Living with intention is like holding the pen that writes the story of your life. With each deliberate choice and purposeful action, you create a narrative that reflects your values, passions, and dreams.
Our goal was to help you gain confidence, clarity and direction and leave you grateful, energetic and ready to implement a lifelong habit to keep you on your course. Throughout this process we hope you have learned more about yourself: your strengths, your weaknesses, your aspirations, and your values. You have identified what is holding you back that you need to un-become so you can become who you want to be and were meant to be aligned with what gives you energy and a purpose you can believe in. You have learned the skills of making choices (becoming aware, being grateful, and taking action) and you have architected your compass to guide your life’s choices. But, we know you are not done yet, this is only the beginning of your journey to embracing you.
My personal journey is a continual work in progress. It includes a lot of winding paths, empowering summits, beautiful vistas, and many unexpected detours (both good and bad). But I live with intention, built on my foundation of choice, embracing my superpowers and living my compass to keep me on the right path. It is not always easy, but it is worth it. I am worth it and so are YOU. Are you ready to take the next step on your journey and implement a daily habit (if you haven’t already)?
The Art of Journaling
Look back at how far you’ve come, and let it fuel your determination to keep going. Embrace the challenges ahead with unwavering resolve, for your journey is far from over. Don’t stop now, for greatness awaits.
Intentionally building lifelong habits are like laying a sturdy foundation for your life’s journey. They anchor you and empower you to navigate life’s twists and turns with unwavering purpose and resilience. I am a strong believer in journaling. When I can’t do it physically I do it mentally and then email myself or take voice dictation to remind me of the highlights. Taking a break from my daily demands helps clear my mind, improve focus, and boost clarity, helping me make better decisions. I also find it a safe and healthy outlet for processing and expressing my emotions, including stress, anxiety, anger, and sadness.
Journaling is the practice of writing down your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and reflections in a journal. It is a personal and private form of self-expression that allows individuals to document their lives, record memories, and explore their inner thoughts and emotions. The primary purpose is fostering self-awareness, personal growth, and emotional well-being. Journaling can also be cathartic, allowing you to release bottled-up emotions and experiences.
Journaling can be done using physical notebooks, digital applications, or even voice recordings. The format and content of your journal are entirely up to you. It’s important to recognize that journaling doesn’t need to be time-consuming or elaborate. Even small, simple practices can have a significant impact on your well-being.
Implement a Daily Practice
Taking time for yourself every day is essential for your overall well-being and mental health.
Implementing a daily practice of journaling can be a powerful tool for self-reflection, personal growth, and clarity. Here are some steps to help you establish a consistent journaling practice:
- Choose a Time and Place: Select a specific time and a quiet, comfortable space where you can dedicate uninterrupted time to journaling. It could be in the morning, before bed, or any other time that works best for you.
- Start Small: Begin with a manageable goal, such as journaling for 5-10 minutes each day. Starting small makes it easier to maintain consistency and build the habit over time.
- Be Authentic and Non-Judgmental: Remember that journaling is a personal and private practice. Write honestly and openly, without judgment or self-censorship. Allow your thoughts and emotions to flow freely onto the pages.
- Reflect and Review: Periodically review your past entries to gain insights, track progress, and identify patterns or areas for growth. This reflection can provide valuable self-awareness and help you make positive changes in your life.
- Overcome Resistance: There may be days when you don’t feel like journaling or face resistance. Push through those moments and remind yourself of the benefits and the commitment you made to yourself.
Remember, journaling is a personal practice, so feel free to adapt these steps to suit your preferences and needs. The most important aspect is to make it a regular habit that supports your personal growth and well-being.
Find Your Style
Your journal is a canvas for your unique voice, thoughts, and emotions. Embrace your individual style, for it is through your authentic expression that the pages come alive with the colors of your soul.
Explore different journaling styles and techniques to find what resonates with you. It could be free writing, gratitude journaling, goal setting, or reflecting on specific prompts. Experiment and adapt as you discover what works best for you.
- Make it Enjoyable: Personalize your journaling experience to make it enjoyable. Use a journal that you love, experiment with different writing tools, incorporate colors or illustrations, or play soft music in the background. Make it a pleasurable and inviting experience.
- Try Different Mediums: Some people prefer traditional handwritten journals, while others use digital platforms or specific journaling techniques, such as gratitude journals or bullet journals. The key is to find a journaling style that works for you and helps you achieve your personal goals.
- Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress along the way. Whether it’s completing a week, a month, or a year of consistent journaling, celebrate the dedication and growth you’ve achieved.
Remember that there is no one “right” way to journal, and the benefits you experience can be highly personal.
Commit to 21 Days
Habits are the invisible architects of our lives, shaping our actions, defining our character, and ultimately determining our destiny.
Consistency is Key. It takes 21 days to build a habit. Commit to journaling daily for 21 days, even if it’s just a few sentences. Consistency is more important than length. Make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
Here are my 2 favorite journal templates when I don’t know where to start. They should be familiar as they are used in all our inspiration blogs. Select a topic to focus on (perhaps an attribute you are working on, a value important to you, a goal you have, someone or something important). If you can’t think of a topic, we have made it easy, read the daily inspiration and use.
5-Minute Cup Fillers
Power of Choice
Think back over the last 24 hours or think ahead to the next 24 hours.
BECOME AWARE: Name one thing you became aware of regarding this topic. How is this impacting you? How could it impact you if you made a different choice as a response?
BE GRATEFUL: Rephrase your observations into the choice you can be grateful for. What is the “better version of you” you choose instead?
I am grateful for __(insert what you became aware of)___ because it gives me a chance to __(insert what you will do differently)___ .
TAKE ACTION: What is one choice (when you become aware again) you can make to improve the outcome? Name an additional action you choose to take throughout the day to reinforce.
Live Your Compass
Take a piece of paper and draw the directional lines of a compass and label each line. You are now going to apply your compass to your topic. Regarding this topic, in each square write down 3 things:
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- What choices and actions did you take recently that align with each of the directions.
- What choices and actions did you take that were not aligned?
- Think about your day ahead, what actions can you take to live in alignment with your directions?
Life is not a destination to be reached, but a journey to be embraced. Along the way, we discover our strengths, navigate challenges, and uncover the beauty of our own transformation.
