Productive Pixie: March 2021

Motivating yourself to reach your goals can be sooo HARD. We all know how the cycle goes. You get enough motivation to start your goal and you are really excited! And then you do the goal for a few days and then it starts to be a burden so you put it off and then you forget to do it one day and then the next and the next. Then you find a new goal and the cycle starts over again.

Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals

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Updated for 2024

Well, don't worry because today I have some solutions!

I have trouble reaching my goals sometimes too and finding the motivation to keep working at reaching my goals can be tough. If you have trouble reaching your goals, just know that you are not alone, and hopefully, these tips will help you keep on going!

So let's get right into the tips to help motivate you to reach your goals!

Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals

1. Make the Goal Smaller

It's great to "reach for the stars", but everyone has to start somewhere and the best way to make sure you stick with it is to start smaller.

For example, if you want to exercise every day for an hour, that is a great goal, but if you are just getting into exercising it might be hard to keep up with so instead make a goal of exercising for maybe just 15 minutes a day and anything you do over the fifteen-minute mark is bonus.

The book Tiny Habits goes more into this method, and I sincerely recommend checking the book out because it has some really good tips in it!

Make your goal smaller, and you will be more likely to achieve it, and then if you go even farther past that, then you are just going the extra mile!

2. Break It Up + Track It

Going along with the first one. You are more likely to do your goal if it is not so big. Break up your goal into small steps.

I use my bullet journal to break up my goals into smaller sections and then track them as I complete them. I have a different layout for each of the goals I am trying to reach this year. Plus, I have a layout with all of my goals for 2021 on it so I can see at a glance what all of my goals are.

3. Reward Yourself

This is a cliche one, but it works! Make a list of rewards that you can get for yourself when you complete your goal or a section of your goal.

It doesn't have to be something you buy. It can be something small, like making a treat for yourself, or going for a long walk. Basically, just anything you really enjoy doing!

4. Focus on Progress

Focus on progress and not the end result. For example, your goal could be to lose 15 pounds or it could be to workout consistently and eat more healthily. Of course, you would have to make the second one more specific, but the second one focuses more on progress and not the end result.

Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals

Okay so here is a quick recap. You might want to write these down in your bullet journal.

Make the Goal Smaller
Break It Up + Track It
Reward Yourself
Focus on Progress

Plus, if you liked this post, you might like these ones as well!

Have a fun and productive week!

If you found this post helpful, please share it! I even made a pretty pin for you!

March 27, 2021 No comments

Bullet journaling is fun and helps you to be organized, but it also can be time-consuming, especially when you add fancy calligraphy and drawings! Even though I was planning on posting the next part of my bullet journal set up the second week of January, I couldn't because I hadn't finished the layouts yet. If you are looking for bullet journal layouts to help you be more organized, then keep scrolling!

Updated for 2024

If you have seen the first part of my bullet journal setup, then you will know that I am going for a light pink minimalist aesthetic. If you haven't seen the first part of my bullet journal setup and you like my bullet journal aesthetic, then I recommend checking it out because it has a lot of basic pages you can add to your bullet journal including the index and goal setting pages!

If you have read that post, then you will know that this year I am not making monthly bullet journal layouts, and instead, I am using to-do list layouts because I want to simplify my bullet journal.

Because of this, I am no longer doing monthly plan with me's like I did last year, but this year I may post the layouts and collection pages I made during the month instead so if you like my bullet journal style, you can come back monthly and get some inspiration for new bullet journal layouts!

And now, let's get right into the bullet journal layouts!

My 2021 Bullet Journal Setup Part 2

1. Bullet Journal Ideas

First up, is my bullet journal layout ideas page. I always find it helpful to have a page like this at the beginning of my bullet journal, so I don't forget to make any of the pages that I want to make.

At the bottom of this layout, I added some washi tape for decoration, but you can't see it in this picture.

If you like making a lot of collection pages in your bullet journal, then you would probably find this layout very helpful!

2. Books to Read

One of my goals for the year is to read 12 nonfiction books, and the easiest way to do this is to plan ahead what books I want to read. This layout is very simple, with just the title of the book on one side and the author on the other.

I got the inspiration for this layout from Pinterest, but I'm not sure who's the layout originally is, so if the design of this bullet journal layout is yours, please let me know so I can add a link to the original content.

