Journaling may be one of the most beneficial self development processes. It can help you to focus attentively, set intentions, process and clarify thoughts, or just wind down after a rough day. But can it be detrimental to your personal growth progress?
In most areas of life, it is not just about what you do….but how you do it. Journaling is no exception. So, let’s look at how to make sure this practice contributes positively to your personal growth.
Eliminate Diary Mode
Many young people keep a diary. It’s like a catalog of every dramatic occurrence that happens in their oh-so-complex young lives. A typical day’s diary entry may include, “That evil **** Jenny stole my boyfriend” or “Mr. Semmes is the world’s worst teacher.”
Considering the number of people who grew up with a diary, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many adults continue this soap opera-style cataloging of life’s events. Are you one of them? I definitely was until about 5 years ago. I’ve since discovered that, not only is this method ineffective for personal development, it is utterly counter-productive.
Here’s why…..
The Focusing Power of Writing
Writing allows the mind to focus very intently, thus very powerfully, on chosen thoughts. And my belief is that every thought is creative. What you think creates your reality—the way in which you experience life. The more you ponder a thought, the more you attract matching thoughts. And the more you attract matching thoughts, the more you notice—and increase—matching circumstances.
So, let’s imagine that you’re using the creative process of writing to focus on how much you hate your job (or wife, boss, car, etc). Your boss micromanages, the work is boring, you’re criticized often and never credited for achievements, the hours are long, and you share a cubicle with someone who stinks.
Consider this: How do you feel as you write these things in your journal? Do you feel better while focused on dreading the place where you spend 8 hours per day? Is there some benefit in wrapping up your day by making yourself feel worse?
It is very helpful to note exactly what emotions are triggered by what you’re writing? Do you feel calm, relaxed, fortunate, blissful? How about angry, frustrated, gloomy, stressed?
If you’re pleased with the emotions evoked by your journaling style, keep up the good work. The journaling method below is for those who want to further enhance the experience.
A New Approach to Journaling
It is practically impossible to attract (or create) desirable circumstances by writing crappy thoughts that match the crappy circumstances that make you feel crappy. So, I’d like to share with you my journaling approach.
Each evening, I write down what I want to remember from my day. If the day was a rough one, I don’t want to maintain the stress by writing about how rough it was. My goal is to enjoy the process of journaling and to feel better after the fact.
For the most part, I write about the things that are easily taken for granted each day. An old favorite song played on the radio, a baby smiling at me in the grocery store, a tasty lunch, an unusually pleasant co-worker, my family’s well-being, or kind words from a friend.
Although my journaling primarily reflects upon the most positive parts of my day, I also address anything bothersome that is still on my mind.
The idea is to give priority to the things that leave you with desirable feelings. However, addressing lingering negativity is necessary as well. One great way to do this is to find a way to look at the day’s nuances from a different perspective.
Need some examples? If I observe congestion-causing construction on the freeway, I may journal about gratitude for the job that construction workers do. By keeping the roads smooth, they help me spend less money on tires. They help to prevent accidents and to keep up the appearance of our highways.
If I’m cut off in traffic during rush hour, the only thing I want to remember about it is that I made it to my destination safely. There was no accident, which often results when people drive carelessly, so this is a wonderful blessing.
The Positive Journaling Payoff
This style of journaling is a great way to develop a more positive attitude in general. Since engaging in nightly journaling, I find myself keenly aware of positive aspects throughout the entire day. It is as if the subconscious mind is on the lookout for good in preparation for “journal time.”
If you begin this style of daily (or nightly) journaling, it may seem as if the Universe is suddenly showing you favor. But the truth is that you’ve finally opened your heart to what has always been there. Instead of evoking thoughts of anger or frustration during your focused daily writing, you are using your creative power in a positive way. And as you focus positively—intentionally recalling and appreciating the light—you realize the bright reality that is your birthright.
More Self Improvement Blog Posts….
What it Takes to Achieve the Impossible
Snapping Out of the Bad Mood Blues
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Nea,
I never had a journal, but if I decide to start one, now I know how to do it the right way. I think what you provide here is a shift in thinking about journaling: you see it not as a way to talk to yourself about what you did that day, bu as a way to focus your mind trough written words. Very powerful!
Eduard:
Thanks so much for commenting Eduard. Love and light to you.
You are right about the positive payoffs of journaling and I think you have some good insights here. I’ll try to be active in my journaling from now on and hopefully I will see the payoffs too. -Scott
I’m certain you will see marvelous benefits from your positive focus.
Personally I think writing things down are essential. It is the only way you will read them back. At least from my end.
This is very good, I find myself wanting to start this kind of journaling as well. Thanks for sharing!
I wish you the best if you do choose to start journaling. It can be wonderful.
Nea, what a wonderful idea! You are right of course, focusing on your problems in a journal is going to do nothing but make you feel worse. Excellent!
Thanks Stephen. Feeling good feels good.
You are right Nea, this is a great approach to writing, thanks for the tips =)
Excellent writing! It helped me a lot. Thanks.
Thanks Sharlene, Bunny and How….. I appreciate you reading the article.
Absolutely great advice. Wonderful way to focus — and harness — the power of writing through journaling.
Hi, I use to keep notes of my goals and progresses as a way of journaling. That way I see accomplishments instead of just random experiences.
I find myself very tired at the end of the day to actually do a journal. But this looks very rewarding as the author sounds happy and contented, I think I’ll try it out.
I used to be big into journaling, but I’ve gotten out of it over the past year, and I can’t really say why. I’ve even made it relatively easy for myself, yet I rarely do it. I might need to get back to it at some point; something to think about.
Great blog post…you have presented your thoughts in a very beautiful way. Thanks a lot.
What a good way to remember the little things that we usually take for granted. Thanks for sharing!
hm, great idea, I also want to do this for my future.I Found it’s very hard to me but i will try.bye.
Thanks for this great post. Before reading this article I always though that journals are a waste of time, but I guess I was wrong. Keep up the good work.
Journalling, that’s a great idea that I have not been thinking of. I will start today! Thanks.
Best wishes on your journaling.
Another thing I am going to start doing in my journal is when you do have a bad day.. think of all the good things that could come from it. If your boss gives you a hard time.. maybe it makes you look for a better job. Or you pay more attention to doing your work better.. what ever, turn the negative into a positive.