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Ever feel overwhelmed by a long Bullet Journal to-do list or unsure how to log future tasks? The Alastair Method might be just the solution. This simple yet powerful technique, created by bullet journalist Alastair Johnston, helps organize your tasks and events in a clear overview. It’s become a popular hack in the Bullet Journal community because it makes big task lists more manageable and future planning much easier. In this post, we’ll cover what the Alastair Method is, why it’s helpful, how it works step-by-step, examples of setting it up, who it’s best for, and some tips to customize it to your needs. Whether you’re a Bullet Journal beginner or a seasoned pro, read on to learn how to boost your productivity with this friendly method.
- What Is the Alastair Method?
- Why Is It Helpful?
- How to Use the Alastair Method (Step-by-Step)
- Example: The Alastair Method in Action
- Who Is It Best For?
- Tips for Customizing and Adapting the Method
What Is the Alastair Method?
The Alastair Method is essentially a layout technique for bullet journaling that uses a mix of lists and columns to organize tasks or events. Instead of writing separate lists for each day, week, or project, you maintain one list and use columns of markers to indicate when or how each item should be done. In other words, you create a grid where one axis is your list of tasks and the other axis is a set of dates – you then mark a dot or symbol at the intersection to assign a task to a date.
Originally, Alastair introduced this method as a clever fix for the Bullet Journal Future Log (future planning) problem. Bullet Journals sometimes make it tricky to log future events without laying out an entire calendar. Alastair’s solution was to draw columns for upcoming months and list future events next to them; for each event, he’d place a dot under the month it’s scheduled. When that month arrived, he could simply scan that month’s column for dots and migrate those tasks into the monthly log.
Since its introduction, the Alastair Method has evolved beyond future logs. You can use this method to handle everything from daily to-do lists to long-term project plans on a single spread. It is also perfect for recurring tasks. The core idea remains the same: list it once, mark it to organize. By using columns of markers, you avoid rewriting the same task in multiple places and still keep track of when or under what context it needs to happen.
Why Is It Helpful?
The Alastair Method offers several benefits that make it beloved by many Bullet Journal users:
- Big-Picture View with Focus: Simply dumping all your tasks on one page lets you see “the whole picture” of what you need to do. However, a plain list can be hard to act on when tasks are unrelated. The Alastair Method gives you both the overview and the ability to focus on related tasks by grouping them. You still see all your tasks in one place, but the column markers highlight which ones are of the same type or time frame, so you can tackle similar items together.
- Efficient Task Batching: By categorizing tasks (for example, by context or by day), you can batch your work. It’s easier to build momentum when you do a bunch of similar tasks in one go. For instance, if you mark all your “phone call” tasks in one column, you can sit down and make all those calls back-to-back, rather than switching randomly between a call, an email, and an errand. This reduces context switching and improves efficiency.
- Easy Future Planning: When used for future logs or long-term plans, the method shines in keeping future tasks tidy. You don’t need to draw a full calendar or flip through multiple pages to see upcoming events. All future events (with their dates) can live in one list with dots under their respective months. When it’s time to schedule a new month, just scan that month’s column for dots and migrate those items into your monthly spread. No event gets forgotten, and you didn’t have to rewrite anything until it’s actually needed.
- No Redundant Rewriting: Traditional Bullet Journaling might have you write the same task again if it moves to a different list or date (through migration). With the Alastair Method, each task is listed once. If a task is relevant to multiple categories, you simply mark it in multiple columns rather than copy it over. For example, a task like “Plan annual event” could be both a “Project” and a “Someday/Maybe” item – you’d mark it under both columns to signify both statuses.
- Flexible and Adaptable: The column categories are up to you, so you can tailor the method to whatever suits your needs. You can use work contexts (like Email, Phone, Meetings), time frames (days of the week, months of the year), project phases, locations, or any other grouping. This means the method works for short-term task lists and long-term goals alike. It’s one framework that you can bend to different purposes, which is helpful for advanced Bullet Journalists juggling many types of plans. If you are using our ready-made templates then select the MS Word version to edit the columns to meet your specific needs.
- Integrates with Bullet Journal Symbols: The Alastair Method doesn’t introduce a new complicated system – it leverages the standard Bullet Journal symbols (bullets, X for done, > for migrated, etc.) right within the columns. Each task’s status is tracked with the same familiar notations. For example, you might put a • (dot) in a column when a task is open, mark it with an X in that column when completed, or use a > arrow if you migrate it forward. It meshes seamlessly with your existing Bullet Journal workflow.
