Bullet Journaling for Your Business: My Dirty Little Secret
I’m a web designer and digital systems specialist.
I build websites.
I set up workflows and automations.
I help people simplify their tech and productivity systems.
But can I let you in on a little secret?
For my own to do lists and productivity, I still love bullet journaling.
Yep. Good old-fashioned pen and paper.
If you’ve never heard of bullet journaling before, it’s essentially a flexible notebook system that combines planning, brain dumping, goal setting and journaling all in one place. It can be as simple or as creative as you want it to be.
For me, it’s equal parts:
day planner
diary
notebook
written meditation
And somehow it turns the chaos of everyday life into something much calmer and more manageable.
Why I Still Use an Analogue System
With the best will in the world, it’s almost impossible to run a business without it weaving itself into your everyday life.
Work tasks sit alongside housework.
Ideas appear while cooking dinner.
Client notes pop into your head at 9pm.
Life admin mixes with business admin.
Even with good boundaries, everything overlaps.
That’s why I love bullet journaling so much. It gives me one place to hold all the threads without feeling overwhelmed by apps, notifications and tabs.
Writing things down slows my brain down in the best possible way. It helps me notice what’s distracting me, what actually matters, and what I want to focus on.
Sometimes the simplest systems are the most effective.
It’s Not About Being Perfect
One of the things I love most about bullet journaling is that there are no rules.
Some days mine is neat.
Some days it’s messy.
Sometimes it’s a full page of lists and scribbles.
It doesn’t need to look aesthetic to work.
You don’t need expensive stationery, perfect handwriting or colour-coded layouts. A notebook and a pen will do.
My Simple Business Bullet Journal Pages
My bullet journal is usually a mix of:
daily task lists
weekly priorities
content ideas
client reminders
brain dumps
habit tracking
random notes I’d otherwise forget
I also use it alongside digital tools rather than instead of them.
I still use online calendars, reminders and project management systems where they make sense, but my journal is where I think clearly.
A Break From the Digital World
When so much of our work happens online, there’s something really grounding about putting pen to paper.
No notifications.
No endless tabs.
No complicated setup.
Just space to think.
And honestly, I think that’s why I keep coming back to it.
If you’d like to learn more about bullet journaling, have a look at Bullet Journal® Official Website or follow @bulletjournal on Instagram.
If you love stationery, writing things down and making lists, you’ll probably love it too!
