The Military Bullet Journal
Have you ever looked around the room at a group of NCOs or Officers before a meeting? If you do, you will realize that all successful ones have something in common. They have a pen and notebook (usually a Federal Supply Service green notebook). There is a simple reason why a pen and a notebook matter. Even in a digital world, a pen and a notebook are critical gear for the success of any military member. These tools will help ensure you make the right impression.When I joined the Air Force as an officer, my grandfather, a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, told me if I wanted to be successful, I needed to find a good NCO to learn from. As a new officer with no prior enlisted experience and whose parents had not served, I had much to learn. From how to wear the uniform, speak to superior officers, ask the right questions, and motivate and mentor the people the Air Force was telling me to lead. I learned these lessons from the outstanding NCOs I had “working for me.”
Lesson Learned the Hard Way
One of the lessons I learned was never to go anywhere without a pen and a notebook, especially not in the boss’s office. I had to learn this lesson the hard way and face the look of utter disappointment of a Colonel when I had to borrow a pen from my NCO during a meeting. It wasn’t very comfortable. I then had to work hard to overcome an early negative impression I had made on the boss. Having a pen and notebook on hand may seem like no big deal, but as I look back at my years of service now, I realize this simple lesson was critical. It can make a difference in how you perform, and your laptop and pen are perceived as a Soldier, airmen, a Sailor, or a Marine.
Benefits
It Demonstrates Respect.
Having a pen and a notebook in a meeting shows that you respect the speaker and recognize the information they are communicating is essential.
It Demonstrates Preparation.
Having a pen and a notebook on hand shows your leadership and peers that you show up prepared. Additionally, having a pen and notebook shows you are intentional and organized enough to be prepared daily. As I learned, you want to be in the room with a pen handy when the boss needs it or is ready to give specific guidance.
It Fosters Effective Communication.
I was taking notes during a meeting or when leadership provides essential guidance, forces you to focus, and enables you to ask good, detailed questions when necessary to get clarification.
It Cuts Down on Mistakes.
Taking notes makes it easier to remember key points. Notes-taking also helps you avoid mistakes that will damage your reputation and career. We are all busy, moving fast, and want to succeed, but errors, especially those involving guidance or direction from your military leadership, must be avoided. Having an effective system of writing things down and keeping track of them is one of the best ways to keep your priorities straight and get something done. After you get into the habit of taking a pen and notebookdaily, you should consider using a simple and consistent system for taking notes and tracking tasks. My favorite method for taking notes and identifying priorities on a daily basis is to use a simple technique called Bullet Journaling. Once you make that a habit, consider rewarding yourself with a great pen to take notes with. My new personal favorite is this one from Readyman. The Readyman pen pictured above has tactical uses.
