My Favourite Bullet Journal Hack 💜 The Alastair Method

[@lauriemyers3]

Ok…see…THIS is what I need! My brain works by month, then week, then day. It always stresses me out to have to assign a certain task for a particular day because I don’t know if I’m gonna feel like doing that on that day. I always have a “weekly to do list“ and I go off that to decide what I’m going to do or feel like doing each day. But this is better because it allows you to have a BRAIN DUMP as well! I am very much a “category/outline/hierarchy/one-comes-before-the-other” person and it completely stresses me out to even do brain dumps. I try to organize my brain dumps! This way I can brain dump and then organize using the left column and finally organize even more by keeping track of what still needs to be done. I can’t tell you how much this is going to help me! Changing my bullet journal today!

[@vikkisladen2849]

I also use it for a habit tracker. The habits go at the top, and tasks below. I don't need a month of habits as much as I need daily reminders and motivations to take meds, etc. I never flipped open to monthly trackers, so having it on my weekly makes more sense.

[@Joytotheworld38]

Many thanks for this helpful method sharing.

[@JashiiCorrin]

Most welcome! 😄💜

[@allegrostitches5489]

Fabulous video. I had never heard of this method before, let alone how to use it or how it is useful. I'm going to implement this right away in a spread for projects. Thanks!

[@jenniferdef3070]

i've been thinking of using the alastair method for my weeklies BUT i've been using the same weeklies now for like a year or more and i like it. might try the alastair next year though because currently i have one weekly calendar and one task-list so the alastair could be a great way to combine the two much to think about

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦👋👍♥️😎📚🎨🖌🖊🖋✍

[@thatsallbriwrote]

It was very interesting learning where this method began! I started using the Alastair method for this month's tasks and its been sooo helpful... and now I don't want to go back to my original, more decorative weekly layouts with boxes. I think I need a middle ground for my creativity and productivity.. *cries*

[@graceliaw2023]

I've been using this method thanks to Claudia Kai. It's been incredibly useful, especially during the school year, but I also include a due date column.

[@MidlifeByKirstin]

I use a traditional future log but the next year gets a one-page Alistair method one (that is currently 2023)

[@txmomma02]

That is a great idea. Smaller space but still useful so when setting up your next bujo you have it all organized!

[@KTCoope]

I use it for my weeklies (combined with a rolling daily) and also a week by week tasks section in my monthly, plus some other categorisation on some of my other lists... I've also found it super useful for things like shopping lists, so I can group all the different sections of the store without having to have thought of what I need to pick up all at once. That project completion spread is so good!

[@juliangelus]

Great video Jess, I'm loving these chatty ones so much. :)

[@ella4108]

I have seen these spreads but never realized how simple they actually are! Thanks for the breakdown, definitely going to try it out~

[@katysvaren]

Hey Jess! I've been a big fan of your videos for a while, even though I haven't been super interactive. I was wondering if you could make a video comparing B5 dotted notebooks (hardcover?)? I'm trying to go bujo shopping because I need a new one for June and want to try the B5 size, I just haven't found very many good options. I like A&O okay, but I'm not always a fan of the embellishments or colors. Leuchtturm 1917 seems to be the only other brand I can find with a hardcover B5. There's not another video like this on the internet (trust me, I've looked) and I would love the help, and I'm sure others would, too 😊 Once again, I love your videos and I love your personality. You're very real with us while also having this welcoming and cheery demeanor. Thanks for your contributions to the bullet journal community 😊❤️

[@theyknittoo2360]

I really like the idea of this method. I think it could be very helpful for me (I'm a teacher too) when task after task pops up in a week. I could then just list it in order rather than squeezing it in on the day of the week and wondering if I got to everything or not!

[@Cheffamily]

thank you for introducing me to this method. i've been loving it for the past 2 weeks. great for the weekly spread.

[@virginiamklein]

I will be using this method for my brain dumps. I have monthly and yearly dumps so this will come in handy

[@JashiiCorrin]

Oh nice 💪 I find it super handy, so I hope you do too 😄💜

[@draco-lily]

The Alastair Method has been a mainstay in my journaling since October 2020. Even so, TIL about using it in a project variation like your filming breakdown! Definitely using that moving forward. Thank you many Jess!

[@createwithcait]

I’ve used this method in my weekly spreads before and loved it but think I’ll be setting it up for my content planner as well!! 🥰🥰

[@marya4632]

I just assumed making videos was your full time job. How do you find time to be a mother, a teacher and a KZbinr?!

