Selling art online has never been easier, but many artists struggle with time management. How many times have you said at the end of the day, I forgot to do…?
If you find it challenging to remember everything that needs to get done in the week, you might benefit from a daily spread or weekly bullet journal.
A bullet journal is a great way to keep all of your tasks together so you can easily see what needs to get done and when.
Are you not sure if you would benefit from a weekly journal or a daily spread? Don’t worry. We have you covered. This post will explain everything you need to know about bullet journaling so you can decide what will work best for your art business.
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What Is Bullet Journaling
The bullet journal or “bujo” is a planning method created by Ryder Carrol, The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future.
A bullet journal is sections on a piece of paper that allow you to organize to-do lists, monthly calendars, weekly calendars, write notes, goals, and other important information.
The different sections make it easier to see what you are looking for rather than skimming through words on lined paper.
The various blocks can be colored coded or have artwork that separates each section from one another. You can organize the areas in any way you wish. The objective is to have a journal that is easy to read essential tasks for the month, week, or day.
What Are Monthly Logs
Monthly spreads, also know as Monthlies, are an essential spread in bullet journaling. A monthly blog will allow you to write a brief overview of your marketing strategies, events, and studio time.
You can create a monthly journal in 10 minutes or less. All you need is some paper, a pen, and markers, and highlighters to color code it and draw artwork on the journal. You can keep the journal simple or as colorful as a rainbow filled with beautiful artwork. The choice is yours.
To create a monthly log:
- Take a piece of paper and write the month across the top of the page.
- Write the dates (1-31) with the first letter of the day of the week down the side of the page.
- Write down important tasks and appointments for each day.
- Have a section for important notes and goals.
- You might want to include an area for important events like birthdays and anniversaries.
You can also make a two-page journal that consists of a calendar on one page and a task list on the other side.
A monthly spread is essential for keeping your business tasks organized and easy to view. Knowing what your objectives are for the month will allow you to create weekly marketing strategies that work.
What Are Weekly Logs
A weekly log is a weekly layout or an overview of the week. A weekly spread will allow you to visualize all essential tasks for seven days.
The original bullet journal system by Ryder Carroll did not incorporate weekly logs but has become popular because it breaks down monthly functions into smaller, more achievable jobs.
Do you need a weekly planner?
Not everyone uses a weekly planner, but it will make it easier to assign daily tasks like accounting and shipping art.
To create a weekly log:
- Take two pieces of paper and white the beginning week date on the top.
- Create seven sections and title them with the days of the week. You can add the date also if you wish.
- Add one more area for trackers and notes. The total number of sections you will need for a weekly journal will be eight.
What Are Daily Spreads
Daily pages highlight all of the tasks for one particular day. Similar to a to-do list, a daily layout allows you to jot down everything you wish to accomplish for a day. The difference between a daily to-do list and a daily log is that there will be space to write down important notes throughout the day.
A daily bullet journal spread should have the date and include:
- A section for jobs and chores to complete for the day.
- An area for ideas and notes.
- A section for goals.
What Bullet Journalling Logs Would Be Best
Using a monthly calendar, weekly trackers, and bullet journal daily logs will be based on your personal preferences. If you find it easier to jot down weekly spread ideas instead of filling out an entire calendar, you might benefit from a weekly and daily spread.
On the other hand, if you set yearly goals, you might find that using all three will help you stay on track with your business objectives.
There is no wrong way to create a bullet journal, and you can always revise them as you go along.
The best way to get started is to create a monthly planner, a weekly planner, and a daily planner.
Start with a monthly calendar and brain dump everything you wish to achieve for the entire month.
Start with your monthly goals.
Some monthly goals might include:
- How much art you would like to sell for the month.
- How many new followers you would like to gain on social media for the month.
- How many new email subscribers would you like to have for the month.
- How much traffic you would like your website to have.
After you have your goals decide what you have to do to achieve those goals and write down your strategies.
The next step is to fill out your bullet journal weekly spread. To do this, take your monthly strategies and decide what your weekly goals are, and jot them down. Keep ample space for notes. The notes you keep will help you to write productive daily spreads.
The last step is to write your daily spread. You can write your daily log at the end of the day for the next day or in the morning.
The critical thing to remember is to have enough space for detailed notes. The notes you take will allow you to write more effective strategies for the future.
You might feel that it will take up too much time to create bullet journals, but the truth is that you will be more effective with your time, and you will accomplish more by using a bullet journal daily.
Bullet Journal Weekly Logs vs. Daily Spreads
Weekly logs and daily spreads go hand and hand. The benefit of using both is that the weekly journal will overview what you want to accomplish for the week. The daily planner will allow you to take your weekly goals and break them down into achievable tasks.
Where Can You Buy Bullet Journals
Some of you might have extra time to create your own bullet journal, but you can purchase a bullet journal online or in local stores if you are strapped for time.
Here are some companies that sell bullet journals online:
Bullet Journal Supplies
Arteza has a wide variety of journaling supplies for the journalists who enjoy creating a colorful diary.
Final Thoughts On Bullet Journaling
Why do are there so many bullet journalists? So many people use journaling simply because it works. Running a business is challenging, and it is easy to overlook important tasks during a hectic day. A planner will help you see what is essential for your business even when you feel like spinning like a top.
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