The pen brand is actually Sakura, not Pigma. It’s the Sakura Pigma Micron line of products in case anyone is looking. Art & craft suppliers carry them.
You said that your bullet journal is boring but I'm not agree with you :) I'm tired to see all these bullet journals more artistic than productivity oriented. I don't say that all these bullet journals are not good because I like to think that if the Bullet journal help you for just one little thing once a week, it would not be a lost of time. But again, drawing all these stuff where more fancy things are present than actual tasks and events is not how I see the big thing. Your journal feel to me like something that a lot of time and effort about thinking have been put into and this reveal a lot of satisfaction and help to do brain reprogramming. This is a really good video about motivation for me to try again to add more gratitude journaling into my bullet journal. I've already bought a 5 minute journal but that wasn't works because maintaining 2 journals was too much for me. Thanks again for your great work :D
I stumbled on bullet journalling a few hrs ago and subscribed for the newsletter. Then I found your video and subscribed. This is awesome stuff!! Thank you so much. I love your easy way of explaining things and wish you much success in your RUclips channel.
I agree to some extent. His journal really inspires me to be more productive, I will definitely use some of his spreads but some artistic bullet journals are exactly for being artistic. People relax and express their ideas with drawings and doodles. I want to start a bullet journal and I want to combine both forms, productivity and artistic decoration.
I just spent several hours watching videos on how to do a bullet journal and I think you video finally answered it for me in a way that makes sense! Your system is awesome! Thank you!
Of all the bullet journal videos & blog posts on the internet, this one resonates with me the most. It is my kind of bullet journal. This video provided not only some simple things to implement, such as flexibility in structure being compatible with consistency of practice, but also a kind of validation that I never expected to find on the internet. Like others have commented, the emphasis of function over form is the key to this system being at all useful. Edit: I commented mid-way through the video, before you mentioned low carb. I lost 50 pounds in the last year on dirty keto, most of it in the first six months, with the last six months steadily maintaining. It may not work for everyone, but it definitely works for me.
Thanks for watching and commenting! Glad you could find some validation and I liked that you honed in on the flexibility. I just finished a journal a couple days ago and as I was looking over it I realized that over just the course of a year my journal had evolved to fit my needs. It's great to have a system that you can just change when it needs changing
After reading Ryder’s book on Bullet Journal I found my BUJO looks like yours, forget fancy or artsy just need to log! Thanks for this video it confirms I am doing what is working for me😲 Some need to make it beautiful but I need functioning. I also can’t combine personal and work these are 2 separate BUJO’s. Some can combine but it was failure for me. Do what works and go with it!
This is exactly how I want to use my Bullet Journal. I keep getting caught up in trying to create all the different that I see in various examples here on RUclips or on Pinterest. But this is what I want to do! Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for sharing how you set up your bujo. The more videos I watch the more I realize my journal will not be productivity based. And you know what? That's okay. My journal is for me. To be used by me. As long as I set goals, this could very well be what I've been spending years looking for. Thanks again!
Hey Matt, Your journal is setup very much like a Franklin Covey Day Planner. I got my first Franklin Day Planner in 1993 and was amazed at what it does which is basically everything you have here including the goals. The only thing you're missing is a daily appointment schedule but other than that you're spot on. You mentioned you accomplished something that wasn't in your goals and didn't accomplish other things which is understandable. The Franklin system incorporates your Values and Goals in your daily planning session along with steps and timeframes to accomplish goals. Hyrum Smith and his wife created the Franklin Planner about 40 years ago on a card table in their basement in Utah and he said he based his off Benjamin Franklin's planning system. The Franklin Planner is quite flexible and you can use either bullets or longform plus they have supplemental pages to add for those days with extra thought. The cross-referencing is phenomenal and is basically an analog database but it works. They sell or sold a couple books on how to effectively use the planner to its fullest potential and those books were eye-opening to the concept of daily planning. You might want to check them out because they're still in business of selling day planners and if you're not familiar with them, they're much more than your typical Day Timer or other generic day planner. I'm not trying to steal Ryder's thunder, even though he created his version of the Bullet Journal, the format has been around for a very long time. I was using it in the 1980's when I joined the Navy and I had supervisors who were taught by their supervisors and so on.
Finally a video about bulletjournaling with the tool front and center. Most videos just show you stuff like "how I decoated this page" or "what layout I use this month". I'm not the doodeling kind, I want simple and efficent, and this video had some real input in that department. Thank you!
This has been one of the best bullet journal videos I’ve been able to find. Most other videos talk about concepts and things to keep in mind when creating the journal...which is also helpful! But you really show the structure of yours page by page. This should be one of the first bullet journal videos to watch if anyone’s starting their BuJo journey! Thanks for the info!
I think one great thing about bullet journalling is its flexibility. For some it's walls of text. For some it's an artistic outlet. It can be either and more. For me it's about fun more than aesthetics or even minimalism. I don't have impressive works aesthetic art or paragraphs of writing. I have stickers, cartoons, symbols, scrapbooky marked up memory stuff, and a variety of papers and colors to keep me interested. One major thing that makes bujo stand out is that it's not a preset set of inserts but a flexible system.
I love how simple and well, raw it looks, it makes it more personal and quite authentic. I have a problem with commitment so when I tried to make those scrapbook-BuJos and I only committed to it for two weeks before getting too worked up about it. Your BuJo is achievable and I really like that because I could see myself doing it. It shows that you are using it for the main purpose of the BuJo and using it efficiently.
I number my journals with the [year.journal number], like this: 2020.01, 2020.02, etc. When I finish a journal, I take a picture of the index page and save it to OneNote with the title, “2020.01 Bullet Journal.” That way, I have a way to look for information before physically pulling them out of storage. Thank you for sharing. I enjoy learning from the community. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17 (Berean Study Bible)
Hey Man. Thanks for your video. Showing your own bujo really meant a lot specially for those who are intimidated by others' 'Very Decorative' Bujo who 'mostly' - but not all - aims for Likes. You showed that it's not about being fancy, but how efficient you bujo is to your life.
This is a late comment in relation to the publish date of this video, but I just listened to your master class and i feel really motivated. I recently started bullet journaling. Been doing it for 4 months now but I haven’t found my groove yet.. I vacillate between “do I really need to write this down?” to wanting it to be a creative outlet (and then I find myself not writing because I want to be able to decorate pages before I write) to writing everything down (high ends up being messy). I love your simplistic approach which really focuses on the purpose as per Ryder Carrol... create the future and memorialize the past. I got some great ideas today. Thank you!
Super video! Thanks for sharing your passion and your gifts. I wandered into the bullet journaling world by accident, and tonight I laid out my first journal! I appreciated not only the how-to stuff, but the deeper passion behind it. Thanks!
Thank you for this great video ! Really appreciate the fact that you showed us your real journal, and gave us the privilege of seeing how you run your life. I do gratitude journaling myself- I recount three things to be grateful for before going to bed every day- and it was very nice to see you doing it. I would also like to acknowledge your authenticity- this feels like its coming from the heart !
I am new to this bullet journal system and have been reading articles and watching videos for the last few days, but was still a bit confused and overwhelmed. Yours is the clearest, most down to earth one I have found and makes me think I can actually do this and stick with it. Thank you for sharing your video!
I've been meaning to start my Bullet Journal since January but didn't take the plunge. I felt very discouraged with the other videos I've watched because of all their creative input into it. I don't have that skill and time. I like yours because it's simple and functional.
Wow, this video is 4 years old but still really useful for a beginner bullet journal user! I've just started and this video is one of the most useful videos I've found that's really encouraging, especially since my recently discovered ADHD really brought to light how much I struggle with the day-to-day. Thanks for having put this video out into the world!
i really enjoy your layout. its very inspirational. im mainly talking about the "5-minute journal" and adding "gratitude" to every day. i feel like thats so important.
Matthew, thank you for this video and sharing honestly about your bullet journal journey. I'm having to remodel key parts of my life and have been looking for a way to capture, organize, and track my thoughts, goals, and tasks in a method that keeps me grounded and moving forward. I appreciated your focus on gratitude, your insights regarding a 10-year plan, and the simplicity of your method. Continue sharing your journey. You're inspiring!
Hi Matt. As someone who has anxiety and depression, I really appreciate your honesty about needing to write down affirmations in order to keep up motivation to put out videos. My self talk is overwhelmingly negative at times so it’s wonderful to feel like I’m not alone. You’ve gained a subscriber today!
Thanks for watching and responding Kayla! I'm glad you found something helpful. I'm all too aware of how debilitating negative thoughts can be so I really hope you find success battling yours
Thank you for a wonderful video! I am very excited to get some REAL inspiration about the bullet journal method, all I can find is those pretty and artsy ones and I already have art journals... So this was just what I was looking for! The real deal! Thank you!
