Introduction to Bullet Journal Symbols
Bullet Journaling (BuJo) is an analog organization system created by Ryder Carroll that helps track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future. At its core is “Rapid Logging,” a language of symbols that transforms notes, tasks, and events into an organized system. This cheatsheet provides a comprehensive guide to traditional and popular custom symbols used in bullet journaling, along with implementation tips and variations to help you create an effective personalized system.
Core Bullet Journal Symbols (The Original System)
Basic Symbols
| Symbol | Name | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| • | Bullet | Represents a task | • Submit quarterly report |
| ✓ | Completed | Marks a task as completed | ✓ Submit quarterly report |
| > | Migrated | Task moved to a future collection | > Submit quarterly report |
| < | Scheduled | Task scheduled to a specific date | < Submit quarterly report |
| ⨯ | Cancelled | Task no longer relevant | ⨯ Submit quarterly report |
| ○ | Event | An experience or occurrence | ○ Team lunch meeting |
| — | Note | Information to remember | — Project deadline extended |
| ★ or * | Priority | Marks important items | ★ Client presentation |
| ! | Inspiration | Ideas, insights, or “aha” moments | ! Create automated dashboard |
Symbol Modifications
| Addition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| • → ✓ | Task completed | Task was completed |
| • → > | Task migrated | Task moved to future log or another month |
| • → < | Task scheduled | Task assigned to a specific date |
| • → ⨯ | Task cancelled | Task deemed unnecessary |
| • + ★ | Priority task | Urgent task requiring attention |
Extended Bullet Journal Symbol System
Task Status Refinements
| Symbol | Meaning | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| ⟳ | In progress | Tasks that take multiple sessions |
| ⟲ | Recurring | Regular tasks that repeat (daily, weekly) |
| ⚡ | Quick task | Tasks taking less than 5 minutes |
| ⌛ | Waiting | Tasks on hold pending someone else |
| ⇱ | Delegated | Tasks assigned to others |
| ^ | Follow up | Tasks requiring check-in later |
| ↑ | Priority increased | Tasks that became more important |
| ↓ | Priority decreased | Tasks that became less important |
Custom Categories and Contexts
| Symbol | Category/Context | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| 📞 or ☎ | Call | 📞 Call insurance company |
| 📧 or @ | 📧 Email client proposal | |
| 🏠 | Home | 🏠 Fix kitchen sink |
| 💼 | Work | 💼 Complete quarterly report |
| 🛒 | Shopping | 🛒 Buy printer paper |
| 💻 | Computer | 💻 Update software |
| 📱 | Phone | 📱 Install app updates |
| 👨👩👧👦 | Family | 👨👩👧👦 Schedule family photo |
Tracking and Measurement Symbols
| Symbol | Tracks | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| □ | Habit tracker box | Draw multiple boxes for recurring habits |
| ▢ → ▣ | Completed habit | Fill in box when habit is completed |
| ░ ▒ ▓ █ | Intensity levels | Rate mood, energy, productivity |
| 🌑 🌒 🌓 🌔 🌕 | Five-level scale | Track mood or progress (empty to full) |
| ↑ → ↓ | Trend direction | Note if metrics are improving/declining |
| ♥ | Health-related | Mark exercises, medications, symptoms |
| 💧 | Water intake | Track hydration (one per glass) |
| 😊😐😔 | Mood tracking | Simple emotional state recording |
Special Collections Symbols
Future Log Symbols
| Symbol | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ⟡ | Future aspirations | ⟡ Learn Spanish |
| 📅 | Important dates | 📅 Conference in November |
| 🎯 | Future goals | 🎯 Complete certification |
| 🔄 | Recurring events | 🔄 Annual review |
Monthly Log Symbols
| Symbol | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ⬚ | Monthly task | ⬚ Organize digital files |
| 📆 | Date-specific task | 📆 15th: Submit report |
| 🔁 | Monthly recurring task | 🔁 Team meeting (every Thursday) |
| 🌙 | Evening task | 🌙 Prepare presentation |
| ☀ | Morning task | ☀ Team check-in call |
Weekly Spread Symbols
