What if the key to making better decisions was already within your grasp—and didn’t require a single meeting or memo?
This week, I came across an article that shifted my entire perspective on journaling.
I had tried journaling before, but honestly, I didn’t get much out of it, so I stopped after a couple of months. But with this new information, I’m excited to restart my journaling practice with a fresh approach.
And here’s why you might want to, too.
The Real Challenge We All Face at Work
For many professionals, the demands on time, attention, and decision-making can feel relentless. We’re constantly bombarded with information, decisions pile up, and people are always competing for our attention.
In such a fast-paced environment, finding time to reflect on what really matters feels impossible. How often do we actually get a moment to pause and think deeply about the choices that define our day?
Why Journaling Is Your Secret to Success
Whether you’re managing a team, working on your own projects, or just trying to stay organized, journaling gives you a moment to slow things down, process what’s happening, and gain clarity on the best way forward.
By taking time each day to reflect, you can improve your ability to prioritize tasks, work through challenges more effectively, and ultimately make better decisions. It’s a simple tool with incredible impact.
Journaling offers specific benefits for everyone, regardless of role:
- Clarity in problem-solving: You’ll identify solutions you might have missed in the heat of the moment.
- Improved task prioritization: Sorting through your thoughts helps you focus on what really matters.
- Enhanced mental well-being: Writing down your thoughts reduces stress, allowing you to end your day with a clearer head.
How to Start Journaling for Maximum Impact
Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Here’s how you can get started today:
- Begin with the takeaway: Write down the biggest thing that happened during your day. Was it a decision you made or a challenge you overcame?
- Ask why: Reflect on what led to that outcome. What decisions, actions, or events played a role?
- Capture your emotions: Emotions are powerful drivers of decisions. Write down how you felt about what happened and how it impacted your choices.
- Set aside 5–10 minutes: That’s all you need at the end of each day. This small investment of time will pay off with clearer thinking and better outcomes.
To make your start in journaling easier, you can download my Microsoft Word template.
I’m excited to see where journaling takes me this time around—and I can’t wait to experience the benefits firsthand. Why not give it a try? You might be surprised at just how much clarity and focus you can gain from those few minutes of reflection.
Take 10 minutes tonight to reflect on your day and see how it changes your perspective. I’ll be doing the same.