In short, the Alastair Method helps you stay organized by combining an at-a-glance view of everything with the ability to drill down by category. It reduces clutter, saves time, and keeps your planning flexible and efficient.
How to Use the Alastair Method (Step-by-Step)
Ready to try it out? Setting up the Alastair Method in your Bullet Journal is straightforward. You can either use our ready-made templates or create your own spread. Here’s a step-by-step guide to create your own spread:
- Prepare Your Page: Turn to a new page (or spread) in your Bullet Journal that you’ll use for this method. Decide what timeframe or purpose this page is for. It could be for future planning (several months ahead), a weekly task list, or an ongoing context-based to-do list. For beginners, you might start with a weekly task page or a monthly future log, whichever you need.
- Choose Your Categories (Columns): Next, decide on the categories you want to track across the top of the page. These will become the column headers. Pick categories that make sense for the type of list you’re making:
- If you’re creating a Future Log: use <strongmonths (or quarters) as the column titles. For example, if you want to plan 6 months ahead, draw six columns labeled Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
- use the days of the week (Mon, Tue, Wed, etc.) as your columns.
- use categories like <strongEmail, Phone, Errands, Meetings, etc. – any context in which you group tasks. Alastair’s work to-do page, for instance, has columns for “Calendar (Outlook)”, “Email”, “Phone”, and a few more contexts. He even includes special contexts like “Projects” (for tasks related to ongoing projects) and “Thinking” (for tasks that require deep focus). Choose whatever categories will help you group similar tasks in your life.
- Write the category names across the top of your page. Then, draw vertical lines down the page to create columns under each header. You might leave a bit of the left side of the page as a margin for the task descriptions (if you prefer the tasks to be listed to one side). The layout is flexible – some people list tasks on the right with columns of dots on the left, others center the list – do what feels clear to you. The key is that you have distinct columns where you’ll mark tasks. (Tip: If you have many columns, you can write the headers vertically to save space, as Alastair does for long context names.)
- Now start filling in your task list. Write down all the tasks, to-dos, or events that you need to track, in the description column or area of your page. This is just like making a normal Bullet Journal list – jot everything you need to remember or do. For example, let’s say you’re making a weekly task list, you might write tasks like “Finish project report”, “Call Alice about meeting”, “Buy groceries”, “Email client feedback”, etc. Do this for all tasks or appointments you want to include.
- Assign Tasks to a Category with a Dot: For each task on your list, place a dot (•) or bullet symbol in the column under the category when that task should be done or the context it belongs to. This dot links the task to one of your column headers:
- If you’re using , put a dot under the day you plan to do that task. For example, if “Buy groceries” should happen on Saturday, put a dot in the Saturday column on the same row as that task.
- If you’re using , put a dot in the appropriate context column. For instance, “Email client feedback” would get a dot under the Email column, indicating that task is an email task. If “Call Alice about meeting” is a phone call, place a dot under the Phone column.
- If a task is tied to a specific month (for future events), mark the dot under that month. E.g., “Doctor’s appointment – 15 Aug” would get a dot in the August column on the event’s row.
You can absolutely put more than one dot for tasks that fall into multiple categories. This is a big advantage of the Alastair Method: one task can live in several contexts without rewriting. For example, if you have a task “Plan team offsite” that requires both sending emails and having on-site meetings, you might mark it under Email and Meetings. If you have a task to call your mom and you want to call her on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, you would mark it under those specific days.
- Initially, the markers you’ve placed (the dots) represent planned tasks. As you start working on your list, update these symbols just like you would in a normal Bullet Journal:
- When a task is <strongcompleted, X out the dot (or turn the dot into an “X”) in that column. This shows that you’ve done that task in that context or on that day.
- If a task migrates to a later timeframe, you might change the dot to the migration symbol (>) or move the dot to a different column (more on that below).
- If a task changes context, simply move or add symbols accordingly. For instance, say you had a dot for a task under the “Phone” column (you intended to call someone), but you ended up not reaching them and now you’re waiting for their call back. You would cross out the dot in the Phone column (since you did make the call attempt) and add a new bullet under a “Waiting For” column to indicate the task is now waiting on someone else.