[@tanjasbuecherlaube]

I.don't know why, but the Alastair Method confuses me. I know, it is so clever...really... but i can't.....😢 PS with confuses me i mean: not to set it up, but then actually to use it, once filled out, to quick see: what are the tasks today( this year, this month, this week, whatever), my eyes always jump between the tasks and the day....and seconds later again don't know "WHAT do i have to do today?" And how do you put apppointments with a certain time of beginning and ending in this method?

[@SeaGreenZines]

I'd love to start bulk filming, but I worry about getting mixed up with where I am with each video. This would be perfect for that.

[@April-vr3gr]

I’m going to try the method next week. I love the idea of the column just for x’s (completed tasks). Thanks for the ideas.

[@corkspa]

I think I'm the only person who just doesn't like this method. I think it's just to overwhelming for my ADHD brain. It just doesn't like the columns for the days and all the marks all over the place.

[@morganl2633]

I love this video! I’m watching it twice so it sinks in. I use the Alastair method in my weeklies to organize tasks. I have small boxes at the top for my weekly events then a a small AM box at the bottom for tasks. It’s changed the game for me but I will start the nesting method you’ve exemplified so thank you!

[@inspiringpositiveimpact]

I've seen this method but never knew what it was called. I really like how you used it for your task list. Going to try that next week 👍

[@sockerplinga]

I dont use it, because I havent taken the time to look it up properly. I do think its an awesome way, so I will take a look at my bujo and see how I can make use of it! :) Thanks for sharing!

[@Kimkyginger]

Had to come back and rewatch this one after a new video came out and I needed a refresh

[@elizabethwilliams6329]

Can I just say I love your whole vibe... you just seem like a dope person... I hope that doesn't sound too creepy... keep being you.

[@LilBruno63]

I use this for weeklys and I love it, been using it for I think a year or so now

[@JashiiCorrin]

I’ve used it on-and-off for a while now, and I’ve pretty much decided that my weeklies must have it now 😛

[@LilBruno63]

@@JashiiCorrin i made dailys for especially busy days like the weekends but Yea the Alastair method weeklys 90% of the time

[@ReignBeauxStar]

I think I'd only use this method of it's for habit tracking. It seems a bit less easy to put just random acts of 'to do' in a list and a bunch of dots, slants and exes on the other side of them. Too simplistic I guess for me.

[@micah2805]

Ha! Brilliant! Thank you for sharing ❤ *and why hadn’t I thought of that 😂

[@kerrydouglass3081]

I'm still fairly new to bullet journaling (only my second month), but this looks like something I need in my life to help me get organised. I have daily lists of one off things, but this would really help me remember the weekly things I keep forgetting to do.

[@crunchevo8974]

Heck yeah. Also remember if a part of it isn't working for you or you want to do something differently, just try out new layouts. I find that most people include their work in their weekly trackers for example but it's easier for me personally to have a seperate page with my work tracker since i get paid hourly and i have inconsistent times/shifts and get paid extra for overtime, double on holidays plus there may be days where i have to go in that I didn't plan for so having all that in one spread helps me calculate everything and keep track of all the things i need to keep track of without messing up my me time/errands/events and stuff. And like lots if not most people i don't use a future log so uf you find that one of the standard logs that people love don't work for you don't be scared to ditch it after trying it. It's whatever works for you that's the right way to do a bullet journal.

[@dawnkeene3623]

I love your videos. I am curious, are all of those journals on your desk full?

[@veronicasalazarbravo]

The Best video about Alastair Method. Thanks. (El mejor video sobre el método Alastair. Gracias) 🎉

[@JashiiCorrin]

Most welcome! 😄💜 Glad you liked it!

[@andrew4635]

I can see this being SO USEFUL to help me organize which quarters of the fiscal year require me to submit which documentation for a non-profit I’m on the board of. This way, as soon as I become aware of a new requirement, I can just throw it on the list, all in one place, and categorize it after

[@JashiiCorrin]

Heck yeah 💪 I really appreciate this style of layout for its flexibility, and sounds like that would be a perfect use for it 😄

[@rebeccaclarke9985]

Oh my goodness I'm just about to start Bujo'ing and I think this method will be SO useful for me. That was such a great help.

[@JashiiCorrin]

Glad you like it! I find it to be super useful 💪💜

[@bethdecamp2315]

I think this could really work for me!