I'm barely begining to bullet journal and I was planning on making it all pretty with doodles and artsy drawing but I realized that making it more simple has become more efficient I still like to make it look eyepleasing and I'll add a little design her and there and there is no wrong way on doing your bullet journal
Very true! Not only is there no wrong way, you can stop on a dime and change directions if you want to. I love that it's a system flexible enough to adapt to the needs of the moment
Thanks for having one of the few bujo examples that focuses on purpose and content over aesthetics! 😅 I went through a rough time with my long term dreams for the future, so I’m on hold there. However, BuJo is helping to rebuild by forcing me to pay attention every day to where I am, so when I review it I can better see where I want to go. You say it is a lot of flipping around to have shorter logs along with the longform, but for me it will give me a nice overview once it is filled without needing to skim over many journal pages (but I also don’t plan on writing long form every day). I have a “master journal” for all the messy long form stuff, ideas I want to flesh out, etc., which is indexed by page number in the monthly log where I write at least one short sentence to sum up the day. Then I have the unsexy calendar for the bullet tasks, tracking event dates, schedules and appointments; and then a page for tracking habits, exercise, etc. For me, separating this stuff out keeps it simple and fast to use on a daily basis and each type of logging can be reviewed quickly. Of course, as our lives change, our needs change, and so how we use the BuJo should evolve with us if we’re being mindful about it!
I think you hit the nail on the head at the end their. Life is always changing and we need a practice that can keep up. It's fun that my journal is constantly changing and evolving and that I have a record of what was working well for me last year or two years ago. Thanks for watching and commenting
@@thematthewkent I hear many people say they get paralyzed trying to start a bujo because they want it to be perfect - it can become an antidote to that rigidity when you realize it is supposed to be an experiment, a dynamic practice... which is why your video is so helpful, to me. Thanks for replying. Hope you have a lovely holiday, Matthew! 😊
Just started a bullet journal for the first time. Watched lots of videos and yours is one of the better ones. Very impressed by the lack of cuteness and washi tape. The 10-Year Plan is a great addition to a bullet journal and I am going include it in mine.
I started my bullet journal earlier this month and appreciate being able to see how your bullet journal has changed. One of the things I do in mine is to keep notes from meetings, which is what I did in my old work journal. I then add that meeting to the index. I haven’t done any collections, but decided to keep notes specific to a long term project at the back of my journal. In this case, I’m starting on the last page and working forward. So far, so good. BTW my journal is a journal sold to use for sketching, which means the pages are a bit thicker and I like that. There are no lines, dots or grids. Oh and congrats on the weight loss! And thanks for not have a highly designed (pretty) journal!
Sounds like an interesting approach! I do think lots of BuJo'ers out there could use your suggestion of using a sketchbook, I'm always seeing people talk about the problem of the pens bleeding through the page and it sounds like you have the solution
You have really gone over the top with your journaling . What I want you to know, is how you your voice pull us in to wont more. I will try to use your layout to keep useing mine idears with some of yours. You have won me over.
Sir, I just want to take a moment to offer encouragement to continue on your journey with zeal and enthusiasm. Thank you for sharing both bullet journal videos. Thanks for the honesty and sincerity in your video. Pretty awesome--good luck and God bless.//Chuck
I'm just learning about bullet journaling and of all the videos out there yours made the most sense to me. I've been journaling my days for a couple of years and could not figure out how to include it in the artsy scrapbook style bullet journals. Thanks!
Heard about the Bullet Journal at my women's conference and of course it leads to a You Tube search. Wanted to thank you so much for the great tips for how to do the Bullet Journal from a man's perspective and honesty without the fluff. I am the only woman in our little family so this will be perfect for my husband and 16yr old son. Think it would be great to do as a family to help each other out to do it. Your points about life motivation are really spot on.
I know this video was posted awhile ago. I wanted to say this video is very useful and impactful. I love the fact you wrote about your 10 year goal. I think I will give that a try too! I love the simplicity of this bullet journal.
As I've continued to evolve, I've basically moved to nearly 100% daily. There's a couple initial calendar spreads in my current journal and every now and then I'll create a space to work through a specific issue, but mostly it's just the daily writing
This video inspired me to make the 10y plan and day-in-the-life. Thank you! I think my journal has helped me become a better me within 1 week of using it. I found tons of inspiration but went in my own direction in many ways. Book: 3ring binder with removable/addable colored sections using 5 types of filler paper (dot paper, graph paper, copy paper, lined paper, grade book pages) - I had alot of this stuff lying around already and got dot paper from Walmart. I never worry about "doing it wrong" or changing my mind. The dot filler paper is like training wheels for a real dot paper journal. Dots can be guides for drawings or different font sizes or sticker alignments. That being said, all the different page styles carry subconscious associations and other benefits. Sections: I only have things Ithat I either already use or am suffering from not having: TIME/HABITS/DREAMS/PROJECTS/CLASSES TIME: *intro/welcome/key *calendars (schoolyear/summer, weekly, birthday page, emo /thanks reflection pocket calendar pages) HABITS: *habit tracker (gradebook paper) (I am either on or off consistently on each thing) DREAMS *purple dream journal (narrative daily accordion pages, symbol log) PROJECTS *yellow story folder: writing habits, character arcs, brain dump of unused threads) *yellow prepping folder: use/ inventory tracker, garden experiment tracker CLASSES *black teaching notebook (Why I like you" page, parent call log, removable grading, standard/unit calendar, and behavior pages (positive and negative to stop preoccupation wwith the peanut gallery). Stickers, stencil packs, and even a few pens fit inside the front and back cover pages. It took a week to set up and revise the dutch-foor flavored contextualizing layering of varying page sizes and placemeny - but it takes less than a half hour daily to maintain now. Pens: even though teachers like me have a lot of these, I liked the brush and gel pens and added these to the usual highlighters, pencils, ballpoint pens, and washable markers. Other: I have rulers but prefer freehand pencil or pencil-stencil drafting followed by big pen commitments. This method requires scissors and a 3hole punch. System: I found a system that is a little like grading myself. #gradebookpaper Word: After throwing a draft of what I wanted together and freely rearranging and adding extra pages anywhere, the word that emerged was "tunnels". Time: I see time like a branching space/time/probability tree that can be zoomed in on like a Prezi. I have a bigger binder than varied paper sizes so I can layer yearly out to weekly and daily in with staggering and folding pages like accordions or stuffing colored folder sections like separate pockets of the reality I'm going for. Daily: Tasks and appointments go on the weeklies and (school)yearlies (the schoolyear means more than the calendar year in many ways). So the dailies hold gratefulness notes and emotional state tracking (kept up on a pages-ripped-out tiny pocket calendar book I already had - separate from tasks so I can easily find the relevant section I want and ignore the rest).
Great video! I have watched a whole bunch of videos on how to do this and this is one of the most helpful ones I've found. You explain everything so clearly and you are well spoken and easy to listen to. I'm about to try my first bullet journal. Thanks for the help!
i think this is the best bullet journal video i've seen! i'm in college now and have been using mine since high school primarily as a homework tracking/planner thing... it's been really helpful in that regard, but i've been thinking lately that maybe it could do more for me than just helping me not turn in assignments late! i've been watching bujo vids on youtube for a while and it's really hard to not beat myself up about now having the super artsy fartsy, calligraphy'd up the wazoo design that some youtubers have. nice to hear this reminder that this habit is something that should be enhancing your life, rather than giving you more reasons to feel bad about yourself. thank you for sharing!!!!!!
You're welcome! Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing your experience. I really think you hit on a major theme that is why I've put some journaling videos: the journaling habit is there to serve you, not the other way around. I love the idea of people sometimes taking specific inspiration from my videos, but I really hope they find the general inspiration to do their own thing
I appreciate that your weeks start and end with an "S"... I found setting my weekly goals to begin from Sunday useful for shifting my perception of a week back.
Thank you for this video. I just started my Bujo last weekend, and decided immediately that my whole focus is not to make this a scrapbook substitute (I married the art gene), but to help me focus and be productive. I've ended every day goggling at how many things I actually do accomplish during the day, and realize my guilty feeling over not getting enough done isn't justified. In addition, I have many goals and facets to my life, and this definitely helps balance them!
This was actually really helpful. I've been scared of the whole bullet journal thing for a while bc of the artsy stuff (nothing wrong w it but sometimes that's not my thing). This has made it very reasonable, flexible and productive.
I love the idea of a 10 year plan for a remarkable life situation, i'm going to have to add that to my bullet journal. It really gets me thinking, and I love it. Thank you for that!
Thank you for this post! I just finished reading the first third of Ryder's book on how to Bullet Journal, it is at the spot where we're supposed to jump in and get started. Felt I needed some more visuals and video walk-throughs. Started with your older post about a dude's bullet journal and then kept going to watch this one. Am now inspired to start setting up my first journal. Maximum gratitude! I rarely comment on RUclips vids, but was inspired to do so by your sincere tone to it all. Happy New Year!
This was so helpful and comforting because I tried the artsy path but that's not me. I also found some of the logs easier to deal with daily versus on separate pages. I am definitely stealing the 5 min journal path going forward. Thanks for sharing.
I know I'm pretty late to the game but Ive been doing alot of research on bullet journals. First off, I would like to say i love you aren't just you decorating with stickers and such. Most of these videos thats all they consist of. Secondly, you have inspired me for my starting of a bullet journal. I also hope my fiance is as pumped as you are to do it because i feel like it will help us both. You have helped alot of my ideas and thoughts towards this and helped me bunker down on what i want to do. They have alot of work put into them and seem like alot but they seem like they are very helpful and the way you do it is very productive and works out very well. Keep up the amazing work and putting out videos because they are all so helpful. Thank you so much.
