Journaling is one of the most powerful tools you can use to learn about yourself, track your goals and progress, and start each day off on the right foot. The simple action of writing down your thoughts does so much for body and brain. It helps keep you calm by not having to worry about remembering everything and at the same time increases the chances of you achieving what you’ve set out to do. I’ve used a handful of journals, but today I’m going to share with you the three best journals to use in 2020.
These journals will help you transform your life. For me, journaling was a huge step forward in with my weight loss and overall health. Even after reaching optimal health and getting rid of my chronic issues, journaling is now helping me propel further in relationships, finances, and happiness. If you want to start transforming your life, read on to learn about these journals.
Why start a journal?
Starting a journal has been one of the best decisions of my life. It helps to get my thoughts clear, my crazy ideas down on paper, make connections between things that I’ve previously thought unrelated, and helps me track my goals and daily progress.
My favorite part about using a journal is the self-reflection. To date, I have filled two notebooks through my journaling habit. Do you know how powerful it is to look back at what I wrote and see how much I’ve grown? It’s the most nostalgic, magical feeling.
Journaling is essentially keeping a record of the important things and “data” in your life. Once you’ve gathered enough data, you can start to notice patterns, make shifts, and actually improve different areas of your life. Not only is it the best personal growth tool in the long-term, it also provides immediate gratification and benefits in the short-term. For that reason, I highly encourage you to begin a journal practice today.
The best journals to use in 2020
These three journals are my personal favorites because they are simple, quick, and extremely transformative. They don’t contain too much fluff and really get right down to the important stuff.
The Five Minute Journal
The five minute journal was the very first journal I had ever received. My favorite part of the journal is that it quite literally takes less about 5 minutes to fill in the entries. It prompts you to write down 3 things you are grateful for, 3 things you are looking forward to today, and 3 things that would make today great.
At the end of the day, it prompts you to write down 3 things that went well today and 3 things you could have done differently or improved upon. Every day there’s also an inspirational quote and a weekly challenge to comfortably start pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
The High Performance Planner
The high performance planner is a combination between planner and journal. It was created by inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, and author of High Performance Habits, Brandon Burchard. This is the journal that helps you to show up as your best version every single day.
You write a daily message to yourself, your top 3 priorities and what has to get done, and who you can serve today and how to do it well. Along with that, you get questions like:
- who can I surprise with a note or gift today?
- what might trip me up or stress me out – how can would my best self deal with that?
- today would be a success if…?
- one thing I can get excited about today is?
- If I was looking at my self from the perspective of a high-performance coach, I would tell myself…?
I don’t want to share all of the prompts, but you get the idea. In the evening you then reflect on your day. Did you serve with purpose? Were you full of energy? Did you know your why? At the end of each week and month you get to review, reevaluate, and set new goals.
The High Performance Habits planner is great for students, entrepreneurs, and those with busy schedules.
Your notebook
After you’ve tried a handful of journals, you’ll start to recognize the elements you most like and especially the ones you don’t care for. Unfortunately, the perfect journal for you probably does not exist. However, you can create it! Using a notebook is the cheapest journal you’ll find and it is fully customizable.
A lot of people like to try bullet journals, but I don’t have the time or patience to make mine look any good. Writing down my 3 gratitudes, what I’m looking forward to today, and my affirmations is really all I need in my notebook journal.
You can put any combination of ideas and elements in your homemade journal:
- what I’m grateful for
- things that will make today great
- what I’m looking forward to
- goals for today
- goals for the week
- who can I serve
- who can I send a note of appreciation to
- what I want life to look like in the next 5 years
- what I value
- priorities for the day
- inspirational quotes
If you don’t want to spend any money, a notebook journal is the perfect way to have your own personalized personal growth tool.
Wrap-Up
Journaling is such a powerful habit and can help you bring about extraordinary personal change. That’s why you want to make sure you are choosing the right journal for you and your goals. Whether store-bought or homemade, your journal will become your best asset if you use it consistently and with intention.
Do you have any questions about journaling?
What journals do you like to use?
Let me know in the comments.
