The Bullet Journal System changed my life for the better. It not only helped me to become way more organized. But it also made sure that I finally started taking steps towards my big goals. So I’m very happy I can show you how this system helped change my life for the better and hopefully give you some ideas how yours can too!
I encourage you to let me know if there is something specific you would love to see added to this special library.
But first things first:
What is the Bullet Journal?
There is no better description I could possibly think of, than the one written by the creator of the system himself, Ryder Carroll.
The Bullet Journal is a customizable and forgiving organization system. It can be your to-do list, sketchbook, notebook, and diary, but most likely, it will be all of the above. It will teach you to do more with less.”
For me, it really is all those things, which makes it incredibly unique and is the reason I enjoy it so much!
How does the Bullet Journal System work?
The core of the bullet journal is to offer you a system that is so easy to execute that you will always have the time to organize yourself, take notes and plan ahead no matter how busy your schedule is. Because we all know:
The more complex a system is, the higher is the chance you give up on it soon after! Click To TweetSo all you need to get started is a simple notebook in the size you prefer as well as one pen and that’s it.
At this point, I encourage you to watch Ryder Carroll’s video below and check out his website to see how he imagined the system to be!
Now that you get the basic idea, let’s talk in detail about why you should give the bullet journal system a try!
Why did the system hook me right away
I love writing lists! I love it so much, that I not only did so on big writing pads. I have lots of those filled up! But also in a notebook, my sketchbook, my idea book, my little notebook for on the go, my physical calendar, my google calendar and multiple apps on my MacBook as well as on my Smartphone. I’m sure you can imagine what happened when I was looking for specific notes, right?
Thanks to the bullet journal I reduced my personal system down quite a bit! Yay!
But this is not all it has to offer!
You can create your own system
Today there are probably as many different variations of the basic principles of bullet journaling out there as there are people using this system. Because it is unique for everyone!
In my own case, for example, I started by copying someone else’s system and just tried it out. After all, it is the easiest way to learn a new skill. A couple weeks in I started to figure out which parts of the system that I had used so far worked for me and which of them didn’t fit my needs and personality. After that, I did not only become more and more active in the community looking for new inspiration. But I also started creating my own version of the bullet journal system.
And so it happens that some bullet journals are very minimalist while others have a lot of colors and decorative elements. Thanks to the fact that each person tailors their bullet journal to their own needs, it never becomes boring and there is always something new to see and learn. Which might be the reason why I spend way to much time on Instagram, haha.
Since my personal interests lie in the areas of personal development and creating a business that I love and care about my bullet journal reflects that as well. But should I suddenly decide that I want to travel the world and learn as many new languages as I possibly can, then I still could keep using my bullet journal. I would just adjust my system a bit.
You are not alone
When I stumbled over the bullet journal system back in March I soon realized that there is a whole community out there, who not only uses this system but truly believes in it. Everyone in this community I have met so far online was very supportive and kind. Instead of needing to figure it all out by yourself there are thousands of people who enjoy the system as much as you do, answer every question you might have and help you as best as they can. If someone figures out a new way to get more productive they will tell you and help you get there too.
This is something that makes me very happy and assures that I try my very best to help others out as well!
My personal journey
In the beginning of 2016, I made the decision to reduce my freelance work and finally start building my online business. A place where I can be creative, share my passion with like-minded people and help other women to find their creative outlet and make a living pursuing it. This is my ultimate goal and something I’m prepared to work for very hard!
When March came around and I found the bullet journal system on Instagram I had managed to reduce my freelance work quite a bit, but still hadn’t worked much on my website or Etsy shop. After a whole lot of research, I finally set up my bullet journal. One week later I started my little Instagram account and from there things just snowballed.
- Instead of having a lot of loose post-it notes and multiple notebooks, I finally had all my thoughts written down in one place. So everything could be easily found in seconds. Which resulted in a much cleaner workplace, too. Bonus points!
- My monthly log made sure I finally knew how I spend my time each day. Which allowed me to become more productive as soon as I began focussing on my priorities.
- Thanks to my habit tracker I started taking better care of my health. This resulted in more energy, which again led to better results in my work life.
- Because I started sharing my goals publically I suddenly had no excuses anymore to not sit down right away and work towards them one step at a time.
- And thanks to joining this wonderful community I was suddenly surrounded by people with similar goals. A lot of them worked their butts off to reach them and I saw some great successes. This made me realize that the only one holding me back was I and was a big motivation booster for me!
Let’s do this
Of course, there is still a long road ahead of me. But you know what, I’m excited about it! I love that with every courageous step I take a new opportunity pops up. And that with every failure I learn something new and grow as a person and business woman. I love every bit of it and can’t wait to share it all with you!
I believe that there are no limitations other than the ones you put on yourself. So join me on my adventure and take the leap towards your dreams!