| Symbol | Tracks | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 📊 | Weekly review | Analyze what worked/didn’t |
| 📋 | Weekly goals | Top 3 priorities for the week |
| ⚖ | Work-life balance | Track hours spent on different areas |
| 🏃 | Exercise plan | Weekly workout schedule |
| 🍽 | Meal planning | Weekly menu |
Daily Log Symbols
| Symbol | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 💤 | Sleep tracker | 💤 7.5 hours |
| 🌡 | Weather | 🌡 Rainy, 65°F |
| 💰 | Expenses | 💰 $34.50 lunch |
| ⏱ | Time blocking | ⏱ 2-4pm: Deep work |
| 🥄 | Energy/spoons | 🥄 Low energy day |
Project Planning and Tracking Symbols
Project Management Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 📎 | Related items | 📎 Links to other bullet journal entries |
| 🏁 | Project milestone | 🏁 First draft complete |
| 📈 | Progress tracker | 📈 25% complete |
| 📉 | Blockers/Issues | 📉 Waiting for client feedback |
| ⚙️ | System or process | ⚙️ Update filing system |
| 🗂 | Reference material | 🗂 See project brief p.3 |
Gantt Chart Adaptations
| Symbol | Use in Bullet Journal | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ═══ | Timeline bar | Task duration visualization |
| ──• | Dependency | Shows task relationships |
| ⬙ | Milestone | Important project checkpoint |
| ▮ | Actual progress | Portion of task completed |
| ┈┈┈ | Planned timeline | Expected duration |
Thematic and Specialized Symbol Sets
Academic/Study Symbols
| Symbol | Tracks | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 📚 | Reading assignment | 📚 Ch. 5-7 for Tuesday |
| 📝 | Essay/Paper | 📝 Rough draft due Friday |
| 🔍 | Research | 🔍 Find sources for thesis |
| 📊 | Study analytics | 📊 2 hours on calculus |
| 🧠 | Revision/Review | 🧠 Review week 3 notes |
| 🧪 | Lab work | 🧪 Complete experiment |
Health and Wellness Symbols
| Symbol | Tracks | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 💊 | Medication | 💊 Take vitamin D |
| 🏋️ | Exercise | 🏋️ 30 min strength training |
| 🧘 | Meditation | 🧘 15 min morning session |
| 🍎 | Nutrition | 🍎 No processed food day |
| 💧 | Hydration | 💧 8 glasses today |
| 😴 | Sleep quality | 😴 7.5hrs (restless) |
| 🧠 | Mental health | 🧠 Therapy appointment |
Work and Productivity Symbols
| Symbol | Represents | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ⚡ | High energy task | ⚡ Create presentation |
| 🧠 | Deep work | 🧠 Write project proposal |
| 🗣️ | Meeting | 🗣️ Team standup 10am |
| 📞 | Call | 📞 Client check-in |
| 🕒 | Deadline | 🕒 Report due 5pm Friday |
| 💼 | Administrative | 💼 Submit expense report |
| 💻 | Online task | 💻 Update CRM |
Creative Project Symbols
| Symbol | Tracks | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 🎨 | Art/Design work | 🎨 Color study |
| ✏️ | Writing/Drafting | ✏️ Outline chapter 3 |
| 🎵 | Music practice | 🎵 Scales 30 mins |
| 📷 | Photography | 📷 Edit portrait session |
| 💡 | Inspiration/Ideas | 💡 New story concept |
| 🎭 | Performance | 🎭 Rehearsal 7pm |
Implementing a Bullet Journal Symbol System
Migration and Threading Symbols
| Symbol | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ↪ | Topic continued | ↪ See p.42 for more notes |
| ↩ | Reference to earlier page | ↩ Relates to ideas on p.17 |
| ⤷ | Sub-item or detail | Main point ⤷ supporting detail |
| … | To be continued | Will add more info later… |
| ⋯⋯> | Forward threading | Points to future page |
| <⋯⋯ | Backward threading | Points to previous page |
Index and Collection Markers
| Symbol | Collection Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| # | Main collection | # 2023 Goals |
| ## | Sub-collection | ## Q1 Projects |
| § | Section | § Work Projects |
| 🔖 | Important reference | 🔖 Contacts List |
| 📍 | Frequently accessed | 📍 Weekly Template |
Color Coding Systems
| Color | Common Usage | Alternative Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Standard entries | Professional/work tasks |
| Blue | Professional/work | Water intake/hydration |
| Red | Urgent/priority | Health-related |
| Green | Personal/self-care | Financial matters |
| Purple | Creative projects | Spiritual/reflection |
| Orange | Social/family | Energy level tracking |
