What makes the Bullet Journal method of note-taking so popular? It’s the magic combination of speed, structure, and flexibility!
Once you understand how to set up your bullet journal and personalize it, you can capture any aspect of your day, work, and life in a streamlined manner. If you’re new to this method and find it daunting or if you just need a refresher on its essentials once in a while, our cheat sheet below can help.
Refer to the cheat sheet for quick descriptions of key Bullet Journal terms and symbols, and for a walkthrough of the logging process. You’ll also find ideas for Bullet Journal Collections and signifiers in the list.
FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download The Bullet Journal Cheat Sheet for Quick Note-Taking.
The Bullet Journal Cheat Sheet for Quick Note-Taking
| Item | Description/Note |
|---|---|
| Terms to Know About | |
| Rapid Logging | Adding journal entries as bulleted lists |
| Collection | Basic journal module to organize related information |
| ¹Index | Content locator (Sample entry: Collection_Name: 1-2, 6-8, 15) |
| ¹The Future Log | For dated entries outside current month |
| ¹The Monthly Log | |
| a. The Calendar Page | To record/schedule events and tasks |
| b. The Task Page | Monthly inventory of time, upcoming tasks, priorities, migrated tasks, etc. |
| ¹The Daily Log | For capturing tasks, events, and notes daily with Rapid Logging |
| Topic | Descriptive title for journal page |
| Bullet | Short sentence paired with symbol for Rapid Logging |
| Signifier | Special symbol to add extra context to journal entries |
| Stack | Set of active Collections |
| Tags | Hashtags for sharing Stacks in social media posts |
| Subcollections | Subsets of Collection created for easier management of large projects |
| Dedicated Index | Index dedicated to one subject only |
| Threading | Stitching Collection together by connecting its page numbers |
| Migration | Moving entries between Logs to update journal |
| Bullet Symbols | |
| ● Task_Name | To-do list item / task incomplete |
 ︎ Task_Name |
Task complete |
| > Task_Name | Task migrated to collection |
| < Task_Name | Task scheduled in Future Log |
| ● Task_Name | Task irrelevant |
| – Note_Name | Item to be remembered |
| ○ Event_Name | Noteworthy moment |
| ○ Event_Name
– Note 1 – Note 2 – Note 3 |
Nested bullets |
| Signifier Ideas | |
| ²* | Priority |
| ²! | Inspiration |
² |
Explore further |
| i | Special information: coupon code, flight number, receipt number, etc. |
 ︎ |
Favorite/liked |
| ★ | Important |
 |
Recurring |
| ? | Research/verify/reconsider |
| $ | Money related |
| Tech related | |
| @ | Name, email address, or social media handle |
| # | Phone number |
| ▼ | Address, location |
| ∞ | Website |
| ⧗ | Deadline |
| ▲ | Appointment |
| 🙂 | Vacation |
| ∀ | Holiday/weekend |
| !? | Idea |
| ❝ | Quote |
| ℞ | Medical information |
| [ ] | Book/movie/video |
| ♫ | Song/album |
| 🙂 | Mood |
| ❐ | Wishlist item (Check box after purchase) |
| Starter Tags | |
| #BulletJournal | |
| #BulletJournalKey | |
| #BulletJournalIndex | |
| #BulletJournalCollection | |
| #BulletJournalFutureLog | |
| #BulletJournalMonthlyLog | |
| #BulletJournalWeeklyLog | |
| #BulletJournalDailyLog | |
| #BulletJournalFoodLog | |
| #BulletJournalMoodLog | |
| #BulletJournalGratitudeLog | |
| #BulletJournalTracker | |
| Steps to Log Information | |
| 1. Set up Index. | |
| 2. Set up Future Log after Index. | |
| 3. Update Monthly Log. | a. Set up Monthly Log at start of month. |
| b. Add list of dates to Calendar page. | |
| c. Migrate tasks from previous month or Future Log. | |
| d.Schedule/record events and tasks on Calendar page. | |
| e. Record notes and extra information on Task Page. | |
| 4. Create Daily Log for next day. | a. Add Topic at top of page and page number at bottom. |
| b. Use Daily Log for rapid logging day’s tasks, events, and notes. | |
| c. Add Topic and corresponding page number(s) to Index. | |
| Custom Collection Ideas | |
| Work/Productivity | Project manager |
| Workflow tracker | |
| Homework tracker | |
| Meeting log | |
| Time tracker | |
| Exam prep tracker | |
| Deadline tracker | |
| Learning log | |
| Career goals tracker | |
| Job search tracker | |
| Household | Shopping list |
| Meal planner | |
| Recipe book | |
| Birthday calendar | |
| Event planner | |
| Errand tracker | |
| Medical information tracker | |
| Home improvement tracker | |
| Trip planner | |
| Recurring tasks tracker | |
| Health | Diet planner |
| Food diary | |
| Workout tracker | |
| Running log | |
| Sleep tracker | |
| Period tracker | |
| Self care ideas list | |
| Checkup tracker | |
| Healthy foods list | |
| Mood tracker | |
| Finances | Budget tracker |
| Bill payment tracker | |
| Expense tracker | |
| Debt tracker | |
| Money goals tracker | |
| Income tracker | |
| Savings tracker | |
| Investment tracker | |
| Subscription tracker | |
| Money to-do list | |
| Life | Personal diary |
| Gratitude journal | |
| Life goals tracker | |
| Quotes and affirmations list | |
| Bucket list | |
| Gift ideas tracker | |
| Hobby tracker | |
| Habit tracker | |
| Reading list | |
| Movie list | |
| ¹Core Collection: Foundational Collection part of every Bullet Journal.
²Suggested in the official Bullet Journal system. |
|
Stay Analog or Go Digital
Your bullet journal can be a planner, calendar, memoir, or all of these and more rolled into one. And you’ll find plenty of stunning journal spreads online to use as inspiration for your own. What’s more, you can go digital with your bullet journal in creative ways. For example, you can repurpose Evernote as a bullet journal.
If you plan to go the digital route, we recommend using one of these apps to make bullet journaling effortless.
Image Credit: Estée Janssens on Unsplash
Read the full article: The Bullet Journal Cheat Sheet for Quick Note-Taking
