I know what you are thinking. “This woman has seriously lost the plot. I’ve got an important report to deliver by the end of the week, meetings every day, and an ever-changing Christmas list from my kids that I need to order online when I get home. Plus, I need to squeeze in some sort of exercise so I don’t go completely bonkers. I don’t have time for blooming journaling!”

I get it. I really do; I was a reluctant journaler too. I used to think like many people that journaling is a bit ‘new age’ and not for a busy professional. In fact, it’s a powerful tool you can use to take a step back from the busyness of life.

We think around 60,000 thoughts a day – that’s mind blowing isn’t it? Our brain thinks around 1000 words a minute, but we can only write around 100 words. Which means when you write you have to slow down and record your thoughts more deeply. It allows space for more in-depth thinking and for higher thoughts to emerge. A new level of awareness arises, and this supports a more creative thinking process.

I have many clients that have benefited from using journaling when they work with me. It is part of the varied toolbox I use to help take people from burn out to brilliance. It enables people to step out of overwhelm and chaos. They gain perspective and clarity about what they want to do next.

The other benefits of journaling are:

• Tracking your progress – you can look back at where you were a week, a month, or a year ago and the progress you have made.

• Increasing productivity – by looking at where you spend your time you can see what areas need attention.

• Encouraging self-discipline – giving yourself time to stop and reflect every day, helps you become more disciplined.

• Improving communication skills – by getting your thoughts on to paper, you can look at situations more objectively. You can respond rather than react.

Journaling is a wonderful way of getting unstuck; there is richness in reflection. If you are a high-paced, high achiever you will gain so much by taking time to stop, reflect and write. When you see something in black and white, it can be very powerful. Often we need to write for a short burst of time just to offload the noise and thoughts in our heads. Then you can write from a place of knowing. I believe, we all know what is best for us if we give ourselves the time to express it. To be a good leader you need to have a high level of self-awareness and journaling really does help with this. You change and the system changes, which also helps your organisation and the teams you lead.

If you want to gain clarity and try journaling, message me to receive my Discovery Planner. It’s a brilliant way to start. You can reflect on the year to date and set the intention for how you want your next 12 months to look. You can message me or get in touch by emailing hello@jocowlin.com.

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