Journaling your work

You can journal in a blank book, in your daily planner, on your computer, on a digital or cassette recorder, or even on video.

by Doreene Clement — 

Keeping a journal is a proven, powerful tool to enhance and benefit your personal life and well-being. Journaling can also do the same for your work life. It is a way to record and track daily activities and thoughts, which can help with long-term projects and goals.

You can record the important whos, whats, whens, wheres and whys for you, your career and your company. You can journal in a blank book, in your daily planner, on your computer, on a digital or cassette recorder, or even on video. Use the system that most fits and supports your routine.

Some benefits of keeping a journal include:

Setting goals and resolutions — One very effective way to start journaling in your work life is to record your goals and resolutions. These can be for yourself, your coworkers, employees or even for your company. The key to goals and resolutions is that they go hand in hand. A goal is what you want to accomplish. You can use your journal to set both long- and short-term goals. A resolution is your plan for accomplishing your goal. As you write, be sure to include specific thoughts and ideas for both. You can create your goals and resolutions on a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly basis. Again make a specific list of practical steps you can take to accomplish your goal.

Solving problems and revealing solutions — You can use your journaling as a problem-solving tool. As you write about a problem, your concerns, fears and solutions often become more readily evident.

Seeing what you are thinking — As you record what you are thinking, you are solidifying your thoughts so you can see what they look like. This can make it easier to assess whether what you are thinking is serving your goals.

Understanding habits and patterns — We are creatures of habit. We create patterns and routines in our actions and also in our thinking. By journaling our desires, thoughts, ideas, dreams, goals and things that are most important to us now, we can better track our habits and patterns. This process often reveals where we are stuck, and why.

Reducing stress — Journaling is a proven method for reducing stress because the expression and clarity that come through journaling your experiences removes tension from those experiences. With less tension, you can be more focused, and it becomes easier to see and focus on what is really important for your life and your career.

Improving well-being and making time for yourself — Studies are proving that the benefits of keeping a journal include improved well-being. Journaling gives you a reason to stop and think about what you are experiencing or needing.

Creating a personal reminder — You can use your journal to remind yourself, and even the people you work with, of deadlines and timeframes; also use it to outline specific targets. Your journal can become a planning and organizing tool for specific goals.

The late Doreene Clement, a cancer victor and victim was the author of The 5 Year Journal. For more journaling tips and ideas, visit www.The5YearJournal.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 26, Number 1, February/March 2007.