How Bullet Journalling boosted my productivity

I've tried and tested pretty much every task app going. In my architectural business, I can have 30 projects on the go at any one time, each with their own often substantial list of actions. I automatically think that such a level of actionable tasks can only be handled with computing power.

However, what I found was that I could easily populate the latest task management app with all of the tasks to do and then completely ignore everything due to complete overwhelm. Entering the task into the program was almost a feeling that the task was dealt with - once entered, I forgot about it knowing it would be picked up in the future. Often, this wasn't the case, and so the system wasn't working.

During the very first COVID lockdown, I picked up on @RyderCarroll and his 'Bullet Journal' technique. I had journaled briefly on and off since I was a teenager and have various notebooks kicking around with brief entries of certain days and times of my life, so I was kind of familiar with the notion of journaling in the sense of recording past events. However, once I realized the Bullet Journal method covered both past and future events, I gave it a go. I'd also heard others on Twitter raving over its benefits for organizing.

I was pretty hooked from the onset and immediately found the method of listing tasks both therapeutic and effective as I could carry tasks forward that were important. Yes, there is repetition, but tasks never fade away (unless they prove that they're actually not that important and hence get struck out). Those tasks that may have once slipped through the net now get carried forward on daily logs - almost nagging me until they're done. Striking off that completed nagging task certainly feels good.

I'm on my fifth journal now and can look back on past entries with interest. For example, on this day two years ago, I mentioned some things that were 'problems' or 'negative' - some of which still occur today - reinforcing to me that these things need to be sorted out once and for all.

On the other hand, I look back on entries with goals and targets, and feel proud that these have been met and often surpassed. I'm into boats, sailing, kayaking, and anything sea-based. One entry listed out what I'd like to achieve - kind of a manifest if you like (more on manifestation later). This detailed a sailing yacht with certain characteristics. Two years on, and I now have said yacht and have fulfilled all of my goals in obtaining one and using one. I now have entries for managing and maintaining the boat along with goals for sailing destinations and planned holidays for the next few years. The whole process is extremely mindful and provides such clarity on where I've been, where I'm at, and where I am heading. Journaling allows me to measure progress on the heading and make adjustments where necessary.

Finally, the Bullet Journal method allows me to dump my brain into a book daily, allowing sound sleep - knowing that the following day is all set out and managed from today's entry. 

 This promotes clear thinking, the benefits of which are endless, but summarised as follows:-

• Improved decision-making: Clear thinking allows you to consider all of the available options and make well-informed decisions.
• Increased productivity: Clear thinking can help you to prioritize tasks and focus on what needs to be done, leading to increased productivity.
• Enhanced problem-solving: Clear thinking enables you to break down complex problems and find creative solutions.
• Greater resilience: Clear thinking helps you to stay calm under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Better communication: Clear thinking allows you to articulate your thoughts and ideas effectively, leading to better communication with others.
• Increased creativity: Clear thinking can help to open up new perspectives and stimulate creative thinking.