Bullet journals are a great tool for setting, organizing, and accomplishing weekly goals. In this post, we’ll show you how to set up your weekly goals in a bullet journal and stay on track.
Once you have a good grasp of the basics, you’ll be able to get more done each week, which can help you to feel more productive and less stressed out. Over time, this will help you achieve your long-term goals, which can feel very rewarding!
How Do You Use a Bullet Journal for Goals?
One great thing about a bullet journal is that you can customize it to meet your needs. You can even buy pre-made bullet journals that are designed specifically for your goals.
For example, some people like using different symbols for their goals than what we show here. Or maybe they want to make sure the tasks are color-coded based on how important or urgent they are (we’ll explain more later).
No matter what type of goal you’re setting, there are a few basic steps that you’ll want to follow:
Pick Your Goal
The first step is to pick your goal. This could be anything from wanting to get more organized to wanting to save money or lose weight. Be specific and make sure your goal is something you really want to achieve- not just something you think is a good idea but won’t actually enjoy doing. It’s also important that the goal is realistic, so make sure you spend some time choosing the right goal for you.
Set Your Goal
Once you’ve chosen your goal, it’s time to set a deadline for when you want to achieve it (try not to pick something too far in the future). You’ll also need some way of measuring or tracking how well your plan is working. If saving money is one of your goals, for example, you might track how much money you save each week.
Make a Plan
The third step is to make a plan of action. This includes figuring out what steps you need to take to achieve your goal and when you want to do them. Breaking down your goal into smaller tasks can help make it feel less daunting and more achievable. We’d recommend using the SMART system when it comes to making a plan.
Create a Bullet Journal Spread
Now that you’ve chosen your goal, set a deadline for it, and created an action plan- let’s talk about how to incorporate all of this information into your bullet journal.
You’ll want to start by thinking through the steps involved with achieving each task in your list (this will vary depending on what type of goals you’re setting).
Once you’ve gone through the steps, it’s time to make a weekly layout in your bullet journal. This is known as a spread.
You can find an endless amount of bullet journal spreads on Pinterest, in planner communities and groups, and on blogs.
Some spreads are simple and minimalist. Others are more creative and colorful. It’s up to you to find one that works well for you and your goals. Make sure to choose a spread that’s easy to follow and that will help you stay on track, while also inspiring and motivating you to stay on track.
Track Your Progress
The final step is to track your progress. This can help keep you on track and motivated, especially if you see that you’re making good headway towards your goal. It can also be helpful to review the past weeks so you can learn from any mistakes you made and adjust your plan accordingly.
What Are Good Weekly Goals?
Now that you know how to set a weekly goal, it’s time to choose your first one.
Good goals should be specific and measurable, so you have an idea of whether or not they’re working. They should also be relatively easy for you to work towards- if the task feels too overwhelming, try breaking it down into smaller steps until it feels more manageable.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
A Weekly Budget
If you’ve never tried to budget before, now might be the time to start. Setting aside a certain percentage of your income can help make sure that money doesn’t slip through the cracks and motivate you to spend less on things like eating out or entertainment. Start by tracking how much money comes in each week (this includes paychecks, cashback from grocery shopping, and any other money you get).
Next, track how much goes out each week (this includes bills like rent or mortgage payments, groceries and dining costs, gas for your car if it’s not paid for by your work), plus some extra to put towards savings.
Try setting aside at least fifteen percent of what you earn each week for savings. That way, you’ll know that even if you do have an expensive week, you won’t fall too far behind in your goal of saving money.
A Weekly Workout Routine
If you struggle to find the motivation to work out, a weekly goal could be just what you need. Start by setting a workout time each week and sticking to it- even if that means going for a walk in your neighborhood before dinner or doing some stretches when you wake up in the morning.
A Weekly Shopping List
If you go to the grocery store every week, creating a shopping list and sticking with it can make your life easier.
Start by planning out meals for at least five days in advance (if possible). Once you know what recipes you’ll be cooking each day of the week, decide how much food is needed for those meals.
Next, make a list of everything you need to buy and stick with it. This will help avoid the temptation to impulse-buy or spend more than you can afford.
A Weekly Work Schedule
If your schedule is constantly changing from week to week, making a weekly work schedule might be helpful. Try dividing your time into chunks for each part of the day- for example, eight hours for work, two hours for errands, and four hours for leisure.
This can help you stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list. Plus, it’ll give you an idea of how much free time you have each week.
A Weekly Habit Tracker
If you’re working on changing or establishing a new habit, a weekly goal could be the perfect way to track your progress.
Start by picking a habit that you’d like to work on (like drinking more water each day or reading for thirty minutes each night).
Then, create a tracker sheet with seven boxes, one for each day of the week. Each day when you complete your habit, mark an X in one of the boxes (or draw a smiley face if it’s something enjoyable).
How to Stay on Track With Your Weekly Journal Goals
Once you set up your weekly goal spread, the next step is to consistently use it. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track:
Put Your Bullet Journal In a Place You’ll See It Often
If you keep your journal at home, make sure it’s somewhere that you can see- like on top of the fridge or near your bedside.
If your goal is to read for thirty minutes every night before falling asleep, try leaving your bullet journal open with a bookmark on page thirty so it’s easy to find.
Create a Reward System to Stay Motivated
If you’ve been working towards your goal for many weeks and find yourself struggling, try rewarding yourself after completing a full week of efforts. This can help motivate you to continue working on the habit or task that’s important to you even when it gets tough.
Don’t Give Up If You Miss a Day
Even if you slip up and miss your goal one day, don’t let it derail you. Just keep going with the habit or task- even just completing part of it is still a success!
If you really struggle to stay motivated for more than a couple of weeks at a time, try setting a longer-term goal instead of a weekly one.
This can help you stay motivated and feel accomplished even when it takes some time to reach your goals each week or month.
Final Thoughts
Staying on track with your weekly goals is more likely to be successful when you take the time to plan and organize your goals and journal in advance.
Use the tips in this post to create your own weekly goal spread and find success in reaching your targets each week. Even if it’s challenging at the beginning, don’t give up, it’ll be worth it in the end!