The 5 types of journals I can't live without!

In total, I keep seven journals. I know, right? That is way too many. But when you look at the system I use to keep them, it's actually pretty good. I spend an hour a day in total writing. I will review my system later, but that's different from what today is about. So instead, this post introduces you to my favorite types of journals and encourages you to keep just one. After all, it took me over two decades to work out the system I use today. But it all started with just one.

The Bullet Journal

The bullet journal is my most used journal. It's a hard-covered, sturdy journal that I take everywhere with me. It captures all my thoughts, ideas, and to-do list throughout the day. It's a multipurpose journal that lets me get everything in my head out onto a piece of paper that can be remembered and organized later. It was also the very first journal I started keeping.

Prayer/Meditation Journal

I don't hesitate to express my beliefs in God and Jesus Christ. However, this journal will help you find and identify your authentic self regardless of your religious views. This journal helps me reflect on my spirit and helps me understand the real reason for my beliefs and actions. After all, it is impossible to know others until you first honestly know yourself.

Defrag Journal

Most of us nowadays know that too many fragmented files on your computer hurt its overall performance. That's why computer engineers have built a tool to help eliminate these fragments of files called defragging over the years. Our brains are similar. Over the course of the day, week, month, and year we start to store up all of these useless "files" that don't serve us anymore. At the end of every night, the last thing I do is write in my Defrag Journal. What I write varies, and most of the time, I can't tell you what I wrote the following day.

The practice is to get all of the clutter out of my head. So I write whatever is popping into my mind at that moment. If the word "the" keeps popping in, I write it until it stops. I usually spend about 5 to 10 minutes on this, and the results are astounding. I have a more restful sleep and am far clearer in my thinking the next day, especially in the morning.

Creative Journal

We have all had that million dollar idea and then forgot it almost the second we had it. That's where the creative journal is a lifesaver. It's a safe place to catalog all your ideas and keep them organized. And you might be saying, "well, I'm not a creative person." To that, I say far enough. However, I promise you that if you start keeping a creative journal or an idea journal, you will find that you are far more creative than you give yourself credit.

Goals Journal

In his book Atomic Habits, author James Clear talks about how we don't lack the goals to accomplish what we want in life but lack the systems. Or you'll hear many people say that "successful people don't have goals or to-do lists." While this may be true, the disconnect is that it's easy to say these things, but no one knows what it means. Writing my goals helps me visualize the steps I need to take to her there. And you know where those steps get written? Right under the goal itself. This gives me a kinda life GPS to guide me to my destination.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you call it a journal, a to-do list, a diary, goals, or systems; all that matters is you do it. As long as you start somewhere over time, you will find it takes shape all its own. As I said, this system has taken me over 20 years to develop, and it's still far from perfect. But it's my system, and it works well for me. My system may not work for you, but you will find one that does; I guarantee it. Just start with one journal, for five minutes a day, for five days a week, and do it for a month. The results will speak for themselves.

By: S.J. Morris.             January 30, 2023

CEO

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