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Starting a journaling habit sounds like a great idea.
You buy a notebook and anticipate writing down your thoughts every day. After you start, you begin to feel some monotony when you fill out completely blank pages. Eventually monotony leads to quitting the habit.
Journaling should be about the process, not the setup. That is where the five minute comes in.
When I discovered the Five-Minute Journal. I knew I had a product that would cut out the monotony.
This journal makes developing a daily journaling habit easier to develop, but also creates a daily mindfulness practice that will help you be more intentional and thoughtful throughout the day.
(Side note: Another positive way to improve your life is to read and learn something new every day. A great tool to do this is to join over 1 million others and start your day with the latest FREE, informative news from this website.)
What Is the Five-Minute Journal?
The five-minute journal was created by Intelligent Change, a motivational products company based in Toronto, Canada.
Its founders, Alex Ikonn and UJ Ramdas, create products based on their own needs. Then they use research and user testing to develop products that make their lives better. They believe if it helps them, it will help others.
The idea for the Five-Minute Journal was conceived on a hike. UJ explained his journaling habits to Alex. Complaining about parts where he had to “set up” his journal.
While talking they both decided the the tedious nature of this part of journaling might deter many possible customers from buying journals.
From these simple origins the idea for the 5-Minute Journal was born. They created an action-oriented journal that streamlined the process of entering daily mindfulness notes.
Want to get started on your journaling habit?
Check out: How to Build a Daily Personal Journaling Habit
The Five-Minute Journal is “your secret weapon to focus on the good in your life, become more mindful, and live with intention.” It consists of an intro section describing the science and use of the journal, followed by six months’ worth of journaling pages.
The journal enforces an intentional routine, and infuses mindfulness in the tasks and thought processes you commonly go through every day. It is specifically different from any other journaling tactic in its use of a template at the reflection points of the day to make your affirmations and reflections more actionable.
Why 5 Minutes?
The basis of this routine revolves around taking time to write in the journal for two reasons:
1. Reflection
The journal capitalizes on small moments in your day that can make the rest of your time more intentional.
There are both morning and evening rituals built into the system to think through your purpose for the day ahead, and what you’ve accomplished in the day behind.
2. Goal setting and affirmation
The routine also includes a section for goal setting and affirming yourself.
This is an intentional way to set goals, maybe even ones you know will be a struggle, and set the intention for how your actions can lead to success in those areas. There is also a moment to make an affirmation, using positive words to propel your mind into the day.
The benefit of spending a few minutes each day focusing on being grateful, setting intentions, and reflecting on your actions are numerous. Here are a few.
- It helps you capture ideas.
- Gives you a place to dream big.
- Journaling can help you work through your problems.
- Allows you to achieve gratefulness.
- Helps you visualize your future, and proactively act to control it.
- Gives you a place to get rid of your negative emotions.
- Gives you a place to think thoughts about yourself.
Developing new habits is hard. Stressful days can make it easy to push your goals to the side.
Consistent reflection and renewal of your goals. Actively analyzing how those goals are being achieved, and taking action to correct discrepancies will ultimately lead to better habits and relationships.
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Final Thoughts on the Five-Minute Journal
What do you think? Is a mindful journaling for you?
For me, this journal has made a material difference in the way I think about my day, and how I reflect on my intentions at the end of the day.
Instituting a required time each morning to contemplate what I’m grateful for and to be intentionally positive has made me more sincere as I head into interactions at work, and more in tune with what interactions and decisions I make that could use more effort.
Let me know what you think about the five-minute journal and its benefits in the comments below!
Finally, if you want another positive way to improve your life, then read and learn something new every day. A great tool to do this is to join over 1 million others and start your day with the latest FREE, informative news from this website.
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Sounds like a huge shortcut for those trying to rewire themselves. I like that it focuses you on the positive. Would be interested in checking one out and seeing how it works.