The Bullet Journal Cheat Sheet for Quick Note-Taking

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

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