3 High impact Journaling habit for 2024

Hi Folks. In this post I will share the three journals that I have used this year which really had a huge impact on my life and work.

Why three and not just one you may ask. That's because each of these journals help in a different aspects of life and when combined together, this is a potent method for self improvement and mental well being.

Journal 1 : The Morning Pages

Morning pages are introduced by Julia Cameron in her ground breaking book, "The Artist Way"

Here is how she defines it in her website:

If I can choose one habit that had a lasting impact from the moment I started, it would be this journaling method. Don't let its simplicity fool you. Just start doing it and you will see the benefit once you make it a practice. I have made the key points bold in the above quote. Let me elaborate them

1. Three pages Longhand

2. First thing in the morning

3. For your eyes only.

Three pages is prescribed because when we start writing, we need some time to get in to the groove. one page is too short and anything more than three pages you can write, but keep three as the minimum number of pages. Try it and course correct as you need. you are your coach - really.

Why it works?

Based on my experience, why this works is because the key is creative recovery. All of us are in a way more focused on the world than on ourselves. Trust me, each one of us learn so many things newly everyday, but hardly have any time to reflect on these. so we continue sleep walking through life as if we are struck in a never ending loop.

Morning Pages provide the much needed space to focus on self reflection, and what you realize may surprise you. Its advised to do first thing in the morning because its better to reflect before you start your engagement with the world every day. It would help you to apply your learnings consciously to the emerging situations.

The key to this type of journaling, is to have no expectation. Don't over think it. Just put the pen on the paper every morning, and you can thank me later :-)

Journal 2 : The Bullet Journal

Bullet Journal is a famous productivity system created by digital product designer Ryder Carroll. Here is how his website (bulletjournal.com) defines it:

The core tools of a bullet journal are:

• an index

• rapid logging

• logs

• collections

• migration

Composition of a bullet journal

• Index– The index is typically placed at the beginning of the bullet journal and serves as a reference for locating specific sections and pages. It lists page numbers and titles of various sections or collections within the journal.[8]

• Key– The key is an important component of a bullet journal. It consists of a set of symbols or signifiers that represent different types of entries and their status. Common symbols include: a dot (•) for tasks, an open circle (◦) for events, a dash (–) for notes. Additional symbols include: a star and a dot (*•) for important/priority tasks, a cross (x) for completed tasks, an arrow for tasks postponed within the month (>), etc.

• Future log– The future log provides an overview of upcoming months. It is typically used to record future events, deadlines, and long-term goals.[9]

• Monthly log– The monthly log helps you plan and track tasks, events, and goals on a monthly basis. It often includes a calendar view with space to record key dates and appointments.[10]

• Daily/weekly log– The daily or weekly log is where you record tasks, events, and notes on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. The log typically includes space for each day or week, allowing you to jot down tasks, events, and any relevant notes.

• Collections– Collections may make up the bulk of a bullet journal, and organize information by content – these can be logs, lists, trackers, etc. Other popular collections include habit and mood trackers, fitness or diet trackers, a list of books to read, restaurants to try, etc.

• Migration– Migration is the practice of periodically updating lists to new lists, such as carrying over unfinished tasks from one month's log to the next. This helps users stay organized, productive, and on task by allowing them to prioritize what things need to get done, and what can be placed on hold. Migration can also refer to the process of moving into a new notebook. Migration has been described as the "cornerstone" of bullet journaling.

You can start with the simple format that Ryder himself suggests in his website : https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/how-to-start-a-simple-bullet-journal

Why it works?

The primary reason why it works is its handwritten.

source: https://www.pens.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/handwriting-vs-typing1.jpg

Yes, its scientifically proven that , When you write by hand, you develop a stronger conceptual understanding than by typing. Since handwriting is slower and more tedious, it makes it harder to take notes verbatim. Therefore you have to actually process the information and summarize it in a way that makes sense for you.

Another great benefit is when write instead of type on a to do list app, you tend to keep the tasks minimum because of the effort it takes to write than punch in a set of keys. Also it ties in well with Morning pages, I could say If Morning pages are the vision, This journal will serve as the mission and action plan

A word of caution though. Its very easy to get carried away by the sheer possibilities of bullet journal (Just type BUJO in Instagram or Pinterest. set an alarm after an hour just in case :-)). There are just too many choices that one have from very simple to way sophisticated, that one may spend days and weeks finding the right design (Guilty as Charged). Well, don't do that. start with something very simple and stick to it before moving to another. Remember, a good enough journal kept daily is way better than a perfect one used rarely.

Journal 3 : The Gratitude Journal

This is a journal that you keep to work on your gratitude. Its nothing fancy but a pen and paper. Everyday, before bedtime you record some thing or things that you are grateful for. It need not be anything super or great. It could be as trivial as having a shade over your head and a comfortable bed for you to sleep. Remember, there are people in the world who don't even have those.

still think, you don't have anything to be grateful for.. well.. at least you live to write the gratitude journal today right? around 150000 people who wake up today didn't get that chance. Be grateful for that.

Why it works?

The main reason why it works is we are really too busy chasing our dreams to appreciate what we have and most of us are more critical of ourselves than we would to others. Due to this we constantly fall prey to our inner critic and get in to the deficiency mindset.

Being conscious every day to spend some time thinking of all the things that we are grateful for, enables to soften the grip of this inner critic and let us enjoy our life better.

How to implement these Journals?

Once you know the method, its really up to your preference on the methods to use. but based on my learnings from past one year journaling, I would like to suggest two tips:

Use Pen and Paper over electronic medium

This again ties in to my discussion in bullet journal section above. I like using pen and paper better than typing in a tablet or a laptop. It lets me think better. But try it and decide.

Combine these with other Daily activities

Rather than deciding that "I will write these three journals every day", I found it useful to consistently do it at a certain milestones every day. This is how my typical day would look:

1. Wake Up

2. Morning Chores

3. Write Morning Pages

4. Breakfast

5. Before starting the workday, write Bullet Journal

6. Work

7. Dinner

8. In Bedtime, Write Gratitude Journal , before going to sleep

9. Sleep

10. Repeat from 1

I Hope this will be useful to you. Please let me know your feedback in comments. Always Keep Rocking !!!

With Love,