Tag Archives: journaling tips

Inspirations, Journaling Motivation, Tips and Tricks

Journaling on the Go

January 5, 2016 Sandy Leave a comment

If your life is like mine, it’s usually pretty hectic. Sometimes it’s hard to find the time to sit down and write in my journal like I want to. I rush through my days, and then in a few weeks I realized that I haven’t cracked my journal in far too long. Who knows what insights I’ve lost, what tips and tricks I will never think of again, or what memories did not get recorded?

‘One solution is to set yourself up for journaling on the go, so to speak. We all have little corners of time when we COULD write something down, but we just don’t have the resources or tools right then. Handle that hurdle by equipping yourself to jot down notes, thoughts or entire entries, no matter where you may be.

The old-fashioned way to accomplish this is by tucking a small notepad or a miniature journal book into your pocket, purse, tote bag or glove box of your car. Keep a few pens there, too, so you’re not caught without a writing implement.

If you’re feeling high-tech, for most of us the answer is in our cell phones or tablets. We almost always have these within reach, and there are some great journaling-friendly apps out there. In fact, I did a post a while back on free iOS apps that you might want to check out (you can find it HERE). Android and Google have similar tools, and if you’re willing to invest a little cash, all of the platforms have some pretty fancy apps that will definitely suit your needs.

Are you one who likes prompts for journaling? Be sure to pack a few or add them to the Notes feature on your device. That way, if your muse is having trouble keeping up with your schedule, you can still jot down a few ideas.

However you choose to outfit yourself, the next trick is to be mindful of the small corners of time that happen when you’re out and about, then choose to use some of them for journaling.

Are you a parent? Do you ever find yourself waiting to pick up a kid? There’s a corner of time! Got an appointment today? I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who knows how to keep to a schedule. Take advantage of that wait time and do a quick note to your journal. Sometimes there are lags while you’re waiting for programs to begin, and sometimes you have a few free moments at work over your lunch or break time. These can be worthwhile chunks of time to consider.

There are so many benefits to journaling! Don’t let your busy schedule get in the way of taking advantage of them!

Making Money with Journaling, Tips and Tricks

Finding Time to Put Your Thoughts On Paper

November 20, 2015 Sandy Leave a comment

One of the biggest reasons that people abandon their commitments to journaling is TIME. The journal gets set aside during busy times, times of stress, or times when routines are disrupted, then it’s never picked back up again. Years later, you find your empty notebook with three entries and a ream of blank pages. Sound familiar?

If you’re hoping to someday turn your journaled thoughts and musings into published content, though, this absolutely will not work. In order to make your dream of publishing come true, you have to have material to publish, and the only way to get that through journaling is write regularly over an extended period of time.

The secret is priority. How badly do you want to create that journal content? Are you dedicated to the concept? If so, then read on for some hints about how to make sure you write in your journal nearly every day.