- Work from Your List: With your Alastair Method spread set up, using it is easy. When you’re ready to get things done, pick a category column and start there. If you have a chunk of time to answer emails, look at the Email column and work through all tasks marked there. If it’s Tuesday and you want to see what you planned for today, scan the Tuesday column for dots. Then do those tasks, crossing off each dot with an X as you complete it. This approach lets you focus on one group of tasks at a time (all the dots in one column), which can be very satisfying to clear out.
- Keep Adding and Migrating Tasks: Throughout the day or week, continue to add new tasks to the list as they come up and mark them in the proper column. If a task’s context or planned day changes, update its marker (move the dot to a different column or add another dot). At the end of your planning period (e.g. end of the day or end of the week), review the entire list. Any tasks with open dots that are not done yet can be migrated – either to a new Alastair Method spread for the next day/week or to another appropriate place in your Bullet Journal. In practice, you might start a fresh page for a new week, carry over the unfinished tasks, draw new columns, and you’re all set again.
That’s it! You’ve set up and used the Alastair Method. Essentially, you list tasks once and manage them with markers instead of rewriting them. It might feel a bit different at first, but once you get used to scanning by columns, it’s very intuitive.
Example: The Alastair Method in Action
Let’s look at an example to make this concrete. Below is a Bullet Journal to-do list spread using the Alastair Method. The top of the page has various context columns (like “Projects”, “Calendar”, “Email”, “@ Home”, “Thinking”, “Someday/Maybe”, “Waiting For”, etc.). Each row is a task, written on the right side. You can see dots in different columns corresponding to each task, showing what context that task involves. For instance, an item like “Email John” has a dot under the Email column, and a task that’s a long-term idea might have a dot under Someday/Maybe.
Using this example: if it’s time to process emails, you’d look at the “Email” column and handle all the tasks that have dots there (e.g., sending that email to John). Once you send the email, you’d put an “X” over that dot. If a task has multiple dots (say a dot in “Projects” and in “Thinking”), that indicates it’s both part of a project and requires deep thought – you might tackle the thinking part first, then mark it done under “Thinking”, and later address the project aspect. The Alastair Method spread gives you a snapshot of all your tasks and the context for each.
To illustrate another common usage: imagine a weekly planning scenario. You could label columns “Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun” and list all tasks for the week. If you plan to do a task on a specific day, put a dot under that day’s column. If you’re not sure yet, you might leave it unmarked until you decide. As the week goes on, you cross off dots on the days you did those tasks, or move dots if your schedule changes. By Sunday, you’ll clearly see which tasks got done on which days, and any tasks still with a dot (not done) can be migrated to next week.
Whether you use contexts like days of the week or months of the year, the principle is the same. You have a single list of tasks and columns of dots that tell you when or how each task needs attention. It makes it visually clear what’s on your plate in each category without fragmenting your tasks into separate lists.
Who Is It Best For?
The Alastair Method can be beneficial for many different types of journalers, but it particularly shines in certain situations:
- Busy Bullet Journalers with Complex Schedules: If you have a lot of tasks or appointments and find it cumbersome to manage them on separate daily logs, this method gives you one consolidated view. People who juggle work tasks, personal errands, and future events all at once will appreciate seeing everything together in an organized way.
- Those Who Like to Batch Work by Context: Do you prefer to do all your phone calls at once, then all your computer work, etc.? This method was practically made for you. Alastair created it because his “working side” struggled to focus when faced with a mixed list; he needed to group similar tasks to build momentum. If you find you work more efficiently by handling similar tasks in clusters, the context-columns approach will fit your style.
- Anyone Struggling with Future Logs: Bullet Journal beginners often find future logging tricky – you might not know where to put a task that’s due next month. The Alastair Method is perfect as an alternative Future Log because it’s simple and ensures no future task slips through the cracks. If you don’t want to draw out a yearly calendar or you keep forgetting to check your future log, try listing upcoming events with monthly columns for a while. It’s low-maintenance and effective.
- Project Managers and Big Picture Planners: If you handle projects that have many moving parts, you can adapt the Alastair Method to track project stages. For example, you could list project tasks and have columns like “Not Started, In Progress, Waiting, Completed” to move a dot through as the task advances. The method is great for visualizing progress while still keeping details in one place. (This is a more advanced use, but it shows how flexible the system can be for long-term goals.)
