Did you ever keep a diary when you were younger? If you did, think back to what you wrote in it. Chances are you wrote down what you wanted to be when you grew up, your fantasy jobs, and dreams you had about the future. You pondered your crushes and relationships, wondering in print what your next move should be and if your friends had your best interests at heart. You may have even written down your thoughts about college decisions and choosing a major.
Now that you are well into adulthood, keeping a personal journal can be even more helpful. Since it will be for your eyes only, you can write whatever you wish. There is no need to hold anything back. Here are some ideas to help you get started, and how they will benefit you.
Writing Down Your Dreams and Goals
Lee Iacocca said, "The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen." We all have dreams, but many of us keep them in our heads and don't do very much about them. It's important to write down any dreams or thoughts that pop into your brain - you don't want to lose valuable ideas because you forgot them.
Zig Ziglar advises us to take the time to let our imaginations run wild and write down every dream we think of. Then we can ponder those dreams and decide which ones are really important to us. The ones that we decide to concentrate on become goals. Once you figure out which dreams you want to turn into goals and why they are important to you, think it through and write down the specific steps you will need to accomplish them.
It is also vital that you write in your journal when you accomplish any of the steps towards your goals. Even the smallest achievement will provide positive momentum to keep you moving toward the end result. Make notes every day on the good things you did to reach toward your goals. Never stop dreaming or writing those dreams down. It is all part of the creative process to making your most wanted wishes come true.
Journaling Your Fears
Many of us are afraid of the unknown; we stress and worry about what could possibly go wrong when we decide to go for our dreams. Fear expert Vernon Coleman recommends writing down those fears and asking yourself what is making you scared. The next step is to brainstorm and write out those reasons, along with possible solutions. Writing down ways you can get past the fear will help you be more confident and give you a plan of action that you can refer back to anytime you need a boost.
Coleman also suggests writing down the positive things that can happen if you conquer your fears and go for your dreams, such as learning something new or being more fulfilled at work. If you are afraid of losing weight, write down the benefits of being healthier and getting in shape. Be specific about what it will mean for YOU. Once you see why you should take that leap of faith, you will be able to launch into your plan with confidence.
Every Thought Counts
No idea or thought is too small to write down. You never know when the slightest inkling will lead to another bigger idea and take you closer to your goals. No matter what you are feeling, write it in your journal. Your emotions are a part of you just as much as your dreams are, and can help you understand why doing things a certain way may be good for one person, but a different way might be better for you. No two people are alike, so writing it all down can lead to the perfect individual plan for each of us.
Grab a journal or notebook and start writing. You will be pleasantly surprised at where you are a year from now!
Marie Cauley - Marie Cauley
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