Die Bullet-Journal-Methode

-- English version below --

Das Buch ist in vier Teile eingeteilt: Im ersten Teil gibt es eine Einleitung, es wird erklärt, wie das System funktioniert und wozu man es nutzen kann. Das ist etwas langatmig, aber ganz hilfreich. Im nächsten Teil wird dann zu Beginn genau erklärt, wie man die einzelnen Seiten nutzt und wie das System aufbaut. Dabei wird auch immer wieder betont, dass es nicht darum geht, hübsche Seiten für Social Media zu haben sondern einfach ein Tool zu nutzen, das im Alltag unterstützt, egal, ob man eine schöne Handschrift hat oder nicht. Das war für mich definitiv der hilfreichste Teil. Dann geht es weiter mit langen Erklärungen, warum so ein System sinnvoll sein soll. Es werden einfach Anekdoten, Ausschnitte aus wissenschaftlichen Theorien und eigene Erfahrung gemischt und so lange durchgeschüttelt, bis das Ganze aus meiner Sicht nicht mehr viel Sinn ergibt. Das ganze aus der Perspektive eines weißen Mannes, der wie so viele der Überzeugung ist, wenn man sich nur genug anstrengt, kann man alles schaffen und wer es nicht schafft, hat sich um Umkehrschluss einfach nur nicht genug angestrengt. Diversität und Ungerechtigkeiten des Lebens werden nicht weiter berücksichtigt. Nachdem ich das Buch also schon fast wütend in die Ecke kicken wollte, kamen im letzten Teil noch mal einige hilfreiche Tipps und Beispiele. Mein Fazit: Bullet Journaling an sich kann eine sinnvolle Möglichkeit sein, sich zu strukturieren, aber man braucht dafür auch einige Zeit, z.B. um täglich morgens und abends zu reflektieren. Das mache ich z.B. nach einem Spätdienst nicht mehr, wenn ich dann einfach nur noch ins Bett falle. In einem Bürojob mag das eher gehen. Ich setze das Grundprinzip im Alltag jetzt erstmal um, merke aber, dass ich auch schon an erste Grenzen stoße und für mich modifizieren muss.

-- English version -- Promising technology, but unfortunately no holy grail

The book is divided into four parts: The first part contains an introduction, there is an explanation of how the system works and what it can be used for. This is a little lengthy, but pretty helpful. The next part starts by explaining exactly how to use the individual pages and how to set up the system. It is also repeatedly emphasized that it is not about having pretty pages for social media, but simply using a tool that supports you in everyday life, no matter whether you have nice handwriting or not. That was definitely the most helpful part for me. Then it goes on with long explanations as to why such a system should be useful. Anecdotes, snippets from scientific theories and personal experience are all mixed together and shaken up until the whole thing no longer makes much sense from my point of view. The whole thing from the perspective of a white man who, like so many others, is convinced that if you try hard enough, you can do anything and, in reverse, anyone who doesn't succeed simply hasn't tried hard enough. Diversity and the injustices of life are not considered in any way. So after I almost wanted to angrily kick the book into the corner, the last part of the book provided some helpful tips and examples. My conclusion: Bullet journaling in itself can be a useful way of structuring yourself, but you also need some time for it, e.g. to reflect every morning and evening. I don't do this after a late work shift, for example, when I just fall into bed. In an office job, this may be a little easier. I'm implementing the basic principle in my everyday life for now, but I'm realizing that I'm already reaching some limits and need to modify it for myself.

I read this book hoping to get my life in order or more in order with less dependence on digital tools. I tried the method for nearly two years and while it was a beautiful and pleasant way of doing things, I eventually came to the conclusion that my life and responsibilities were too complex and my time too valuable to depend on this method of organizing. It may be that there is some adaptation that would work for me, but I've found that a reasonable mix of digital tools and other less minimalistic methods work better than the notebook did. That said, if the technosphere ever collapses, this will probably be at the top of my list for viable alternative methods.

The book covers both bullet journaling basics but also a variety of task management strategies. It helps reading this book multiple times as you progress through the technique. I mostly bullet journal through an app but the practice of daily journals and reflections help immensly regardless of the medium.

The book presents a simple, but flexible, system, which is actually a mindfulness practice. Have all the important data in one place. Don't forget important events. Write things down before you do them to mitigate impulsive decisions (I'm a master of those). Set goals for the day/month, and define priorities (goals, not obligations!).

Reflect on the past to notice patterns. Only once you notice something you don't like, you can take action on it. This is the most important part of the system, in my opinion. In addition, it also makes you notice things you did well, a very important practice.

In the old days, you used to depend on interruptions. Now interruptions depend on you. 💪

I encountered the BulletJournal method in 2016, and originally, I resisted it a bit, despite my curiosity... I have tried so many methods to stay on top of my tasks and feel like my life isn't spinning out of control on a regular basis. Some worked ok, some frustrated me thoroughly, some were just too high-maintenance (looking at GTD here), and having my productivity system fall apart was a pretty regular experience.

I'm glad I yielded to that curiosity. Like Carroll, I have ADHD, and somehow my brain responds better to a handwriting-(on-paper-)based approach than to digital tools. I also need an approach that provides structure and clarity, while being flexible enough to adapt to my needs and easy enough to keep it up as a daily habit.

The Bullet Journal method is a cross-over between a to-do list, a journal, project planning and, if you want to, even a calendar, kept with a system of symbols and shorthands that Ryder Carroll calls "rapid logging". The only things you need are a notebook (any notebook you want; I started with a very cheap notebook) and a pen.

My daily planning session now takes no more than 5-10 minutes (as a rule) and has become a cherished start into my working day. While I slack off on some days - mostly weekends or vacation -, the system as a whole has not "fallen apart" for me once since I adopted it as my one self-management method. I use my Bullet Journal for ToDos, project planning, logging exercise, tracking habits and sometimes for journaling (something I rarely did before last year).

So, I was a pretty regular user of the BuJo before "The Book" was published; I hesitated to read it and wasn't sure if I would learn anything new or useful from it. And you don't need to read the book if you just want to use the method; there are good explanations of the core method on Ryder Carroll's homepage as well as on Youtube. However, I found a treasure trove of information, hacks, ideas, and how-tos in this book that helped me deepen my practice and get even more use out of the method. I keep going back to the book to review Ryder's suggestions as they become relevant to my needs in terms of planning and organization.

One caveat: Because the book encouraged me to do so much more with my journal, my BuJo has become a bit messier than it used to be before, and I now go through 2 or 3 notebooks per year instead of one.