## Introduction to the Alastair Method - The [[Alastair Method | Alastair method]] is a planning technique named after its creator, and it was originally designed as a way to do future planning or create an alternate future log in a [[Bullet journal | bullet journal]] [(00:00:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=10s). - The method involves creating a rolling list of tasks to be completed throughout the week, with columns for each day of the week and a migration column to signify tasks that need to be moved forward [(00:00:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=55s). - To use the Alastair method, tasks are listed on the right-hand side of the page, and a dot or bullet point is placed on the corresponding day of the week when the task needs to be completed [(00:01:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=91s). - The method allows for easy addition of new tasks and migration of incomplete tasks to the next day or week, using a migration arrow to signify the move [(00:01:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=104s). ## Adapting the Alastair Method for Weekly Planning - The original [[Alastair Method | Alastair method]] used months of the year as columns to plan future events and appointments, but it can be adapted for weekly planning by using days of the week as columns [(00:02:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=136s). - The Alastair method can be used to track progress on large projects, such as the 20/20 sticker designs, by breaking them down into smaller tasks and migrating them forward as needed [(00:02:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=172s). - The method also allows for flexibility in planning, such as moving tasks to the next week if they are not completed, and using a migration bullet to signify the move [(00:03:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=191s). - The Alastair method can be used in conjunction with other [[Bullet journal | bullet journal]] techniques, such as creating a mock-up of the layout on a device to demonstrate how it works throughout the week [(00:03:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=228s). ## Using the Alastair Method in a Bullet Journal - The [[Alastair Method]] in a bullet journal involves setting up a weekly spread with days of the week across the top, a column for tasks to be migrated to the next week, and a list of tasks to be completed, which is created by brain dumping all tasks that need to be done at the beginning of the week [(00:04:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=254s). - The tasks can be organized by either putting a dot in the column for each day of the week for every task, or by planning out which tasks to complete on specific days, with the goal of figuring out where each task needs to go throughout the week [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=271s). - Tasks such as scheduling a car appointment, emailing Mary about a project, deep cleaning the kitchen, and giving dogs meds are assigned to specific days of the week, such as Monday, Friday, or Saturday, based on their importance and deadlines [(00:05:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=304s). - Tasks that are ongoing or need to be done multiple times a week, such as working on a big project or going to the gym for strength training, are also scheduled on specific days, such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday [(00:05:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=348s). ## Managing Tasks Throughout the Week - As the week progresses, tasks are marked off as they are completed, and tasks that are not finished are migrated to the next day with an arrow, allowing for flexibility and adjustments to be made as needed [(00:06:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=407s). - Additional details, such as the date and time of scheduled appointments, can be added in parentheses next to the task, and this information can also be synced with a digital calendar, such as Google Calendar [(00:07:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=462s). - The process of reviewing and updating a task list in a [[Bullet journal | bullet journal]] involves crossing off completed tasks, such as working on a big project and calling Jo about a weekend trip, and moving unfinished tasks to the next day or week [(00:07:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=468s). - Tasks can be marked as completed by drawing an "X" through them, and tasks that are moved to a prior date can be signified with a backwards arrow, as seen with the meal planning task [(00:08:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=502s). - Strength-training is an example of a recurring task that can be marked as completed once all scheduled sessions for the week have been finished [(00:08:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=527s). - Tasks that are not completed by the end of the week can be migrated to the next week by moving the task dot to the arrow column and changing the task dot to an arrow, as seen with the deep cleaning task [(00:09:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=572s). ## Incorporating Events and Appointments - Events and appointments can be incorporated into the task list by using a circle to signify an event, such as a movie at 7:30 on Friday, and can be placed in the same section as tasks [(00:10:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=623s). - Color coding can be used to differentiate between work and personal tasks, with different colors used to highlight or mark tasks, such as light blue for personal tasks and pink for work tasks [(00:10:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=658s). ## Additional Sections and Organization - A separate section can be used for scheduling events and appointments, and tasks can be organized and reviewed at the end of the week to plan for the next week [(00:12:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=729s). - The [[Alastair Method | Alastair method]] is used in a [[Bullet journal | bullet journal]], with separate sections for organization, and a separate section for the weekend is also included because there are usually fewer tasks to complete on weekends [(00:12:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=736s). - A "next week" box is used to store tasks that can be thought of in advance, but are not necessarily wanted on the current week's schedule, and this box is referenced when creating the next weekly spread [(00:12:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=757s). - The journal also includes a "notes" section for anything that comes up throughout the week, and the Alastair method is laid out on a regular weekly spread, which includes a schedule, journaling space, and other trackers [(00:12:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=770s). ## Evolution of the Weekly Spread - The weekly spread includes a habit tracker, a focus for the week, and space for tasks and notes, with the weekends initially being separate but later incorporated into the regular columns [(00:13:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=801s). - The incorporation of weekends into the regular columns was done to accommodate tasks and projects that were being worked on during the weekends, such as home projects [(00:13:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=819s). - The discussion of the [[Alastair Method | Alastair method]] and [[Bullet journal | bullet journal]] setup is concluded, with a mention of upcoming content related to NaNoWriMo, or [[National Novel Writing Month]] [(00:13:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M&t=832s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F9TV5QgJ-M?si=4oruSZRdJ1oOvfxq)