Who needs pen and paper when digital tools do it all? With apps like Notion, Office 365, and Evernote promising seamless organisation, the humble notebook might seem outdated. But for me, bullet journaling is an essential part of my workflow. Storing information digitally allows for easy trend analysis, helping to optimise productivity over time.
Yet, despite the endless apps claiming to boost productivity, why do we still feel overwhelmed? For me, bullet journaling brings clarity and control where digital tools alone fall short. Writing things down by hand reinforces commitment and provides an easy way to review key information at a glance—without the distractions of screens and multiple windows. It’s not about rejecting technology; it’s about using the best tool for the job.
This article gives a taster of what a bullet journal is, why I use one alongside my digital tools, and how you can integrate the two for a more powerful, mindful productivity system. If you’re interested in a full step-by-step guide, including materials and templates, I’m working on a detailed how*-*to article - let me know if you’d like to see it.
Quick Links:
<aside> <img src="/icons/book_orange.svg" alt="/icons/book_orange.svg" width="40px" />
Want to learn how to use Notion or to do more with it then please check out my book.
For beginners to intermediate, with lots of practical, step-by-step examples that you can straight away.
Available globally, also available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.
</aside>
I first started using a bullet journal (or BuJo) when a client—a major investment bank—didn’t allow my consultancy laptop or mobile on site, cutting me off from my usual digital task management tools. This forced me to find an analogue solution, so I started exploring alternatives. Around that time, I stumbled across bullet journaling on Pinterest, where people shared elaborate layouts for everything from habit tracking to daily planning. It sparked my interest in drawing (allowing me to professionally doodle 🙂) while staying organised.
One of the biggest advantages was integrating my calendar into my daily view. Every late afternoon, I was compelled to check the following day's multiple diaries and spot any clashes. This gave me a clear overview of all three calendars—work, personal, and client—at a glance.
Another key benefit was writing down my must-do tasks for the day alongside quick-reference notes, creating a distraction-free snapshot of what mattered most.
Part of my week view filled out.
If you’ve never used a bullet journal before, it’s essentially a flexible, analogue system for organising tasks, notes, and thoughts. Created by Ryder Carroll, the bullet journal method revolves around rapid logging, simple symbols, and a mix of task management and reflection. Over the years, people have expanded on this by designing elaborate physical dashboards for different areas of life.
At its core, a bullet journal consists of:
Each page essentially becomes a beautifully designed, bespoke-to-you dashboard.
A future log example