This is a wonderful walk through. And I'm so thankful for this minimalist approach...exactly what I've been looking for. In the planner community, there is a challenge called One Book July, and this year's challenge is to try the Bullet Journal approach. As one who's used the Franklin Covey system for years, I'm going to give the Bujo approach a go for the month of July. Your helps here confirmed several things I hope to apply. Thanks so much again.
Thank you for finally making a REAL video that's willing to teach us how to do this and get started with some level of confidence. It seems like everyone out there is busy with the aesthetic of it all, you got to the root of the matter ... What the hell to put in the darn thing... Lol. Thank you!
Thanks very much for sharing. I like a lot all your ideas ! I I use the bujo since one year and a half and I still need more comfortable spreads. I wish you a lot of success ;-)
Matthew, Thank you for the video. I have been a journal writer since I was a child. I write down EVERYTHING...but it's not always easy to keep track of. I think I am going to follow your lead and start experimenting with bullet journaling. :) Thank you Again!!!
Thank you Matthew! Like you, and Ryder Carroll who started BuJo, I prefer a minimalist approach. I feel it’s important to see others share their minimalistic pages so we don’t get discouraged by all the artsy posts. (Awesome that others appreciate and connect to those too)
Yay! I love this video! Just got my journal yesterday and have been watching tons of bujo videos and I was resisting getting started until YOURS! All those fancy, pretty, graphic journals-good for them. But your method is exactly what I need-simple, flexible, doable, personal and useful. Thank you! Btw: I agree-you are likable! Also I lost 15 lbs on low-carb and am going strong. Gonna put in my journal my weight and health goals. Thanks again and congratulations on your book. Will check that out too. ✌🏼❤️😊
I'm so happy you found some inspiration that works for you 😀 Thanks so much for taking the time to write an encouraging comment, I really appreciate it Also, congrats on the low carb success! 👏👏👏
Thanks a lot for the guys version of the bullet journal. I am literally about to start bullet journal and planning to explore this journaling method by using a Filofax notebook, which I am a big fan off because of the ease to add or remove pages and even print pages to add to my notebook. Let's see if that works out. I'll take your process as a starting inspiration for my structure, thanks for that.
A few questions for you that would really help me - Do you write affirmations every single day? Do you write gratitudes every single day? When do you start writing for the day, what’s your plan? Is it the first thing you do? How do you find things to write in it? I just end up staring at a blank page with nothing to write, no tasks, no goals etc. What kind of things do you actually record on paper for things like a journal/diary? Are you 100% paper oriented, or do you use apps too (not asking for app recommendations, just whether you use them at all)? I have Asperger’s + ADHD and I’m really trying to get started with a proper plan/BuJo but I end up like an author with writer’s block every time I try to start. I’ve had my official BuJo for over a year now and I’ve less than half the pages used. Never more than 3 consecutive days written out. Just really struggling to organise my life and record things - mainly because I feel like I’ve nothing to organise/record. Really hope you’re still replying to comments on old videos. Thanks
I do still respond! This video gets a lot of views, but comments are sporadic enough that I'm not overwhelmed with notifications. -not any more, but I used to. My journal is a constantly evolving thing -yes, I try to do the gratitude every day -i keep my journal around and I try to open it when I have something to add, like a note or a new to do item. Sometimes I write some stuff early, but some stuff (like I'll cover in the next answer) is better saved for later in the day -right now I have a few things that I like to do regularly (and of course, I'll write other nonregular things in as I feel the need): to do, gratitude, and "homework for life." Homework for life is basically just a short response to the question "what made today different than any other day?" I first heard about it from Matthew Dicks in the context of finding material for stories, but I think it also has value for preserving memories and making your life feel more full -see answer to last question, but sometimes I use a journaling prompt like "what are 10 things you wish people knew about you?" Very therapeutic. I use Google tasks for reminders of I know I need to do a certain thing at a certain time. I have most notifications disabled on my phone so the Google tasks reminder really gets my attention. I can relate to ADHD, maybe not so much the Asperger's. I still get writer's block. There have been a few days where I picked up my journal, looked at a blank page, then put it back in my bag. There have been many more days when I just never pull it out. I think what helps me keep going during times when I am inconsistent am not on pace to fill up a journal is that the contents that I have managed to put in my journal are valuable and I'm glad they are there and not lost to the vagaries of memory. Hope something in there helped. Thanks so much for watching and responding 😃
This looks great. Its interesting how your system has evolved . For two years i've been trying to keep a daily planer, which ended up with like two entries in them. Your first video really caught my attention. A less structured system of structure really appeals to my chaotic brain. just bought my first journal last night and reviewing you videos before diving in.
I'm not saying it is a female thing or a male thing, but I really appreciate the male bullet journal-ers (bullet journalists?) who are keeping it real for those of us who lack the time and/or desire to make art books. I ain't Martha Stewart, and that's okay.
I may be late, but still wanted to thank you for this video. Your bullet journal looks amazing! This is the sort of look and function I strive for, though I'm still in a sort of experimenting phase with my bujo. I really liked the idea of writing journal entries and gratitude in the dailies, and also the 3 most important things for today aspect is a useful tool - I really struggle with prioritizing. Hope you're doing well!
I am doing well, thanks for the wishes. And now that you mention it, I'm still in the experimental phase of my journal. I'm always trying new things and evolving the process and I'm sure I will for as long as I'm journaling!
Thanks for watching and commenting! And yeah, it's kind of crazy that I wrote a book that year, but that it wasn't on my list. At least it's proof that making lists doesn't preclude sponteneity 😂😂😂
thanks for sharing your bullet journal ideas. I've watched about 6 people's takes on it today and most are like scrap booking. I was already thinking: that takes way too much time! I need those lists to stimulate myself to start and finish things. If I add all that scrap booking I have no time to do all the things I should be doing. Your bullet journal is simple and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
If you have old tasks sitting there open, then you haven't done migration and that's a very important part of BuJo. Reflecting on what has and hasn't been done is one of the most important parts of the practice.
Hey Matt thanks for such an insight of what a productive journal should be. I believe the bullet journal need to be both productive and attractive to appeal in our eyes. In the meantime i am a focused value investor and i believe that value investors should start bullet journaling to prevent distraction of the market noise. Cheers buddy! Keep it up!
Thanks! Great point about investors. Every investor needs a way to take a step back from their emotions and look at things objectively. A journal is a great tool for humans because we have a need for objectivity but can't just get rid of our emotions
Thank you very much for this follow up video on your Bullet Journal and for beeing that honest about what you write in it. It really shows an efficient way of using this system and gave me some ideas that really could be helpfull for me. Sadly most of the videos online show more of an "art book" then an actual journaling system and how it could be applied. While I do not want to say anything negative about these (sometime) fine pieces of art, they just do not show what I am looking for and what I could need or use. Your BuJo video is a well appreciated different look into the system. I especially liked the way you set your goals in the begining of the book. Oh by the way: You nailed the pronounciation of "Leuchtturm". ;)
Good job! Definitely one of the better, more practical looks at Bullet Journaling. "Function over Form" - its more important to have a journal that works, instead of something with lots of pretty pages.
I know I’m late to the part here lol, but this is great! I’ve been also leaning into my daily logs and the idea of putting gratitude and also a mini diary entry into the daily log is brilliant. My gratitude and line a day pages don’t have enough space to write what I want there, and the flipping around through pages to hunt for these sections isn’t working for me. Going to try this beginning this week!
Hi Matt, thanks for making this and sharing your process . I appreciated your transparency and especially as I was thinking how helpful it was hearing you say you had to do affirmations to believe it would be valuable. Guess they work cause it was ! Thank you
I found it helpful in your video, and I'm really inspired to start my own Journal after I saw your Journal. Thank you for this helpful knowledge. Your channel deserves subscription and like. Best luck in all your future endeavors.
I love Udemy! Thank you for sharing this masterclass. I am a newbie to bullet journaling. I got tired of trying different planners and finding them lacking. I have high hopes for this.
I appreciate all of the info in the description. I was kind of doing my own "bullet journal" not knowing that this is a thing. I say kind of because I mostly use mine for accountability besides planning for each day which is 1 "spread" per day of a pocket notebook. I write the hours of the day down the left. Meetings go on the left, planning of to-do's on the right. Family schedule in the middle. Notes happen randomly and get "bam" "zap" "boom" batman style bubbles around them. For accountability, I make a dot for every ten minutes on-task and note if say, I am commenting on a YT video instead of working (no dot). Count my dots. I sometimes miss my timer going off, but it is easy to bracket the time. I usually note the start times to help with missing dots. BTW, I am chewing through paper with a spread per day. Anyways, keeps me going and I haven't seen that anywhere else. Some of the spread topics in the bullet journal videos are lists in the back of my notebook. I really like the organization ideas in this and other videos and new ideas. Maybe my ideas will help somebody. I appreciate the video. Later.
