Some of the free printables offered here at Universal Journal can be combined to suit different needs. Let's look at combining the calendar with the Notemarks  (the note bookmarks) printable. The Notemarks sheets are meant to be printed front and back, creating a dot grid bookmark ideal for notes of all sorts. Whether single column, folded, or doubled folded, these notemarks serve as a base for the calendar printable as well. For those who want floating notes that you can use on a monthly basis, this combo makes a quick way to create this sort of tool for yourself. First, gather the calendar printable and cut out the pertinent month, and print out one of the notemark pages (front and back). Next, since most people would use a thin book mark the notemark page will need to be folded. First, fold in half by the long edge. Fold the notemark again lengthwise. Alternatively you could cut the notemark page in half along the first fold, then fold the half page in half once more. You can

For so many of us the search for the "perfect" bullet journal is a never ending endeavor. The Hustler's Classic Notebook offers a very good hardcover dotted notebook currently rated at 4.5 stars over at Amazon.com. I've been using one since September 2020 and this is my take on it. (this post includes affiliate links) First, some details. On Amazon the title of this journal mentions: Thick Dotted Journal A5 Hardcover Premium 120 GSM Ink-Proof Paper 5mm Dot Grid Numbered Pages Pen Holder Pocket and Ruler I would add the following details: 160 off-white pages built-in ribbon Paper The pages are thick enough to handle my normal use. I don't typically use markers of any kind, only ball point pen and pencil and I have a fairly light touch. With the Hustler's Classic I don't see any bleed through with ballpoint pens or pencil. But I did use gel pens and highlighters for testing just for this post. Here is a comparison of the page where I marked for testing,

A previous post ( Bullet Journal for the hard working educator ) linked to a now dead page. I've updated the post so it links to the archive.org version of a page on 16 layouts for teachers. Here is an ultra-streamlined take on one layout idea from that page, a class semester for the teacher. (affiliate links included in this post) As with the Universal Journal approach (minimal set up time) I've tried to incorporate placement, iconography, and colors to communicate as much information as possible with as little effort as possible. The following description and included photos show a completely hypothetical semester, simply for illustration of the concepts. Layout The basic layout in the photo above places the semester weeks at the top of the spread. The class assignments, labs, exams, etc. are listed in the left column. So each item has its own row for any pertinent information. The weeks are bit busy so let me unpack all that. The week number of the semester is listed on

I found this short video on a DIY paper phone case. It's sturdy enough to hold something as heavy as a smart phone (or multiple writing implements) but also light enough to include as part of your everyday journal carry. This origami item could be modified to suit any number of things. Want to try some Origami? Click this origami paper affiliate link and you can help me out a little and get involved in a fantastic creative outlet.

Balance is a good thing. So is technology. Have you ever considered the extent to which you rely on technology? And not only to get stuff done, but for survival? Yes, even a good thing can be taken too far. When something useful and helpful becomes a focal point of life it can become unhealthy. Some of the following may contain affiliate links. It's weird, really. For some folks losing one's smart phone would be an inconvenience, sure, but for others it would make life unbearable. Seriously, lot's of people survived and accomplished significant things long before the cell phone was invented. Incontheivable , right? I've caught myself, on more than one occasion, choosing a digital option for something when I could have experienced it in the real world instead. I've watched a fireworks celebration on screen when it was happening just a few miles away. I often read stuff on screen instead of paper for the convenience of it but sometimes a physical book is mo

We've all been there. Something is initiated, you have to contribute to it in some way, and then you have to wait. Maybe you have to wait for some information, or for something to be delivered, or for an event to take place, etc. You can't finish what you're working on until someone else does something. This where following up could significantly improve your situation - if you remembered to follow up in the first place. Let me offer some ideas on that. I use two methods to help me remember to follow up. Which method to be used depends on whether I'm working on a project with a deadline or if it's something else. One of the benefits of trying to keep things minimal is certain concepts can be used for multiple purposes. Here are two ideas already discussed on this blog. Following up: for projects with deadlines On a project with a deadline, stuff has to be done by a certain date and you've got skin in the game. For this sort of follow up I typically use a