The ultimate Bullet Journal Guide

Moleskine black calendar A5. For the last six

years this was my holy grail. I started using
Editors Letter it in the 11th grade, it helped me through four
years of studying, serving as a diary, a daily
and long-term planner in one. Every note and
sketch was so personal and important to me
that no one was ever allowed to scroll through
its pages.

What I always hated about my Moleskine was

the restrictive lined layout with the time at
the edge of the page, that and the fact that
there was no weekly overview and that the
space for one day was limited to one page. In
August 2016 I stumbled upon the Bullet Journal
system online and was immediately hooked.

Whereas in the past nobody was allowed a

glimpse of what Id written in my calendar,
now I am pretty much writing my Bullet Journal
in public. To date Ive posted more than 450
photos of my Bullet Journal on instagram,
made videos and shared my inspiration on
2
 Pinterest.
Editors Letter The most popular questions Ive been asked so
far are, ,How did you get started? and ,How
did you learn to organize yourself with the
help of a Bullet Journal? The answer is not a
secret: I am still in the process of learning how
to structure my Bullet Journal in the best way
possible, in order to be more productive and
find the perfect daily routine. Its a constant
learning process that Im refining all the time.

I am writing this guide to offer you some

start-up support during your Bullet Journal
journey. When I first began to use a Bullet
Journal I spent days gathering all the necessary
information about how the system works.
This guide puts everything I have learned into
one place and will make it easier for you to
get started and find your own way. Over the
following 55 pages youll learn step-by-step
how to use a Bullet Journal, how to boost
your efficiency, how to utilise the platform to
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change your habits and reach your goals.
Some of you might ask yourselves ,why
use an analogue calendar when almost
every part of our life is happening online?
I can only answer this question for myself
by stating three points.
1. I felt confined in the structure of my
daily routine because no tool ever
united all the features I was looking
for.
2. Digital to dos can easily be moved
to another day and no one will ever
notice.
previous productivity systems. In short
- it simplified my life.
This guide should not restrict you or
give you the impression that my way is
the only way to do it - it absolutely is
not! This guide should serve as a source
of inspiration and give you ideas for
modifying your Bullet Journal so that it
fits your OWN personal needs.
Happy journaling everyone!

3. I find I am working more consciously

when I write down and strike and
check off every single task by hand.

The Bullet Journal system was presented

to me at precisely the right time and
solved all the problems I had with
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 Table of Contents

What does productivity really mean? 4

Whats a Bullet Journal? 10
How to set up your first Bullet Journal 13
How to be more productive with your Bullet Journal 22
My personal Bullet Journal Tips 36
How do others use their Bullet Journals? 39
The best Bullet Journal Essentials 55

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 What does productivity really mean?
Productivity is on the minds of many
but the term ,productivity is not
specific enough and leaves one question
unanswered: How can I personally break
the productivity problem down so that
I know how to apply it to my everyday
life?
As I am still learning more and more
about productivity myself - and I have
by no means found one perfect way to
be the most productive - Id like to dive
with you a bit deeper into this topic.
For this I dont want to bore you with
theoretic stuff. I dont want you to only
read this but to understand it. I want you
to become active.
Therefore, Id like to start with a small
exercise.
Think of one specific project
First Id like you to think of one current
project you continue to procrastinate
over. This can be a business project but
also a private one e.g. moving house,
renovating the new flat, making your
home cosier or even making more time
to spend with your loved ones. Which
ideas and words are coming into your
mind when you think about this project?
Add every idea to your mindmap and
remember theres no right or wrong.
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 What does productivity really mean?

Start with a mindmap

I will use this guide as an example for
this exercise. It has been on my list
for several months already but getting
started is always the biggest barrier to
productivity. Starting with a mindmap
is the best way to avoid getting lost in
your idea by splitting your idea up into
concrete tasks and working out an order
to undertake them in.

7
 What does productivity really mean?

Cluster your ideas

Youve already learned that productivity
is about splitting one goal up into smaller
manageable tasks. Thats why I want
you to cluster your ideas and find three
to five overall topics for all keywords in
your mindmap.

Concept
Personal Tips: What makes the Bullet Journal
special to me?
How to boost productivity with a Bujo?
How do others use their Bujos?
How to start?