You could also use a layout like this for movies you want to watch, or music you want to listen to.

3. Pen Test Page

I don't know about you, but as a bullet journalist, I like buying new stationery, and I like testing out new stationery as well!

With a layout like this, you can keep track of your pen sets, and you can just test out the colors, etc.

You can also label your pens so you can make sure to get the exact pen you want when you look at this page.

4. Gratitude

Another one of my goals for this year is to write down something I am grateful for daily. I have twelve columns on this layout, and then a square for each day of the year.

At the top of this layout, I wrote, "It's not happiness that brings us gratitude, it's gratitude that brings us happiness". Being grateful for everything around you really can make you happier!

5. Blog Schedule

Blogging is a lot of work! It's so much for than just posting something you write, and then waiting for people to read it. You have to take photos, research, write, edit, post, and then promote, promote, promote.

Of course, it can be hard to keep everything organized, but my blog schedule helps to keep me on track.

For every month, I have a section with a small calendar. The days I post on the blog are highlighted. Next to that, I have a list of the dates I will post and a space to write the name of the blog post.

Below that, I have a simple checklist so I can see at a glance how much I promote on each platform, and below that, I have a simple box to take notes in and write my goals for the month.

6. Blog Post Ideas

Another blogging layout idea I know. If you aren't a blogger, you can skip to the next image, but if you are a blogger, then this layout is so so HELPFUL.

When I have no idea what I want to post, I can look at this layout and have some ideas already there. Plus, then when I do have a post idea and my schedule is full, I can write it down and do it another week.

This way, hopefully, you will never run out of content.

7. Sponsors

Bloggers sometimes work with brands to create sponsored content, and that is what this layout is for. When I reach out to a brand to see if they want to work with me, I can put the information down on this layout.

8. Highlights of the Year

Okay, I have one of these layouts in my bullet journal every year, and I love it!

It's a quite simple layout, I have a box for each month, and then I just write down some memories from each month in the corresponding box.

It's a simple way to keep track of the good and maybe the bad things that happened during the month just so you don't forget them.

Plus, if you aren't very good at keeping a diary, this might be easier for you.

9. Recipes Made

Another of my goals for the year is to learn to make some new recipes, so on this layout I am writing down 52 recipes I made for the year. I am working on making around one new recipe a week from scratch.

At the bottom of the layout, I had some extra room so I add some cute little doodles!

Making a layout for each of the goals you are trying to reach, is a good way to break down each of your goals.

My 2021 Bullet Journal Setup

In between all of those layouts, I just have a bunch of to-do lists, and so far this year, it has been working pretty well. Hopefully, these layouts will help you to be more organized!

If you liked this post, you can read these ones as well.

Have a good and productive week!

Pin this, so you can use these layouts for inspiration!

March 20, 2021 No comments

Are you starting your first bullet journal? It can be hard to know what you need to get started and with all of the information out there, it can be overwhelming trying to figure what bullet journal products to buy. Today, I wanted to share the bullet journal products that I would recommend for beginners.

Bullet Journal Supplies Recommendations for Beginners

Updated for 2024

Since I have been bullet journaling for a few years now (like 6+), I have tested out quite a few different bullet journal products.

When I started my first bullet journal in 2018, I made some mistakes that eventually lead to me giving up my bullet journal for a while. If I had known these tips, I probably wouldn't have made these bullet journal supplies mistakes.

If you are a beginner bullet journalist, then you are in the right place! Or maybe your bullet journal isn't working for you, and you want to figure out what you can do about that.

Either way, you can read on for some bullet journaling supplies recommendations.

Bullet Journal Recommendations for Beginners

1. A Notebook You Love

The first thing as a beginner bullet journalist you will need to do is to find is a notebook you love. If you don't like the notebook you have, then you aren't going to want to use it.

This is going to be different for everyone and it is mostly up to preference.

When I started bullet journaling in 2018, I used a composition notebook, and it took a long time to set up spreads because I would have to measure the page. Long story short, I gave it up after three months because I was tracking too many things and it was hard to make layouts.

The second time I started bullet journaling, I went with dotted pages instead of lined pages and it makes it so so much easier for me!

I went with a lined notebook the first time because I didn't want to spend money on a dotted-page notebook, and I wish I had just boughten the dotted notebook in the first place because the dotted pages make it so much easier to make layouts in my notebook.

