{"id":61341,"date":"2022-02-27T17:11:22","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T21:11:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=61341"},"modified":"2022-03-11T04:41:24","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T08:41:24","slug":"the-bullet-journal-method","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/the-bullet-journal-method\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryder Carroll: The Bullet Journal Method"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you want to start a bullet journal but don’t know where to begin? What types of pages should you create, and how often should you write?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his book The Bullet Journal Method, <\/em>Ryder Carroll tells you how to create, maintain, and review your bullet journal. He also provides suggestions on what bullet system to use and how to index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the basics of Ryder Carroll’s Bullet Journal Method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Getting Started<\/strong> With the Bullet Journal Method<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Carroll, the only tools Bullet Journaling requires<\/strong> are a notebook and a pen, and there are no limits to which ones you choose<\/strong>. He notes that the Bullet Journal Method<\/strong> is all about function over form. Although you\u2019re free to design your journal in whatever way suits you, your choices shouldn\u2019t interfere with the journal\u2019s purpose, your ability to decipher your handwriting, or your capacity to maintain your journaling habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: While Carroll’s suggestion to prioritize function over form has its advantages, for some, aesthetics are<\/em> functional. Specifically, certain people may find that the artistic possibilities of Bullet Journaling increase their motivation to journal and encourage creativity, even if they require more time and energy. Joshua Waitzkin echoes this idea in The Art of Learning<\/em><\/a>, where he argues that failing to honor what most resonates with you about a particular activity may cause you to lose your passion for it. Therefore, if your favorite part of bullet journaling is designing artistic layouts, don\u2019t feel you have to sacrifice that in favor of purely functional designs.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this in mind, the next step is to set up the main organizational components of your journal. Let\u2019s discuss each of these in order, focusing on what they are and how to use them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Index<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carroll explains that the Bullet Journal\u2019s index is a hybrid between a table of contents and a traditional index. It\u2019s a set of pages at the front of your journal that keeps a running list of all the instances of a particular topic<\/strong>, no matter where or how often it appears. As you fill your journal, you\u2019ll populate the index by listing new topics\u2019 titles and their corresponding page numbers (such as \u201cCoding Project: 20\u201321, 42\u201344\u201d). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: As Carroll explains, the index keeps track of all the sections you add to your journal by listing their titles and page numbers. However, this means it can\u2019t help you find anything other than high-level sections of your journal\u2014whereas a traditional index keeps track of all<\/em> key terms and topics, Carroll\u2019s index only includes titles. As a potential solution, add important or frequent topics or keywords to your index along with section titles. That way, you can keep track of everything you\u2019re likely to return to without overwhelming your index with too many entries.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future Planner <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For tasks and events more than a month away, Carroll recommends designating four pages in your journal as the \u201cfuture log\u201d (which we\u2019ll call the \u201cfuture planner\u201d). The future planner<\/a> is a waiting list for all future tasks and events you don\u2019t want to lose sight of<\/strong>. It aids your planning because it shows you what will require your attention in the months to come and gives you enough foresight to let you change plans and goals as your needs and values shift. To utilize your future planner, organize all future tasks and events by month so that you can see an overview of not only each month but also the year as a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Carroll praises the future planner\u2019s ability to give you perspective and then adjust your plans accordingly. However, there are additional benefits of planning ahead<\/a> that he doesn\u2019t discuss: Planning future tasks and events on paper can help you hold yourself accountable<\/a>, keep you motivated, and save you time that you can then spend on the things that matter most. In addition, it can reduce stress by encouraging you to take an active role in your life, help you live in the present<\/a> moment by forcing you to slow down while writing, and boost your mood by reminding you of all the good experiences you have to look forward to.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monthly Overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carroll describes the \u201cmonthly log\u201d (which we\u2019ll refer to as the \u201cmonthly overview\u201d) as a two-page tool that summarizes your available time and upcoming responsibilities in the next month through a calendar and task list. He argues that the monthly overview\u2019s overhead perspective helps keep you aware of both your available capacity and the way you\u2019re allocating your time<\/strong>, preventing burnout<\/a> and offering opportunities for reflection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Carroll\u2019s focus here may be time capacity, but your energy capacity is also important in deciding how to plan out your life. Even if your calendar is empty and your task list is short, you still may not have the energy to allocate to new commitments. Therefore, while the monthly overview may be a good reference point when planning, make a point to check in with your energy levels before committing to anything more.)    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daily Record<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carroll explains that your \u201cdaily log\u201d (which we\u2019ll refer to as your \u201cdaily record\u201d) is for capturing any information, thoughts, or ideas that come up throughout the day<\/strong> in the form of tasks, events, and notes. According to Carroll, tasks are things you need to do, events are experiences that have either already happened or are scheduled to occur, and notes are facts, ideas, or observations you want to remember. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, Carroll says the entries you keep in your daily record serve as data points that add context to your recollections of the past<\/strong>. Specifically, your record of tasks acts as an archive of all you\u2019ve accomplished, your record of events provides insight into your experiences, and your record of notes can help you remember details that you would have otherwise forgotten, which helps you build stronger awareness in your day-to-day life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Takeaways From the Daily Record<\/strong>

