Bullet Journaling: 5 Things I Learned About this Planning Method

Let’s admit… at some point in your planning you’ve considered bullet journaling. I know when I first started I was so overwhelmed with the various outcomes. Eventually I learned that bullet journaling isn’t something you should be afraid of. I’m not an expert but I’ve learned a thing or two and what works best for me while using the bullet journal method. Here are 5 tips I want to share while you start your bullet journaling journey!

Tip 1: It’s not going to be perfect. This tip is a hard pill to swallow especially for perfectionists like myself but trust me when I say this… there will be days your planning is on point and days where it’s not. Come to terms with the fact that your journal WILL NOT be perfection.

Tip 2: Focus on simple designs. Try to refrain from intricate and complicated designs at first. Remember that the journal is there to help guide you through your plans, not distract you. Once you get into a habit of tracking your monthly or daily plans, that’ll be a good time to incorporate your personal flare to it.

Tip 3: Stick to a small key. This is SO important when first starting out. One thing that can frighten a new bullet journaler is the tremendous amount of color coding and keys. Again, simplicity is the best route. A smaller key can be more productive. Check out my simple bujo key at the beginning of my bull

Tip 4: Focus on what you want to succeed and how you’ll utilize your journal. Personally, I love using the bullet journal method while managing projects. Similar to the designs, it can get complicated using this method for EVERYTHING. Ask yourself, “what do I want to achieve with this” and “how can this benefit me?” Some like to use bullet journaling with their everyday planning techniques and some use it for smaller tasks. Bullet journaling is a learning process. Experiment with different styles and come up with what works best for you.

Tip 5: Get inspired. Just like the planning community, there is a bullet journaling community out there to inspire and motivate others. There are a number of ways you can create your bullet journal. Get inspired by following boards on Pinterest, looking up #minimalbujo or #minimalbulletjournal on Instagram, or following others who have been doing this for a while. You may come across an idea or technique that’ll work perfect for you.

Don’t be intimidated. There’s something you may find that works for you. Bullet journaling can seem daunting, but it certainly is an excellent tool once you get the hang of it. So, I’m curious. Have any of you tried bullet journaling? What are some ways you use it? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your designs!