Just a few minutes a day for more discipline, clarity, and happiness
Trackers can be a very useful component of any bullet journal. To “track” something simply means creating a list that is updated daily. These lists are usually created on a monthly basis, however, there are also weekly trackers that are incorporated into your weekly overviews, for example. There are countless possibilities for what and, above all, how to track.
In addition to the popular “Mood Tracker” (see the article of the magazine from Tombow) that you can use to monitor your mood during the month, you can also track your sleep, the books you want to read, television series and movies you want to watch, or household chores you need to do.
The “Habit Tracker,” in particular, is a frequently used tool in bullet journaling. Here, the focus is on your habits – things that you would like to accomplish or take care of every day.
As with bullet journaling in general, there are no limits or fixed rules. Think about the kinds of things you would like to do more regularly or what could improve your wellbeing (e.g., reading, going to bed earlier, exercising). You can also include habits that you want to reduce (e.g., eating candy, spending money, consuming meat).
Above all, what’s important is: Your tracker needs to be adapted to you and help you.
You might already have some ideas of what to track. The question now is: What does a tracker look like and how do you work with one?
Step 1: How your tracker looks
There are no limits to your creativity when you design your tracker. There are countless types and layouts for trackers in bullet journaling. From simple, minimalist lists and tables to colorful, painted works of art.
Don’t put pressure on yourself – a simple table is just as helpful as an elaborately designed tracker.
In addition, consider whether you want to track your habits on a weekly basis, a monthly basis, or even for the whole year.
Step 2: Create your tracker
Once you’ve decided on a layout, then you can get started right away. If you chose a monthly tracker, it makes sense to finish it by the first day of the month.
All you really need is a pen, e.g., a fineliner or ballpoint pen. In addition, the following things can be helpful:
- Pencil + Eraser (if you want to make a rough template first)
- A ruler or a triangle ruler
- A compass
- Brush pens for headings and for using color to emphasize things
Once you’ve created a tracker, of course, neither its layout nor the habits you choose are set in stone. If you notice that some things weren’t practical or important to you after all, you can of course leave them out the next time. This is the great thing about Habit Trackers: They can be readjusted or customized to your needs at any time.
Step 3: Work with your tracker
The easiest thing to do is to look at your tracker every day and check off the items for that day. I usually do this in the evening before going to bed. I like this ritual and feel good when I can check off as many items as possible since most of the things on this list don’t come naturally to me. In my experience, the Habit Tracker increases my motivation, because sometimes I just do things I don’t love to do so that I can check off the items in the evening. It also increases my sense of satisfaction because each check mark is a reward for my discipline. Over the longer term, you might develop habits for doing things that used to be difficult.
Important: Don’t demand too much from yourself! Start your Habit Tracker with just a few habits so that you don’t get overwhelmed at the beginning and become frustrated. Feel free to try out different trackers or layouts and see what works for you over the long term.
10 trackers for your bullet journal:
Do you need inspiration for your trackers? Then check out our list of 10 trackers that you can keep in your bullet journal. If you’re pressed for time, you can also simply print out our templates and glue them in.
- Movie tracker: What movies do you still want to see?
- Series tracker: What season or what episodes do you still need to see
- Book tracker: What books have you read this year or do you still want to read
- Sleep tracker: How many hours did you sleep last night?
- Chore tracker: When was the last time I ...?
- Money-saving tracker: Are you saving up for something special? Then this tracker is just the right thing for you. You can use the goal tracker template for it.
- Weight loss tracker: You can use the goal tracker template for it.
- Tracker for social media followers
- Self-care tracker for things such as masks, hair treatments, exfoliation
- Mood tracker
Bullet Journal Tracker Templates
Download for free!
You want get inspired or save time by printing and pasting the templates? Just click on the picture of the respective tracker for download.
Book Tracker
from @eddyeule_by_hav
Sarah
- Sarah Wagener
Sarah Wagener is a social education worker who lives in north Hesse in Germany. When she’s not out horseback riding, you can find her at her desk with a pen or a brush in hand. For her, being creative primarily means relaxation as well as tackling new challenges. Above all, she loves variety – from bullet journaling to hand lettering and painting geometric elements with watercolors.