Your notebook doesn't need to be expensive though.

I got my Minimalism Art Bullet Journal for under $10 and the Ecoline Journal I am currently using cost me around $15.

You might like grid paper better than dotted paper or you might like lined paper, so the best thing to do is to print out some sample pages of each and then try making some layouts on each of them to see which format you like best.

Having a notebook you love is the basis of a good bullet journal experience!

2. A Writing Instrument You Love

You only need two things to start bullet journaling. One is a notebook, and the other one is a writing instrument.

If making mistakes bothers you, then you might want to use a pencil or an erasable pen.

Most people use a pen and when buying a pen, you just want to make sure that it doesn't bleed through the page or ghost a lot.

If you make a mistake, you can use a white gel pen to cover it up. I usually use a black Sharpie pen, and I love that #1 they are cheap, #2 it doesn't bleed through my notebook, and #3 it has nice juicy ink that doesn't smear and is nice and dark.

To start bullet journaling, you only need one writing instrument, but if you want, you can sketch your layouts in pencil before you draw them in using a pen. This is what I do some of the time and it is helpful if I am trying out a new calligraphy font as well.

You might not even need to buy a new pen. You might already have one you like, just lying around your house!

Optional Recommendations for Beginning Bullet Journalists

The only two things you need to start bullet journaling are a notebook and a writing instrument, but it might make your bullet journal journey a little easier and maybe even a tad bit funner (Is that even a word? We'll go with it) to do!

3. A Ruler

You don't need a ruler, but it will sure make drawing straight lines easier! I have a small one (visible two pictures above this) that is a stencil combined with a ruler.

It's easy to use and it fits in my pen case so it's a win-win!

4. A White Gel Pen

I am so so so (too much repetition, I know) happy that I bought a white gel pen! It truly is a lifesaver! Every time I make a small mistake in my bullet journal, I can simply cover it up with a little bit of white gel pen.

Of course, sometimes a little bit of the mistake shows through, but usually, it can cover up mistakes pretty well. It's definitely something I recommend.

5. A Pen Case

Not necessary, but it sure is handy to have a small container to hold my bullet journal accessories in. I bought mine from Michaels for around $10. It is hard, but the container is a kind of faux leather that is holding up well!

It can carry around 15 pens so it is just right for carrying the essentials.

Bullet Journal Recommendations for Beginners

When it comes down to it, you only need two things to start a bullet journal, and even though you may see many beautiful intricate bullet journal layouts on Pinterest, you just need to find what works for you!

The bullet journal system is simple.

If you liked this post, you can read these ones too.

Good luck on your bullet journal journey!

If you liked this post, please share it. Thank you! :)

March 06, 2021 No comments

Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals

1. Make the Goal Smaller

2. Break It Up + Track It

3. Reward Yourself

4. Focus on Progress

Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals

My 2021 Bullet Journal Setup Part 2

1. Bullet Journal Ideas

2. Books to Read

3. Pen Test Page

4. Gratitude

5. Blog Schedule

6. Blog Post Ideas

7. Sponsors

8. Highlights of the Year

9. Recipes Made

My 2021 Bullet Journal Setup

Bullet Journal Recommendations for Beginners

1. A Notebook You Love

2. A Writing Instrument You Love

Optional Recommendations for Beginning Bullet Journalists

3. A Ruler

4. A White Gel Pen

5. A Pen Case

Bullet Journal Recommendations for Beginners

About Me

Categories

Blog Archive

Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals

1. Make the Goal Smaller

2. Break It Up + Track It

3. Reward Yourself

4. Focus on Progress

Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals

My 2021 Bullet Journal Setup Part 2

1. Bullet Journal Ideas

2. Books to Read

3. Pen Test Page

4. Gratitude

5. Blog Schedule

6. Blog Post Ideas

7. Sponsors

8. Highlights of the Year

9. Recipes Made

My 2021 Bullet Journal Setup

Bullet Journal Recommendations for Beginners

1. A Notebook You Love

2. A Writing Instrument You Love

Optional Recommendations for Beginning Bullet Journalists

3. A Ruler

4. A White Gel Pen

5. A Pen Case

Bullet Journal Recommendations for Beginners

About Me

Categories

Blog Archive

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