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Episode #81
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What I do action at this time of year are any methods, systems or processes that can help me focus more on what’s important and that will help my mindset and productivity during the year. So things like goal setting and planning, creating my main affirmations for the year to help me keep negative thoughts at bay, focussing on what I am really grateful for to keep me grounded, choosing a power word (of course!) and generally creating healthy mental habits for the year ahead.
WHAT I HAVE TO DO FIRST
But, once you have done all that the question is, where do you put it? Where do you store it so that it’s not forgotten and you can go back to it easily after the excitement and shine of the new year have worn off?
So there is one thing I have to do before I start planning or thinking of anything, and that is to choose and purchase a new journal for the year. It doesn’t matter if I have a lot of pages left in my previous journal, I have to have a new one for the new year. It’s kind of a superstition I suppose. A symbol of starting fresh. I need a clean slate and to leave behind the previous year.
You may say, well that is no big deal you just go out to a shop and choose a journal you like, and yes that is true, but I’m pretty picky about it. This journal is going to hold my thoughts (positive and negative), dreams, ideas, ambitions and fledgeling plans for the year and so it can’t just be any old book. It has to be just right, something that I look forward to opening and writing in.
If you don’t already journal, this is a great time to get started. A journal is like a secret diary you had as a child, but for adults. It's a place where you can let your thoughts and ideas run wild, without any judgement. Plus, a journal is also the ultimate therapy session. You can pour your heart out, vent, reflect and make sense of any chaos in your life.
Now, I love journaling and it’s made a huge difference in my life since I started over three years ago. I can’t recommend it enough. So if you don’t know much about it or want to know why it's such a great thing for you to start doing then go back and listen to episode 35 How Journalling Can Be A Game Changer In Defining Your Next Move where I break down the benefits and how you can get started.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE
But it all starts with getting the right journal for you, or you won’t want to write in it! Choosing a journal is a really personal thing and there are so many options out there. I’m not just talking about the style or design of the cover, hardback or softback or lined or unlined, all of which are up for debate. It's like trying to choose a flavour of ice cream at an ice cream shop - there are just too many good ones to choose from. But don't let that overwhelm you, it just means that you're sure to find the perfect one for you.
Let's start with the classic, lined journal. It's perfect for you if you like to keep things simple and don’t need any questions or prompts to guide you. You can get very plain journals if you are a minimalist. But, if you're feeling like something a little fancier, there are journals with fancy artistic covers and thicker, better-quality pages.
If you're someone who loves to draw and doodle, then an art journal might be the one for you. These journals have blank pages, perfect for your inner artist to come out and play. They are great if you prefer to freestyle and find lines restricting.
And if you have a love for self-care and mental wellness, there are journals specifically designed for journaling prompts, gratitude and mindfulness. A self-care journal is like a personal coach, always pushing you to focus on your mental and emotional health. There are a lot of journals with prompts like this, many of them themed for a particular type of journalling, so you can get really specific on the focus of what you will be writing about;
But at the end of the day, no matter what type of journal you choose, it's all about personal preference. So, don't be afraid to experiment and try out different types until you find your perfect match.
HOW TO USE IT
People ask ‘but what do you write about?’ Again like choosing a journal, what you write in it is totally up to you, you can scribble down your goals, plans, thoughts, ideas, appointments and even your grocery list in the same place if you want to. Personally, I prefer to use it just to let my mind run riot on plans and ideas for my business and life. If more mundane things, like shopping or things I need to do in the house randomly pop into my head while journalling I keep my phone handy and just add them to my notes app. I also don’t like to mix my random thoughts and ideas with my more focused day-to-day goals and planning.
The last bit I wanted to share about this whole new year journal ritual is that in my freestyle journal, the first things I write are really important. I mentioned at the start of this episode that this is the time of year I plan my goals, affirmations, gratitudes and of course my power word. Well, they are the first things I will add to the journal. Then if I ever feel down or demotivated or unfocused, I can just flip back to the start of the journal and be reminded of all the good intentions and positive thoughts I had then.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS…
I can’t think of a better time than now to start journaling. It’s completely painless, takes very little effort and can be done in the smallest window in your calendar. You can be totally you and quietly plan your escape from your day job in peace until you are ready to share your plans with the world. So, find the perfect journal and get started!
If you already journal, then take this moment to go out and get yourself a beautiful new journal to set you up for the year. Remember, a journal is a personal thing, so make sure you choose something that you'll enjoy using, and that reflects your personal style.
If you want to share your journaling tips or experiences or just say hi, you can reach me on my social media channels listed on the sidebar.
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