Thank you for this video. I've BuJo'd for a few 3 month cycles. But haven't used this method in over a year. Your video helped me get reoriented. Like you, I don't do all of the artistic stuff in mine so it was good to see yours. I love all the artistic ones but I'm not creative in that way nor do I have the desire to put energy into that. Though I admire those who do. Anyhow, thank you for the overview. I'm going to use the 10 year plan! And I used to set up my BuJo for the whole 3 months. I am going to let it roll out day by day. Also, I use the 5 Minute Journal and I may try to incorporate it, though I love the quotes on their pages. Lastly, I would love to see your daily log up close. Just so I can see how you organize the page(s) for a day. And how many pages do you use for the ten year plan?
Hope the 10 year plan goes well for you! I get a new journal every year and I put it in the beginning before the year actually gets started, so I don't worry about how many pages I need to leave for it. I'll try to get a photo uploaded of my daily log, but really the bullets are the organization. If I need to jot something down I just do it in the next available line
Thanks so much for this! I heard the Tim Ferris podcast about the ten year planning a few months ago, then lost it and couldn’t find more info. You have come to my rescue! Starting my bullet journal today with just your video as a guide as to not get too bogged down in all of the other suggestions from others. Since your watch appears in most of this video, can you share what it is? Looks good. Thanks again!
Glad I was able to refer you back to the podcast and help you get started! The watch is the Timex Weekender, simple, durable, goes with everything: amzn.to/2YWM65E
Great masterclass. Thanks a lot. A correction though, humans are not, by any stretch, that understand the concept of the future and can act according to this knowledge, several animals do. In fact, it is a common misunderstanding that our insights are dramatically different than those of animals, they are not. Examples: A crown can make a tool to fish a desirable object out of a bottle. This means that the crow not only can understand and plan for a future where it will eat the treat, but it can *create* a tool that will take it to this desired future. That is a lot more than just understanding there is a future, and it certainly is not instinct. I don't know if you've seen the video of the "smartest dog", but it is amazing. This is a dog that recognzes chewing toys and will pick the correct, named toy out of a big pile without fail. That in and of it self isn't astonishing, but what it did next was. Neal deGrasse Tyson visits the dog and tests it. Dog does all good. Then Tyson includes a new toy among the existing ones, and names it something completely different. In other words, the dog's not trained for this one. When Tyson asks the dog to fetch it, it takes slightly longer, but the dog eventually does the right thing. This means the dog understand a very abstract concept, that the toy it's never heard about must be the toy it's never seen before. That's remarkable. It is also interesting to see how Elephants recognize the bones of dead (and now rotted) relatives, and grieve over them. Elephants are the only other species we know that will shed tears when grieving. This is the "smartest dog in the world" - ruclips.net/video/mTTuiE1_Oe8/видео.html We are cool us human beings, but our perceived uniquness stems from spending too much time in front of mirrors and not observing what our fellow travelers on this ball are doing.
Here is a crow that CREATES a tool to fish a treat out of a tube: ruclips.net/video/TtmLVP0HvDg/видео.html Here is a video of a crow that understand the principle of Archimedes: ruclips.net/video/ZerUbHmuY04/видео.html Things we have believed to be in the realm of humans only
Yeah, all this is fascinating and wonderful. Still, we all knew what he meant, and he was fundamentally correct, especially within the context of the video. You wasted a lot time being pedantic. Those videos are great though.
There's a book that makes this point that I'd really like to read and you might like: Through a Glass Brightly: Using Science to See Our Species as We Really Are by David Barash.
Sugar is not a complex carbohydrate though...loose the fiber it becomes simple, so a sweet potatoe equals complex otherwise biscuits, crackers, pasta = simple...and fiber is essential to losing fat...I was convinced o was genetically adapted to be fat (based on observing my family) as soon as I recognized this. I eat what I want and I haven't filled out yet as my sister claimed I would...
Fantastic video! This minimal approach system is perfect for me! Thank you! I like pretty stuff so I’m only going to decorate it when I feel like being creative at the time :-)
And don’t worry, you are VERY likeable, Matthew, and the information you provided was VERY valuable!! Gonna share it to some folks who I believe will enjoy it, too!
I'm glad I found this video, because as someone new to the concept of bullet journaling, I was starting to get discouraged by a lot of what I'm finding on RUclips related to bullet journaling. It seems that 95% or more of the bullet journaling videos on RUclips are either (1) a show and tell video of how much expensive stationery the influencer has assembled, and wants you to buy so they keep getting free crap, and/or (2) a show and tell video of how much time and effort they put into turning their bullet journal into an art project. Even most of the videos tagged as "minimalist" are nowhere near what I would expect to be minimalist. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with pouring time and creativity into a bullet journal, if that brings you joy, but it's just not right for me. As I understand it, the genesis of the bullet journal was for it to be a system/tool for increasing personal productivity. So for me, spending a lot of time adding artistic flair (which I don't have anyway) to the bullet journal itself, seems to be counterintuitive and counterproductive to actually working on some of the tasks in the actual journal. So to find someone demonstrating a truly minimalist approach to help guide those of us without the desire for an artistic approach was refreshing. Thanks!
I reaalllyy reeaalllyyy like how you went by the system and found out that... that's what worked for u...i did the same...i moved a steo back.. and gave up all the decorative things...and here i am having a very efficient system which i can rely on so much...i was wondering how much could u fit in 1 journal in that way...like it's really important for me to know if i will he able to cover up 1 year in 1 journal...i would really like to know
We're almost at the end of the year and it's pretty clear I'm not going to fill it up. Although recently I've been putting more in so next year is going to be real interesting
Wonderful. Thank you. The information I’m struggling to find is how to adapt this system when you are the family manager. As a mom of two teens that don’t drive yet, I have my schedule, but their activities are also mine. I have to drive them there, then back. There’s also a lot of waiting and I’m trying to make use of that time. It’s just complicated when you’re time is yours and also two other people’s. I’d love guidance on good resources on applying this method to that family structure.
Hiya buddy - just watched the vid & was very informative & really enjoyed, will save me a lot of time I think in the long run. Thanks for all the extra stuff, I will look at all over time.....but have just added 'write a Kindle' book to my goals which, has come from nowhere!....but, as you say, it's kinda cool & am going to try the '10yr Life' challenge - that is properly outside the usual comfort zone!! but, nothing ventured!. Thanks again Matthew! - Nigel.
8:20 "The most dangerous form of procrastination is where you procrastinate on your dreams."
I think it is keeping a Bullet Journal.
"I'm an ideas man but my execution needs help." -I feel you. This is why I'm getting into this. It's helping so far!
Awesome!
Most of the bujo videos i have seen are fantasy , but your video is strength to the point. Thank you so much. 🙂🙂
You're welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting
Matthew, I have seen a lot of videos but they all seemed to be focused on artistic purposes not proactivity.
But you inspired me! Thank you.
You're welcome! I'm really glad you were inspired 😀
Glad it resonated with you 😃
The pen brand is actually Sakura, not Pigma. It’s the Sakura Pigma Micron line of products in case anyone is looking. Art & craft suppliers carry them.
Thanks!
That is a fun fact, thanks for sharing!
You said that your bullet journal is boring but I'm not agree with you :)
I'm tired to see all these bullet journals more artistic than productivity oriented.
I don't say that all these bullet journals are not good because I like to think that if the Bullet journal help you for just one little thing once a week, it would not be a lost of time. But again, drawing all these stuff where more fancy things are present than actual tasks and events is not how I see the big thing.
Your journal feel to me like something that a lot of time and effort about thinking have been put into and this reveal a lot of satisfaction and help to do brain reprogramming.
This is a really good video about motivation for me to try again to add more gratitude journaling into my bullet journal. I've already bought a 5 minute journal but that wasn't works because maintaining 2 journals was too much for me.
Thanks again for your great work :D
Thanks for watching and for the encouraging and thoughtful comment!
I stumbled on bullet journalling a few hrs ago and subscribed for the newsletter. Then I found your video and subscribed. This is awesome stuff!! Thank you so much. I love your easy way of explaining things and wish you much success in your RUclips channel.
I agree to some extent. His journal really inspires me to be more productive, I will definitely use some of his spreads but some artistic bullet journals are exactly for being artistic. People relax and express their ideas with drawings and doodles. I want to start a bullet journal and I want to combine both forms, productivity and artistic decoration.
Awesome. Hope it turns out great
I just spent several hours watching videos on how to do a bullet journal and I think you video finally answered it for me in a way that makes sense! Your system is awesome! Thank you!
You're welcome! Glad you found something useful 😃
Of all the bullet journal videos & blog posts on the internet, this one resonates with me the most. It is my kind of bullet journal. This video provided not only some simple things to implement, such as flexibility in structure being compatible with consistency of practice, but also a kind of validation that I never expected to find on the internet. Like others have commented, the emphasis of function over form is the key to this system being at all useful. Edit: I commented mid-way through the video, before you mentioned low carb. I lost 50 pounds in the last year on dirty keto, most of it in the first six months, with the last six months steadily maintaining. It may not work for everyone, but it definitely works for me.
Thanks for watching and commenting! Glad you could find some validation and I liked that you honed in on the flexibility. I just finished a journal a couple days ago and as I was looking over it I realized that over just the course of a year my journal had evolved to fit my needs. It's great to have a system that you can just change when it needs changing
After reading Ryder’s book on Bullet Journal I found my BUJO looks like yours, forget fancy or artsy just need to log! Thanks for this video it confirms I am doing what is working for me😲 Some need to make it beautiful but I need functioning. I also can’t combine personal and work these are 2 separate BUJO’s. Some can combine but it was failure for me. Do what works and go with it!
