Want to Change Your Life in the Next 12 Months?
Try this
Screenshot from A notebook to save you from infinite scrolling.
“I’m bored with my life and where it’s heading.”
I wrote this in May 2024.
I’d just split up my ex and the realities of the “Creator Life” were biting hard. Little did I know at the time just how sh*t my life was about to get:
I lost my biological dad to heart failure (July 2024)
I lost a major writing client (August 2024)
I lost my step-dad to brain tumours (October 2024)
So in 2025, I took a break from writing and set just one goal:
To support me and my mum.
That was it.
And slowly but surely, things started to improve. I dated again. I enjoyed trips away. I rented my place on Airbnb. I hosted a cocktail party. I celebrated one year with my girlfriend. I found a 9–5 job I actually like.
2025 has been one of my favourite years to date, and I’m even more excited for 2026.
So what changed?
Let me show you
There’s one man I have to thank.
His name is Reysu.
(Okay, this isn’t his actual name, but it’s cool as f*ck.)
Back in Jan 2024, he published this video about his journalling practice: The life tracker system.
What makes it great is how simple it is. It’s genuinely changed my life.
You start by buying the following notebook:
LEUCHTTURM1917 — Notebook Hardcover Medium A5–251 Numbered Pages for Writing and Journaling (Black, Squared)
As well as the following pen:
The Pentel Energel
Obviously, other pens and notebooks are available. These just happen to be Reysu’s favourites, and I’ve found both products to be great.
Next, you set up your notebook like this:
Screenshot from A notebook to save you from infinite scrolling.
On the left, you have:
Days of the month
Highlights of what you did
A habit tracker
A metric tracker
I write three highlights each day (minimum), and I’m currently tracking my weight.
On the right, you have:
Your goals for the month
The right side of my notebook has morphed over time. I keep adding bits. Right now, it includes:
My highlights from last month
A collection of notes and writing ideas
2026 goals
5-year goals
Monthly goals
Photo of my Life Tracker page for January
This is the summary page for the month.
The rest of the time, you fill your notebook with journal entries, ideas, and anything else you want.
I write in mine every morning.
Come on, Scott — has it ACTUALLY changed your life?
Okay, the notebook alone isn’t enough.
What really changed things for me was combining Reysu’s Life Tracker System with my 12-month plan (previously my 6-month plan).
What’s a 12-month plan?
Just like the notebook, my 12-month plan is a living, breathing document. You’ll be reviewing it daily (ideally), and it’ll help you work towards your goals.
Again, mine’s morphed over time. It used to include a prologue and weekly action points, but right now — having used it consistently for the past five years — mine has five main sections:
My 12-month goals
My 5-year goals
Daily reminders
Monthly action steps (x3)
Bucket list items (for the next 5 years)
There’s also a link at the bottom of the doc to my finances spreadsheet.
Once every three months, take yourself to your favourite cafe
Mine is a Waterstones cafe in my hometown.
I bring my laptop, notebook and pen, and buy myself a cappuccino.
Then, I reflect on my goals. Am I on track? Is there anything I need to change? And do these goals — particularly the 5-year ones — still reflect what I actually want to achieve?
If you’re setting these goals for the first time, the following questions can help:
If I could achieve three great things in the next five years, what would they be and why?
If I was sat home here in 12 months, same as writing this now, imagining what I’ve done and reflecting on my happiest and proudest moments, what would I like to have achieved?
By writing in your notebook each morning, you see your goals daily.
And by reflecting on your 12-month plan each quarter, you make sure your goals align with what you still want.
It’s the perfect combo.
Takeaways
There are other things too.
Tim Ferriss has a checklist for when he’s feeling unfocused. It’s one I turn to time and time again:
“Am I eating enough? If I skip breakfast and lunch, I don’t need to journal. I need to eat some f*cking macadamia nuts… Simple, simple, simple.
“Am I consuming too much caffeine? If I want to achieve a zen-like state, there are two things I can do. Number one? Meditate twice a day. Number two? Stop consuming caffeine!
Exercise and sleep are two other checks.
The foundations, if you will.
Once these are in place, adding Reysu’s Life Tracker System and my 12-month plan could change your life.
Here are your action steps:
#1: Buy the following notebook. LEUCHTTURM1917 — Notebook Hardcover Medium A5–251 Numbered Pages for Writing and Journaling (Black, Squared)
#2: Buy the following pen. Pentel Energel
#3: Set up your notebook. And start tracking your highlights.
#4: Decide on your 12-month and 5-year goals. Remember — if you could achieve three great things in the next five years, what would they be and why?
#5: Write in your notebook each day and reflect on your goals once a quarter. Your life will likely change for the better over the next 12 months — if not forever.
Go get it!