[@tinajevsinek9488]

Excellent explanation! I've seen this in so many Bujos but I always skipped those pages cause I had no idea what the are. Now that I understand I am going to use that method for sure! ❤

[@banaa9463]

This is a great idea, but not easy to do on a smaller notebook

[@josefisica]

Thank you very much for your video. It is really useful and inspiring. Greetings from Spain.

[@JashiiCorrin]

Most welcome and glad it was useful! 😄💜 Greetings from New Zealand!

[@jordankarsten9104]

Great video! I don’t currently use this method as I find it’s too easy for me to keep pushing off tasks. Instead I have a master task list that I pull from daily until it’s all crossed off!

[@acgallan]

Wow, you really hit the sweet spot between creativity and an analytical approach. Not many people have that talent. You are lucky!

[@JashiiCorrin]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it 😄💜

[@susankuz]

Super helpful. Thanks!

[@Katiedora122]

I love the Alistair method! I set up a couple pages at the beginning of the month and use it for my weekly tasks. I realized I was just rewriting so many things every week (either because they were regular tasks or because I had a window of time to complete them), so now every week I can just automatically input the repeating ones, see what I didn't get to or finish, and then add new ones as they come up. The style I use is pretty much based on Claudia Gray's set up, but it's really saved me some time and frustration.

[@ButterFlYnez]

Nice video, sadly my brain just refuses to process the Alistair method 😢

[@JashiiCorrin]

What a shame! 😔

[@SirenPandaSabo]

I have always wondered about different types of spreads as I don't have a great memory of remembering what I need to do, when to do it by and other things related to events. I might consider trying this and see if this works for me.

[@JashiiCorrin]

I find it really helpful so totally worth having a try of it 😄💜 hope it works for you!

[@BelieveMe0rNot]

I definitely need to try this method in my next layout and journal. I think it will save so much space! Love it! ❤️

[@crittercre8r]

A mega playlist you say?

[@krystlesherwood8341]

Omg such a great thing

[@erreip_]

Love it. Have you/do you/can you use Calendex at same time?

[@JashiiCorrin]

You can totally use a Calendex at the same time 😄💜 Can't remember specifically if I've had a journal where I've done both 🤔 just as it's been a while since I used a Calendex, but from memory one of my earlier journals probably used both at the same time 😊

[@childcrone]

This is so clearly presented. Thank you!

[@JashiiCorrin]

Thanks! 😄💜 Glad you liked it!

[@PumkinPeanut]

where to purchase the colored journals shown in the background? Many of them seem to have a white space in middle (for labeling?) or was that a sticker you added yourself? Also got confused on what is "old" vs "new" laundry... I understand a load is wash, dry, put away. so I got stuck on trying to figure out what is meant by that. lol

[@JashiiCorrin]

Old laundry is the stuff that I did last week and still haven’t put away 😂 new laundry is the stuff that I’m washing that day and also want to put away 👌 The majority of my journals are from Archer & Olive 😊

[@PumkinPeanut]

Ah, got it! (laundry) I did visit the website but don't see any like the ones in background. Yours looks like a better store I want to shop at.

[@mousegrey6747]

I use it for my future log, and for my weekly overview in my work bujo- it covers my tasks that I need to do every day so they don’t clog up my dailies unless I need an extra reminder or more notes, it covers the types of tasks I like to keep track of, and I have a line each relating to work hours and health, just to note if something happened that impacted work, then I note the details in the daily log. I leave a section at the bottom that I can use for large, complex tasks that are going to take a while. Sometimes I add an Alistair method table to my monthly, to include reference information with a weekly breakdown. And I keep trying to work out what a GTD style contextualised list would look like for me.

[@gnomie2.0]

Did you ever figure out that GTD contextualized list? You got me thinking about listing the contexts across one axis instead of the days of the week, the keeping the rest the same. I really might have to try this myself - thanks for the inspo!

[@3row4wy23]

2:27 The video where you made this layout was my introduction to the Alastair method! I've been using it in my work BuJo ever since, and I've used the "cross" column (I call mine a "gutter" column) to signify any priority tasks with an asterisk, or to link tasks with dependencies.

[@createwithcait]

That’s such a good idea!! I love that you’re calling it the gutter column

[@ajithchandbhandaari]

Great Info.

