Want to know how to build confidence, improve accuracy AND save time? Build good habits through the practice of daily journaling.
Who wants to be a creature of habit?
Every morning I go for a walk.
Same stretch of road, same scenery, same me.
So to pass the time I listen to podcasts.
By the way, I like having my phone with me even without the podcasts. In case it starts raining or there’s a crazy dog or a wild hog (did I mention we live in the country?) and I need rescuing!
This morning as I walked I listened to episode 96 of Nick Loper’s Side Hustle Show on the benefits of habits.
This started me thinking about my own habits, so I decided to create a list because I love love lists.
Good habits are easier to create if you write them down. Because let’s face it, if it’s written down it’s so much easier to get it done!
build good habits through daily journaling
Our oldest daughter introduced me to bullet journaling. She’s incredibly crafty and makes her journal super cute with illustrations, charts and doodles. They are very her.
My own journal? Let’s just say that it’s a bit more…basic.
Which is okay because I’ve found that if I include only 3 sections, I’m more likely to actually keep up with it.
how to start a habits journal and build good habits
First, define your goals in building good habits. Do you want to lose weight? Get fit? Improve concentration?
For me, making healthy food choices, staying physically active, learning new skills and staying hydrated keep me motivated.
Here are the 3 sections of my daily journal that help me develop good habits:
Section 1, Daily Checklists
In developing your daily checklist, think of activities that will improve both your mental and physical health. Don’t forget to include fun things like learning a new language, musical instrument or craft.
These are the self improvement activities I want to get done everyday:
- walk 2 miles
- drink 7 glasses of water
- leg exercises
- ab exercises
- floss teeth
- do 1 Duolingo French lesson
- practice accordion for 30 minutes
Now because I’m an obsessive person, if it’s on the list, it MUST get done. There’s just something ultra satisfying about putting a check mark by the completed tasks!
It takes about 66 days to create a habit, so create your daily checklist and get started today!
Section 2, Daily Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life. Be grateful for what you already have and you will attract more good things.
The Secret
I’ll be honest, there are times when I struggle with being grateful.
I mean, it’s so easy to look at what other people have or what they’re doing, what they’ve achieved or where they live and to feel envious or inferior.
Why do they have it all?
But the quickest way to get out of that limited mindset is to take a close look at your own life and realize that we all have so much to be grateful for.
These don’t have to be huge things, and sometimes my own journal looks like this:
I’m grateful that…
- the sun is shining
- I get to work from home
- David washed the dishes
- my children are healthy
- I have a comfortable place to live
See? Simple things. But things that are important to me and that I definitely want more of in my life.
I truly believe that what we focus on is what we receive.
So pick one thing each day and build a habit of gratitude!
Section 3, Daily Food Consumption
That sounds kinda weird I know. But hey, it works!
Somehow, just knowing that if I eat those chips or that second bowl of ice cream I’ll have to write it down makes not eating it a whole lot easier!
Since I eat pretty much the same thing everyday for breakfast and lunch, this section of the journal is fairly repetitive.
But when it really comes in handy is around 4 o’clock when I’m so hungry but it’s not yet time for dinner. I can do a quick grab for the chips and salsa OR I can take a bit more time and prep baby carrots and homemade hummus.
Hmmm… what will look better in my journal?
That’s right! I’m manipulating myself into making better choices!
Recording what I eat has several benefits:
- keeps me on track for good health and weight maintenance
- helps me see where I went off track if I’m having setbacks
- shows me the benefits of healthy eating habits long term
build good habits one day at a time
Building good habits is a quick start to becoming a better, more efficient you.
And there’s no better way to build good habits than by keeping a daily habits journal.
Once you see the amazing benefits of habits, you’ll be looking for new ways to improve your health and happiness on a daily basis!
