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We’ve already talked about the Alistair Method of future planning. But the thing is that it’s not just awesome to use in place of a “traditional” future log, it’s great to use in your weekly spreads too! Here’s how to use the Alastair method weekly.
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Quick Overview of the Alastair Method
If you’d like a full explanation of how Alistair Method of future planning works, check out that post!
But for this post, I’ll go over it quickly to give you some context.
The Alistair Method is a variation of the future log. But instead of having designated boxes for each month where you place upcoming tasks and events, you use a specialized list.
In this spread you have columns for each month of the year on the right side of the page then you just write events or tasks in the rows. When you write in a task you place a corresponding dot in the column of the month when you’re going to do it.
With this running list, you don’t have to worry about things being in order since you just need to go down your monthly column and migrate tasks to your monthly set up when it’s time.
Simple right?
- Related: The Alastair Method: A different way to future plan
- Related: Bullet Journal Basics- The Future Log
How the Alastair Method has been adapted for weeklies
As I’ve mentioned time and time again, I LOVE the adaptability of the bullet journal method. It’s why I started my first bullet journal, I needed something custom made for me.
Alistair Johnston, who came up with this method, didn’t like the method of future planning he was using. So he decided to come up with something different that was better for him.
And many have taken it a step further by adapting it for monthly or even weekly use.
Recently I was browsing bullet journal inspiration- which I often do- and I came across rolling weeklies and using the Alastair Method on a weekly level.
I often have tasks that I need to take care of but also I don’t know when I’ll be able to get to them. I can also be unsure of if I’ll be able to finish them in one go. So the idea of using this running list on a weekly level was intriguing.
How to use the Alastair Method weekly
In the original version of this method, you have monthly events that you’re keeping track of at a yearly level.
When you’re adapting the Alastair Method weekly, you write the first letter of the day of the week instead of the month and add tasks to the list.
The difference is that you add dots for the tasks that you need to complete on a SPECIFIC day. For example, if you have an assignment due on Tuesday you put a dot in the Tuesday column.
If there isn’t a specific day it needs to be done but you want to START it on a specific day you can add the dot there. When you do this you can also add dots on days after you start that you continue to work on the task.
You might start decluttering the garage on Wednesday and continue working on it Friday and Saturday. With this example, there would be dots in all three of those columns by the end of the week.
You can add the dots during your weekly planning for things that have to get done on specific days as well as stuff that you want to get done on a certain day.
Or you can schedule just the musts and add the dots for the likes when you actually start them. The choice is yours.
- Related: Bullet Journal Basics: How to Plan your Week
- Related: The Absolute Best List of Bullet Journal Supplies
The Rolling Weekly
This is a variation of the Alastair Method weekly that I came across through The Plant Based Bride. She writes her tasks in just as I’ve explained above but she has another dot right beside the task description like so.
When a task is in progress she connects the dotted horizontally then puts a diagonal line through the dot by the task to signify that it’s in progress. When the task is complete she adds another diagonal line to x out the task showing that it’s all done.
If a task is only partially completed at the end of the week then you can migrate it to the following week with a > or add it to your monthly task list or future log if you’re going to continue with the task further down the line.
The Running Tasklist
Boho Berry also does something very similar but a little bit different in execution. Kara uses the Alistair Method as a way to keep her task list organized. And she adds to it throughout the week just like Elizabeth from Plant Based Bride.
The difference really is in the placement of the progress indicators. Kara adds her lines, X’s and >’s IN the day columns instead of next to the task itself.
This is totally personal preference as both ladies use this spread in very similar ways.
Why I want to try this – and I think you should too!
The great thing about this idea is that you can write everything down in one list and then assign it to any day you like. You can add things whenever and it’s easy to keep track of what you’re supposed to be doing.
One of the reasons that I’m really interested in testing the Alistair Method weekly out is that I want to know how long it really takes me to do something.
Do I finish tasks ahead of schedule? Are there certain projects that take multiple sit-downs to complete? Do I consistently schedule cleaning the bathroom for Thursday but never get to it before Saturday??
I think being able to see when I start a task, when I complete it and how many times I worked on it will be so helpful when I’m setting up my daily schedule and looking to task batch certain things.
What do you think of this variation of the Alastair Method? Let me know in the comments below!
Most helpful idea. Will solve several problems for me. Thanks so much.