The habit of journaling may seem small and insignificant. “How can writing personal notes in my journal every day do anything for me?” You might ask.
I understand the skepticism. Even I had some doubts in the beginning. But journaling truly can change your life.
Just ask any person who journals. You won’t find a person who says, “Journaling is so-so.”
Everyone who does it loves it.
Since 2015, I have made journaling an integral part of my morning routine, and it has helped me succeed in various areas of my life. I also grew happier.
The following are four techniques that I keep turning to in my journaling practice.
4 questions to start the day
We often rush through our mornings, leaving little room for reflection. However, taking just five minutes at the start of your day can set a positive tone for the hours ahead.
Ask yourself one of these four questions (pick any you feel like answering):
- What am I grateful for today?
- What am I looking forward to today?
- What is the one thing I need to accomplish today?
- How was my sleep and what can I do to improve?
This exercise fosters gratitude, anticipation, self-awareness, and focus, all within a few minutes.
Get your obstacles out of the way
We often get stuck because we give too much mental space to our obstacles. Whether you consciously think about your challenges or not, they will linger in your mind.
That’s why you must get them out of the way.
How? By bringing them into your consciousness. Simply by identifying your challenges and talking about them, you will get more clarity and confidence.
Ask yourself these three questions regularly:
- What’s standing in the way of achieving my current goals?
- Why is it an obstacle?
- How can I deal with it?
This prompt encourages honesty with yourself and motivates you to take action where it’s needed most.
Long-term focus
The pathway to success or failure is often paved with the accumulation of daily habits and actions. To assess the trajectory of your current habits, pose these questions to yourself:
- If I were to repeat today’s actions every day for an entire year, where would I be next year?
- Is this somewhere I want to be?
This reflective exercise can serve as a barometer for your progress, enabling you to identify whether you are on the right track or if adjustments are required to redirect your course.
Close the day
Ending your day on a positive note is just as significant as beginning it with optimism. As you wind down, take a moment to ponder on these three inquiries:
- What small things did I accomplish today?
- Were there any insights I gained?
- What’s my focus for tomorrow?
These last set of prompts give you a sense of accomplishment, enhance learning from your daily experiences, and set you up for the next day.
That way you can keep up your momentum.
Consistency is everything
The reason I love journaling is that it helps me to be consistent in life.
Good things come when we’re consistent.
Make these techniques a part of your daily routine, and you’ll be surprised at the transformation they can bring about.
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