8
 What does productivity really mean?
Define concrete tasks
After thinking from large to small, I want
you to split your three to five overall
topics up into concrete tasks and define
the next steps. Having a to do list you can
work with everyday, makes the starting
process easier.
Concept
Thinking about the structure of the Bullet
Journal Guide.
Personal Tips: What makes the Bullet Journal
special to me?
Writing a list with my personal Bullet
Journal Tips.
How to boost productivity with a Bujo?
Select time management and productivtiy
models.
How do others use their Bujos?
Select inspirational Bullet Journal accounts
and ask them for an interview.
How to start?
Write a chapter about the system and set
up of a Bullet Journal.
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 What does productivity really mean?
Split up into smaller bites
Most important is that you understand
that productivity is not about forcing
yourself to stare at one task for hours
without having the brain power to receive,
understand and evaluate what you are
actually doing. In reality, productivity
is about working towards one main goal
by splitting this one goal up into smaller
bites, to work intensely by avoiding
multitasking and doing one task after
another. At best, youll get more done in
less time.
Set achievable goals
If you are wondering why I am telling you
this in a guide about Bullet Journaling,
the answer is that the process of splitting
bigger tasks up into smaller bites lays
the foundation for a more productive
life. Bullet Journaling is about setting
achievable practical goals and crossing off
one task after another. If you keep that
principle in mind and follow my step-
by-step instruction on the next pages,
therell be nothing else standing in the
way of a more efficient and structured
everyday life.
10
 Whats a Bullet Journal?

A customizable planning system

The system of the Bullet Journal was
first introduced by Ryder Carrol, a digital
product designer living in New York.
After years of looking for the perfect
tool or calendar to organize himself, he
finally developed his own customizable
productivity system which can be used
for daily planning, long-term planning,
sketches, notes and brainstorming. The
Bullet Journal was born.

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 Whats a Bullet Journal?
Three different types of bullets
As the name already suggests, the main
characteristic of a Bullet Journal you need
to know is the bullet. In order to classify
your daily to dos and make your list
more clear and concise, there are three
different types of bullets.
The classic bullet point is used for tasks.
After youve completed a bulleted task,
you can change the bullet point into
an x. For the case youve completed
your task already the day before you
change the bullet point into <. If a task
needs to be postponed until the next
day, use a >.
Meetings, events or appointments are
characterized by a circle.
Dashes are used for personal notes.
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 Whats a Bullet Journal?

Modify the Bullet Journal system Its important that you consider your
Its very important that your bulleted Bullet Journal as a notebook with lots
items are only entered as short descriptive of blank space waiting to be filled with
sentences. No wild or excessive writing at your ideas, your creativity, your plans.
this point you want to keep everything Feel free to modify and extend it so that
as an overview and spend time being it fits your personal needs.
more productive, so keep focused. The
original Bullet Journal system with its
three different bullets and components
youll get to know on the following pages
should serve as a foundation for the way
you use your Bullet Journal.

13
 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Index
The first pages of a Bullet Journal should be kept free as an Index where you can record
your pages step by step.

14
 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Key
The Key page follows right after your Index. It shows all icons you use in your Bullet
Journal and its meaning. As I already mentioned above, I use a dot for my to dos, a
circle for events and meetings and a dash for personal notes.

15
 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Future Log
The next double page after your Key is
meant to be your future log. This log is
an overview of the upcoming months and
offers enough space to record meetings,
projects and events you already know
long before.

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 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Monthly Log
After youve dedicated a double blank
page to the entire year, its time to get
more concrete and plan the next month.
There are many variations of how to set
up your monthly log. You can either
have a monthly overview in grid or list
style or you can also work with fields
for different topics. You should try out
different layouts to find the one you
can work with best.

17
 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Habit Tracker
When it comes to productivity, it is not
enough to just find a way to structure
your to dos that works best for your.
Observing your habits is at least as
important to finding and getting rid of
your bad habits an, in turn, you will have
a more productive day.
youve woken up and note the hours of
sleep you got. After tracking your daily
routine for a while, you should see a
connection between your daily habits
and the amount of work you get done.

A habit tracker in your Bullet Journal

where you note your daily habits every
single day, e.g. reading a book, cleaning
the room or doing sports, will help you
to do so. Ideally, you should not only
track your habits but also your sleep.
Pick up your Bullet Journal right after

18
 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Weekly Spread
After youve set up your monthly log
and your habit tracker for the upcoming
month, it is time to focus on the next
week. Use one blank double page to write
down the days from Monday to Sunday.
This spread helps you to keep an overview
of your meetings and to dos for this
week.

You are also free to decorate your weekly

spread with an image, an inspirational
quote or any other boxes for your personal
highlights or further notes or tracker. I
personally find it helpful to add a box for
my meetings and to dos for the following
week.

19
 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Daily Log
After setting up your future log, monthly
log and weekly spread, it is time to go
for the real thing you work with every
single day: your daily logs. Your daily
log offers enough space for you daily to
do lists, your daily meetings, notes and
personal thoughts.