Carroll mentions a few advantages of keeping a daily record, but there are additional benefits you can take advantage of. For example, having a record of your accomplishments can be especially useful at work<\/a> when trying to justify a raise or promotion during a performance evaluation. Moreover, keeping a written record of your days could be a helpful recall tool. Research shows that our memories are often inaccurate<\/a> due to imperfect perception, the impact of new experiences and emotions on how we view past events, and the inadvertent blending of two separate memories.

There is, however, a downside to maintaining a consistent record of your day that Carroll doesn\u2019t touch on: Research suggests that we\u2019re more prone to forget things when we write them down<\/a>. This means that for your daily record to aid your memory, you might need to review your notes frequently. Additionally, because Carroll recommends writing tasks, events, and<\/em> notes in your daily record, the record could become overwhelming for people who prefer not to keep everything in one place.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rapid Logging<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Carroll explains that throughout the day, you\u2019ll write down tasks, events, and notes that are relevant to you, using as much space as you need. To record this information in the most efficient way, he recommends that you use a method called \u201crapid logging.” Rapid logging<\/a> is a streamlined method of taking notes that focuses on only the most essential information<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, in a traditional notebook, an entry might look like this: \u201cMy boss said to prepare a presentation on last quarter\u2019s profits for the Sept. 20th meeting.\u201d Using the rapid logging method, it could look like this: \u201cPresentation on Q2 profits for 9\/20.\u201d Although rapid logging greatly condenses the task description, it maintains all of the important information: what the presentation is about and when it\u2019s due. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Writing Clearly<\/a> and Concisely<\/strong>

Although Carroll defines<\/em> rapid logging as a note-taking method<\/a> meant to convey only the most essential information, he doesn\u2019t provide specific recommendations<\/em> for how to do it effectively. When it comes to writing clearly and concisely, there are several tips to keep in mind<\/a>.

First, choose constructions that contain fewer words (for example, replacing \u201clet Sam know\u201d with \u201cnotify Sam\u201d). Second, eliminate unnecessary words, such as \u201ca\u201d and \u201cthat,\u201d which don\u2019t add any essential information. Third, use abbreviations where possible, like \u201cASAP\u201d or \u201cTBD.\u201d And finally, when rapid logging tasks, eliminate the first verb and start instead with the noun that defines the task\u2014for example, \u201cHomework for Friday\u201d rather than \u201cDo homework for Friday.\u201d<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bullet System<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Carroll explains that the practice of rapid logging uses bullets, which lend themselves well to capturing concise and objective thoughts. In the Bullet Journal Method, you use different kinds of bullets to organize information in a way that you can easily understand at a glance<\/strong>. Different bullet types (and in some cases an accompanying set of symbols) correspond to the different categories of information\u2014tasks, events, and notes\u2014that you capture while rapid logging: <\/p>\n\n\n\n