The changes I implemented last week have helped me to get more done by focusing on just one thing and giving myself an out after that. Typically, that first win serves as a catalyst to get a few more things done. With the success of that change, I’m making one last tweak to the formula and adding the rest of the elements from CGP Grey’s Theme Journal.
Satisfaction of Completion
Last week, I discussed shifting the design of the bullet journal to the priority task. Doing so has definitely helped me make the time I need to decompress from a long day while still getting to what needs to be done.
There is something that feels great about crossing something out or checking it off a list. As a kid, I remember my brother would make massive text documents on the computer when playing through a game to track his progress. Copied from a walkthrough, it had everything that needed to be completed. As he progressed through the game, he deleted what was finished. Slowly the scroll bar got bigger and bigger, until eventually being left with a blank notepad and a satisfied player.
While likely few of us have made a document like my brother, we’ve all felt the pleasure of checking off a to-do list.
What’s really nice about that satisfaction is how easily it turns into momentum. Sure there were days that I get what I want finished and relaxed; however, I more often decide I can quickly accomplish some other things. One thing can easily turn into two, then three, and so forth.
The Theme Journal
One of the reasons for my interest in bullet journaling was the flexibility in it’s design. The priority task is something I borrowed specifically from CGP Grey’s Theme Journal, not the official “Bullet Journal Method.” Last week, I focused on removing what I felt was clutter in what I initially started with. After revisiting the video, I want to add in the elements Grey uses for his daily journaling.
While the new format is many lines longer, there really isn’t a lot of additional content. He includes his location and the date at the top of each page. I can see the location being a nice way to revisit places if looking at old journals. It can also serve as a grounding practice in the present if writing the location brings some awareness to the writer.
The next two sections consist of gratitude statements on both a personal and professional level. The former is something I do in my regular weekly reviews, but I haven’t really thought about what I’m grateful for in my professional life.
The largest section is a few lines for freeform thought to make it to the page. This is probably the typical practice we think of when it comes to journaling and helps with getting various ideas out of the mind.
Last and certainly not least, the priority for the day – the one task that needs to get done. I thought about putting this at the top of the page to give myself unlimited writing space for the freeform writing above since I’m on a tablet, but I think keeping the constraint will help keep the journal a brief practice.
One addition I made is a habit tracker to the very bottom, as I find this to be helpful not only as a way to mark off the few habits I try to uphold, but it also gives me a nudge to check back in at the end of the day to fill in what I’ve finished.
Trying Out Before Buying In 