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 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Four double pages a week Monthly Habit +

Sleep Tracker
On weekdays I usually need one page of Spread

my DIN A5 Bullet Journal for one daily log.

Sometimes I need even more space, at
weekends its enough to have one page
for both Saturday and Sunday. Weekly
Spread
Daily Log
Monday
Daily Log
Tuesday

So all in all, I have four pages for my

monthly log and my habit and sleep
tracker, one double page for my weekly
spread and six or seven pages for my Daily Log
Wednesday
Daily Log
Thursday
Daily Log
Friday
Daily Log
Saturday

daily logs of one week. Your daily log for + Sunday

Sunday is followed by another weekly

spread and daily logs for the next week.
When a new moth is coming up, you need Weekly Daily Log Daily Log
to start from the beginning and set up a Spread Monday Tuesday

monthly log again.

21
 How to set up your first Bullet Journal

Additional Pages
Future Log, monthly log, habit and sleep
tracker, weekly spreads and daily logs
these are the basics of the Bullet Journal
system. If you not only want to use your
Bullet Journal as an organizer, you can
also use it for doodling, writing down your
personal thoughts or making any other
list you need. Here are some examples
of some additional page layouts.

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 The right setup is only half of the story
Having the right setup for your Bullet Journal is
one thing, using it in the right way is another.
Establishing the perfect Bullet Journal setup
does not prevent you from procrastinating if
you do not know how to structure your day,
at which time of the day you are the most
How to be more productive or at what intervals you need to
productive with your take a break.
Bullet Journal That is why Id like to introduce some
productivity systems and rules to you that
might give you the answers to those questions
and will for sure take your productivity and
everyday working life to another level.

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 80/20 Rule

The 80/20 rule is often used in sales in the

business world. It was first suggested by Joseph
M. Juran and was named after the Italian
economist Vilfredo Pareto who stated that 80
percent of the income in Italy comes from 20
How to be more percent of the Italian population.
productive with your
Bullet Journal

20% 80%
EFFORT RESULTS

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 Input vs. Output

This rule says that 80 percent of your profit

will come only from 20 percent of your
customers. Which means: The biggest part
of your profit comes from a small part of your
customers. But this rule does not only have
How to be more an economical background, it applies also to
your own productivity: 80 percent of your
productive with your outputs come from 20 percent of your inputs.
Bullet Journal
You need to identify the 20 percent of your
tasks with the biggest impact on your outputs
and prioritize them before you get all other
tasks with less impact done. Or even better,
if possible: Ask somebody else to do them!

25
 How to apply the 80/20 Rule to the
Bullet Journal system?

Imagine you are a blogger. On the one hand you

need to write a newsletter which is received
by 200 people, on the other hand you need to
upload a new video on your YouTube channel
How to be more which will be watched by at least 500,000
people. In this case it is clear that the upload
productive with your of a new video is much more important than
Bullet Journal the newsletter because the input is quite
similar but the output is 2500 times higher. So
the question you need to ask yourself before
prioritizing your tasks is: Which one has the
biggest impact?

26
 Prioritize your to dos

Keep that question about the impact in mind

when you set up your to do list for the next
day. In case you go through your to do list in
chronological order, you should write these
tasks with the biggest impact on your output
How to be more right at the top of your to do list to make sure
that you dont do the ,less important tasks
productive with your first and find you dont have enough time for
Bullet Journal the more important tasks at the end of the
day. If youre not a big fan of the chronological
order, you can also highlight those tasks with
a ,* or a text marker.

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 Eisenhower Matrix

very important, very important

but not urgent very urgent

2 1

IMPORTANT
How to be more
productive with your not important, not important,
Bullet Journal not urgent but very urgent

4 3
URGENT

This Matrix, developed by US President Dwight

D. Eisenhower, helps you to prioritize tasks
by urgency and importance. By the use of
this Matrix you should know which tasks of
your to do list should be done first and which
tasks can be put to wayside or delegated to
somebody else.
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 Importance vs. Urgency

The Matrix includes four quadrants. Two

axes showing the urgency and importance
of the tasks divide those four quadrants. The
quadrant top right is given the priority 1 as
all tasks in this quadrant are seen as ,very
How to be more important and ,very urgent. The quadrant
top right has priority 2 because those tasks
productive with your are ,very important but less urgent. The third
Bullet Journal quadrant (bottom right) is given the priority
number 3. All tasks in this quadrant are ,very
urgent but less important. And all other tasks
in quadrant 4 (bottom left) have the lowest
priority because they are ,less urgent as well
as less important.

