit tracker was a good idea, but now it is a dreaded task? Rip out that page. If your layout for your bullet journal isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to back up and start over. This is exactly why you start out with a small and inexpensive notebook. Grab another one and start over.  With experience, you’ll find the setup and system that works best for you.

Make the Format Uniquely Yours

Don’t feel like you have to bullet journal like anyone else. There is no right or wrong way to make your bullet journal work for you. Take ideas and suggestions as inspiration not as requirements. Keep in mind that the reason the bullet journal is such a powerful tool is that you tailor it specifically for your personality and needs. 

Tweak It And Change It Until It Works For You

Expect some testing and tweaking with your bullet journal. Don’t hesitate to change things around until you come up with the system that works well for you. We all lead different lives and our brains work differently. Our bullet journals will reflect those differences. Keep trying different layouts and ideas until you come up with the system that feels natural to you. It really won’t take long and you’ll know it when you get there. The end goal is to have a bullet journal setup that makes your life easier and helps you stay organized without feeling that writing in it is a chore.

Realize That Your Bullet Journal Will Grow and Change with You

As your life, responsibilities and interests change, so will your bullet journal. Be flexible and willing to change your bullet journal layout as your needs change. That’s he beauty of a bullet journal – it’ll will grow and change with you. 

Now that you know a bit more about a bullet journal and how to make it work for you, are you ready to jump in and start bullet journaling? You’ll find a creative and vibrant bullet journaling community online ready to support and inspire you. 

More Bullet Journal Ideas:

• Bullet Journal – What You Need to Know
• Bullet Journal Ideas for the Minimalist
• Bullet Journal – What Is It?
• How to Start a Bullet Journal – 3 Types
• Daily To Do List Printable for Sticky Notes
• How to Print on Sticky Notes to Make Your Own Reminders
• Monthly To Do List Checklists 

For more simple and powerful productivity tips, hacks and printables, see the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.