How to Journal Effectively

journaling

This "How to Journal" article came about the other day when I was going through old notebooks and papers and came across a notebook that I had used as a journal as a little child. I flipped through it with interest. It was like reading someone else's writing and it brought home the fact that I had changed and grown and developed over time. Journalling can be a beautiful way to narrate incidents and thoughts of interest to an unseen audience. A journal can also help you walk through doorways that lead you to success. Here is a step by step method to use your journal to effectively unblock your thought processes and help you move towards success in life.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

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   Decide Where you Will Journal

   Your journal can be a series of emails to yourself where you reply to each entry on a daily basis. It could be an old unused notebook. It can be a brand new leather bound book that you purchased at the bookstore. Choose whatever is comfortable to you and appeals to your imagination.

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   Schedule a 10 Minute Time Slot Everyday to Write in Your Journal

   At night, when its the end of your day, set aside 10 minutes to write a paragraph and get your thoughts together. Early morning works well for some people as well. Make sure that you have a quiet space where you can sit and write, and 10 minutes to yourself.

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   Write Down Questions That You Will Ask Yourself

   A journal is a way for you to introduce yourself to yourself. Write down a set of questions that you can flip back to and grab for reference. Questions such as:
   "What are my goals?"
   "What are my favorite colors?"
   "What do I want to accomplish today?"
   "What was the best thing that happened to me today?"
   "What do I want to do next?"
   "What do I love about my favorite TV show?"
   "What are my friends like?"
   "What's bothering me or blocking me right now"
   "Why am I upset?"
   "What is my favorite thing to do?"
   "What are my dreams?"
   "What do I want to accomplish tomorrow?"

   Pick one question every night to focus on. Write down all the little things that come to your mind the moment you read the question. Read the previous day's entry to build continuity as you write in your journal.

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   Tabulate Your Successes, Brainstorm on How to Move On From Failures

   Use your journal to write down your successes each day. When you look back you'll be impressed with all the things you accomplished within such a short timespan. If there were failures, brainstorm on how you will move past them and into a better place. Read your older journals to find inspiration and gain the realization that you have been through a lot and gotten through it and that you will get through any obstacles in the future as well. Build large successes from small victories. Acknowledge the small victories every day.

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   Place Unique Momentos Within the Pages of Your Journal

   Press flowers and leaves that you find during the day between the pages of your journal. If you want to add in clipped articles or inspirational printouts into your journal, clip pieces that are relevant to you and paste them in as you journal. Draw in your journal entry if you're feeling creative. Let yourself go and express yourself in any way that feels right to you.

6. Label, Date and Store Your Journals Safely

   Buy some stick on labels and chronologically label and store your journals so you can refer back to them whenever you need to. Use your past journals for inspiration and as ways to set new goals. Once you can see what you have accomplished in the past, you will be able to set bigger goals for yourself for the future. You will also get a stronger sense of self as you go through the journalling process. Your journals may end up as heirlooms in the hands of children and grandchildren so cherish and share them and teach your loved ones to journal.