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Patton's Pick: The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll
Leadership Resources for the Philanthropic Sector
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As part of my ongoing exploration of productivity strategies and tactics, I’ve revisited Ryder Carroll’s The Bullet Journal Method, and it continues to stand out as one of the most practical and transformative tools for leaders. Nonprofit executives juggle competing priorities daily: strategic plans, donor meetings, board prep, and personal commitments often collide in a single week. Carroll’s approach brings order and intentionality to that chaos. Far from a simple note-taking trend, it’s a mindfulness-based productivity framework that helps you design a life and leadership style grounded in clarity, focus, and purpose.
Three reasons nonprofit leaders should read this book:
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Turn busyness into progress. Carroll’s method helps you capture, organize, and prioritize ideas so you act on what matters most rather than reacting to what’s loudest.
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Integrate reflection into your routine. His approach builds in quick, daily and monthly reviews—ideal for nonprofit leaders who want to stay aligned with mission and values.
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Design a personalized leadership dashboard. Whether you use pen and paper or a digital version, the Bullet Journal helps you track meetings, goals, donors, and habits in one coherent system.
About Patton McDowell:
Dr. Patton McDowell, CFRE, MBA, is the creator of the innovative PMA Mastermind Leadership Program, a unique offering designed to elevate nonprofit leaders through comprehensive training and peer collaboration. He is also the author of the best-selling book, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, and host of the weekly podcast with the same name, available here. Since founding PMA Nonprofit Leadership in 2009, Patton has strategically guided over 300 nonprofit organizations to achieve their fullest potential. A Certified Fundraising Executive and Master Trainer for AFP Global, he serves as Executive in Residence at Cornell University's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and as Director of the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership.
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