Things You'll Need:
- A Journal -- whether it be an online program, computer or bound book
- A Quiet Space -- away from distractions
- A Time To Yourself -- to write, reflect and review your joys and conerns
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Step 1
Journal writing can be encouraging as well as frustrating at times. When you first begin you will need to keep in mind a few things.
First -- Decide what the purpose of your journal is going to be. Is it a 'diary' of your daily events, emotions, needs, joys, etc.? Is it a 'journal' of a specific project, study, event in your life, etc.? Is it to heal? Is it to focus your thoughts? Is it to learn? Is it to document your progress? Is it for emotional health? Is it for technical progress?
Journals aren't always diaries as many believe. They are used for many different things. So the first rule is to get rid of your 'preconceived' notions about journaling and use this tool for your purpose. -
Step 2
Second -- Now that you have a purpose for your journal you must set some 'rules' that will guide you through the process. Let me give you an example:
* My journal purpose is an 'event' in my life -- My child's 1st year
of school
* My rules are as follows:
a) Always date the entry
b) Always place the time and location in each entry
c) Always have a reflective, current and future hopes entry
d) Have a begin date and an end date (when the event I'm
recording will (or should) end)
These rules and guidelines are just a rough idea of what information I want to write and collect. Without some thought to what you want to receive from your journal it will be more rewarding. Those who do not take the time on this step end up not finishing their journal or they turn into something they don't want to finish. -
Step 3
Third -- Have a starting time for your journal. Not a specific time of day but a specific date to begin and possibly end your journal. This step helps focus you on your journaling purpose and brings you the beginning milestone from which you will reflect.
* The starting date can be January 1, 2009 if your journal is going to be for a year time frame.
* The starting date can be January 11, 2009 if your journal is going to be for a specific project or study.
You choose. I personally have about 6 journals that I keeps at the same time because they are all for different purposes. -
Step 4
Final Step -- Tools and a place to journal are so important. So many times I have sat down to write in my journal to find I had no pen to write with, or the place was to distracting. Be prepared. Be smart. Be determined.
Tools you will need are simple really. Below are beginning lists:
a) Journal Itself -- bound book, notebook, computer, online program
b) Writing Instrument(s) -- pen, pencil, colored markers, erasers,
mouse, computer microphone, etc.
c) Other Tools -- book light, chair, blanket, backpack, reference
books, notes, pictures, articles, etc.
Places to write can be anywhere you feel comfortable and will change depending upon the journal you are writing. I like going to restaurant to write in my daily journal but sitting at my desk when I write in my project journal. Three things you need to remember:
1 - Make it a place you feel comfortable to sit and write
2 - Make it a place where you have relative privacy
3 - Make it a place where there is enough light to see easily
Comments
daconn said
on 1/1/2009 Thanks for the tips!