Bullet journal

A bullet journal (also known as a BuJo) is a paper-based method of personal organization developed by digital product designer Ryder Carroll.^[1][2]

Example page from a bullet journal, showing some typical notations.

The bullet journal system organizes journaling, time management, brainstorming, note-taking and other productivity and organizational tasks into a single notebook. The name "bullet journal" comes from the use of abbreviated bullet points to log information,^[3] but it also partially comes from the use of dotted journals, which are gridded using dots rather than lines.^[4] It was shared in public in 2013.^[5][6]

History

Ryder Carroll began looking for a simple method of personal organization in college in the late 1990s. Diagnosed with attention deficit disorder as a child, he wanted a system to help "move past his learning disabilities."^[5] By the time he graduated from college, he had devised the bullet journal method. A friend encouraged him to share his method, and he began sharing it online in 2013. It attracted attention on social media, earning $80,000 in Kickstarter funding to create a centralized online community of users. It was the subject of over 3 million Instagram posts by December 2018.^[5][6] The method has been influenced by Carroll's experience as an app, web, and game designer, as well as by his interest in scrapbooking.^[5]

Carroll gave a TED talk about bullet journaling at the 2017 TEDxYale event, titled "How to declutter your mind – keep a journal."^[7] Carroll also published a book on the system, The Bullet Journal Method, in 2018.^[8]

Uses

The bullet journal can be used to keep track of tasks, schedule appointments and meetings, manage projects, take notes, track how time is being spent and keep track of goals for annual reviews.^{[9] [10]} Bullet journals can be used to track moods and habits, or to track spending or savings goals. ^[11][12][13] It may be used as a medium for reflection, as a diary, and/or as an artistic outlet ^{[citation needed]}.

Tools

The method requires a pen or pencil and a notebook. Some users are more elaborate. Users who focus on the creative element may use a variety of supplies, including a ruler, colored pens, markers, pencils, stickers, stencils, washi tape, etc.^[14]There are commercially produced notebooks designed for bullet journaling, but it is not required.^[2]

The bullet journal system is flexibile so that users can customizes it to their needs.

Styles

An example of a bullet journal.

Since the introduction of the original bullet journal method, the online community has morphed the bullet journal into different styles: minimalistic, artsy, doodle, super-organized, and scrapbook, to name a few.^[15] What differentiates styles is how elaborate pages are, whether that's in terms of content or appearance, or in how the user approaches the system.

Reception

Proponents describe the bullet journal as both an effective planning method and a "creative outlet" with a focus on "simplicity and clarity."^[16] Digital bullet journaling has also emerged, using a variety of note-taking apps or apps designed specifically for digital bullet journaling.

Economic impact

Since the introduction of bullet journaling, its growing popularity has contributed to an increase in sales of traditional stationery products, such as notebooks, pens, etc. As of 2018, there was an 18% increase in the sale of notebooks in the US compared to the year before.^[17] There was also an increase ranging from 5% to 17% in the sale of various types of pens.^[17]

See also

• Hipster PDA
• Information overload
• Personal knowledge management
• Personal information management