For this Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re looking at bullet journaling for accountants. Journaling is a fantastic tool for maintaining mental wellness – anyone can do it and get their thoughts together on any variety of topics.
What is a bullet journal?
Put simply, a bullet journal is a journal that you can set up entirely according to your needs. The layout, content, and design are left up to you, so no matter your style, you can adapt it to work perfectly.
It is a “mindfulness system disguised as a productivity tool” created by Ryder Carroll. It works because it is adaptable to your situation and goals – allowing you to work on productivity in the areas of your life that need it most.
Learn about Ryder’s methods in this TEDx talk.
How to bullet journal
The first step is to work out what you’d like to record or track. This can be a combination of mental wellness, physical and work-related goals. For example, you may want to commit to five minutes of mindfulness exercises before you start work in the morning, ensuring you drink enough water throughout the day and a daily post on social media.
The design of the journal is your personal choice. For a basic journal, you only need a pen or pencil and a blank notebook, although for creative minds the set up can be part of the process and involve colours and designs.
Your journal can involve several sections:
- An Index: The contents page, providing an easy way to navigate the remainder of the journal
- Rapid Logging: This system uses a key to quickly record and track essential information
- Logs: This section is designed to help you organise to-do lists over different time-scales
- Collections: These are the bulk of the journal, and can feature mood, food and fitness trackers, sleep trackers, lists of books to read or clients to contact. This section is the core of productivity.
How should it look?
The answer to that is – however you want it to look! Take a look at these example pages:
Find plenty more ideas for layouts and pages on Pinterest.
If your mental health needs a boost
It’s ok to reach out if you’re struggling – especially with lockdown and Coronavirus playing on everyone’s minds.
Rethink has fantastic resources – find the COVID-19 support section on their website.
NHS Every Mind Matters can help you assess what you might need right now – get your Mind Plan.
And if you need to talk to someone, you can reach Samaritans on 116 123.