👍👍👍
This is exactly how I want to use my Bullet Journal. I keep getting caught up in trying to create all the different that I see in various examples here on RUclips or on Pinterest. But this is what I want to do! Thank you for sharing this!
You're welcome!
Thank you for sharing how you set up your bujo. The more videos I watch the more I realize my journal will not be productivity based. And you know what? That's okay. My journal is for me. To be used by me. As long as I set goals, this could very well be what I've been spending years looking for. Thanks again!
You're welcome! Excited for you, sounds like you're on to something 😎
Hey Matt, Your journal is setup very much like a Franklin Covey Day Planner. I got my first Franklin Day Planner in 1993 and was amazed at what it does which is basically everything you have here including the goals. The only thing you're missing is a daily appointment schedule but other than that you're spot on.
You mentioned you accomplished something that wasn't in your goals and didn't accomplish other things which is understandable. The Franklin system incorporates your Values and Goals in your daily planning session along with steps and timeframes to accomplish goals.
Hyrum Smith and his wife created the Franklin Planner about 40 years ago on a card table in their basement in Utah and he said he based his off Benjamin Franklin's planning system. The Franklin Planner is quite flexible and you can use either bullets or longform plus they have supplemental pages to add for those days with extra thought. The cross-referencing is phenomenal and is basically an analog database but it works. They sell or sold a couple books on how to effectively use the planner to its fullest potential and those books were eye-opening to the concept of daily planning. You might want to check them out because they're still in business of selling day planners and if you're not familiar with them, they're much more than your typical Day Timer or other generic day planner.
I'm not trying to steal Ryder's thunder, even though he created his version of the Bullet Journal, the format has been around for a very long time. I was using it in the 1980's when I joined the Navy and I had supervisors who were taught by their supervisors and so on.
Very cool. Thanks for the info 😃
Finally a video about bulletjournaling with the tool front and center. Most videos just show you stuff like "how I decoated this page" or "what layout I use this month". I'm not the doodeling kind, I want simple and efficent, and this video had some real input in that department. Thank you!
You're welcome! I'm glad it was useful for you
This has been one of the best bullet journal videos I’ve been able to find. Most other videos talk about concepts and things to keep in mind when creating the journal...which is also helpful! But you really show the structure of yours page by page. This should be one of the first bullet journal videos to watch if anyone’s starting their BuJo journey! Thanks for the info!
Thanks for saying so! I'm really glad you enjoyed it 😀
Thank you for this! I love that it's just journaling. No drawing, painting, or crafting. Again, thank you!
You're welcome, thanks for the comment 😀
I think one great thing about bullet journalling is its flexibility. For some it's walls of text. For some it's an artistic outlet. It can be either and more. For me it's about fun more than aesthetics or even minimalism. I don't have impressive works aesthetic art or paragraphs of writing. I have stickers, cartoons, symbols, scrapbooky marked up memory stuff, and a variety of papers and colors to keep me interested. One major thing that makes bujo stand out is that it's not a preset set of inserts but a flexible system.
Yes!
I love how simple and well, raw it looks, it makes it more personal and quite authentic. I have a problem with commitment so when I tried to make those scrapbook-BuJos and I only committed to it for two weeks before getting too worked up about it. Your BuJo is achievable and I really like that because I could see myself doing it. It shows that you are using it for the main purpose of the BuJo and using it efficiently.
Glad you're getting a vision of something achievable!
I number my journals with the [year.journal number], like this: 2020.01, 2020.02, etc. When I finish a journal, I take a picture of the index page and save it to OneNote with the title, “2020.01 Bullet Journal.” That way, I have a way to look for information before physically pulling them out of storage. Thank you for sharing. I enjoy learning from the community. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17 (Berean Study Bible)
Love that verse
Hey Man. Thanks for your video. Showing your own bujo really meant a lot specially for those who are intimidated by others' 'Very Decorative' Bujo who 'mostly' - but not all - aims for Likes.
You showed that it's not about being fancy, but how efficient you bujo is to your life.
Glad it resonated with you!
This is a late comment in relation to the publish date of this video, but I just listened to your master class and i feel really motivated. I recently started bullet journaling. Been doing it for 4 months now but I haven’t found my groove yet.. I vacillate between “do I really need to write this down?” to wanting it to be a creative outlet (and then I find myself not writing because I want to be able to decorate pages before I write) to writing everything down (high ends up being messy). I love your simplistic approach which really focuses on the purpose as per Ryder Carrol... create the future and memorialize the past. I got some great ideas today. Thank you!
Thanks for the comment! I'm glad you came away with some inspiration 😃
Super video! Thanks for sharing your passion and your gifts. I wandered into the bullet journaling world by accident, and tonight I laid out my first journal! I appreciated not only the how-to stuff, but the deeper passion behind it. Thanks!
You're welcome! I hope your first journaling experience goes well 😃
Thank you for this great video ! Really appreciate the fact that you showed us your real journal, and gave us the privilege of seeing how you run your life. I do gratitude journaling myself- I recount three things to be grateful for before going to bed every day- and it was very nice to see you doing it. I would also like to acknowledge your authenticity- this feels like its coming from the heart !
Thanks, I really appreciate that 😃
I am new to this bullet journal system and have been reading articles and watching videos for the last few days, but was still a bit confused and overwhelmed. Yours is the clearest, most down to earth one I have found and makes me think I can actually do this and stick with it. Thank you for sharing your video!
You're welcome! I'm really glad it was useful
I've been meaning to start my Bullet Journal since January but didn't take the plunge. I felt very discouraged with the other videos I've watched because of all their creative input into it. I don't have that skill and time. I like yours because it's simple and functional.
Glad you found something that's more up your alley! Thanks for watching and commenting 😃
Wow, this video is 4 years old but still really useful for a beginner bullet journal user! I've just started and this video is one of the most useful videos I've found that's really encouraging, especially since my recently discovered ADHD really brought to light how much I struggle with the day-to-day. Thanks for having put this video out into the world!
i really enjoy your layout. its very inspirational. im mainly talking about the "5-minute journal" and adding "gratitude" to every day. i feel like thats so important.
Yup, so important 😀
Matthew, thank you for this video and sharing honestly about your bullet journal journey. I'm having to remodel key parts of my life and have been looking for a way to capture, organize, and track my thoughts, goals, and tasks in a method that keeps me grounded and moving forward. I appreciated your focus on gratitude, your insights regarding a 10-year plan, and the simplicity of your method. Continue sharing your journey. You're inspiring!
Thanks Mark, I appreciate the thoughtful comment!
Hi Matt. As someone who has anxiety and depression, I really appreciate your honesty about needing to write down affirmations in order to keep up motivation to put out videos. My self talk is overwhelmingly negative at times so it’s wonderful to feel like I’m not alone. You’ve gained a subscriber today!
Thanks for watching and responding Kayla! I'm glad you found something helpful. I'm all too aware of how debilitating negative thoughts can be so I really hope you find success battling yours
Matthew Kent thank you! Every day is a day to make a difference. Keep putting yourself out there!
Thank you for a wonderful video! I am very excited to get some REAL inspiration about the bullet journal method, all I can find is those pretty and artsy ones and I already have art journals... So this was just what I was looking for! The real deal! Thank you!
You're welcome! Glad you found some inspiration 😃
I'm barely begining to bullet journal and I was planning on making it all pretty with doodles and artsy drawing but I realized that making it more simple has become more efficient I still like to make it look eyepleasing and I'll add a little design her and there and there is no wrong way on doing your bullet journal
Very true! Not only is there no wrong way, you can stop on a dime and change directions if you want to. I love that it's a system flexible enough to adapt to the needs of the moment
Thanks for having one of the few bujo examples that focuses on purpose and content over aesthetics! 😅 I went through a rough time with my long term dreams for the future, so I’m on hold there. However, BuJo is helping to rebuild by forcing me to pay attention every day to where I am, so when I review it I can better see where I want to go.
You say it is a lot of flipping around to have shorter logs along with the longform, but for me it will give me a nice overview once it is filled without needing to skim over many journal pages (but I also don’t plan on writing long form every day).
I have a “master journal” for all the messy long form stuff, ideas I want to flesh out, etc., which is indexed by page number in the monthly log where I write at least one short sentence to sum up the day. Then I have the unsexy calendar for the bullet tasks, tracking event dates, schedules and appointments; and then a page for tracking habits, exercise, etc.
For me, separating this stuff out keeps it simple and fast to use on a daily basis and each type of logging can be reviewed quickly. Of course, as our lives change, our needs change, and so how we use the BuJo should evolve with us if we’re being mindful about it!
I think you hit the nail on the head at the end their. Life is always changing and we need a practice that can keep up. It's fun that my journal is constantly changing and evolving and that I have a record of what was working well for me last year or two years ago. Thanks for watching and commenting
@@thematthewkent I hear many people say they get paralyzed trying to start a bujo because they want it to be perfect - it can become an antidote to that rigidity when you realize it is supposed to be an experiment, a dynamic practice... which is why your video is so helpful, to me. Thanks for replying. Hope you have a lovely holiday, Matthew! 😊
Just started a bullet journal for the first time. Watched lots of videos and yours is one of the better ones. Very impressed by the lack of cuteness and washi tape. The 10-Year Plan is a great addition to a bullet journal and I am going include it in mine.
