Journaling is an ancient tradition that many notable people have practiced for centuries. Journaling has the ability to change your life. Some examples include past presidents, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Oscar Wilde. Oscar Wilde once said “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train.”
Even today some of the most successful people are using journals to create momentum in their own lives. As Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said, “Keeping a personal journal a daily in-depth analysis and evaluation of your experiences is a high-leverage activity that increases self-awareness and enhances all the endowments and the synergy among them.”
But most people have never journaled and if they started they have probably given up. Once you read the benefits of journaling you will never skip a day again.
Focus on Output
Most people wake up and start the day checking social media, emails, and text message. But as soon as you wake up you should be journaling to get clarity on the day. Your brain is most alert when you wake up and the first three hours of the day typically yield the most creativity.
Each morning start journaling about the goals you are trying to achieve. Use your journal to create a daily plan and write out your biggest goals. As you read and re-write your goals consistently you will forge them into your subconscious mind. Like Napoleon Hill said, “Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thoughts (autosuggestion).”
Start Each Day Fresh
How often do you let a bad day rollover into the next day? Don’t worry, it happens to all of us at some point. But journaling can help you start to fix that habit by providing a bookend to the start and end of each day.
At the end of the night open up your journal and look at your daily plan. Review what you accomplished, where you can improve, and document at least three wins for the day.
Use A Journal At Night
Journaling at night is a great way to recap the day but also a great way to manifest your dreams. Write down what your intentions are for tomorrow to prepare your subconscious for what you are trying to achieve.
This doesn’t have to be a long session and can only take a few minutes. Write out your biggest goals for tomorrow, next week, and even long-term goals. As you drift off to sleep think about what you wrote down to activate your subconscious mind.
Get Your Emotions and Health in Check
According to Psych Central journaling has a ton of health benefits as well. “The University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker contends that regular journaling strengthens immune cells.”
From the same study, the benefits of journaling include:
- Clarity of thoughts
- Knowing yourself better
- Reducing stress
- Increase problem-solving capabilities
- Resolve disagreements with others
Start Journaling Today
With all of these benefits of journaling, what are you waiting for? Get started tonight or tomorrow morning by writing down anything you are feeling. Try to direct your thoughts to your goals, emotions, and feelings to manage them in the future.