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 How to apply the Eisenhower Matrix to
the Bullet Journal system?

Whereas the focus of the 80/20 rule lies on

the ratio of inputs to outputs, this matrix
focuses on the ratio of urgency and importance.
Therefore here too, the following applies: Use
How to be more that matrix when you set up your to do list
for the next day. Assign your tasks to this
productive with your matrix. Decide which tasks take top priority
Bullet Journal (very urgent and very important). Put these
tasks on top of your to do list, followed by
tasks with priority 2, then 3 and 4 at the end.
In this way you can reduce stress and boost
your productivity at the same time.

30
 Pomodoro Technique

The idea of this technique is to work for 25

minutes on one task ideally this task can
be completed in 25 minutes and then take a
break for five minutes. This can be a really hard
challenge. Sometimes you are so engaged in
How to be more your work that you do not even notice that time
is passing by. As a result you forget the time,
productive with your get stuck into your work, lose concentration
Bullet Journal and maybe also get moody because tasks take
longer than expected and all other tasks are
left undone.

The Pomodoro Technique requires 25 minutes

of high concentration without any interruption
no snacks, no calls, no smartphone breaks.
You can do this in your following five minute
break. And every four 5 minute breaks you
should take a longer break to rest your mind.

25 5 25 5 25 5 25 15 30
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 How to apply the Pomodoro Technique
to the Bullet Journal system?

Whereas the Eisenhower Matrix and 80/20

rule helps you decide which tasks should be
done at first, the Pomodoro Technique helps
you to structure your work hours in the most
How to be more efficient way. Dont work on one task for hours
without taking breaks. Pace yourself: Work
productive with your in shorter periods but therefore all the more
Bullet Journal concentrated and intense.

1. Pick a task.
2. Work for 25 minutes without any interruption.
Set a timer.
3. Take a 5 minute break.
4. Work again for 25 minutes.
5. Take a 5 minute break.
6. Work for 25 minutes.
7. Take a 5 minute break.
8. Work for 25 minutes.
9. Take a longer break. Reward yourself!

32
 Time Boxing

When you have an endless list of to dos and

deadlines to meet, you can easily lose sense
of time and get stuck in tasks which are not
worth the time you spent on them. The system
of time boxing helps you to follow a more
How to be more stringent timetable and set limits to yourself
so that you can manage all your to dos and
productive with your maintain a healthy work-life balance at the
Bullet Journal same time.

Time Monday Tuesday

8:00 AM Check Emails

Work on
Project 01
9:00 AM
Work on
Project 01
10:00 AM
Check Emails

11:00 AM
Work on Meetings
12:00 PM Project 02

1:00 PM Lunch Break Lunch Break

2:00 PM Check Emails

Work on
Project 02
3:00 PM Meetings

4:00 PM Check Emails

Plan tomorrow

33
 How to apply Time Boxing to the
Bullet Journal system?

You need to determine how many hours you

are going to work in one week 25, 30 or 50?
Done that? Then you should set up time boxes
for all the to dos you need to get done and
How to be more most important: visualize them. Time boxing is
not only useful to meet your professional goals
productive with your but also your personal ones: If you manage to
Bullet Journal get your work tasks done within your time
boxes, you can reward yourself with more
time for your private life.

34
 Batching

It is really hard to concentrate on one task

only. We easily get distracted by checking
our smartphone, social media or emails. In
order to abandon this source of distraction you
should make use of the batching method. The
How to be more idea of batching is that you think about your
daily tasks and try to find groups of similar
productive with your repetitive tasks which can be done in one go.
Bullet Journal By doing so you get into more concentrated
work sessions and may manage to accomplish
larger tasks.

Check all Emails

Respond to all Emails

Schedule all personal meetings

Schedule all calls

Write all invoices

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 How to apply the Batching method to
the Bullet Journal system?

Try to think of your tasks that can be grouped

together, for example batch all your meetings in
one time frame, your daily email correspondence
in one frame and all the paperwork you need
How to be more to get done on one day in another one. To get
into a better workflow you should start with an
productive with your easy batch of tasks in the morning, continue
Bullet Journal with a more demanding one and bring your
work day to close with a less demanding batch
of tasks. This method prevents you from losing
focus and jumping back and forth all day.

