Why Journaling Leads To Success
Journaling is “a record of experiences, ideas, or reflections kept regularly” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
It’s right there in the definition! Kept regularly.
In order to develop a solid journaling habit you need to hold yourself accountable to committing to it, or it will never stick.
Commitment is the backbone of success and commitment requires one thing from you: accountability!
Let’s Bring Success Into The Picture
We can all agree that success is DAMN appealing!
What is less common, is the belief that success is achievable to anyone who wants to put in the work!
Why is that the case? Because we are influenced everyday to think of success as the end goal.
Success is NOT your end goal.
Success is found in the processes you have in place that are working in your favor that get you to your end game!
Meaning, success isn’t found at the destination but within the journey!
So how can you use journaling to bring success into your journey?
Journaling will help you develop 3 key strengths that are essential to committing to success:
- Self-Reflection: this is your check-in. Reflect on your life experiences and how they shaped your perspective. Address your triggers and ask yourself the hard questions with the intention to understand yourself rather than judge yourself.
- Self-Plan: create your action plan that you want to stick to. Make it clear, specific, realistic, trackable, and most importantly give yourself a time frame (1 week, 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, etc…).
- Self-Accountability: committing yourself to the trial and error period as you find your success. This includes going back through these steps to check in with yourself (ideally every 2–4 months) to make any changes as you learn new information.
Best part of this whole process… If you journal right —
you can easily do all three!
So How Can You Start?
The best part about journaling is that it takes several forms!
The simplest way to start is to go back to the basics — get a pen and paper and fill that page up with your thoughts.
One method that can help inspire you to dig deep right from the start — guided journaling. I have created a Self Love Bullet Journal that makes checking in on yourself daily quick and easy! You can even run a search for self care or healing journals and you will find tons!
There are also thousands of thought provoking journal prompts online for free. For example click here for a list of 50 journal prompts that look at gratitude, self growth, internal dialogue, facing failure, and your goals/habits.
For those of you that prefer apps on your phone — Notes is a free app on almost all smartphones. Feel free to journal away on there! You can even search your phone for more advanced or guided journaling apps. You are bound to find one with a free trial of some sort.
Whichever method you choose, make sure you stick to it! That is key! Even if it is for just 5 minutes a day starting out, put in every last bit of energy and thought you can into those 5 minutes each day!
You will see a difference!
