Last year, a friend sent me a copy of The Five-Minute Journal. I use this tool mostly regularly. It’s been valuable for me when setting my intentions for the day and in reflecting at the end of the day.
As you look for ways to become a better entrepreneur, you might be surprised at how journaling can help your business.
How Journaling Helps
Journaling can help your business, as well as aid you in other areas of your life. It’s long been recognized that journaling is a great way to gather your thoughts, reflect, and look for patterns.
When you journal, you get thoughts down on paper. According to Psych Central, keeping a journal can help you:
- Clarify your thoughts, feelings, and ideas
- Reduce stress
- Solve problems more effectively
The idea is that you can use your journal to help you look for patterns in your thoughts and behaviors.
On top of that, journaling can help your business by allowing you to get down your best ideas as they occur. You can also write about a problem you’re facing and journaling might help you find a creative solution. There’s something about writing it all out that allows you to look at it from a new angle.
My Five-Minute Journal is very helpful to me when it comes to setting an intention for the day. First, I start by writing what I’m grateful for. This puts me in a positive mindset for the day. Next, I set my intention by writing about what I hope to accomplish that day. Finally, I write an affirmation that helps me solidify my intentions. At the end of the day, I can reflect on what went well and what I could have done better.
Tips for Effective Journaling
There are many different journals out there. I use the Five-Minute Journal, but you can find something that works for you. Journals with prompts can be helpful if you want to get specific juices flowing, or if you’re unsure of how to start.
You don’t need one of these journals to be successful, though. You can help your business by journaling in a plain Moleskine notebook or some other sturdy notebook. The idea is to have something you will use and make the time for. Choose something that fits your lifestyle and your needs. Here are more tips for effective journaling:
- Set aside time for journaling: I journal first thing in the morning, and last thing before bed at night, due to the type of journal I have. No matter when you do it, make sure you set aside time. Bake it into your day. You can even do five minutes to start.
- Don’t worry about spelling and grammar: This isn’t an exercise in perfection. It’s ok for journaling to by messy. Life is messy. Just let it flow. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation don’t matter when you journal. The ideas and thoughts are what matter.
- Be honest: Honestly write what you feel. Don’t just make it a travelogue of the day. Share how you feel about specific events, and what ideas inspire you. Also, share how you feel about the roadblocks in your way and how you hope to overcome them.
- Try creativity: If you are stuck, try some creative exercises to get things going. Tiny Buddha has some ideas for diving deep and making your journal more creative.
Once you get going, you might be surprised at how a journal can help your business. As you look at your thoughts from a new perspective, you will find solutions to your problems and become a better entrepreneur.
