📔 Day 18: Start a Journal
Welcome back to the 30-Day Productivity Challenge by the famous YouTuber, former doctor and now writer Ali Abdaal.
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most influential individuals who have ever lived on planet Earth. He was a masterful artist, an innovative inventor, an astronomer, and even a scientific observer. He achieved great things in all major areas, from artistic to scientific to engineering work. His mind was filled with brilliant ideas which only he was able to put into actual practice.
But what helped da Vinci do all of this? It all comes down to the above statement. It reflects the idea that clarity often emerges from simplicity, a principle that Leonardo da Vinci seemed to appreciate in various aspects of his work and thoughts. But how did he get clarity in his life? How was he able to focus on all his amazing scientific ideas without being overwhelmed by the world of his surroundings? And how can you be more like one of the greatest people on Earth?
You achieve clarity by reflecting on who you are and by actively thinking towards your goals. The best way to do exactly that is to follow the leads of Leonard da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Madam Curie who all had one thing in common and that was journaling.
✏️ Why you should start a journal
I have started to journal in the midst of 2023. My final years of school started, and I was worried that I was not going to be able to perform at my absolute best. What I had was fear, and what I wanted was to overcome that fear. The problem with fear is however that overcoming it is quite complicated, but I have found a way and that is to journal. Journaling gave me clarity about the situation I am in, and it helped me to get an overview of what my issue really was about.
Here are the three biggest advantages I got from journaling for the best 200 days:
💡 Clarity and Reflection:
Journaling offers a structured sanctuary for introspection, allowing individuals to reflect on thoughts and experiences. This deliberate practice promotes heightened self-awareness and mental clarity by providing a tangible space to explore the depths of one's mind.
🧘 Emotional Regulation:
Through the therapeutic medium of writing, journaling becomes a powerful outlet for emotional expression and regulation. It offers a private space to articulate and process emotions, fostering a more profound understanding of one's emotional landscape and contributing to improved emotional well-being.
🎯 Goal Tracking and Achievement:
Transforming a journal into a dynamic tool for personal growth, individuals can use it to set and track goals. This involves articulating aspirations, breaking them into actionable steps, and recording progress. The journal becomes a tangible record of accomplishments, reinforcing a sense of achievement and providing insights for ongoing development.
🚀 Some methods to try out
When I started journaling, the easiest way for me was to decide on a journal prompt (from DayOne) and then just write one to two pages on the subject. This helped me to get into the flow of writing and to get as much clarity as needed to comprehend the current happenings in my life.
But my method doesn’t work for everyone, so here are three methods thatyou could try out today:
🌅 Morning Pages:
Set aside time each morning to write three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts. This practice can clear the mind and enhance creativity.
🗓️ Bullet Journaling:
Utilise a bullet-point system to organise tasks, events, and thoughts concisely and efficiently. This method is excellent for those who prefer structured organisation.
🙏Gratitude Journal:
Dedicate a portion of your journal to recording things you are grateful for. This positive focus can improve overall well-being and perspective.
To be in order and to perform at your absolute best in a world full of distractions and temptations you need to find clarity of your thoughts or as Kathleen Adams likes to put it:
“Your journal will stand as a chronicle of your growth, your hopes, your fears, your dreams, your ambitions, your sorrows, your serendipities.”
Try journaling today and keep hot by your side for the rest of your life and I promise you will be happier, prouder of yourself and more clear about what you want to do and who you want to be.
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Thanks again and I'll see you soon.
Victor (@observethecosmos)
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