36
 My Personal Bullet Journal Tips
Write your to do list for the next day
in the evening before
It is better to have the upcoming day
already organized before you go to bed,
than sleeping restlessly with too many
thoughts on your mind and starting your
day not as productive as it could be.
Dont try to multitask
Multitasking isnt something that we
should strive for. We might be physically
able to work off several tasks in one go
but psychologically we arent. We do
have two hands but we only have one
mind. So take care of it, treat your mind
consciously and most importantly: dont
ask too much of it. More input does not
automatically lead to a better output. Try
to maximize your potential and work off
one task after another.
37
 My Personal Bullet Journal Tips
Set up a to do list that is realistic
Write only those tasks on your list that
you can really work off. As I already said:
Dont ask too much of yourself. A long
unrealistic to do list does not only end
up postponing too many tasks until the
next day and using too many ,> but also
is very discouraging. Better to finish your
tasks earlier than expected and be able
to do more tasks which were planned for
the next day than the other way round.
Be merciful with yourself
It may happen that you dont have a
good day. It may happen that you get
distracted sometimes. Or that you need
a day off. Dont only ask too much of
yourself but also listen to your body. If
you just cant find your focus then this
work day is probably a wasted one if you
go on trying and trying and failing.
Take your day off and start your next day
more motivated again.
38
 My Personal Bullet Journal Tips
Banish all the things around you
that could be a distraction
Put your smartphone aside, close all
browser tabs that are irrelevant for your
working situation, keep only the things
on your table that you really need at
the moment. Set a clear timeframe (or
work with the Pomodoro Technique)
and reward yourself afterwards with a
bit distraction.
Dont force yourself to use your
Bullet Journal for everything
The fact that youve just started your
Bullet Journal does not necessarily mean
that youre not allowed to use any other
notebook, app or digital productivity
system. If youd like to use an app for
your finances or a separate book for your
ideas just do it. Personally, I am still
using the app ,notes on my iPhone for
quick notes and ideas because I dont
always have my Bullet Journal at hand.
You need to find the right balance for
you.
39
 How do others use their Bullet Journals?

I didnt have a planner before other than

@bluelahe a scholastic one that all students in Italy
are obliged to have (at least until uni).
When and where did you first get in
It was a day to day planner and I only
touch with the Bullet Journal system?
used it to remember what homework I
What was your first impression?
had. When I discovered the Bujo I was
excited to be able to use it not only as a
I first discovered the Bujo system on
planner but also as a sketchbook, I love
Instagram and I was a bit confused about
drawing so I hoped it would help me to
how it worked. So I looked it up on google
keep using the system.
and found the official website and blogs.
Where did you get all the information
What attracted you to the system
and inspiration for your very first
of the Bullet Journal that other
Bullet Journal setup?
calendars or organization systems
dont have?
The official website, YouTube videos
40
and in particular @boho.berry and @ What does your monthly setup look
tinyrayofsunshine. like?

How did you start? What were your It changes through time but there are
first pages? basically three different ones.

I first tested the dailies on a random

planner I already had and then I used an
old Moleskine notebook with blank pages
(a bad choice because unlike squared/
dotted/ruled pages it can be pretty messy).
I started with only a monthly log and
Dailies.

Which essentials did you use for

your first Bullet Journal?