- Bullet Journalers Seeking Simplicity: Perhaps you love the Bullet Journal but want to streamline your logging. The Alastair Method’s strength is in its simplicity – once you draw the columns, it’s basically just dots and dashes. If you want a system that’s minimal but powerful, and avoids rewriting tasks unnecessarily, this method is ideal. It keeps your notebook cleaner and your planning process quicker.
In summary, the Alastair Method is best for people who want an organized overview of their tasks and plans, without losing the ability to focus on one thing at a time.
Tips for Customizing and Adapting the Method
One of the best aspects of the Alastair Method is how adaptable it is. Here are some tips and variations to make it work perfectly for you:
- Tailor the Column Categories to Your Life: The method is most helpful when the columns reflect how you naturally group tasks. If you’re a student, you might use columns for each class or subject. If you manage different clients at work, each client could be a column. Don’t feel obligated to copy someone else’s categories exactly – use what makes sense for your workload. Think about what categories will help you differentiate your tasks (e.g., Home, Work, Freelance, Errands, Calls, Computer, etc.), and go with those.
- Keep the Number of Columns Reasonable: It’s easy to get excited and make a ton of columns, but be careful – too many columns might become unwieldy to track. A good rule of thumb is to use a manageable number of categories that cover your needs without splitting hairs. For instance, 4–7 columns is a common range. If you find you made a column that hardly ever gets used, consider merging it or using a more general category. For example, instead of separate columns for every social media platform (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook tasks), you might just have one “Online” column. Simplicity helps keep the page from getting cluttered.
- Try it for Weekly or Monthly Planning: Beyond just contexts, many users have successfully adapted the Alastair Method for weekly planning (as described earlier). If you don’t want to create daily spreads in your Bullet Journal, you can maintain a single weekly task spread with daily columns. This gives you the benefit of a weekly overview and the flexibility to assign tasks to specific days on the fly. Similarly, you can use the method for a compact monthly task list – list all tasks or goals for the month and have columns for weeks (Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4) to mark when you intend to do each item. This can supplement your monthly log, ensuring you actually schedule those monthly goals.
- Combine it with Other Bullet Journal Collections: The Alastair Method doesn’t have to exist in isolation. Feel free to integrate it with other spreads. For example, if you have a Projects page, you can format it using the Alastair method (list of project tasks with columns for stages like “Idea, In Progress, Done”). Or you might maintain a “Waiting On” list using this method, where your columns are people or departments you’re waiting for, and the tasks are things you’ve delegated – a dot in a person’s column shows you’re waiting on them. Think creatively about where a matrix-style list could replace a linear list for more clarity.
- Review and Refresh Regularly: Just like any Bullet Journal spread, an Alastair Method page works best if you keep it up to date. At the end of your planning interval (day/week/month), take a moment to migrate unfinished tasks forward. Some people like to start a fresh layout each week or month even if there are still open tasks – this is fine, just migrate the dots accordingly. Others keep a running list until the page is full. Do what fits your flow, but don’t let old tasks hide as dots in an old spread without reviewing them. The system relies on you to move things along (but it makes it easy to see what needs moving!).
- Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust: Finally, remember that the Alastair Method is a tool to serve you. Feel free to adjust the format as you use it. Maybe you find you prefer writing the task descriptions on the left side and columns on the right – go ahead and flip it. If you realize a certain column isn’t useful, repurpose it or draw a new one. Some users even change the categories each week based on what’s coming up (one week you might need a “School” column if you have exams, another week you replace it with “Vacation” if you’re preparing for a trip). The key principle is keeping one list with markers; how you label those markers is entirely up to you.
By customizing the Alastair Method, you can make it as simple or as detailed as needed. It’s this versatility that makes the method appealing to both beginners and advanced Bullet Journal users. A newcomer might use it in a basic way to avoid getting overwhelmed by future planning, while a veteran might tweak it to track complex projects – and both can succeed with it.
Wrapping Up: The Alastair Method is a friendly companion to the Bullet Journal system that addresses some common pain points in planning. It helps corral your tasks and events into a single, easy-to-scan place while still giving you structure to work methodically. It allows you to see the entire picture at a glance yet dive into focused work when it’s execution time. If your current to-do lists or future logs aren’t cutting it, give this method a try in your next spread. With a ruler, a pen, and a few dots, you might discover a whole new level of productivity in your Bullet Journal. Happy planning!
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