It’s never too late (or too early, for that matter) to get organized. If your day planner is a scattered mess of sticky notes, it might be time to consider starting a bullet journal.

So, what is a bullet journal? In a nutshell, it's a way of organizing your personal thoughts, schedules, reminders, goals and to-do lists. Requiring only a pen and a notebook, bullet journaling was first introduced in 2013 by digital designer Ryan Carroll, and has since become a trendy organizational method. Why not take it one step further by using your Canon IVY CLIQ2 to print out a photo for every daily log? It's a fun and easy way to turn simple lists into fun photo projects. Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to start a photo-happy bullet journal.

How to make a bullet journal.

Any notebook will work as a bullet journal – from a legal pad to a composition notebook. If you're using a journal with a front and back cover, remember that photos are great for personalization. Using your “Canon IVY CLIQ2 or CLIQ+2, print, peel and stick your favorite photos onto the front and/or back covers of the journal before you dive in.

Step one: Create an index.

The first page of your bullet journal is your index. This is where you'll keep a running list of the themes and subjects you include throughout. You can refer to the index at any time to quickly navigate from section to section. 

Step two: Create a key.

Next, choose a style of bullet. You might opt for a traditional circle or square – the kind of bullet you would use in a Powerpoint presentation or Word document. For something a little more design-forward, you might decide to use an arrow, star, flower or heart – just be sure to clarify the significance of each style with a key. It could also be helpful to color code your logs. For instance, try writing all of your pressing to-dos in red ink as a visual reminder to address these items first.

Step three: Create a future log.

Following your index, you'll start your future log. This is where you will keep track of the tasks you hope to complete within the next six months or so. Pick an image that evokes growth and progress, such as a budding flower or a colorful sunset, then grab your Canon IVY CLIQ2, print, peel and stick it to your log.

Step four: Create a monthly log.

After your future log, write the name of the month. Then, going down the page line by line, write the days of the month. This section acts as your calendar, where you systematically track your monthly tasks. Include a photo that accurately captures the mood of the month. Maybe it's a New Year's party hat in January or a heart-shaped candy in February. 

Step five: Create a daily log.

After your monthly log, create a daily log and every day, write down the date and what you need to accomplish – whether that's doing laundry or finishing a book. Be sure to write your daily tasks as bullet points, referring back to the key you created in step two.

Step six: Migrate tasks.

At the end of each day, week or month, you'll want to take note of the tasks that have not been completed. You might decide to migrate them to your future log page, especially if you don't see yourself getting to them in the immediate future.

Step seven: Create a new month.

At the beginning of each month, you get to start all over again (see steps four through six). 

Step eight: Be flexible.

As you go through your bullet journal, remember that it is just that—your bullet journal. You can start a new page to organize new tasks whenever you wish. For example, say you want to log a shopping list. Simply turn to the nearest blank page, start the list, and note the subject in the index.

Step nine: Embrace your inner artist.

Some of the most eye-catching bullet journals double as scrapbooks. We've shared a few idea-starters here, but the real creative work is up to you! Document your accomplishments with your Canon IVY CLIQ2 then print, peel and stick your photos to your daily log. Transform the blank pages of your bullet journal into colorful photo collages, or cover the front and back covers of your notebook with some of your favorite shots from the year.

Bullet journaling is a great habit to pick up at the start of a new year. Once the notebook is filled with thoughts, lists, quotes and lots of photos, be sure to store it somewhere safe. Who knows? You may want to look back one day and remember everything that you aspired to this year.