Choosing a new notebook to use as my “daily driver” is always enjoyable. I try to match the cover to the season or something that strikes and inspirational nerve. Lately I can’t get enough of the National Park Series.

@greghiggins my “daily” notebook in particular is a smaller take on a bullet journal (borrowing some of the symbols and overall process). Each day is a new page on the right side, the left is blank and is inevitably filled up throughout the day with notes, thoughts, ideas. The right side is more structured and starts at the top with the date. Then I write in a daily scripture followed by three things I am thankful for then the list of things I need to do that day.

@aa I like it. I've always been fascinated by the Bullet Journal system.

@aa I loved having a field notes subscription and the latest ones look fantastic. Unfortunately I wasn’t getting through them quickly enough and the shipping to Europe could cost an extra 50%. Still that national parks series.

@ChrisJWilson that 50% would make me think twice as-well!

@greghiggins it is best at its simplest implementation. All of the “spreads” and additions that some folks do is a bit much for me.

@aa Do you use only the Bullet Journal or do you also use some digital?

@greghiggins combo for sure. Digital helps keep track of future things, routine processes, larger projects, etc. so in that sense I am not a true bullet journal-ist. I primarily utilize the review and migration habits.

@greghiggins and I should add, the paper notebook is then only the things I need to do on a given day. After reviewing my digital tools, calendar, email, open tasks from previous days, depths of my brain, I write down today’s tasks and goals.

@aa I've thought about doing that myself. I love notebooks and journals. There's something satisfying about handwriting it down.

@greghiggins absolutely! I have gone all in with tech tools in the past but always feel like something is...missing. I think it is the tactile nature of pencil/pen and paper. All but one sense is at play: see, hear, touch, and smell. I think that does a lot for our brain and makes it more natural.

@aa I agree...plus there's something satisfying about crossing off an item in a list with a pen rather than touching a box on the screen. Do you use the regular 3.1/2" x 5.1/2" Field Notes book?

@greghiggins very satisfying!! Yep, I use their “standard” size for the day to day stuff. I like that I can easily keep it in my back pocket while up and moving around. I use their other sizes for a more traditional journal/diary or for project specific things.

@aa I have some of their standard size notebooks at the house. I may try this.

@greghiggins cool, never hurts to try!

@greghiggins It would be very satisfying for me if it were 3.5 by 5.25. A nod to now ancient technology.

@aa Many years ago, I worked for an employer who’s electronic project management was a hot mess and the Bullet Journal method was the only thing that saved my bacon. (This was in their pre-branded goods years.)

@gregmoore yeah, simplicity is best. Do you still use it today or parts of it?

@aa My current job requires far to many updates and sharing of tasks between team members to use it there. However, the major concepts of the bullet journal fit so well with the way I think that I fall back on it all of the time in my personal life. At this point I would have difficulty processing tasks a different way.

@aa Meant to add that I really, really like your idea of adding a daily scripture verse and things to be thankful for as part of the morning routine. I’m totally going to steal that. 😁

@gregmoore go for it!! I attempt to do those two things at the very start of my day, before anything else has a chance to distract me. I think it helps to set my mind right before it gets jacked by the day :-)

@aa Yes, I adopted the daily scripture idea too, with a variation. I note down the daily (Orthodox) lectionary readings, read them, then try to extract and write down a sentence or passage from them to ponder during the day.
True confession: I use a much cheaper knock-off of the Field Notes booklets. I am bad.

@JMaxB @aa I had never thought of adding daily scripture readings to my previous not-really-bullet-journal-but-kind-of-Bujo system. Maybe it’s time to restart my analog system 🤔

@JMaxB I like the addition of a sentence or two of reflection to ponder. Plenty of notebook options out there! What do you use?

@ChrisJWilson @JMaxB give it a shot!

@aa I get packets of something called "Field Book," a shameless rip-off of Field Notes, with a dot grid. Definitely less sturdy than the original, but lasts long enough in my back pocket to fill up.

@JMaxB hey, dot grid and it fits in your back pocket. That’s a good notebook!

@JMaxB Notebooks don’t require a pedigree to work and be enjoyable. I say use it up and shelve it proudly when you’re done.