Journal Planning Magic: Dot Journaling for Calm, Creativity, and Conquering Your Goals

by Andrea Gonzalez

A Dive Into the World of Planning and Personal GrowthThe complete guide for navigating the planning process, Journal Planning Magic features easy tips and visuals for effective execution and increased productivity using your journal as a tool.

Planning made simple. Journal Planning Magic is the ultimate companion for planning the different areas of our lives. No matter how organized or disorganized you might feel, this guide helps find which planning process works best for you, whether it be bullet journaling or something simpler. Filled with details and tips on drafting schedules for the day, week, month, and year--and lots of visual inspiration to get started--Journal Planning Magic encourages us to work on short term and personal goals on a regular basis.

From calendar events to personal goals. Life isn't perfect and neither are our plans. Therefore, it's important to learn to adjust for life's curveballs. Author Andrea Gonzalez of the Plan for Productivity platform teaches how you can stay on track, whether you are a student, recent graduate, busy parent, and beyond. Featuring advice on achieving personal goals from other experts in the field such as Ryder Carrol, Daniel Pink, Rory Vaden, and Stephen Covey--this guide has all the wisdom you need to plan effectively and get things done using just a journal.

Inside, you'll find bonus productivity material


Essential morning and evening routines and habits for personal growth
Ways to personalize your planning system to your specific needs
Bonus spreads, journal examples, and creativity tips to decorate your journal


If you're into bullet, dot, or productivity journals--or simply enjoyed books like The Bullet Journal Method, Journal Me Organized, Dot Journaling, or Goal Getter (A Productivity Journal)--then you'll love Journal Planning Magic.

Genres: Journaling, Nonfiction

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

Guatemalan born and raised, Minnesotan at heart.
Coffee and book addict.
Cat lover.
Writing sexy and emotional happy ever afters, one book-boyfriend at a time.

Reviews

[Christine Kayser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library on a whim because it looked fun. I've been using a paper planner and going all in on stickers and colorful pens and whatnot, so it seemed like it could be a light read that would have some random tips for my paper planner. And it did, but it also had a ton of super helpful productivity practices that I've already started implementing into my work life, which I didn't expect. And not the same old "don't check your email first thing" advice either - actually unique tactics. Would definitely recommend for productivity nerds or people into paper planners / journals.

[Joan Concilio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to be selected to receive a review copy of this book! Warning: Not everything in it will work for you. That's OK. Andrea, the author, does a good job pointing that out as the book starts. I've been planning for years, and my system continues to evolve over time. There are things she's suggested that I've tried, but didn't work for me, but there were also small ideas and improvements I'd never heard before (and I read a LOT of planning stuff). Some of the ones I plan to implement are following the "recap, reset, restart, recharge" rubric for weekends, adding what energizes and drains me to my yearly goal-setting process, and, of all things, using circle stickers like I would use washi tape to mark the edges of pages. Might seem like a little thing, but it was new to me and a very simple but noticeable improvement. If you're newer to planning, my suggestion is to try a little of everything she suggests, and see what you like. It's got a lot of great jumping-off points to explore more if there's a particular method or system you relate well to.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this in a free little library and decided to read it right away since it's about the time of year that I try to do a bullet journal or planner for the umpteenth time in hopes that it will change the way my brain works (or doesn't work) once and for all. I don't think there's anything particularly revolutionary here in terms of journaling or productivity, but it did feel very motivating and not overwhelming in the way all the other bullet journaling content I've consumed has. Here's hoping that something finally sticks! 🤞😩

This would have been an easy 4-star but for a few things: I found the author's unflagging type-A energy a bit grating at times tbh, and once or twice the tone came off a tad judgmental. There were also quite a lot of little errors (like missed or extra words) that should have been easily caught in the editing process, and some of the font color choices were really hard to read on a white page.

[Wizard · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/10

Overall I enjoyed this book, and I did end up coming away with some new techniques and strategies when it comes to bujo. That being said, I almost didn't get through the first half of the book, as that is primarily just a recap of Ryder Carroll's book and the bujo strategy. If the reader is primarily new to the bujo and needs that guidance it would be extremely helpful to them, so this book would be best for someone totally new to the concept.

I found some of the aspects towards the end of the book more insightful and useful to me. I like the A.M. and P.M. routine ideas, and the Sunday planning/ reflection. I was thinking this book would have more creative, new ideas, but it was mainly just a rehash of several other popular books on the subject. I didn't totally hate it, but this would have to be the first book you read on the matter to really gain anything new from it.

[Lailatun Nadhirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menarik. Dot journaling yang menggunakan buku dott, bukan buku bergaris.
Dot journaling yang dimaksudkan juga adalah bullet journal, point journal. Pendak kata, jurnal-jurnal yang sekadar menulis isi pendek.

Ada cuba 2-3 hari buat jurnal buku dot-dot. Peranan psikologi sepanjang menggunakan jurnal buku dot lebih luas berbanding memakai jurnal buku bergaris dan jurnal kosong.

Apa yang penting, lakukan jurnal tanpa terikut dengan prinsip. Nanti akan mudah dapatkan misi peribadi yang kita ingin capai.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book to review if you are interested in the bujo movement but don’t necessarily want to spend time doing meticulous cute journaling. The author sums up the basics and summarizes the main principles of bullet journaling. I’m interested in the goal setting an tracking along with long journaling. This is one of the best books I reviewed for changing and tweaking my current journaling which is basically to do lists, crazy calendaring and long journaling.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually paid money for this one and glad I did. I had been reading some free on Kindle Unlimited Bullet Journal books, and they weren't helping me learn anything. This had exactly what I needed and even a few types of spreads I hadn't run across yet. I think my favorite takeaways were the little daily, weekly, and monthly questions she uses to plan put the next block of time. Thanks Andrea!!

[Darlene Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pretty comprehensive book on bullet journaling. If you’re new to the concept and unfamiliar with the use of dot grid journals for planning and collection keeping it will be extremely helpful. I must note that her key is different from the standard and for those who use Ryder Carroll’s key it will confuse you. If you prefer it then do so.

[Cynthia Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good informational book! I really liked the section on reverse engineering your morning routine! I'm going to suggest it to my daughter who is struggling with hers. I am going to try using Sundays more as the day that I plan/prepare for the whole upcoming week!

[Dogsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although she gets way too carried away with endless lists and routines, some good suggestions which I have already implemented. A good summary of lots of different contemporary productivity ideas. Bonus: quotes Cal Newport. Dpl via hoopla

[Ty White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Great! Just what I needed to kick me into shape before Grad School

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some productivity ideas I haven't seen anywhere else. Greatly enjoyed it

[Dasara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molto interessante, suggerisce una serie di riflessioni e schemi che ho trovato utili. Sicuramente raccoglie idee da diverse fonti e propone il suo modo di programmare.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful - some good ideas.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

If you have a clutter brain moment or just want to restore for a bit, this book shares great stories, tips and goals to start you on an exploration of positive vibes.

[Nanditha · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an age where motive behind publishing self help is to pull in the readers to the author's blog or online course, I appreciate the initiative taken by Andrea in bringing her journalling ideas to fruition in a simple practical manner. Read it twice..Excellent book!!