Focusing on Your Goals With Journaling

Have you ever had an experience that showed you how helpful it can be to write things down? When you’re trying to get to a certain point in life, you can actually use your writing ability to help break down a list of things that you need to do to arrive at a desired result. Without organization, it’s easy to feel lost, but this article will show you how to use your journal to visualize dreams and goals.

When I'm making plans on how to achieve goals, or even simply coming up with goals for my personal life, business, ect... I HAVE to write it down. Sometimes it takes putting the ideas that are in your head on paper to really see what they mean, what it would take, and whether it's realistic. 

Pick a Good Time

To get this whole thing started, you have to make sure that you have some time set aside so that you can focus on the task at hand. It doesn’t matter what else is going on that day as long as you have some kind of quiet time where you can sit down and do some serious thinking and recording of ideas. For me, late night is a great time because most of my family has gone to bed, so I can be with my ideas and get some things figured out. 

Whichever times you pick should lend well to that task of prioritization of these ideas. Every person is different so if you’re used to a lot of noise and bustle, then you might not be as bothered by the presence of people while you’re looking at these dreams. People who require more concentration however might need to find time during a day off, or a day where they avoid any kind of interaction with other people. 

What It Can Do for You

What is your reason for journaling? People journal for a lot of different reasons, but the topic here is talking about something very specific that you can use as a tool in a very important way. One massive way that journaling can help you yo attain your goals and dreams is through the ability you have to focus and problem-solve anything you’re working on at the moment. 

It can help you to pay attention to the exact things that need to be fixed. When you write these things down, you’re giving your mind a tangible affirmation that will help you to make your dreams become a real thing. The primary difference between real plans and imagined plans is that real plans involve taking steps to get to the goal. Imagined plans are vague ideas that don’t have real focus at all. The only thing you’ll usually know about those will be that you want to do something, but you haven’t spent any time trying to learn how you’re going to get there. 

Another great thing about listing these goals is that they give you a chance to reflect on the things that make you feel gratitude in life.

Busy vs Productive

A lot of people fail to realize how much of a difference there is between being busy, and being productive. People who are busy are always concerning themselves with random tasks. They can’t utilize what will lead them to a central thrust that allows them to make real progress they can enjoy. 

Productive people execute carefully reviewed plans that allow them to make leaps that improve their lives. Much of this is done through recalling details repeatedly until the productive person feels like they know everything about the plan that will be taking them where they truly want to go. 

There are certain things that your mind requires that will make you healthier. Much like a physical workout, there are rest periods that your body requires. Many of the same principles are at work during study and work periods. You don’t need to be preoccupied all day. Balance is an important part of growth. When things become imbalanced, you won’t function as well and your work will suffer.

Disconnect Yourself

While you probably won’t always have a 7-day span to rest and replenish yourself, it’s good to try and have a day where you disconnect yourself from the rest of the world. Especially when it comes to your work. You’ll need to find some time to get this kind of rest. 

When you’re not under as much obligation, it would probably be a great time to sit and think about how you’re going to accomplish a few goals. Giving yourself a rest will help you to be able to process things a lot more clearly once you’ve completed a rest period.

Find Somewhere Outside of Your Daily Grind 

The best way for you to utilize time off to think or to rest would be to try and find a spot that is completely outside of your normal scene. That way, you won’t have any emotions tainting your experience. It’ll be a blank slate with no expectations other than to be able to rest. 

Take full advantage of this time because it’s going to help you to come back with renewed excitement for your projects. Separation from the daily grind, stress, and routine can put into perspective what is possible for you.

Take the time to focus on your needs, wants, goals, and making a plan to achieve all of it. With the new year around the corner, there are so many things I want to do, and you bet I'm writing them down! 

- Jenn