Put yourself on a schedule. Figure out what time of day is best for you to get creative juices flowing, and then make sure you are in a position to write, undisturbed, for the amount of time you feel best. This might mean locked in your room with notebook and pen, or it might mean in a quiet place with computer and keyboard, or even in a position to dictate your thoughts onto your voice recorder or phone.
Start small and work your way up. You don’t have to write thousands of words at a time to start being more consistent with your journal. Try setting a minimum time limit instead. Write for at least five minutes at first, then work your way up to writing for fifteen or even thirty minutes.
Make a date with yourself. Put an appointment into your personal calendar (literally!). I don’t just mean to intend to write and make a mental note; I mean actually pick a time and put an appointment into your personal calendar just like you would for a lunch engagement or a doctor visit. Write it down. If you’re using a digital calendar, make it a repeating appointment. This way, you won’t accidentally schedule yourself out of your journaling time.
Save time in other areas and use it for journaling. If you’re like most of us, you have some room for improvement in the efficiency department, especially in routine tasks such as house or yard work. Look for ways to get more done in less time, and you will free up time to write in your journal.
Add a few moments to your day by rising a bit earlier or going to bed a bit later. Myself, I do best early in the morning, but that’s completely up to you.
Give up a little television time. Let’s face it. Most of us spend way too much time in front of TV. Keep an honest log of your TV time and you’ll see what I mean. Could you give up a show or two to make time for your journal?
And don’t get me started on digital distractions. How much time are YOU spending on games and social media? It’s time for an honest assessment of that, too. Could you shave fifteen or thirty minutes off of that time, then put all of the minutes together to make time to write in your journal?
Make a production goal. One reason NaNoWriMo works so well is that it pushes people to write more than they ever dreamed to be possible. 50,000 words in a single month is a VERY ambitious goal, yet each year hundreds of thousands of writers participate. Now, you don’t need to write that much in one month, but you can set ambitious goals for yourself. How about filling your notebook within a certain length of time? Be sure to keep track of your progress in some visible manner, and consider setting up small rewards for yourself at milestones, such as 1/4 or 1/2 way done. Plan a celebration when you do finally reach your goal.
Keep your eyes on the prize. Once you’ve set a goal, keep it in front of your space all the time. This might be with a sticky note on your keyboard or a home screen graphic on your tablet or computer, but make your goal visible.
Accountability helps, too. Find someone to be a journaling partner. You don’t have to share your actual writing to do this; just agree to trade word or page counts on a regular basis and to offer encouragement to one another.

Experiment! Find out which of these tips will work for you, and your journal will grow right before your eyes. And remember, if you need a regular dose of writing prompts to build the habit, you’ll want to sign up for the Journaling Life mailing list! You’ll get six weeks’ worth of ideas to write about! Just complete the form below:

Journaling Motivation, Tips and Tricks

10 Tips to Stick With It One More Day

November 3, 2015 Sandy

Having trouble sticking with your plan to journal regularly? Here are some ideas that may help!

Set up a routine. Choose a time of day that usually works, such as first thing in the morning, during coffee, or after the kids head to bed. Pick a time when you are least likely to be interrupted, and maybe develop a signal to help your family, friends, and partner understand that you are off-limits for 15-30 minutes.
Make an appointment. That’s right, put it right in your calendar or your planner just as if you were meeting another person. Somehow things seem more official if they are “on the calendar.”
Give yourself a reward for regularity. What would motivate you? For some, it’s a few moments of free time. For others it’s an extra bit of television or another round of a computer game. Whatever floats your boat is fine! Just promise it to yourself as a reward for journaling regularly, and then FOLLOW THROUGH!
Choose your media carefully. While there are many, many ways to record your words and thoughts, there is likely to be a much more limited number of things that actually satisfy your soul as you write. Experiment, and find out if it’s writing on computer, touch screen, or other device, or if it’s an old-fashioned pen put to quality paper, or just what. You may find a favorite pen. It might be important to write in flowing cursive. Experiment a bit and discover how you can make the experience special each day.
Pick a place. Where can you get away from it all and have a bit of privacy? Picking a consistent spot to journal is almost as important as a consistent time. Your special place should be comfortable and quiet, and as private as you can make it.
Save your journals. It’s quite possible that they will include some ideas or thoughts that you will want to refer back to. It’s also possible that they can serve as reminders of how you solved problems, managed tough situations, or made it through emotionally rocky times in your life. You never know when you’ll want further inspiration!
Do some experiments. No one said that your journal always has to be written in the same style. What would happen if you tried some rhymed poetry or some haiku? You just may uncover a hidden talent.
Go multimedia. Journals don’t have to be all written in words. Some people actually prefer journaling on blank paper or even graph paper so they can doodle and draw to their heart’s content. Try adding some pictures, sketches, diagrams or abstracts to your journal.
Change your focus. If you’ve been writing a lot about your feelings, try including your observations. If you’ve been commenting on the world at large, shift to your inner self. It will liven up your writing and motivate you to continue.
Get inspired. Find some prompts that really speak to you. If convenience is part of your equation, try signing up for the Journaling Life email list. You’ll get a great free gift and 42 days of emailed prompts that land in your inbox just when you need them!