Journaling is a multiplier activity. Just about any activity that requires active thought turns out better when journaling is involved. When we think about what we are or want, we have lots of possibilities rolling around in our heads. But when we put those thoughts on paper, we form something that is better—in lots of ways. We are, to use the words of Kenneth Burke, “the symbol-using, symbol-making, and the symbol-misusing animal.”
Take your favorite web search engine and put in the term “journaling.” You will discover that writing your thoughts on paper:
- Allows you to better manage stress
- Accelerates your personal development
- Increases creativity
- Helps an idea blossom over time
- Increases self-understanding and awareness
I’ve never been a real advocate of journaling until recently. I didn’t want to take the time to put seemingly random thoughts in print. Generally what happened is that I would write one or two entries, get distracted, and never go back to journaling until I started to feel guilty. Then I would decide that guilt was a terrible motivator and chuck the whole thing. This changed for me at the International Coach Federation Convention this last December.
At the ICF Convention, I had the opportunity to attend a session lead by Kim Ades, President of Frame of Mind Coaching. They use web based journaling as a coaching tool and I was interested in how it would work. Since their basic package is free and web-based, I thought it was worth a shot and started. After two months, I must reluctantly admit that I am having a good time.
They offer weekly thought starters to provide a stimulus for your thoughts. The brief audios cover topics from the practical “what’s working and what’s not?” to the more open ones like “gifts.” So if you feel stuck, listen to the audio as a way to open your thoughts to writing. The best thing for me is the reminders. If you skip writing, you get a gentle email recommending a daily entry. While I haven’t missed a week without a reminder, they do get me back to writing.
I am a firm believe that coaching is not a solo activity for most people. Coaching involves dialogue (that’s why coaches are the biggest market for coaches). Even the most skilled self-coach needs to have an accountability partner or outside voice. Journaling helps you separate your ego from your thoughts and that makes it a powerful tool for changing your future. As Frame of Mind coaching is described, “The foundation for creating Frame of Mind Coaching lies in Kim’s ardent belief in journaling as the absolutely most effective and profound vehicle to make substantive and lasting changes in your life and career.”
I’ve discovered that journaling is one of those activities you just have to do. Don’t worry about perfect or good or even average. Just write something. You will start to feel a difference.
I would add at this point that there are several online journaling opportunities that are appearing. Another one that looks very well developed is by Lisa Gates at the Craving Balance Blog. There are also specialized web based journals that are focused on everything from spirituality to building a better business.
We’d love to hear your reactions. What do you do to put your thoughts on paper? How do you stretch your skills? Share it in a comment or even a guest post. Get Free Updates to the DSWA Coaching Center by Email here or via an RSS reader in the top right sidebar. We would love to have you on board.
About the Author: Neil Phillips is Director of the DSWA Coach Excellence program and founding partner of Team Connections. Get more from Neil on his Direct Selling Notebook and Twitter.
