#PlannerGirl {My Bullet Journal Based To-Do Based System for Work}

Work Journal

For my job working as a Quality Manager in a food manufacturing facility, my to-do list gets added to on a daily … hourly … basis, and the best task organization system for me is paper based and using the principles of Bullet Journals.

My Planner Needs

Flexible – I must be able to add or take out paper as I see fit
Professional appearance – no cutesy planners with stickers everywhere.

What I don’t need – Time based daily inserts. I capture appointments on my computer (using Outlook calendar), and I’m not a fan of double work, so there’s no reason for me to also write these appointments down in my planner.

What fit my needs EXACTLY – The large discbound ARC planner from Staples.

Work Planner

My System – Bullet Journal Basics

Right now, I’ve just started and I’m keeping it super simple. On each page in my journal, I use a ruler to make a section on the right where I put the key for the symbols used to represent tasks, items completed, emails that need writing, important tasks etc.

On the left side, I have two small columns as well – one where I can write a due date if necessary, and one for the symbol for that task.

I write the month and year at the top of each page, and then start writing tasks. I don’t separate by day or week. At the end of each month, I use the arrow symbol to indicate that a task didn’t get done, and it’s copied to next month’s page.

Accessories

Bullet Journal for Work

  • An ARC punch – I use the paper that comes with the journal, but I use a the punch to add pages if I run out, or if I want to add something else.
  • A (pre-punched) slim ARC system notepad. I’ve started written the key to the symbols on one – so I won’t always have to write them on each new page. I also jot notes on them on a daily basis.
  • A ruler which I move to whatever page I’m currently working on.
  • A sheet with post-its that sits in the back of the planner
  • Dividers – I have a section for monthly tasks, one for meeting notes and then a section for each of the major projects I’m working on this year.
  • A print out of the calendar year sits in a pocket in the front of the journal.

How I Make This System Work – Daily Top 3

When I get to work, I take out my laptop and open this planner on my desktop. I look at it – I like checking off tasks throughout the day – I don’t like adding to my to-do list but I HATE being unprepared and missing deadlines even more.

Every morning – on one of the slim note-papers shown in the picture above, I write down 1-3 *Must DO Tasks* These are my main priorities, and might involve several of the things on my to-do list. Check these off – and it’s been a good day.


My system relies on simplicity, although I’m sure I’ll add to it throughout the year. But one thing I’m sure I’ll stick with is using the Arc planner. It’s versatile, big enough to hold letter-size paper, so it’s easy to refill and the sturdy leather cover is durable.

How do you keep track of your work tasks?

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// Comments //

  1. Beth F

    Mar 07

    I use a similar notebook system for my recipes and for other things. I like being able to take out pages and add pages and move things around. I didn’t know Staples had a similar system. I’ll have to check it out — I hate mail ordering.

    • Tanya Patrice

      Mar 07

      @Beth my face thing about the ARC system is how customizable it is.

  2. I love bullet journaling in my planner. I looked at the Arc system too and like that you can add pages where you need them to index them better. You’ve got a great system. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

    • Tanya Patrice

      Mar 06

      @Tanya I highly recommend the ARC system. I love how sturdy the covers are for the planners and at the end of the year, you can remove all the pages and reuse the planner.

// Trackbacks & Pingbacks //

  1. […] used a disc bound bullet journal as my planner last year and developed a nice system over time, as you can see from my quarterly updates. But, I […]

  2. […] at the company I work for, and my work planner needs have changed a little bit since I shared my initial setup and Q2 update. Now, I’m still using a hacked bullet journal system, but I downsized my ARC […]

  3. […] has helped keep me organized at work in a wonderfully simple way. Check out my posts on #PlannerGirl {My Bullet Journal Based To-Do Based System for Work}and #PlannerGirl Bullet Journal With an Arc Planner {Q2 […]

  4. […] 💕 Staples ARC Planner. I use this as the journal in my Bullet Journal Based To-Do Based System for Work and it was the perfect choice. The papers are letter size, removable and the whole system is […]

  5. […] few months ago, I decided to use the Bullet Journal system for my work planner. I used a large discbound ARC planner from Staples because of it’s professional black leather […]