Ryder Carroll's The Bullet Journal Method provided a few lines to ponder last week; now I've finished the book and decided to try out this "personal operating system" designed to "track your past, order your present, and plan your future".
If you're not already familiar with the concept then the website gives the gist and includes a video tutorial to get you started, but if you're wondering about the method's distinguishing features, then I'd suggest its mission is key: it exists "to help us become mindful about how we spend our two most valuable resources in life: our time and our energy. [It] will help you accomplish more by working less. It helps you identify and focus on what is meaningful by stripping away what is meaningless [...] by weaving together productivity, mindfulness, and intentionality into a framework that is flexible, forgiving, and, most importantly, practical."
The book goes into a lot of detail and examples, and it spends as long on the system's 'why' as on its 'how', but I found it both a thought-provoking read and a comprehensive explanation of an attractive way of keeping track, and keeping on track.
For more of the background, you can watch a Waterstones interview with Ryder Carroll here and his TED Talk here.
Haven't read Ryder's book, but I have used his bullet system for a number of years and I highly recommend it. It was great for work where a myriad of tasks needed to be accomplished and tracked. Though I have now retired, it still helps me keep track of my life. It is a very adaptable system in that one can pick and choose the functions that work best for your needs. Best of luck finding ways to make it work for you.
Posted by: Mary | 28 November 2018 at 12:57 PM
Thank you, Mary. Reading the book I was struck by how adaptable and functional the system appears to be, and while it's early days, I can see how it helps productivity and focus.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 November 2018 at 02:40 PM
As a side note - While I may admire the work of folks who do beautiful sketching, etc., for their bullet journals, my journal pages have always been strictly utilitarian. No calligraphy. No artwork. Works for me.
Posted by: Mary | 28 November 2018 at 05:52 PM
Me too.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 November 2018 at 06:46 PM
As I am recovering from knee surgery , I have been spending much time being inactive. Coming home from hospital, I began taking notes, observations in a beautiful notebook I had been given a few years ago.. it helped to keep me focused when I was coping with painkillers exercises etc. I am going to buy this book......and also some good quality notebooks for friends at Christmas.
Posted by: Anne | 30 November 2018 at 09:32 AM
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery, Anne.
The system seems adaptable to any use, whether keeping on top of tasks and projects, tracking daily habits, or recording observations as you have been doing. I hope it will work well for you.
Posted by: Cornflower | 30 November 2018 at 11:03 AM
I have just watched the video and my question is: how much time would I waste in setting the journal up when I could be curled up with an interesting book, knitting, painting etc.? Haha!
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 02 December 2018 at 08:12 AM
There is that!
I suppose it depends on how complicated (i.e. how many elements) one wants to include. Mine didn't take very long to do, but so far it is keeping me on track with the various things I want - or have - to do.
Posted by: Cornflower | 03 December 2018 at 02:57 PM