How I’m working on my productivity in order to savour my life: Bullet Journal


Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com/amazon.com.au. If you choose to purchase through these links, I receive a small commision at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting my business in this way.

I was listening to a podcast the other day about leadership styles that stall momentum (you can listen here.) The one that struck me and put words to what I had already identified in myself was “distracted juggler”. Pulling together insights from this podcast, other podcasts, books (like the Holy Hustle) and my experience triggered a renewed focus on being fully present in each area of my life. I want to savour each part of it and not let it slip by always distracted by something else. I have realised how much my productivity has a reciprocal relationship with how I savour my life. When I am fully present in my work times, I can be more productive. Making progress on my tasks in those times helps me to be more free and less distracted in my family and soul care times. I am very much in the trenches of working on this in my life but want to share a series of posts about what is helping me.

In this first part of the series, I want to talk about my bullet journal. I have developed it into a hybrid of physical and digital with the occasional printable planner pages thrown in. I love the freedom and flexibility to make each page exactly what I need it to be in that season and change over the year as needed. I use a physical notebook that I use to create weekly layouts, ideas lists, MOPS work to-do lists, project ideas and progress notes without the restriction of predesigned pages. I have started colour coding appointments, meetings and blocks of work time for a quick visual of my schedule. This includes a colour for each family member and for combined family times as well as for the various roles I have. I use thin washi tape in my physical journal. I have loved this so much that I have carried it over into my digital calendar now.

I use Google calendar on my phone and computer. I have adopted the same colours as my physical journal into my digital one for consistency. I rely on my digital calendar for reminders and quick reference without pulling out a book. I have also started using Google Tasks to go along with my calendar and email as I can add emails straight to a to-do list on my computer to remind me to follow them up. I find this combination of physical and digital to be a winning method for me.

There are a ridiculous number of bullet journal resources and ideas out there. Have a look through a few but remember that this is yours and it needs to work for you. I keep mine incredibly simple and minimalistic as that is sustainable for me. I bring in touches of creativity with washi tape and stickers on the month pages and of course, the colour coding. Find a style that is yours!

Supplies:

I have tried a few different notebooks since starting this a couple of years ago and this is my favourite:

I love these erasable pens for ease of changing my mind or my schedule:

I use a similar pack of washi tape for my colour coding. I stick a line of it in the approximate time of day and write on it!

I am looking forward to unpacking this more and sharing more helpful insights and tips that I have been gathering and implementing. Stay tuned!

Stay in touch and be part of my community.

* indicates required

What would you like to hear about? (select all tha


Jo Koepke will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at jodi@andreas.id.au. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use MailChimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to MailChimp for processing. Learn more about MailChimp’s privacy practices here.