During all of the years I worked as a registered dietitian, I used a Franklin planner–a heavy leather bound, zippered 2″ ring notebook which basically served as my brain. It was a perfect system for forgetful me–two pages per day with room for lots of notes and reminders, plus a two page calendar for each month, and I used it constantly. I could look back five years and see exactly what I did that day. Who I met with, what my goals were. What I accomplished in both my professional career and in my writing.
Conversely, I could make reminder notes for myself, or write in appointments a year ahead and never forget–that thick notebook was with me all the time. At the end of a year I put important pages into a storage binder. Unlike a diary or journal, it was far more practical. I recently flipped through some of those binders and it was fun to find my lists of goals from each year and see if I succeeded or not.
But…in 2010 I quit my day job to concentrate on writing, and the planner sort of went by the wayside, replaced by the kitchen calendar, the calendar in my office, and sticky notes everywhere. Not such a good system–and one that often left me frantically hunting for the the info I needed. And then, I realized something so simple: I could simply use a blank-page journal, date each page as I used it, and make lists that I would keep. Lists I could refer to weeks or months later, if need be. Duh!
An extra thick spiral notebook worked perfectly…and then I found this Levenger Circa notebook in my closet and continued my simple daily to-do lists. But on the Fourth of July, while having dinner with our son, his wife and his inlaws, I learned about “bullet journaling” and a light came on. What a great idea! Have you heard of this?
If you Google “bullet journals” you’ll find dozens of websites, blogs, Youtube videos and even Pinterest pages on variations of this idea, that explain it step-by-step. It’s so much better than my simple daily lists, and I am hooked! And it’s so simple–a way to organize and keep track of every facet of your busy life.
I now have hopes that instead of paddling madly trying to stay afloat and on-time with every aspect of social media responsibilities, writing, and the business of keeping my personal and family life organized, I will do a better job of it all in the future! Have you tried doing it? If so what do you think? My son’s MIL and two sisters-in-law use pretty spiral journal notebooks and make them prettier, in the style of Susan Branch’s wonderful hardcovers. I am simply practical.
USA Today bestselling author Roxanne Rustand is the author of over thirty-five traditionally published novels, and four indie novels. Prior to 2007 she wrote for the secular market, but since then has been happily focused on inspirational fiction and sweet romance. A Golden Heart winner in 1995, she has received two RT Bookclub Magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, and has been nominated for an RT Bookclub Magazine Career Achievement Award. She is currently writing for Harlequin's Love Inspired line, and is continuing with self publishing. She and her husband live in the country with three horses, two goofy rescue dogs, and a half-dozen barn cats.
I am still in the dark ages as I write reams and reams and because I’ve written so much I start all over again!!!!!
So am looking into bullet journaling as I type, well not quite that soon, but after lunch, or maybe when I get home !!!!!
I would love to hear what you think of it! I’m hoping it will make my life go smoother!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on bullet journaling and a few products to peek at. I want to bullet journal but get overwhelmed by all the choices! Much luck on your book! I love the ones I’ve read so far :) Blessings.
Thank you, Tina, for your good wishes!! Yes–the choices are a bit overwhelming. There are so many variations!
I loved this post because I have an addiction to journals, day planners, and all calendars in general, Roxanne. Like you, I have calendars going way back. It’s fun to go through them now and then. Currently, I use a page a day calendar to map out each day. I even record doing the laundry. :) Checking items off at the end of the day, makes me feel more productive. Good luck with your book!
I guess that, in general, I’m addicted to office supplies in general. :) And I do love to go back and skim them, It brings back so much I’ve forgotten!
One of my BIGGEST regrets is that I didn’t keep a journal and write something down every single day once we started having kids. That would be such a treasure to me now. :(
I love crossing things off lists, too. In fact, i will write in extra things that I did, just for the pleasure of crossing them off. What that says about me, I don’t think I want to know!
While I was working full time as a teacher, caring for my aging parents, and a son at home I had two calendars – one for school and one for home. Every Sunday on a legal pad, I made a weekly list of events and appointments and notes or goals. This I reviewed every morning to keep my sanity. Since I am retired and care for my grandchildren appointments and events are on my cell phone. But I am still old school and have a wall calendar with appointments and keep a small calendar in my purse. During hectic weeks (next month when my son is in China) I will write out a weekly schedule or to do list. Writing things done makes me remember. Great blog and did some research on bullet journaling. Always willing to learn something new.
I am in awe of your busy life, Renate– children at home, elderly parents AND a full time job as a teacher–which can involve a lot of work in evenings, too. Whew! You must have been exhausted! :)
Bullet journalling is new to me, will look it up. I have an awesome electronic program that I am using more and more for school related stuff/class planning etc. and a lovely calendar that hangs on my kitchen wall that keeps track of personal stuff. That way hubby and I both can see it/add to it etc. and we know what is happening. Whenever we go somewhere, lists are my sanity- when packing for our last holiday, I even had a list of lists- crazy!!!
You mentioned an awesome electronic program–is it on your computer, phone, or tablet? I am intrigued! LOL–love your “list of the lists” before a trip! :)
Hi Roxanne,
Jan Drexler did a wonderful how-to on bullet journals just last week on YankeeBelleCafe. I have to admit, I am so not a list person that the idea of this vaguely terrifies me. My sister and I were just discussing yesterday, how it is possible that one of us is so super-organized (her) and one is totally seat-of-the pants (me). But I’ve learned to plan ahead in my writing so maybe there is hope.
If you want to check out Jan’s beautifully organized and decorated bullet journals, here’s a link. She says it helped keep her sane while planning her daughter’s wedding and meeting deadlines. http://yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com/search/label/Bullet%20Journaling
Thank you so much for sharing that link, Cate!! I will definitely go check it out. Really appreciate it!
Cate, I just couldn’t wait, so I followed that link. What a wonderful post! Thanks so much for giving us all the link!
I’m glad you liked it. I wasn’t sure whether to be intimidated or inspired. Either way, I was impressed.
I’ve recently abandoned the paper calendar with multiple sticky notes I could move to the next day if not completed (mostly used for long term tasks) to an online Google calendar. It took me a while to adapt, but I’ve became quite addicted to it (it’s so practical I love it). I can create multiple calendars for myself and organize personal things, work related (for multiple locations I work), and also add one to include information about my husband’s activities, tasks, church related events and other events. I just really like this and I can just easily move things around without having the hurdle to re-write it again and again. I really recommend.
Priscila, your system sounds really excellent, too! That’s something I will try, too. Thanks!
I don’t use bullet journals, but that sounds great!
I think we all have ways that work best for us. I use a system that sounds crazy complicated but works for me. I journal daily, it’s my quiet time tool for communicating all my concerns for the coming day with God. I set a goal to write 750 words. Arbitrary, but it’s amazing how often my deepest concerns only surface in that last couple of hundred words!
Then I have a goal list for the day that I only do AFTER I’ve discussed it with God! I also use Google calendar. Anything I need to remember goes straight in there. Love those email reminders! At the end of the day, I asses how things went, and what I need to carry over to the next day. It sounds time consuming, but is worth the half hour or so it uses.
Works for me, anyway!
It’s fascinating to read about all the different ways people organize their lives. Your quiet time with your journal sounds so peaceful and rewarding!
I’m highly unorganized, and lists, journals and planners give me the hives. I’m hopeless. Please don’t try to organize me.
Merrillee, You are so successful, with all the books you’ve written, that your un-system clearly works wonderfully for you! :)