That said I would love to hear what your goals for 2016 are. And if your bullet journal already helped you reach some of them!
I love the layout of your bullet journal! <3
Thank you so much, Jenniffer 🙂 I wish you a most wonderful start in the new week! <3
Hi Sandra!
Great post, I just love your pictures, they are so bright and lovely!
I definitely think that the Bullet Journal has helped me to reach my goals (so far) this year! The reason I love the system so much is that it changes with you and your needs. And it has just really helped me to focus and to be on top of everything I need to do in order to reach my goal. I have pages for the relaunch of my etsy shop, the blog I started this year, health and my big reading goals. And I find it really motivating to see progress on those pages 🙂
It’s really inspirational to see everything you have accomplished with your Bullet Journal. I’m really looking forward to following along on this journey with you!
Hi Tale,
thank you so much for your detailed response! It totally makes my day <3
I can't wait to see your relaunched Etsy shop! I'm sure it will be gorgeous and full of lovely products 🙂
Also, I agree with everything you said about the advantages of the bullet journal. So true! I wish you the best of luck with all of your goals and most of all success! You rock!
PS: I haven't forgotten your email, last weeks were just crazy. I write a lengthy response soon!
Thank you again and have a most wonderful week,
Sandra
I’m glad! 😀
Thank you 🙂 I’ve been planning a lot until now, but I finally made the first official product yesterday and holding the physical item just makes it feel so much more real!
That’s okay Sandra, don’t let it stress you. It’s perfectly okay to be busy. I’m looking forward to reading your reply when you have the time 🙂
Thank you!
I love your bullet journal!! you’re so good at drawing and lettering <3 !! I'm getting on with mine too… I'm mixing between my daily journal and my new notebook for bullet journaling because i don't want to leave behind my daily one hahaha (it was a gift)… but as you say, BuJo is so flexible that can be helpful even when it is simple! =P
So far I'm loving it, and pages are filling up! =)
I love your webpage and your printables, I'll share with you later the Mandala you sent but with color, I just finished the day before yesterday =D !!
Talk with you later! Lots of love! <3
Ale
Hi Ale!
Thank you so much for your kind words and explaining how you use your bullet journal. I love hearing how it helps you!!! Your system sounds great and I too have a little daily planner which I use for my todo’s. Otherwise, I might be doodling in my bullet journal all day long instead of working, haha.
I can’t wait to see your finished Mandala!!! And I would love to talk more too <3
I wish you a most wonderful start to the new week and hope you are feeling great!
Many thanks,
Sandra 🙂
hahaha I uploaded the mandala to instagram and tagged you there =) but in case you didn’t get it =) this is the link!
I hope you like it ! =)
https://instagram.com/p/BHdMyiMh8OI/
Your bullet journal is so awesome, Sandra! I wish I could bottle up people’s creative skills like yours and sprinkle it on me like fairy dust. 🙂 — I officially started a bullet journal on June 30th after purchasing a moleskine as my first official notebook. I have to admit I was hesitant to write in it because my handwriting and drawing skills are meh. I went ahead and took the plunge and so far am using it for: tracking my weekly food journal, updating my Weight Tracker, and capturing my daily highlights and water intake. I’m jazzed to learn more about other ways I can effectively use my BuJo. I am also a total lover-of-lists and I’m a digital girl so I track my to-dos and goals in Todoist (a digital app) so I’m working on developing a more streamlined system of how I can use my digital todo list in combo with my paper-based BuJo. I’m having fun figuring it out! Cheers and thanks for sharing your awesome systems!
Lleslle, thank you so much! I love your creative mind: ‘I wish I could bottle up peopleâs creative skills like yours and sprinkle it on me like fairy dust.’ I have to put that up on my wall somewhere 😀
So amazing to hear that you started your own bullet journal journey! Welcome to the club! Moleskines are great, I’m sure you will get a lot of use out of it. It also took me a while until I put the first line down in my new Leuchtturm1917 back in March, because I didn’t wanna screw it up. That’s very natural I think.
Todoist is a great app, which I also like a lot. I’m currently not using it but I have used it on and off over the past couple years. Can’t wait to hear what you come up with to combine those two systems. I’m sure it will be a very interesting read!
Many thanks for your support! I wish you a most wonderful week and all the best,
Sandra
Hi Sandra! I found you through The Mason Jar… your blog name caught my eye, I thought “hey, that’s German!” My husband is German (I’m Polish). Anyway, love this post. I’ve never heard of Bullet Journaling. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing your blog grow. 🙂
Roxana, so great to meet a fellow Mason Jar member! Hi there!!! 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind words! And if you like organizing give bullet journaling a try. It really is a great way to stay ahead of your tasks!
I wish you a most wonderful weekend! And I make sure to check out your blog in a sec!