Hope the 10 year plan serves you well!
I started my bullet journal earlier this month and appreciate being able to see how your bullet journal has changed. One of the things I do in mine is to keep notes from meetings, which is what I did in my old work journal. I then add that meeting to the index. I haven’t done any collections, but decided to keep notes specific to a long term project at the back of my journal. In this case, I’m starting on the last page and working forward. So far, so good. BTW my journal is a journal sold to use for sketching, which means the pages are a bit thicker and I like that. There are no lines, dots or grids.
Oh and congrats on the weight loss! And thanks for not have a highly designed (pretty) journal!
Sounds like an interesting approach!
I do think lots of BuJo'ers out there could use your suggestion of using a sketchbook, I'm always seeing people talk about the problem of the pens bleeding through the page and it sounds like you have the solution
You have really gone over the top with your journaling . What I want you to know, is how you your voice pull us in to wont more. I will try to use your layout to keep useing mine idears with some of yours. You have won me over.
Sir, I just want to take a moment to offer encouragement to continue on your journey with zeal and enthusiasm. Thank you for sharing both bullet journal videos. Thanks for the honesty and sincerity in your video. Pretty awesome--good luck and God bless.//Chuck
Thanks for the encouragement, it means a lot
I'm just learning about bullet journaling and of all the videos out there yours made the most sense to me. I've been journaling my days for a couple of years and could not figure out how to include it in the artsy scrapbook style bullet journals. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Heard about the Bullet Journal at my women's conference and of course it leads to a You Tube search. Wanted to thank you so much for the great tips for how to do the Bullet Journal from a man's perspective and honesty without the fluff. I am the only woman in our little family so this will be perfect for my husband and 16yr old son. Think it would be great to do as a family to help each other out to do it. Your points about life motivation are really spot on.
Thanks for the comment! It makes me happy that you found something that you think can be useful to your family!
I know this video was posted awhile ago. I wanted to say this video is very useful and impactful. I love the fact you wrote about your 10 year goal. I think I will give that a try too! I love the simplicity of this bullet journal.
I'm glad you found it useful! I think you'll really enjoy the 10 Year Plan for a Remarkable Life 😃
Thank you so much. Am going to try BUJO I think for the 5th time. I like the idea of writing daily instead of doing spreads that I didn't keep up.
As I've continued to evolve, I've basically moved to nearly 100% daily. There's a couple initial calendar spreads in my current journal and every now and then I'll create a space to work through a specific issue, but mostly it's just the daily writing
This video inspired me to make the 10y plan and day-in-the-life. Thank you!
I think my journal has helped me become a better me within 1 week of using it.
I found tons of inspiration but went in my own direction in many ways.
Book: 3ring binder with removable/addable colored sections using 5 types of filler paper (dot paper, graph paper, copy paper, lined paper, grade book pages) - I had alot of this stuff lying around already and got dot paper from Walmart.
I never worry about "doing it wrong" or changing my mind. The dot filler paper is like training wheels for a real dot paper journal. Dots can be guides for drawings or different font sizes or sticker alignments. That being said, all the different page styles carry subconscious associations and other benefits.
Sections: I only have things Ithat I either already use or am suffering from not having:
TIME/HABITS/DREAMS/PROJECTS/CLASSES
TIME:
*intro/welcome/key
*calendars (schoolyear/summer, weekly, birthday page, emo /thanks reflection pocket calendar pages)
HABITS:
*habit tracker (gradebook paper) (I am either on or off consistently on each thing)
DREAMS
*purple dream journal (narrative daily accordion pages, symbol log)
PROJECTS
*yellow story folder: writing habits, character arcs, brain dump of unused threads)
*yellow prepping folder: use/ inventory tracker, garden experiment tracker
CLASSES
*black teaching notebook (Why I like you" page, parent call log, removable grading, standard/unit calendar, and behavior pages (positive and negative to stop preoccupation wwith the peanut gallery).
Stickers, stencil packs, and even a few pens fit inside the front and back cover pages.
It took a week to set up and revise the dutch-foor flavored contextualizing layering of varying page sizes and placemeny - but it takes less than a half hour daily to maintain now.
Pens: even though teachers like me have a lot of these, I liked the brush and gel pens and added these to the usual highlighters, pencils, ballpoint pens, and washable markers.
Other: I have rulers but prefer freehand pencil or pencil-stencil drafting followed by big pen commitments. This method requires scissors and a 3hole punch.
System: I found a system that is a little like grading myself. #gradebookpaper
Word: After throwing a draft of what I wanted together and freely rearranging and adding extra pages anywhere, the word that emerged was "tunnels".
Time: I see time like a branching space/time/probability tree that can be zoomed in on like a Prezi. I have a bigger binder than varied paper sizes so I can layer yearly out to weekly and daily in with staggering and folding pages like accordions or stuffing colored folder sections like separate pockets of the reality I'm going for.
Daily: Tasks and appointments go on the weeklies and (school)yearlies (the schoolyear means more than the calendar year in many ways). So the dailies hold gratefulness notes and emotional state tracking (kept up on a pages-ripped-out tiny pocket calendar book I already had - separate from tasks so I can easily find the relevant section I want and ignore the rest).
I love the notion that you're not worrying about "doing it wrong." 😎
Great video! I have watched a whole bunch of videos on how to do this and this is one of the most helpful ones I've found. You explain everything so clearly and you are well spoken and easy to listen to. I'm about to try my first bullet journal. Thanks for the help!
You're welcome! 😀
i think this is the best bullet journal video i've seen! i'm in college now and have been using mine since high school primarily as a homework tracking/planner thing... it's been really helpful in that regard, but i've been thinking lately that maybe it could do more for me than just helping me not turn in assignments late! i've been watching bujo vids on youtube for a while and it's really hard to not beat myself up about now having the super artsy fartsy, calligraphy'd up the wazoo design that some youtubers have.
nice to hear this reminder that this habit is something that should be enhancing your life, rather than giving you more reasons to feel bad about yourself. thank you for sharing!!!!!!
You're welcome! Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing your experience. I really think you hit on a major theme that is why I've put some journaling videos: the journaling habit is there to serve you, not the other way around. I love the idea of people sometimes taking specific inspiration from my videos, but I really hope they find the general inspiration to do their own thing
I appreciate that your weeks start and end with an "S"... I found setting my weekly goals to begin from Sunday useful for shifting my perception of a week back.
The whole Sunday vs Monday thing has messed with me since I was a kid. I think I'm finally making some peace with think about the week as S to S
Thank you for this video. I just started my Bujo last weekend, and decided immediately that my whole focus is not to make this a scrapbook substitute (I married the art gene), but to help me focus and be productive. I've ended every day goggling at how many things I actually do accomplish during the day, and realize my guilty feeling over not getting enough done isn't justified. In addition, I have many goals and facets to my life, and this definitely helps balance them!
Awesome! Thanks for the comment 😃
A Plan is just a dream unless it immeadiately degenerates into hard work!!!! Love what you said about procrastination
Thanks! That quote sounds familiar, do you know where it comes from? It's good
This was actually really helpful. I've been scared of the whole bullet journal thing for a while bc of the artsy stuff (nothing wrong w it but sometimes that's not my thing). This has made it very reasonable, flexible and productive.
Glad it was helpful!
I love the idea of a 10 year plan for a remarkable life situation, i'm going to have to add that to my bullet journal. It really gets me thinking, and I love it. Thank you for that!
You're welcome! I really enjoyed creating my 10 year plan and I really enjoy sharing it 😀
Thank you for this post! I just finished reading the first third of Ryder's book on how to Bullet Journal, it is at the spot where we're supposed to jump in and get started. Felt I needed some more visuals and video walk-throughs. Started with your older post about a dude's bullet journal and then kept going to watch this one. Am now inspired to start setting up my first journal. Maximum gratitude!
I rarely comment on RUclips vids, but was inspired to do so by your sincere tone to it all. Happy New Year!
You're welcome for the post, thank you for the comment. I'm honored to get one if your few comments 😃
Good luck with your first journal!
This was so helpful and comforting because I tried the artsy path but that's not me. I also found some of the logs easier to deal with daily versus on separate pages. I am definitely stealing the 5 min journal path going forward. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome! Glad you found some useful stuff!
I know I'm pretty late to the game but Ive been doing alot of research on bullet journals. First off, I would like to say i love you aren't just you decorating with stickers and such. Most of these videos thats all they consist of. Secondly, you have inspired me for my starting of a bullet journal. I also hope my fiance is as pumped as you are to do it because i feel like it will help us both. You have helped alot of my ideas and thoughts towards this and helped me bunker down on what i want to do. They have alot of work put into them and seem like alot but they seem like they are very helpful and the way you do it is very productive and works out very well. Keep up the amazing work and putting out videos because they are all so helpful. Thank you so much.
