Journal 101: Make the MOST of THREE Pages
If you take the time to record your day-to-day happenings, then you most likely have a diary - which is not the same as a journal. Although they are commonly used interchangeably, a journal is more of a collection of your big-picture ideas, thoughts, and reflections. The practice of journaling allows you to take the time to understand yourself better and opens you up to growth.
Like most skills, you can only get better at writing when you practice consistently. Journaling is a great way to discipline yourself in daily writing and practice articulating your ideas. The common issue that prevents people from writing consistently is feeling like they don’t know what to write about. If you draw a blank every time you sit down to write, keep reading for some actionable tips to improve your journaling
Use Prompts
Prompts are a great way to get the mind on a focused train of thought. Don’t get stuck in a lull as you complete one train of thought, use prompts to help keep you in a flow of writing. Prompts are also a great way for those to build the habit of daily journaling. Select a new prompt every day to write about until you no longer need a prompt to start writing.
Goal Setting Prompts
Describe in detail your ideal job occupation. Include your job duties, pay, schedule, and even office setting. Be as detailed as possible even going so far as to assume ideal hire and start dates.
List 10 goals. Pick the top three most important and outline all the steps it would take to achieve each goal.
Prompts for Clarity
If you had $10 million dollars, what is one problem you would solve? Describe in detail your steps for addressing the problem. In this hypothetical, it is okay if your solution doesn’t require the full $10 million.
Name one person outside of yourself that you don’t want to let down and why. This could be a sibling that needs a role model or a mentor that paved the way.
Prompts for Emotional Release
Think about the first time you felt a strong emotion - i.e. anger, frustration, grief - and describe the event. Do you see any similarities to the way you presently respond to uncomfortable situations?
Think about a person that you dislike or resent. List all the reasons you dislike them and why you are better off for experiencing this side of them.
Prompts are great at cutting through to the root of our feelings. While it isn’t necessary to do prompted journaling regularly, it is great to refocus your mind or purge stagnant feelings.
Revisit Unresolved Problems
It is common to journal your way to a solution that doesn’t quite work out the way you intended. Take the time to brainstorm and journal out solutions to any unresolved problems you are struggling with. The act of journaling allows us to create distance between ourselves and our thoughts and see things from a more objective perspective. The only thing standing between you and the answers you're looking for are yourself and your lack of objectivity. Don’t let problems over consume you into non-action. Address the problem head-on, start journaling for possible solutions, and let the next immediate action you can take reveal itself to you.
Final Thoughts
Journaling is a multipurpose habit that can serve you in multiple areas of your life. Get the most out of journaling by trying different approaches like using prompts, revisiting topics, or just planning your ideal day. Like everything else in life, you will get as much out of it as you put in. Switch up the style of your journaling or consider skipping a day and returning with a prompt. Your journaling practice is your own, design it in a way that is perfect for you.