[@shaw9881]

Nice

[@clarewhite3004]

I thought this looked like the most confusing way to lay out a straightforward to-do list, then I realized you teach CHEMISTRY, so of course your brain is the exact opposite of mine. I'm a A&P person (respiratory therapist actually, and I tutored A&P). Naturally we could never organize a simple list the same way. 🤣

[@frederiquelong785]

I love the Alistair method which I find to be very visual and simple to utilize. I utilize it for my weekly spreads and to work through the different steps of a "big" goal. Thank you for your (as always) interesting video

[@marjoriedybec3450]

I started using Alistair method weeklies in the Nov/Dec 2021 by by Mar 2022, I found I was sort of ignoring my weeklies and wasn't updating them or do the tasks they contained. So I went back to a more traditional BuJo list method and copy over my list at least every other day. My current dilemma is that I have several major longterm projects that are important to me but they are items I'm going to need to set a daily or weekly daily discipline to make progress on them, ie organize videos on my IPhone into folders on my laptop, or clean out old paper files and file unfiled statements, or restore several old fountain pens, study french, build a website, etc. I want to create a tip-in with my A&O neopolitan notepad paper that I can pull out on days when I have a spare hour to fill so I can do some bit of work on a project and check it off. However, I know it will be very intermittent as my days are currently very booked with other daily disciplines and freelance work. Any suggestions ?

[@natematicstuitionwrexham]

Loving the lists for Physics - I have been working on A Level Mechanics for my Maths Tutoring

[@annelyle5474]

I love the Alastair Method for task lists! However rather than bullet journalling, I use it as a loose-leaf insert in the middle of my week-on-two-pages spread in my Filofax - I punch the page on both sides so I can have it facing the current day. I'm totally going to steal your pretty coloured column highlights, though 😀 I've been using light grey, which is functional but not as easy to scan down a long vertical column - and nowhere near as pretty!

[@Rissascorner]

I have such a hard time organizing how I want my pages in my bullet journal. Do you have any tips? I like to have monthly and weekly calendar but I also like to have my reading pages and habit trackers.

[@karinhart489]

Hmm, ok I’ll try highlighting every other column of task/habit tracker I put on right side of the monthly overview.

[@JashiiCorrin]

I enjoy the ~aesthetic~ of it 😝 but the lines also help me separate things 💪

[@karinhart489]

@@JashiiCorrin oh I was going to highlight every other column because I loose my place try to mark the correct column. 🙃

[@JashiiCorrin]

@@karinhart489 can relate to that issue, yeah 😂💜

[@crunchevo8974]

I just kinda realized that i use this method unknowingly with my banking and work spreads. Typically I'll split it into the columns i need and set up my work spread such that i have my date, hours, time worked, total hours that month and any overtime/ extra pay that may be coming in. And i tick em off as the days go by. And of course for my budgeting i have spreads with my account values and a log of how it goes down through the month since i get paid monthly. It really helps put into perspective where you can save/be more savvy.

[@finnsjournal102]

I'm getting into bullet journaling by just doing research. Right now I have an A5 just to put all the different layouts between weekly, tasks and monthly. After doing 6 months of research I came upon this. I was thinking of how can I incorporate my daily, weekly and monthly house chores that I can check off and feel productive. (going through a little funk right now, being 57 and all the kids grown up and all. I need something to ground me to feel motivated and productive. Since I have a lot of time on my hands, especially during the winter months.) I just discovered this today and this is exactly what I was looking for just for my chores list. Thank you for explaining and showing the different ways to use it. I immediately made tasks list in the Alastair method. I believe this is going to work for me. Thank you and best regards.

[@KillingTheUnsaid]

It's on my list for next weeks spread!!! I'm excited to see I have so many that carry over this will be so helpful... is there a way you mark as priority?

[@leilamatthews376]

Ive never used the Alistair method but I can see how I could incorporate in perhaps on a weekly or monthly context for myself

[@amym9867]

This is really helpful! I've been trying to figure out a better way to keep track of my work projects.

[@Runsonespresso]

I am not using this method currently but after watching your video I got some ideas of how to incorporate it!

[@princessleah9092]

The Alastair method is my favourite tool in my bullet journal! I use it foe Future Log and Weekly tasks and anything else I can. So good for logging everything and not worrying about forgetting.

[@AionNoBara]

Hahah I’m really enjoying your time stamp titles lately XD Definitely an adorable Alastair Method fangirl. I completely forgot he made this as a Future Log template. You are such a great teacher and I’m really glad I get to see more of that lately as you explain methods and topics. In my 6 ring planner, I have a plastic/laminated divider I made separating the two pages of the weekly layout. I can flippyflippy to either side with ease, but I also like putting small sticky notes on it for reminders. I started to use the Alastair Method for events and wins I did during the week (like getting your driver’s license yaaaay). I put a list pad paper on it with tasks on the left side and M-Sun on the top. I’ve not been doing it lately though, but I do like it. I’m more interested in learning and going more in-depth how to use it for repeatable tasks, like the video making and editing process!