You're welcome! 😃
This is a wonderful walk through. And I'm so thankful for this minimalist approach...exactly what I've been looking for. In the planner community, there is a challenge called One Book July, and this year's challenge is to try the Bullet Journal approach. As one who's used the Franklin Covey system for years, I'm going to give the Bujo approach a go for the month of July. Your helps here confirmed several things I hope to apply. Thanks so much again.
You're welcome! Someone else mentioned that challenge, I had never heard of it but I hope you do really well with it in July 😀
Thank you for finally making a REAL video that's willing to teach us how to do this and get started with some level of confidence. It seems like everyone out there is busy with the aesthetic of it all, you got to the root of the matter ... What the hell to put in the darn thing... Lol. Thank you!
You're welcome 😃
Thanks very much for sharing. I like a lot all your ideas ! I I use the bujo since one year and a half and I still need more comfortable spreads. I wish you a lot of success ;-)
Thanks for watching and for the kind response 😃
Matthew, Thank you for the video. I have been a journal writer since I was a child. I write down EVERYTHING...but it's not always easy to keep track of. I think I am going to follow your lead and start experimenting with bullet journaling. :) Thank you Again!!!
You're welcome! Good luck 😀
Thank you Matthew!
Like you, and Ryder Carroll who started BuJo, I prefer a minimalist approach.
I feel it’s important to see others share their minimalistic pages so we don’t get discouraged by all the artsy posts. (Awesome that others appreciate and connect to those too)
I totally agree! Sharing is just the way to go in general
Yay! I love this video! Just got my journal yesterday and have been watching tons of bujo videos and I was resisting getting started until YOURS! All those fancy, pretty, graphic journals-good for them. But your method is exactly what I need-simple, flexible, doable, personal and useful. Thank you! Btw: I agree-you are likable! Also I lost 15 lbs on low-carb and am going strong. Gonna put in my journal my weight and health goals. Thanks again and congratulations on your book. Will check that out too. ✌🏼❤️😊
I'm so happy you found some inspiration that works for you 😀
Thanks so much for taking the time to write an encouraging comment, I really appreciate it
Also, congrats on the low carb success! 👏👏👏
Thanks a lot for the guys version of the bullet journal. I am literally about to start bullet journal and planning to explore this journaling method by using a Filofax notebook, which I am a big fan off because of the ease to add or remove pages and even print pages to add to my notebook. Let's see if that works out. I'll take your process as a starting inspiration for my structure, thanks for that.
You're welcome, good luck!
Thank you. This was the most helpful video on Bullet Journals I've seen yet!
You're welcome! 😃
Finally! Super helpful I was growing tired of all the pretty stuff. Thank you
You're welcome! Thanks so much for the comment
A few questions for you that would really help me -
Do you write affirmations every single day?
Do you write gratitudes every single day?
When do you start writing for the day, what’s your plan? Is it the first thing you do?
How do you find things to write in it? I just end up staring at a blank page with nothing to write, no tasks, no goals etc.
What kind of things do you actually record on paper for things like a journal/diary?
Are you 100% paper oriented, or do you use apps too (not asking for app recommendations, just whether you use them at all)?
I have Asperger’s + ADHD and I’m really trying to get started with a proper plan/BuJo but I end up like an author with writer’s block every time I try to start. I’ve had my official BuJo for over a year now and I’ve less than half the pages used. Never more than 3 consecutive days written out.
Just really struggling to organise my life and record things - mainly because I feel like I’ve nothing to organise/record.
Really hope you’re still replying to comments on old videos. Thanks
I do still respond! This video gets a lot of views, but comments are sporadic enough that I'm not overwhelmed with notifications.
-not any more, but I used to. My journal is a constantly evolving thing
-yes, I try to do the gratitude every day
-i keep my journal around and I try to open it when I have something to add, like a note or a new to do item. Sometimes I write some stuff early, but some stuff (like I'll cover in the next answer) is better saved for later in the day
-right now I have a few things that I like to do regularly (and of course, I'll write other nonregular things in as I feel the need): to do, gratitude, and "homework for life." Homework for life is basically just a short response to the question "what made today different than any other day?" I first heard about it from Matthew Dicks in the context of finding material for stories, but I think it also has value for preserving memories and making your life feel more full
-see answer to last question, but sometimes I use a journaling prompt like "what are 10 things you wish people knew about you?" Very therapeutic.
I use Google tasks for reminders of I know I need to do a certain thing at a certain time. I have most notifications disabled on my phone so the Google tasks reminder really gets my attention.
I can relate to ADHD, maybe not so much the Asperger's. I still get writer's block. There have been a few days where I picked up my journal, looked at a blank page, then put it back in my bag. There have been many more days when I just never pull it out. I think what helps me keep going during times when I am inconsistent am not on pace to fill up a journal is that the contents that I have managed to put in my journal are valuable and I'm glad they are there and not lost to the vagaries of memory.
Hope something in there helped. Thanks so much for watching and responding 😃
This was really inspiring. I started bullet journaling 2 days ago and I'm getting so many ideas from your video. Thank you! 😃
You're welcome! 😀
This looks great. Its interesting how your system has evolved . For two years i've been trying to keep a daily planer, which ended up with like two entries in them. Your first video really caught my attention. A less structured system of structure really appeals to my chaotic brain. just bought my first journal last night and reviewing you videos before diving in.
Thanks Matthew. Just starting out. Will adopt a lot of your ideas. Hope you have a fantastic year.
Awesome! You too
I'm not saying it is a female thing or a male thing, but I really appreciate the male bullet journal-ers (bullet journalists?) who are keeping it real for those of us who lack the time and/or desire to make art books. I ain't Martha Stewart, and that's okay.
👍
I may be late, but still wanted to thank you for this video.
Your bullet journal looks amazing! This is the sort of look and function I strive for, though I'm still in a sort of experimenting phase with my bujo.
I really liked the idea of writing journal entries and gratitude in the dailies, and also the 3 most important things for today aspect is a useful tool - I really struggle with prioritizing.
Hope you're doing well!
I am doing well, thanks for the wishes. And now that you mention it, I'm still in the experimental phase of my journal. I'm always trying new things and evolving the process and I'm sure I will for as long as I'm journaling!
Thanks for sharing! :) I love that you got the book out! I also love that that WASN'T on your list. :)
Thanks for watching and commenting! And yeah, it's kind of crazy that I wrote a book that year, but that it wasn't on my list. At least it's proof that making lists doesn't preclude sponteneity 😂😂😂
Thank you for making this video. This was worth watching. Clearly presented, helpful and motivating
I'm so glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting 😃
thanks for sharing your bullet journal ideas. I've watched about 6 people's takes on it today and most are like scrap booking. I was already thinking: that takes way too much time! I need those lists to stimulate myself to start and finish things. If I add all that scrap booking I have no time to do all the things I should be doing. Your bullet journal is simple and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
You're welcome! I'm glad you found something that works for you
If you have old tasks sitting there open, then you haven't done migration and that's a very important part of BuJo. Reflecting on what has and hasn't been done is one of the most important parts of the practice.
That's true
Hey Matt thanks for such an insight of what a productive journal should be. I believe the bullet journal need to be both productive and attractive to appeal in our eyes. In the meantime i am a focused value investor and i believe that value investors should start bullet journaling to prevent distraction of the market noise.
Cheers buddy! Keep it up!
Thanks! Great point about investors. Every investor needs a way to take a step back from their emotions and look at things objectively. A journal is a great tool for humans because we have a need for objectivity but can't just get rid of our emotions
Thank you very much for this follow up video on your Bullet Journal and for beeing that honest about what you write in it. It really shows an efficient way of using this system and gave me some ideas that really could be helpfull for me.
Sadly most of the videos online show more of an "art book" then an actual journaling system and how it could be applied. While I do not want to say anything negative about these (sometime) fine pieces of art, they just do not show what I am looking for and what I could need or use. Your BuJo video is a well appreciated different look into the system. I especially liked the way you set your goals in the begining of the book.
Oh by the way: You nailed the pronounciation of "Leuchtturm". ;)
Good job! Definitely one of the better, more practical looks at Bullet Journaling. "Function over Form" - its more important to have a journal that works, instead of something with lots of pretty pages.
I know I’m late to the part here lol, but this is great! I’ve been also leaning into my daily logs and the idea of putting gratitude and also a mini diary entry into the daily log is brilliant.
My gratitude and line a day pages don’t have enough space to write what I want there, and the flipping around through pages to hunt for these sections isn’t working for me. Going to try this beginning this week!
Glad it was useful!
Hey Matt, great video! Thank you for sharing. I just got into bullet journaling. I got lots of ideas from your share. Thanks!
That's great to hear! Thanks for watching and commenting 😎
This was absolutely fantastic. You have given me so many great ideas and I so appreciate your opening your private life to us. Thank you so much!
You're welcome 😊
Hi Matt, thanks for making this and sharing your process . I appreciated your transparency and especially as I was thinking how helpful it was hearing you say you had to do affirmations to believe it would be valuable. Guess they work cause it was ! Thank you
It's crazy how much confidence affirmations give you. Too many of our thought patterns about ourselves can default to negative if we let them
I found it helpful in your video, and I'm really inspired to start my own Journal after I saw your Journal. Thank you for this helpful knowledge. Your channel deserves subscription and like. Best luck in all your future endeavors.