Other than the Moleskine notebook (that

I changed with a Leuchtturm1917) I used
the Stabilo point 88 pens and Sakura
microns. Now I use other supplies too
including watercolours and colour pencils.
Whats your favorite page in your
41
Bullet Journal?
Its hard to choose one but I think its the
one I did at the end of 2016 and the one
I did at the beginning of 2017 because I
thought a lot about my growth in the
review pages.
Which part of your Bullet Journal
do you use in your daily life most
often?
I definitely use my daily log the most.
And the next thing I use every day is the
mood tracker.
What do you find most useful about
the system?
I think its flexibility. Its after all a blank
notebook with a general outline but no
fixed rules. I love being able to change
things as I want and this helps me with
never getting bored with it.
Why do you prefer writing with a
pen and paper in this digital age?
I feel like pen and paper is more personal
and free. I love the feeling of writing on
paper and creating something with no
filter in between, its very relaxing. I dont
42
despise digital tools (I love to do digital art
for example) but I just personally prefer
traditional ones for my Bullet Journal.
How much time do you spend on
your Bullet Journal a week?
I spend about 15 min. at the start of the
week when I have to do the header of
the week and think about how to do the
layout. Then its just 5-10 minutes every
day for writing the Dailies. Doodles may
take just a minute or more depending
on their complexity. And at the end of
the week, I spend about 10 min. for the
weekly review. At the end of a month, I
also do the monthly log which can take
up to 1 hour.
The Bullet Journal system can have a
positive impact on your productivity
but it still does not ensure it what
are you top 3 personal tips for a
productive use of a Bullet Journal?
1. Open the Bullet Journal, seriously. I think
its the hardest part because sometimes
it can feel like a task itself, but when I
open it I just feel a compulsion to write/
do something. And when I write a task I
want to fill its box so I am motivated to
complete it.
2. If something doesnt work for you, change
it. The same if its not needed anymore.
If you keep it, its counterproductive
because its not something you really like
and can make you feel less enthusiast
about your Bullet Journal. (For example, I
used to have a habits tracker every month
but then I just started using it less and
less and so I dont set it up anymore)
3. Relax. I always try to remember that
the Bullet Journal is not just a planner,
its much much more. I love doodling,
43
journaling and experimenting on it and
this is a big part of why I am using the
system. Being a little more chill helps a
lot with productivity and avoiding a ,Bujo
block (Im not even sure if it exists as a
term. Its like an art block but with the
Bujo instead).
What are your most loved and used
Bullet Journal essentials?
The Muji black gel ink pen 0.38, Staedtler
pigment liner or Sakura micron with a fine
tip (e.g. 0.1), Faber-castell textliner 48,
Stabilo point 88 and the Stabilo aquacolor
pencils.
Do you use any other digital or
analogue tools besides your Bullet
Journal to organize yourself?
Just my school planner where I jot down
my homework. I have also started recently
a Bujo sidekick where I do long term
planning.
Who are your top 3 Bullet Journal
Instagram or YouTube accounts for
inspiration?
@nicoles.journal
@focusign
@sadgirlstudying
They are just the first ones that came in
my mind. There are lots of other amazing
people that inspire me, and sometimes I
get inspired by non-Bullet Journal related
accounts too. Inspiration is everywhere.
Who would you recommend to start
a Bullet Journal?
Everyone who likes creating something
with their hands and wishes to be more
organised. There are no other requirements
44
to me.

What would you say to someone who

is interested in the Bullet Journal
system but complains that he or she
is uncreative or his/ her handwriting
is sloppy?

Bullet Journaling is about working for you,

other peoples Bujo should not influence
you. I think comparing Bujos is like
comparing peoples personality, it doesnt
make sense to me because everyone is
different and has their own taste. If having
simple pages is your thing then go for
it, same if you like decorating it. You
dont have to be ,creative or have good
handwriting to start Bullet Journaling. If
you want to, just do it. Besides, I think
Some of the links in the interview are affiliate links.
keeping a Bullet Journal is itself a form This means that I may earn a small commission (at
of creativity because you can express no cost to you) if you purchase something through
the links provided.
yourself with it.

45

@journalspiration
When and where did you first get in
touch with the Bullet Journal system?
What was your first impression?
In order to organize my life and to keep
track of everything, I have tried many
different planning systems without
finding the right one for me, up until
last year. While again looking for a new
method to try out, I randomly stumbled
upon the Bullet Journal which instantly
enthralled me. Suddenly I was going
through Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube
to figure out how to start and what I
need. This is when my Bullet Journal
journey started.
What attracted you to the Bullet
Journal system and what does it
offer that other systems dont?
Before I heard anything about Bullet
Journaling, Ive tried using a classical
binder planner with pre-printed inserts,
a classical calendar and Ive also tried
several apps on my phone. However,
none of these options really worked for
me, they never gave me the flexibility I
needed. The Bullet Journal suits my life
in any situation, if I want to change my
lifestyle, my Bullet Journal changes with
me. Thats the one thing I love the most
about the system.
Where did you get all the information
and inspiration for your very first
Bullet Journal setup?
I think I got the first inspirations through
the 5437589 (maybe not that many) videos
I watched on YouTube and different posts
on Instagram and Pinterest. They are
46
still my number one when it comes to of them anymore to be honest. You find
information or inspiration. other stuff that suits you more after a
while, but I really liked those things in
How did you start? What were your the beginning!
first pages?
What does your monthly setup look
I started with a pretty big order on Amazon like?
where I got my first Bullet Journal supplies
and a massive hole in my wallet (but to
be honest, who doesnt?). My very first
page was the Key and I think it was the
same as the original one. Other pages I
made in the beginning were my goals,
savings and the future log.

