Practical Parenting: Write Something In Your Journal Every Day
By Donovan Grant
Could the majority of us save a lot of money on therapy and medical bills if we all kept a journal instead?
You may not realise this, but you could get to know yourself a whole lot better when you write your experiences down. Yes, all of your hopes and all your frustrations. It may sound weird to “get to know yourself better”! The thing is- when you do this, life can actually take on new meaning.
In my time as an IT professional and a coach I have seen first hand people who have burnt out due to workload and life’s challenges. Once stress got the chance to set in, their only way back to recovery was through medication and time-off. Surprisingly, most people never take the time to say “why am I in this situation anyway?” The result of not pausing for thought is that they end up in a repetitive cycle of doom and gloom.
Have you considered that many of your daily actions, the good and bad, are rooted in the environment, the people and the education that you received while growing up? Some of this old thinking can cause us to have beliefs that are less than ideal for our families:
- Only some people are born to be successful
- I have to work twice as many hours as other people to get what I want
- Being first to arrive and last to leave the office will get me noticed
- Stress is normal and medication will help me to resolve it
- Everyone have a rant at their kids every day?
Whether you’ve worked in public or private sector you may have come across these feelings in your colleagues or even in yourself. What do you do for day-to-day stress relief today?
Journaling could be the answer for you.
What is journaling?
Well first of all there are no rules.
For some people it is used as a log to capture what they did that day, including "lunched at Burger King, trip to the library, etc;"
For others keeping a journal can be so much more; what I did well, what challenges I had, what strengths I demonstrated today, things that I am grateful for today, etc;
The choice really is yours as to how much effort you put into it.
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7 Top Journaling Tips To Remember
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You might be thinking, so where’s the benefit in writing about myself every day?
From my own experience, I have found that you can gain new insights, create new habits and even identify next steps for your goals. Just imagine becoming the master of your own life by discovering patterns, breaking through fears and habits just because you take the time release your emotions and opening your heart. Many people have never expressed themselves in this way on paper or by mouth.
Recently I spoke to a mother of two young children who is particularly fed up in her current career. She would love to do something more interesting, yet she didn’t know what would suit her. She blew me away when you also mentioned that she had an MBA and a Masters in Computer Engineering!
This young lady did not think that she had anything that could land her an ideal job.
Can you sense the lack of self-belief in these thoughts?
Journaling can help you and this young mum to start thinking about yourself in ways you have never done before. You’ll think of your emotions, your spirituality and your world through fresh eyes.
Here’s my word for you: if you're looking to rediscover your mojo, take control of your thinking and feel more like the champion you were designed to be… and not the way the media or world says you should think and feel, …then give journaling a try.
Let’s get journaling today and feel the lift that it can give you!
Leave us a comment below and share some of your experiences with journaling. Your message might be just the thing someone else needs to hear to help them make a breakthrough!
Go do it now!
Ps. As you move into the new year, you may have a new goal or a challenge to give you a fresh start. Journaling will help you to get there.
Donovan Grant is a coach, mentor, blogger, speaker and IT professional who brings his wisdom of parenting for the last 21 years and coaching clients through the stages of raising youth and empowering leaders with life lessons that are changing generations. He is a passionate and committed leader who believes that we all have the ability to help to change someone else’s life. Actively doing so as a catalyst for many years he teaches how to live a life of success, balance, integrity and fun, whether at work or at play. www.donovangrant.com
