A journal can serve as a wonderful tool for not only recording your life, but also for helping to find solutions to life’s challenges. Many people view a journal as the same thing as a diary, but there is a fundamental difference:
A diary is used to record external events in your life, but a journal is to record your thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
The difference can be profound.
Consider these benefits of keeping a journal:
A journal creates focus
How often do you take the time to examine what is happening in your life? Perhaps you feel that you don’t have the time, it won’t be beneficial, or maybe it’s simply too uncomfortable to take a deep dive into your emotions. But, by taking time out with yourself to work with your journal, you can create the necessary focus to make positive changes in your life.
A journal forces you to see the truth
You may try to fool yourself or use distraction to avoid looking closely at where your life is headed, but when the truth is right before your eyes in black and white, there’s no place to hide.
A journal releases stress
There’s something cathartic about getting your thoughts on paper. Reducing your stress also creates a more effective state of mind for solving challenges. Calm before improvement will always speed up progress.
A journal provides a means of measuring progress and growth
Have you ever seen a friend’s child and noticed how much they’ve grown? You wouldn’t notice the growth if you saw that child every day. Your own personal growth is similar. Small changes aren’t noticed when you’re exposed to them daily. A journal provides a way of looking back and seeing just how far you’ve come.
Use your journal to solve challenges:
Record your thoughts about the challenges you’re facing
Find a quiet place. What is the fundamental issue? How does it make you feel? How would your life improve if you were able to get this challenge fully under control? What would your life look like, feel like, sound like? Take time to fully immerse yourself in the outcome you desire, that will give your subconscious mind something concrete to aim for.
Keep a list of possible solutions
Over the course of several days, your mind can provide dozens of possible solutions. Record them for future reference. Avoid being judgmental. Simply record the ideas that pop into your head.
Develop an action plan
Eventually, one idea will stand above the rest. If you find yourself torn between multiple options, do whatever it takes to make a decision. Even flipping a coin is better than remaining indecisive. Start your action plan with small steps that are simple and easy to accomplish. A little impetus can be invaluable.
Record your progress
Record the actions that you took each day to overcome the obstacle in your life. Also record your thoughts and feelings about your progress. If you can make yourself feel good about the process, success is much more likely. Acknowledge improvement, no matter how small. This will keep the wheels of momentum turning forwards and help keep you in the right frame of mind to continue.
Look for dissonance
Everyone is self-sabotaging to varying degrees. Record the thoughts and behaviors that are creating resistance to your progress. For example, if you need to lose 25 pounds but you’re eating biscuits or ice cream every day, that’s a behavior that’s not supporting your goal. Be honest about where you trip yourself up. Be accountable to yourself. Create a list of solutions for dealing with your counterproductive habits.
Make writing in your journal a daily habit
It’s easy to let things slip through the cracks and create even bigger challenges if you don’t write in your journal each day. Take advantage of this easy way to keep your life moving forward in a way that pleases you. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you. Some say it takes 21 days to create a habit, so set reminders to make yourself stick to your new journal habit.
A journal can be an effective way to create positive change in your life. Even if you’re skeptical, give it a try for a few months and measure the improvement in your life. With regular effort, you’ll have a written accountability buddy and a record of your progress. You’ll also be well on your way to opening up yourself to your hidden talents and new opportunities, as your view of yourself shifts and changes.
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And there’s more…
Do you have a secret desire to write a book? Then everything you need to know about writing a book is right here - click on the link: 40 Days To A Finished Book!
Want to create big change in your life and have yourself some freedom from the daily 9 to 5 grind? Click on the link: Learn how to step into your best life by gaining the skills that you need!
Well, now you've discovered why you need a journal, why not treat yourself to a beautiful LEUCHTTURM1917 (329398) Notebook Medium (A5), Hardcover, 251 Numbered Pages, Dotted, available in an array of beautiful colours. For me, if it’s a journal, it has to be a Leuchtturm 1917. There simply is no other! Please click on the link below:
As well as blogging, I enjoy writing books. Why not take your penmanship to new heights with the help of my book: Write Yourself Happy: Your Pen is Your Wand – Create Your Ideal Future with the Law of Attraction Kindle Edition – Ruthy Baker - Please click on the link below:
Start Where You Are is an interactive journal designed to help readers nurture their creativity, mindfulness, and self-motivation. It helps readers navigate the confusion and chaos of daily life with a simple reminder: that by taking the time to know ourselves and what those dreams are, we can appreciate the world around us and achieve our dreams: Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration Journal – Meera Lee Patel:
If you would like to take your self-development even further, take a look at my 10 Best Self-Help Books blog here: 10 Best Self-Help Books (ruthybaker.com)
A great goal setting technique for you to try, which is a Law of Attraction exercise based on the work of Ester and Jerry Hicks. In this video, I talk about the ‘Wouldn’t It Be Great If’… technique. Why not give it a try: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOJFEZm_8L0
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© Ruthy Baker 2020