Which essentials did you use for

your first Bullet Journal?
My essentials were pretty basic in the
beginning, I started with a Leuchtturm1917
notebook in the size A5, Staedtler fineliners
in black and different colors and some
tiny stamps. But I think I dont use any
Since I started to use a nuuna notebook
in the size S (similar to A6) I needed to
slim it all down to the basics. My monthly
setup is pretty simple, but I like to add
a section for my to dos and the thing I
want to focus on in this specific month.
47
Whats your favorite page in your
Bullet Journal?
I think my most favorite is my future log,
I just like the composition of the pages.
Which part of of your Bullet Journal
do you use in your daily life most?
The daily/weekly setup and the monthly
setup are the spreads I use daily. The
trackers are spreads Im using daily as
well but it depends if Im using them in
the specific month or not.
Why do you prefer writing with a pen
and paper in this digital age?
Sometimes I like to have a mix between
my iPhone and my Bullet Journal but in
the end Im always writing everything
down in my journal. I just need to have
certain things analog to focus, this is just
how I am.
How much time do you spend on
your Bullet Journal a week?
I would say it takes me roughly about 10
48
hours max a week to plan in my journal.
I want to have a Bullet Journal to help me
saving some time and be more productive,
not to waste it. :P
The Bullet Journal system can have a
positive impact on your productivity
but it still does not ensure it what
are your top personal tips for the
productive use of a Bullet Journal?
The one thing that made a huge difference
for me was to get more minimal. In the
very beginning I enjoyed fancy and colorful
spreads with time consuming headers
and decorations, but after a while, I more
and more tried to follow a minimalistic
look. One key reason for that change was
that I figured out that my Bullet Journal
is not only supposed to be aesthetic, but
also that it is supposed to be functional
and efficient. It saved me so much time!
Another tip would be to write down every
single task on your to do list for the day,
it really helps me to finish a task and
cross it down from my list. I feel more
productive and I enjoy to do more things
in a day.
What are your most loved and used
Bullet Journal essentials?
Nuuna Notebook by brandbook
Muji Gel Pen 0.38
Stabilo Pen 68
Planner Stamps/Stickers
VersaMagic Dewdrop Chalk Ink Pads
Protractor
Who are your top 3 Bullet Journal
Instagram or YouTube accounts for
inspiration?
I really like to get my inspiration from
more minimal accounts, my favorite ones
are @honeyrozes, @bujo.auslife and @
49
logthatlife on Instagram.

@Bohoberry is the perfect inspiration

for a Bullet Journal beginner, she has
several videos about how to start, what
you need and the first spreads. Another
great source is the official Bullet Journal
homepage where Ryder writes about his
system.

What would you say to someone who

is interested in the Bullet Journal
system but complains that he or she
is uncreative or his/her handwriting
is sloppy?

The Bullet Journal system isnt about

creativity or nice handwriting. It is meant
to be functional and efficient and not
pretty. Just remember that a Bullet Journal
is for you and not for others! :-)
Some of the links in the interview are affiliate links.
This means that I may earn a small commission (at
no cost to you) if you purchase something through
the links provided.

50

@luckyletters
When and where did you first get in
touch with the Bullet Journal system?
What was your first impression?
I first heard of the Bullet Journal system
through the recommended section of
YouTube. I clicked on a journal flip-
through video by Bohoberry, and I was
hooked. The pages were so creative, and
oh so random. There would be a daily
planner on one page and a bucket list
on the next, and I was immediately so
excited to buy one for myself.
What attracted you to the Bullet
Journal system and what does it
offer that other systems dont?
Other calendars and organizational
systems are usually dictated by what the
manufacturer thought would be useful.
If you buy a planner at a store, there is
no room to do anything other than plan,
or even worse, there is no room to even
fully and thoroughly plan.
Where did you get all the information
and inspiration for your very first
Bullet Journal setup?
I watched a lot of Bohoberry flip-
throughs and videos to understand what
a Bullet Journal entailed, and then, on
Instagram, I followed accounts like @
bulletjournalcollection that curated useful
Bullet Journal posts from multiple people.
I was able to see what everyone else
does with their journals, and from there,
I could filter out what I thought would
work for me.
51
How did you start? What were your I use my weekly spreads the most often,
first pages? simply because Im a college student.
Before every Monday, Ill fill in all the
My first page was an ,Introducing Me classes, meetings, and practices that I
spread. Essentially, I wrote myself a full- have that week per day, and Ill also mark
page letter of why Im starting a Bullet down what assignments or readings that
Journal and long-term goals for myself in I have due per day.
a stream of consciousness style of writing.
Next, I had a ,Banners & Headers spread,
and I really loved it. I knew it would be
a good reference for future spreads, and
it was really fun to make!

Which essentials did you use for

your first Bullet Journal?

