Question: “How do you keep motivated to keep a journal regularly?”
Jun 30th, 2007 by Diane
As promised, I will begin to answer questions submitted to my Abundant Gifts Virtual Book Tour.
(You can submit your own question at any time. Also, if you missed event you can listen to the replay any time.)
Marcia asked, “”How do you keep motivated to keep a journal regularly?”
First, I have to admit that I myself don’t always “keep a gifts journal.” I do write first thing every morning, as soon as I get up. Three pages worth, longhand, whatever comes to mind. But that’s because I’m a writer, and it helps make writing nearly as natural as breathing. I don’t care what I write, it’s an exercise in getting words down on paper.
But for more focused journaling, I think the best thing is not to worry about being “disciplined” (which “regularly” implies). Somehow that word creates automatic resistance, doesn’t it?
Don’t worry about doing it regularly. Just focus on noticing. When you focus on regularly noticing the great things that are happening in your life–the things that feel like gifts–pretty soon you get so excited you just want to write them down so you won’t forget.
And don’t get hung up on the mechanics–what your journal looks like, whether you’re writing it down just right. Make it a goal to notice at least three things every day. If you can write it down, all the better. Grab any notebook you have.
Or you can download my eBook Journal and print it out, keep it close to your bedside at night. Before you go to sleep, review the day and just jot down a few words so that you’ll remember what the gift was later. Should only take 3-5 minutes. Surely we can all spare that, right? (I’m speaking to myself here, too!)
I hope this answers your question, Marcia! Thanks for asking.
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, on "the story behind the story" of Don Piper's amazing trip to heaven--and back.