[@teabean7]

I am using this method for my rolling weekly. I tried it for a week and never looked back! I plan on trying it for my future log next. I love that it doesn't take very much space, well sometimes it does but that is because there are a lot of tasks. It would take more to list out any other way. Have a great day! 💜

[@3258pamela]

Jashii?? You are an absolute little Genious Princess!! You have so much in this video that will be useful to me.

[@historywithsigna]

Definitely going to give this a try for my uni assignments and blog posts!

[@savvyveteran18]

Nice overview, got a chuckle on the detail put into the laundry task

[@keeponwishin]

I sometimes will use the Alastair method for my weeklies when I’m running short on time, as it’s an easy template I could put on paper in just a minute or two. This is most useful to me while tracking subscription prices on my Amazon account. I take it a step further from just the dots under the month to writing in the price each item for that month. That way, I can compare the prices over the long-term and change/cancel items if necessary.

[@evelynatcraneshearth]

I started using this method myself and it's awesome.

[@yiyishands]

Yay! My small enjoyable activity for the day!!!

[@deniserhk]

Yay! First comment! Love your videos!

[@yohanesliong4818]

Thank you

[@JashiiCorrin]

Most welcome! 😄💜

[@jenniferk7067]

I love the concept of this method, especially the way that you do one week at a time, then start a new week. I really do like a week at a glance too though (but hate the wasted space) and can’t seem to make the two come together in a spread that I like. 😐

[@ajmastel]

I really love the way your organize your video steps.

[@katenicholson9486]

Love it. I think I might try it in next weeks spread.

[@hmloldtableau7781]

Love it.

[@JashiiCorrin]

Thanks! 😄💜

[@cartecaygames]

Definitely going to add this method to more of my spreads!

[@ClearBlueSky1]

A very succinct explanation, exactly what I was looking for and I realised that I could use this method in SO many ways , which I really didn't grasp when I tried to read about it ! Thank you 😊😊

[@JashiiCorrin]

Most welcome! 😄💜 Glad you liked it!

[@TammyDawson]

I use it to plan and track weekly tasks

[@audeai4021]

Short and sweet and to the point!!! 🥰 I have tried to use it, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's usually my favorite because it doesn't waste journal pages though.

[@createwithcait]

Agreed! Some weeks it is perfect in my journal other times it just doesn’t fit… honestly nice to be able to switch up the layouts for what is needed each week 🥰🥰

[@lel4per]

I’ve tried this method for weeklies several times but found that my brain works better with categories of tasks and my eyes still got confused on which column I was looking at sometimes with a long task list. This has me thinking though 🤔 I could color code the dots to each day so I don’t get confused while looking down a long list, and/or I could make category sections and have a M-F Alastair header for each category. 🤔 Thanks for the prompting to rethink this!

[@thatsallbriwrote]

Sorry to jump in but this is how I broke down my personal tasks versus business tasks this week! The long list was very intimidating for my first time using this method last week. I think it would be very helpful for you as well! And the same way Jess broke down her videos is how I want to break down my categories of my biz on my content planner spread. So she helped me rethink things too! 🤗🔥

[@lel4per]

That’s awesome Bri! Glad to hear that an adapted version is working for you!

[@rode_rash3956]

Sorry to be so late commenting on this video (somehow I missed it when it came out), but one of the things I find most helpful about the Alistair method is that it doesn't matter what order information comes to me that needs to be accounted for within that system. I just designated it however necessary based on the scale I set across the top (weekdays, months, steps, etc.). I find when I use it to record tasks that need to get done, I find it particularly helpful when I don't actually have a set date that it needs to be completed, and I can then schedule it based on how "full" a week looks rather than assigning it to a random day and hoping I can actually get to it that day. Even when I haven't actually assigned a task to a specific day yet, if I finish all my other tasks in a day, I can look to see what isn't assigned yet, and at least start working on one of those. I like that you had legitimate examples of using it for something other than weekdays or months, rather like a kanban board.

[@chfr1967]

Thank you for explaining. You keep mentioning this method in your new videos, so I needed to find out what you were talking about. Christina 🦝

[@JashiiCorrin]

Glad this one was helpful! 😄💜