Leuchtturm 1917 A5 dotted journal, black

Staedtler Triplus Fineliners, washi tape,
white-out, and a 6-inch metal ruler.
Which part of your Bullet Journal do
you use in your daily life most?
What do you find most useful about
the system?
I find its flexibility the most useful. There
are so many resources on Instagram,
YouTube, and various blogs, and people
52
use the Bullet Journal system in so many
different ways. Personally, I like a more
decorative and lettered journal, and this
organizational system allows for that
creativity to be integrated into it.
What does your monthly setup look
like?
Why do you prefer writing with a
pen and paper in this digital age?
I think things stick better in my brain
when I handwrite them, and with digital
calendars, I always felt that I would miss
meetings because Ive never been in the
habit to check my phone for my daily
schedule. In addition, theres no flexibility
I wouldnt be able to write myself little
notes of encouragement or reminders for
that day on a digital calendar.
How much time do you spend on
your Bullet Journal a week?
I usually spend more time on my Bullet
Journal on the weekends when I have more
time to sit down and plan my upcoming
week, but on average, I usually spend
about an hour a day on my Bullet Journal.
The Bullet Journal system can have a
positive impact on your productivity
but it still does not ensure it what
are you top 3 personal tips for a
productive use of a Bullet Journal?
53
1. Dont cave into peer pressure. If you dont
want to track your daily habits, dont add
it. Itll just make you feel guilty for not
using it, and thats counterproductive!
2. Change things up occasionally to find
what works for you. Draw inspiration
from other Bullet Journalists, and if you
see something that might work well for
you, dont be afraid to integrate it into
your own journal and try it out.
3. The point of planning is productivity.
Not every spread in your journal needs
to be beautiful, or if you dont want to
Bullet Journal that way, not a single spread
needs to be beautiful. As long as you are
productive, any Bullet Journal style is
okay!
Do you use any other digital or
analogue tools besides your Bullet
Journal to organize yourself?
Nope! My Bullet Journal is my planner,
my journal, and my portfolio of doodles,
and if I ever lost it, lets not think
about that scenario.
Who are your top 3 Bullet Journal
Instagram or YouTube accounts for
inspiration?
@Bohoberry Her YouTube videos are
so informative and detailed, and theyre
great for beginner Bullet Journalists!!
She does a lot of flip-throughs, so its a
great source for spread ideas if you ever
get stuck or what to try something new.
@Inkbyjeng Her journaling style is
very minimalist, but she also decorates
her spreads with geometric shapes and
animals. In addition to her beautiful posts,
her attitude towards life and people is so
contagiously positive, and its inspiring!
54
@Minimaljournal His tagline says it all:
,Its about getting crap done, not making
your crap look good. Hes the ultimate
minimal Bullet Journalist, and I think
hes also the embodiment of what Ryder
Carroll meant for this system to be.
Who would you recommend starting
a Bullet Journal?
Everyone! Anyone who needs to keep
track of any aspect of their life should
have a Bullet Journal. Its that simple.
You have ultimate control of what you
want to add to your planner, and you
arent confined by any means.
What would you say to someone who
is interested in the Bullet Journal
system but complains that he or she
is uncreative or his/ her handwriting
is sloppy?
Get a Bullet Journal. If youre scared
because you think that every Bullet Journal
needs to be decorative and illustrated,
read about why Ryder Caroll started this
system. It revolves around productivity
and simplicity, which means that you
dont need to be creative to be productive!
If youre on the opposite end and youre
worried that your handwriting is sloppy,
its still okay! Lettering and drawing takes
practice, and as long as you are willing
to learn, you shouldnt be intimidated.
Every person whose handwriting you
may admire started from where you are
right now.
Some of the links in the interview are affiliate links.
This means that I may earn a small commission (at
no cost to you) if you purchase something through
the links provided.
55
 Best Bullet Journal Essentials

Notebooks Additional Stationery

Leuchtturm 1917 A5 Dotted Stamps
Nuuna Notebook Stickers
Versa Magic Drewdrop Ink pads
Fineliners Washi Tape
Stabilo Point 88 White-Out
Sakura Microns (esp. Fine Tip 0.1) 6-inch-Metal Ruler
Muji Black Gel Ink Pen 0.38
Staedtler Pigment Liner
Stabilo Pen 68
Black Staedtler Tripus Fineliners
Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Brush
Tombow Dual Brush Pens Most of the above are affiliate links. This means that
I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if
you purchase something through the links provided.
Markers / Pencils
Faber Castell Textliner 48
Stabilo Aquacolor Pencils 56
 Now it is up to you. Grab a Bullet Journal,
some pens, find a relaxing place and
Happy Journaling go. Dont be intimidated. Dont let restrict
you. Dont let anybody tell you which
way to it. Find your own one.

For more daily inspiration reach me out on Instagram,

YouTube and Facebook or also join our Bullet
Journal Group on Facebook. Happy Journaling!

57