Yes, that's old school--and there's no school like the old school for success.
If you're a non-conformist (like me), then the old school is even cool!
A journal is a place where, you can reflect, plan, capture ideas, and record content. The practice of leaders keeping a daily journal goes back to antiquity (think of Julius Caesar and Marcus Aurelius). A journal is a tool that will help you achieve what is most important to you, and it will keep you on track as a leader in your career and every aspect of your life.
Use a journal to record, create, plan, and organize your thoughts. Some essential best practices for keeping a journal that I've developed over the years are as follows:
Essential Journal Practice #1—Daily Morning Pages
In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron describes Morning Pages as: “one to three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*– they’re not high art, nor even ‘writing.’ They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put [up to] three pages of anything on the page…and then do three more pages tomorrow.”
Essential Journal Practice #2—The Week Ahead and the and Day Ahead
After the morning pages, review your calendar for the week (on Sunday) and day (every day). Plan and organize your activities by writing down your priorities in each of the following categories: Intention for the week/day, Business/Work, Family and Friends, Significant Other/Romance, Fun and Recreation, Health/Wellness/Fitness, Money Personal Growth Physical Environment
Essential Journal Practice #3—Meeting Notes
For each important meeting or telephone conversation—TAKE NOTES! Record essential tasks, commitments, and action items. Begin at the top of a page for each new conversation. Label the date, time (am/pm), and whether the conversation was by in-person, by video, or telephone. Write the name(s) of the person(s) involved and the organization(s) represented.
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excellent writing journal that is designed to keep you on track as a leader in
every aspect of your life.
Essential Journal Practice #4—Reflection
At the end of each day, take the time to reflect. What did you accomplish (review the Day Ahead)? What needs to be rescheduled, delegated, or dumped? For what are you grateful? Where could you have done better? On Saturday, review and reflect on your plan for the week. If you are focused on diet and exercise: what did you eat today, and how did your exercise go (activity, duration, intensity).
Essential Journal Practice #5—Ad Hoc Ideas
Be sure to record any creative ideas that come to you during the day. Label each entry as “idea”, “inspiration”, “task”, etc. Transfer to electronic organization system, as necessary.
Essential Journal Practice #6—Review and Celebrate
As you approach the end of the journal space in about 90-120 days, read and review all your pages. Marvel at what you’ve accomplished and celebrate.
I strongly encourage you to keep a daily journal over the next 90 to 120 days. Feel free to use and apply these best practices to record, create, plan, and
organize your thoughts. If you do, you'll gain clarity about what's
most important to you.
Like developing any good habit, keeping a journal takes a little discipline at first. If you choose to do so, I guarantee that your focus will sharpen, and you will more easily stay on track to accomplish your goals. I expect you'll also find that daily journaling catalyzes your thinking about critical issues. You'll often discover inspiration in the pages, and you'll create new ideas that excite you. The practice will also spark strategic discussions with your team.
I sincerely hope you will take up this challenge for the next three to four months. If you do, feel free be in touch (my coordinates are on my profile) and let me know what impact establishing this practice has had.
