Remember looking for a place to hide your diary as a teen…the place where you wrote down your inner most feelings – your hope, dreams, crushes, and fears. It was the one place you could share your thoughts without being judged by others for the way you think or see the world.
Writing in a diary has been brought to the forefront as journalling. Journaling is a way to capture your thoughts, feelings, and fears in writing so that you can see it in ink and analyze your thoughts and challenge your assumptions. What you write down is up to you. It is usually what is going on in your world in a certain time frame.
“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.”
― Christina Baldwin
What I have learned from journalling is, when you write things down and get them out of your head, you can allow yourself to be somewhat be removed from the situation to think things through. You can develop clarity around what you want and do not want happening in your world. You can get a clear picture of what needs to change and continue doing. I encourage my coaching clients to journal everyday to reflect and develop self-awareness around their interactions, actions they take, and the results they are getting. Most importantly, what they are thinking.
Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings and actions and choices that will not support you in achieving your goals. You can recognize when you react to life circumstances or respond to them. You can take note of what triggered you and explore how you want to react in the future.
Keep your journaling process simple! It can be as short as one paragraph to pages and they may vary in content from day to day. Buy yourself a journal and get yourself a pen. You may want to set the mood with music and light a candle or you may like to journal in silence – set the tone!
Write down whatever thoughts come to mind and get them down on paper. Get it out of your head. Don’t analyze everything as it can paralyze you. Don’t edit your sentences it will only slow your thoughts. Let everything flow out of your mind and onto the paper. The more you write, the more clarity you can achieve, the more ideas you may capture, and the more solutions you may uncover. Ask yourself questions about the challenges you are facing.
Capture your wins and successes! By doing this, you will be creating momentum and it will keep you motivated in moving forward and taking the necessary actions. Don’t forget to reflect on what you are grateful for. Gratitude makes us feel good and see the world around us in a positive light. Gratitude can make the ordinary – extraordinary and everyday a form of Thanksgiving. Grab your pen and journal and get writing! Enjoy the process!
What will you journal?
DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free e-book download today! www.debrakasowski.com