Thanks so much for watching and leaving a kind comment. It makes me really happy to have inspired you 😃
I love Udemy! Thank you for sharing this masterclass. I am a newbie to bullet journaling. I got tired of trying different planners and finding them lacking. I have high hopes for this.
You're welcome! Hope it works for you
Thanks a lot, literraly the best video and not full of just art, this is what bullet journaling really means
You're welcome!
Thank you for posting this and sharing your journey. It was all very useful and yes, You Are Likeable!
You're welcome! And thank you for the kind words 😃
I appreciate all of the info in the description. I was kind of doing my own "bullet journal" not knowing that this is a thing. I say kind of because I mostly use mine for accountability besides planning for each day which is 1 "spread" per day of a pocket notebook. I write the hours of the day down the left. Meetings go on the left, planning of to-do's on the right. Family schedule in the middle. Notes happen randomly and get "bam" "zap" "boom" batman style bubbles around them. For accountability, I make a dot for every ten minutes on-task and note if say, I am commenting on a YT video instead of working (no dot). Count my dots. I sometimes miss my timer going off, but it is easy to bracket the time. I usually note the start times to help with missing dots. BTW, I am chewing through paper with a spread per day. Anyways, keeps me going and I haven't seen that anywhere else. Some of the spread topics in the bullet journal videos are lists in the back of my notebook. I really like the organization ideas in this and other videos and new ideas. Maybe my ideas will help somebody. I appreciate the video. Later.
I also like to swear a lot at myself on my tracking pages. Adds some flare!
Thank you for this video. I've BuJo'd for a few 3 month cycles. But haven't used this method in over a year. Your video helped me get reoriented. Like you, I don't do all of the artistic stuff in mine so it was good to see yours. I love all the artistic ones but I'm not creative in that way nor do I have the desire to put energy into that. Though I admire those who do. Anyhow, thank you for the overview. I'm going to use the 10 year plan! And I used to set up my BuJo for the whole 3 months. I am going to let it roll out day by day. Also, I use the 5 Minute Journal and I may try to incorporate it, though I love the quotes on their pages. Lastly, I would love to see your daily log up close. Just so I can see how you organize the page(s) for a day. And how many pages do you use for the ten year plan?
Hope the 10 year plan goes well for you! I get a new journal every year and I put it in the beginning before the year actually gets started, so I don't worry about how many pages I need to leave for it. I'll try to get a photo uploaded of my daily log, but really the bullets are the organization. If I need to jot something down I just do it in the next available line
that was the quickest 24 minutes, great video
Thanks!
Thanks so much for this! I heard the Tim Ferris podcast about the ten year planning a few months ago, then lost it and couldn’t find more info. You have come to my rescue! Starting my bullet journal today with just your video as a guide as to not get too bogged down in all of the other suggestions from others. Since your watch appears in most of this video, can you share what it is? Looks good. Thanks again!
Glad I was able to refer you back to the podcast and help you get started! The watch is the Timex Weekender, simple, durable, goes with everything: amzn.to/2YWM65E
You're a Cool Guy. One can Clearly See your Progress with your Journaling.
Thanks!
Loved your simplicity. Thanks for the video!
You're welcome!
Thanks for the vid! My biggest takeaways were the 10 yr plan, goal setting, & 3 things aspects.
Those are some great takeaways!
Great masterclass. Thanks a lot.
A correction though, humans are not, by any stretch, that understand the concept of the future and can act according to this knowledge, several animals do. In fact, it is a common misunderstanding that our insights are dramatically different than those of animals, they are not.
Examples: A crown can make a tool to fish a desirable object out of a bottle. This means that the crow not only can understand and plan for a future where it will eat the treat, but it can *create* a tool that will take it to this desired future. That is a lot more than just understanding there is a future, and it certainly is not instinct.
I don't know if you've seen the video of the "smartest dog", but it is amazing. This is a dog that recognzes chewing toys and will pick the correct, named toy out of a big pile without fail. That in and of it self isn't astonishing, but what it did next was. Neal deGrasse Tyson visits the dog and tests it. Dog does all good. Then Tyson includes a new toy among the existing ones, and names it something completely different. In other words, the dog's not trained for this one. When Tyson asks the dog to fetch it, it takes slightly longer, but the dog eventually does the right thing. This means the dog understand a very abstract concept, that the toy it's never heard about must be the toy it's never seen before. That's remarkable.
It is also interesting to see how Elephants recognize the bones of dead (and now rotted) relatives, and grieve over them. Elephants are the only other species we know that will shed tears when grieving.
This is the "smartest dog in the world" - ruclips.net/video/mTTuiE1_Oe8/видео.html
We are cool us human beings, but our perceived uniquness stems from spending too much time in front of mirrors and not observing what our fellow travelers on this ball are doing.
Here is a crow that CREATES a tool to fish a treat out of a tube: ruclips.net/video/TtmLVP0HvDg/видео.html
Here is a video of a crow that understand the principle of Archimedes: ruclips.net/video/ZerUbHmuY04/видео.html
Things we have believed to be in the realm of humans only
Very interesting! Thanks so much for sharing
This is one of the best comments I've ever read
Yeah, all this is fascinating and wonderful. Still, we all knew what he meant, and he was fundamentally correct, especially within the context of the video. You wasted a lot time being pedantic. Those videos are great though.
There's a book that makes this point that I'd really like to read and you might like: Through a Glass Brightly: Using Science to See Our Species as We Really Are by David Barash.
Sugar is not a complex carbohydrate though...loose the fiber it becomes simple, so a sweet potatoe equals complex otherwise biscuits, crackers, pasta = simple...and fiber is essential to losing fat...I was convinced o was genetically adapted to be fat (based on observing my family) as soon as I recognized this. I eat what I want and I haven't filled out yet as my sister claimed I would...
I'm a big believer in fiber now. Robert Lustig's book "Fat Chance" is a big reason why
Fantastic video! This minimal approach system is perfect for me! Thank you! I like pretty stuff so I’m only going to decorate it when I feel like being creative at the time :-)
Love that approach 😃
My fav set up by far!! Thank you so much, you explained everything so well! You got me highly inspired!! Thank you!!
And don’t worry, you are VERY likeable, Matthew, and the information you provided was VERY valuable!! Gonna share it to some folks who I believe will enjoy it, too!
Awesome! 😃and you're welcome!
So much writing. I would die. I find it overwhelming😳 but fun to see something different 👍
Here's to not dying 😁
I'm glad I found this video, because as someone new to the concept of bullet journaling, I was starting to get discouraged by a lot of what I'm finding on RUclips related to bullet journaling. It seems that 95% or more of the bullet journaling videos on RUclips are either (1) a show and tell video of how much expensive stationery the influencer has assembled, and wants you to buy so they keep getting free crap, and/or (2) a show and tell video of how much time and effort they put into turning their bullet journal into an art project. Even most of the videos tagged as "minimalist" are nowhere near what I would expect to be minimalist.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with pouring time and creativity into a bullet journal, if that brings you joy, but it's just not right for me. As I understand it, the genesis of the bullet journal was for it to be a system/tool for increasing personal productivity. So for me, spending a lot of time adding artistic flair (which I don't have anyway) to the bullet journal itself, seems to be counterintuitive and counterproductive to actually working on some of the tasks in the actual journal.
So to find someone demonstrating a truly minimalist approach to help guide those of us without the desire for an artistic approach was refreshing. Thanks!
I'm glad the video is still relevant and still meets a need. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a nice and thoughtful comment 😃
Helpful video!! Rock on for overcoming your fears and filming it! 💜
Thanks!
NICE WORK BRO! Very cool to get an honest/authentic look at this stuff. Also, a guy's perspective. Gonna use several tips from this THANK YOU
You're welcome!
This was an awesome video, Thank you! Now I can't wait start Bullet Journaling🙂
You're welcome!
I reaalllyy reeaalllyyy like how you went by the system and found out that... that's what worked for u...i did the same...i moved a steo back.. and gave up all the decorative things...and here i am having a very efficient system which i can rely on so much...i was wondering how much could u fit in 1 journal in that way...like it's really important for me to know if i will he able to cover up 1 year in 1 journal...i would really like to know
We're almost at the end of the year and it's pretty clear I'm not going to fill it up. Although recently I've been putting more in so next year is going to be real interesting
Wonderful. Thank you. The information I’m struggling to find is how to adapt this system when you are the family manager. As a mom of two teens that don’t drive yet, I have my schedule, but their activities are also mine. I have to drive them there, then back. There’s also a lot of waiting and I’m trying to make use of that time. It’s just complicated when you’re time is yours and also two other people’s. I’d love guidance on good resources on applying this method to that family structure.
Hiya buddy - just watched the vid & was very informative & really enjoyed, will save me a lot of time I think in the long run. Thanks for all the extra stuff, I will look at all over time.....but have just added 'write a Kindle' book to my goals which, has come from nowhere!....but, as you say, it's kinda cool & am going to try the '10yr Life' challenge - that is properly outside the usual comfort zone!! but, nothing ventured!. Thanks again Matthew! - Nigel.
Awesome! Thanks for leaving the comment
This is great! Thank you! I've watched so many videos and this is one of the best. Simple, and useful!
You're welcome! Glad you found something helpful and thanks for the kind comment