| Yellow | Highlights/important | Positive experiences |
| Pink | Special events | Relationship notes |
| Brown | Home-related | Routine tasks |
| Gray | Background info | Low-priority items |
Best Practices for Symbol Systems
Symbol Selection Guidelines
- Choose symbols that are quick and easy to draw
- Ensure symbols are visually distinct from each other
- Keep the total number of symbols manageable (15-20 maximum for regular use)
- Select symbols that make intuitive sense to you
- Create a key or legend page for reference
Implementation Tips
- Start simple with the core system before adding custom symbols
- Be consistent in your use of symbols
- Create a symbol reference page at the front of your journal
- Use hierarchical systems for complex projects
- Balance detail vs. speed when choosing symbols
- Create a regular review process to check and update your system
Common Challenges and Solutions
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Too many symbols to remember | Create a reference card/bookmark to keep with journal |
| Inconsistent symbol usage | Schedule regular reviews to check for consistency |
| Symbols too complex to draw quickly | Simplify designs and practice drawing frequently used symbols |
| Difficulty finding specific items | Add index coding or color coding to important entries |
| Symbol meaning changes over time | Document the evolution of your system in your journal |
Digital Bullet Journal Symbol Adaptations
Digital-Friendly Symbols
| Traditional | Digital Alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| • | – or * | Compatible with most text editors/markdown |
| ○ | o or O | Easy to type on any keyboard |
| ✓ | x or [x] | Checkbox format for digital task lists |
| > | -> | Arrow using standard keyboard characters |
| ⨯ | ~~ text ~~ | Strikethrough formatting |
| ★ | ** text ** | Bold or highlighting for emphasis |
App-Specific Symbols
| Platform | Special Features | Symbol Adaptations |
|---|---|---|
| Notion | Toggle lists, databases | Use emojis for consistent visual system |
| Obsidian | Markdown links, tags | #tags for categories, [[links]] for references |
| Evernote | Checkboxes, tags | !tags for priority levels |
| OneNote | Custom tags, linking | Use @ symbol for context tags |
| Google Keep | Color coding, checkboxes | Combine colors with symbol prefixes |
Examples of Complete Symbol Systems
Minimalist System (10 Core Symbols)
• Task
✓ Completed task
> Migrated task
⨯ Cancelled task
○ Event
— Note
* Important
! Insight/idea
⟳ In progress
⌛ Waiting
Comprehensive Work System (20+ Symbols)
• Basic task
✓ Completed
> Migrated
⨯ Cancelled
★ Priority
⟳ In progress
⌛ Waiting
📞 Call
📧 Email
🗣️ Meeting
📋 Report/document
💻 Digital task
🏢 Office task
🏠 Work from home
⚡ Quick task (<5 mins)
🧠 Deep work task
⏱ Time-sensitive
⇱ Delegated
^ Follow up needed
📈 Project milestone
📉 Blocker/issue
Creative Projects System
• Basic task
✓ Completed
📝 Writing
🎨 Design/art
✏️ Draft/sketch
👁️ Research/reference
💡 New idea
🔄 Revision/iteration
🎯 Project goal
⏱ Time spent
🧩 Component/part
⚙️ Technical aspect
📊 Project tracking
✨ Finished piece
Resources for Further Learning
Official Bullet Journal Resources
- The Bullet Journal Method (book by Ryder Carroll)
- BulletJournal.com – Official guide and resources
- Official Bullet Journal YouTube channel
Community Extensions and Variations
- Bullet Journal Junkies (Facebook Group)
- r/bulletjournal (Reddit community)
- #bulletjournal on Instagram and Pinterest
Recommended Tools for Symbol Systems
- Reference card templates
- Symbol stamp sets
- Digital sticker systems
- Pre-printed bullet journal keys
- Symbol stencils
This cheatsheet provides a comprehensive foundation for creating and implementing an effective bullet journal symbol system. Remember that the most important aspect of bullet journaling is creating a system that works for your specific needs rather than following someone else’s system exactly. Start with the basics, experiment with what works for you, and refine your system over time.