Work & Personal Planning Systems

Since I started using the Bullet Journal Method, I’ve tried to keep every thing in one book. I kept my work notes, reading notes, and even outlines for articles. I never had any issues with keeping it all in one notebook – and I didn’t even have to color-code.

I stuck to using on notebook when I used a Traveler’s Notebook as my Bullet Journal notebook. Even then, I was able to manage having both work and personal in one notebook.

What happened?

Enter: The 2020 Pandemic

For a number of people, the shift to a work-from-home setup has blurred lines between personal and work life.I did not think that the pandemic would change the way I used my Bullet Journal. In the tech field (which is my primary line of work), working remotely is pretty much normal. Things ran over smoothly during the first few months. However, there came a point when I lost track of my personal priorities. Work notes and tasks took over my Bullet Journal. I missed payment deadlines, missed a deadline for the website, forget online purchases, etc.

My Bullet Journal turned into a long list of things I needed to do for work and less about my own responsibilities.

Purchasing a separate work planner made the most sense for me. I felt that if I used a different planner for work, I’d be able to use my main Bullet Journal as my “life” journal.

Have you ever seen an app that had too many features in it? Doesn’t that overwhelm you? Keeping one book for all is a double edged sword. I’ve tried doing both but it only worked to a certain extent. When I moved my work stuff from the Bullet Journal to another planner, I felt more focused on listing and ticking off work-related tasks.

Traveler’s Notebook for personal and business

I momentarily thought the using a different book for work would lead me to stop using my Bullet Journal – especially during the pandemic. I really didn’t have anything major going on at the moment. I had no parties to attend and no travel plans so what was there to write about?

As I started using a separate planner for work, I realized how much I haven’t used the Bullet Journal Method to reflect on my personal life and to plan content for the website. When I don’t list things down, I tend to forget important tasks even if they are part of a routine.

Read: Keeping a Meeting Notebook for Work

If you are already using a Traveler’s Notebook as a Bullet Journal, you can opt to just buy a new blank insert and use the Bullet Journal Method or purchase a Weekly TN Refill.

Hobonichi Weeks for work (day job)

As for me, I opted to go for a Hobo Weeks because… I purchased it on impulse.

Impulse buy aside, I’ve always had my eye on Hobonichi planners and I even almost considered replacing my Bullet Journal. Hobonichi planners (both the Techo and the Weeks) have a very intentional design. They are designed as an annual planner but grants the user a bit of freedom to use.

A planner instead of the Bullet Journal Method made more sense for me to do because I wanted to keep it physically away from my TN. My TN sits on my living room (where I do my journaling) and my Hobonichi sits on my work desk.

Personally, the Hobonichi Weeks has the perfect layout for work. On the left hand side, there is an area provisioned the days of the week and on the right side, is a blank space with grid rulings. The way I use it for work is that I keep all appointments on the left and tasks on the right.

I’ve been using separate notebooks since December 2019 and here’s what I’ve learned so far…

1. Using a separate book seemed to have improved my ability to balance work and life
2. I have been able to use the Bullet Journal Method to reflect (and not just list down task)
3. Personally, a planner format is better for work because work = meetings, tasks
4. The Bullet Journal Method is better suited for personal reflection and managing my business affairs
5. The only disadvantage that I see so far is that I won’t be able to see everything at one glance
6. Purchasing a TN insert (with weekly pages) would have been a better approach for someone who uses a Traveler’s Notebook for a Bullet Journal (so maybe I’ll try this in 2022)