This morning bulletin journal layout sets you up for success

I would be lost without my daily to-do list. As someone who works from home and is self-employed, staying organized is important. However, I’m a big stickler for spreadsheets, digital calendars, and generally anything that feels too intense or technical. I want everything in my life to feel personalized—even my to-do lists—which is why my bullet journal is my productivity darling. Give me a blank page and colored pens and I can face the day.

I swear by the morning letter journal setup. If you’re someone who likes to put pen to paper or maybe you feel called to be more creative with your morning routine—this is a ritual you should try. Here’s how I use my morning bullet journal to plan for the productive day ahead.

Important

Before I begin, here is a list of all the different categories in my morning letter journal sesh.

• Dumping the brain. This is where you can write everything at once. This part doesn’t have to be pretty or make sense right away, it’s just a chance to get rid of everything on your mind. I don’t do this part every morning, but on days when I’m really busy or have a lot on my mind, it helps to start with this step.
• The top three. After brainstorming, I hope you are more clear about the day ahead. Take care of your top three tasks for the day. If nothing else, if you can get these things at the end of the day, you can go to bed feeling satisfied. Do yourself a favor and be careful not to make your top three too difficult. You want to be sure that you can achieve them! Including self-care activities here is welcomed and encouraged.
• The least you have to do. The next stage is for everything else that may be in your mind. These are small jobs that you may or may not get today. It may not be that urgent, or even tasks you do later in the week, but you don’t want to forget them. For me, these tasks are usually emails to send, chores around the house, or small things I can do at work that will help me get through the week.
• Daily plan. I like to block my day. I use the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of work followed by a five minute break) and I like to organize my routine around Pomodoros. Not only does the schedule keep me focused and on task, but it also helps me take much needed breaks.

Building Design

The fun part of morning bullet writing is the structure. I felt a bit intimidated when I first started, as I admit I don’t consider myself a professional photographer. The good news is that you don’t need special artistic skills for this layout, which is why I love it so much. All you need is your bullet journal, a favorite pen, and a colored marker or highlighter.

I like to dump my brain on a separate page where I don’t have to worry about being messy. Think of a brain dump as the disorganized chaos that comes before the structure of an organized bullet journal. Both are important! This is your chance to find your three top and bottom jobs. Once you’ve disposed of them, it’s time to create a header on a new page.

At the top of your page, take your colored highlighter or marker and write the day of the week in all caps. I take about three vertical dots that fit my head—not too big, not too small. Next, take your pen and write the day of the week in a small compound letter in the middle of your colored article. If you like, you can write a date or “to do” next to your subject.

Three Major and Minor Jobs

Next, write “Top Three” in pen on the right under the header. Wait a minute or two for your pen ink to dry, then highlight the sentence. Write down your top three activities, one on each line, and your choice of bullet point on your colored marker. It can be a simple dot, or I like to draw little hearts with my marker. I will then outline the heart with my pen to make it stand out. You can draw stars, flowers, anything you like! Let this part be fun and creative—it can be whatever you want it to be. Repeat the same steps for your smaller tasks.

Daily Schedule

I like to keep my header and tasks on the left side of my morning bullet journal, so that the right side is for the daily schedule. Write down your blocks of time and activities for each block and be sure to include lunch breaks, self-care routines, and fun reminders, too. When the ink is dry, highlight the time to see exactly how your blocks of time are divided. With tasks on the left and a schedule on the right, you now have the perfect morning letter journal!

Why You’ll Love Your Morning Bullet Journal

I love lettering because you can design it however you like. It’s completely customizable, so I encourage anyone to try this layout and adjust it to suit your personal needs. Choose one color like I did or choose multiple, doodle around the edges, try fancier lettering if you like—the world is your oyster! And of course, the colors and doodles aren’t necessary, but that’s what I love most about the process.

My morning bullet journal gives me an outlet for creativity and fun. It turns a written list into a loving ritual full of color and meaning. I always feel comfortable and relaxed when I finish this setup, and I love that it’s something to look at all day. If there’s an opportunity to add more beauty and purpose to my day, I’ll jump on it, even if it’s as simple as a journal and colored pens.