A Life Worth Living is Worth Recording: Keep a Journal

Journaling isn't just for teenage girls. Powerful and successful people regularly keep journals. A journal can record your life and serve as an emotional release. A journal can serve as a record for your children. It's also a great way to back up your aging memory! If you've never considered keeping a journal, reconsider.

Keeping a journal is simple:

1. Decide on a format. Nearly any form of journal can be effective. A notebook, word processor, or dedicated journal can serve you well. You can even record your journal online. It's entirely up to you. A blog can serve as a journal.

2. Stick to a schedule. Try to write something at least a few times each week. Ideally, you'll be able to record your thoughts daily. You'll find that the journaling habit is easier to create if you write each day.

3. Keep it casual. You're not writing a novel. You're writing for yourself. You don't even have to use complete sentences! Use a style that suits your wants and needs. Some days you'll write more than others. There will be days without much to write about.

Anyone can enjoy the benefits of a journal. Choose a format that you enjoy and start writing. Keep a regular schedule. You'll be amazed by how much you write over the years if you just write a little each day.

A journal serves many purposes:

1. A journal serves as a both a record of your life and your progress. Failures are difficult to forget, but successes can be difficult to remember. When you're frustrated with your progress, it's easy to pull out your journal and remember all the successes you've had in the past.

* As we get older, the details of the past become fuzzy. A journal is a nice way to record your life and keep the details available. Your children might enjoy reading it someday, too.

2. A journal can reveal the truth. Things seem a little different on paper than they do in your head. Putting your thoughts to paper can reveal things you never considered. A journal can provide more insight than your thoughts alone.

3. A journal can hold you accountable. Fleeting thoughts and ideas are easy to ignore, but a written record is more compelling. You'll find that you're more conscientious and hold yourself more accountable when you keep a journal.

4. A journal is the perfect place to record and track your goals. Goals require regular attention. The biggest challenge with achieving goals is forgetting about them after the initial excitement has worn off. Make a short entry in your journal each day regarding your goals.

5. A journal is great for your health. Numerous studies have shown that 15-20 minutes of writing, done for a few times each week, reduces stress. Write about your thoughts and concerns. You'll feel better and enjoy your life more.

6. Keeping a journal puts you in good company. Many of the most successful people in history kept a journal. A journal can encourage you to live a life worth recording. After writing the same thing for a few days, you'll be inspired to make something interesting happen!

Who knew that a few minutes of writing could accomplish so much? A journal is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to enhance your life in numerous ways. Your children will appreciate the effort, and there are numerous mental and physical health benefits. Why not start today?