20 Ways to Set (and Achieve!) Goals With a Bullet Journal
We all need a little more organization in our lives. That’s where a bullet journal comes in. This tool for mindfully laying out our goals, ideas, plans and thoughts has proven to be much more than just a fad; it’s help people achieve their aspirations and maximize their productivity every day.
How to create a goal page in your bullet journal:
1. Find a format.
There are many different types of formats for bullet journaling. You might set weekly, monthly or yearly goals or have a daily log or tracking system. Perhaps you’ll outline a specific goal per page and mark your progress, or maybe you’ll have a calendar overview with multiple goals per time span.
2. Consider the visual layout.
If your bujo is visually appealing, you’ll be more likely to keep at it. Along with the format, think about the design. Do you want charts, trees, calendars, mazes or something else? Look at other bullet journals (we’ve got some great examples below) for inspiration on how to design your own.
3. Buy your journal and other supplies.
Of course, you need the actual journal to start writing! Find the one you really love, and gather together your other supplies, like markers, highlighters, fancy pens, post-it notes and so on.
4. Starting writing and designing.
All that’s left is creating your bullet journal. Start crafting the design and writing as soon as you can!
Bullet journal goal ideas:
1. Create boxes for each life sphere.
What are the most important parts of your life? Create boxes in your bullet journal for a big-picture of your goals and priorities for each critical category.
2. Address things you can control.
Remind yourself to focus on the things you can control — what you think about, what you talk about, your effort, your happiness and so on — instead of putting effort into perseverating on the things you can't.
3. Set priorities.
We love this transit-map-like view of your important priorities for the year.
4. Follow the five W’s.
Considering the who, what, when, where and why of it all is a great structure to consider your choices, thoughts and beliefs.
5. Pay attention to self-care.
Self-care is something we should remember all the time, but now, it's more critical than ever before. Use your bullet journal to remind yourself to take care of your own well-being.
6. Make a bucket list.
A bucket list doesn't have to include just your grandest adventures. Even the little things, like date night with your SO, can make a difference in your life. We love the layout of this bucket list, too!
7. Use the STOP method.
This is a great way of processing your emotions when you're feeling low. Make it a goal to learn how to cope with upsetting events and times.
8. Create goals of the month.
Do you have specific goals each month? With this calendar view, you can easily remember what you have to do.
9. Track your health.
If you're looking to instill more healthy habits in your life, then a bullet journal is a useful way to manage them. This layout allows you to get a big-picture view as well as a more detailed outline of your progress.
10. Improve your sleep hygiene.
Many of us don't get enough sleep each night. If you want to improve your sleep hygiene, use this log to track your hours so you can see your improvements over time.
11. Set time-bound goals.
Time-bound is one of the features of SMART goals. That way, you can ensure that your meeting your objectives, rather than letting them fall by the wayside.
12. Set life rules.
It's important to remind yourself of your general life rules in addition to meeting more specific goals in life. Keep them on a page in your bullet journal so you don't lose sight of them.
13. Budget.
Know how much you're spending and budget — all with your bullet journal. Here, you can see where you're money is going and how you're paying for the things you need.
14. Do a brain dump.
Maybe you don't have specific, carefully planned-out goals. By doing a brain dump and simply jotting down what pops into your head, you'll begin to see patterns and discover what you want to prioritize.
14. Keep a reading log.
This adorable reading log will make you want to tackle your book goals with gusto!
15. Fix a habit.
Trying to stay off Instagram? Hoping to avoid distractions? With this habit tracker, you'll be able to stay focused on your goal.
16. Create simple reminders.
It's the little things in life. Create a page of simple reminders to brighten your day, whether it's doing something you love, going outside or being brave.
17. Keep track of nutrition.
Need a reminder to take your vitamins or avoid sugar? This simple chart will help keep you on track.
18. Make cleaning more than just a “Spring” thing.
Nobody likes cleaning, but it's something you have to do. Use your bullet journal to create a weekly schedule to ensure that your keeping your home sparkling, without overwhelming yourself with too many tasks at once.
19. Save.
You need a rainy day fund. Keep track of your savings goals, noting how much you're allocating toward different areas of your life, in your bullet journal.
20. Love yourself.
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