Success Mantra

How power journaling can be attained in 5 simple steps?

Power Journaling can be so much more than just writing down what happened to you, how did you feel and what are your thoughts.

Are you the kind of person that has dreams and goals and things to do and accomplish?

You know what you want but feel overwhelmed when thinking about all the amount of work you need to do?

Then you are in a right place.

You have a nice goal that makes you happy and excited.

But when it comes to taking your thoughts into action you just don’t know where to start. You tried all versions of to-do lists and productivity apps promising to change your life but nothing worked on you.

That was me some time ago. Juggling all my tasks somewhere in the air hoping everything will not fall down. And of course it did, it couldn’t be any other way. When I decided I have to go about it a different way.

Anyone who at some point in life kept a journal will tell you the same thing: ˝ Power Journaling is linked with my biggest improvements and accomplishments.”

You have enthusiasm, you have the passion, you have all the tools you need to succeed, but you lack discipline, confidence and faith.

Of course you lack confidence if you’re holding a big idea/goal in your head, it looks terrifying and intimidating. But when you break a big goal into small tasks it looks quite simple.

   To accomplish any given task or goal it’s really simple. All you need is focus and steady progress.

Choose your goal, find the smallest step you can make and do it every day. Somewhere along the way you will naturally start doing more and more. Don’t believe me? I challenge you to go and do every day, for the next 30 days, the smallest step you can do towards your goal.

And here will come that power journaling to motivate you, help you maintain focus  and keep track of your progress.

Once you start journaling you will observe that you are more sensible with your time and consequently more productive, and you will wonder why you didn’t do this before.

Now let’s dig into the how.

Team Inspiring Life provides you with 5 steps to successful power journaling.

5 steps to successful power journaling.

1. Keep it simple.

Power Journaling at its core is simple. You get some paper and a pen, you write a few pages about what’s going on. You do it again tomorrow. And the next day.

We humans are a curious bunch — we make things needlessly complicated. So if you feel yourself getting mired in whether or not you’re doing it right, what kind of journal to use, when you “should” write, or if the color of your pen will affect the outcome, take a breath and get back to basics.

Words, on a page. It’s really that simple.

2. Keep your time and place to write.

You may instinctively know the best time to journal (hint: it’s when you’ll actually do it!). Look for a natural lull in your day that you can finagle into journaling time. Experiment with morning journaling vs. writing just before bed and see which works best for you.

Find a comfy place to power journaling where you won’t be interrupted. When journal writing at home, it’s essential that the few minutes you designate be honored by family, friends, housemates and pets. Lock the dog in the bathroom or get out of the house if you need to and write at a café or the library.

This is your time, and you may need to defend it protectively!

3. Write frequently.

Writing frequently supports the habit part of journaling. It allows you to witness the ebb and flow of your life. It gives you perspective that you won’t always feel this way — after all, you didn’t feel this way yesterday.

Daily power journaling provides the most benefits and the best results. If you only write when you “need to,” you will forever be in crisis management. Your journal will be filled with dire consequences and high stakes. And you’ll continue to live in reactionary mode.

The beauty of frequent journaling is that it helps you grow as a person, helps you recognize patterns in your life, and helps you gain perspective and control over your environment.

4. Make journaling private.

Don’t share your journal and shelve it out of reach. Your journaling privacy is essential to the process. Your journal is a safe place for you to explore whatever is on your mind without worrying about how it will affect anyone else. If you fear it will be read, you’ll censor yourself and the benefits of journaling will be lost.

Also, sharing your power journaling opens it up for debate and criticism, neither of which are appropriate for this medium. It’s nobody’s business but yours.

When you’re not writing, keep your journal out of sight. It’ll at least keep the honest people out.

5. Enjoy writing.

Remember that power journaling should be enjoyable (most of the time). If you take the task too seriously or put too much pressure on yourself, journaling will become a burden instead of a gift. Keep a spirit of play, and infuse your journal with a little humor. Adding art, creativity, color or heart to your journal keeps the process fresh and inviting.

You’ll likely feel awkward and self-conscious when you first start journaling. That’s totally fine — you’re allowed. Most people are a little awkward and self-conscious when they begin something new, unless they’re a freak of nature. It’s okay to poke fun at yourself, or to keep the prose light-hearted.