| You heard it right, keeping a business journal can | | | | my dreams!" |
| be a profitable strategy for your business | | | | Also if you are getting a lot done, you can have |
| success. You're probably thinking, "Right, I'm not | | | | confidence in knowing you're on the right track. |
| going to keep a diary about my business day and | | | | Having it written down also gives you the ability |
| anyway I hate writing!" | | | | to remember your successes. Celebrate and feel |
| You probably are so busy that keeping a journal | | | | good about that. |
| is the last thing you want to do. I know there's a | | | | This is an opportunity to get down on paper your |
| million and one excuses and I was right there with | | | | thoughts about a problem you just can't seem to |
| you at one time. That is until I committed to daily | | | | figure out. It's also used to find an answer to a |
| journal writing. | | | | problem or challenge that came to you in those |
| So why should you keep a journal? | | | | many moments of inspiration. Better yet, when |
| Journal writing is the most proactive activity you | | | | you're confused about an aspect of your business |
| can do to start, build and run a successful | | | | or you life, write it down. When you get it all out |
| business. The main reason to keep a journal is to | | | | on paper, you gain power to do something about |
| be very clear about what you've done and where | | | | it. Writing out the challenge or problem with all the |
| you want to go. Keeping a journal will allow you to | | | | anxiety, frustrations and barriers starts the |
| keep track of your progress. It helps you to see | | | | process. |
| where you were, where you want to go and | | | | You can then write out all the possible solutions |
| what you must do to keep progressing in you | | | | and thoughts about your problem. You can get it |
| business. | | | | all out of your mind and become very clear about |
| Writing in your journal is having an honest | | | | your challenge. This process activates your mind |
| discussion with yourself. There are always so | | | | and thinking process to start looking for a solution |
| many thoughts racing through our minds. When | | | | to the problem. Well almost every time you do |
| you write down your frustrations, challenges, | | | | this, the ideas and solutions will start flowing. |
| thoughts, and inspirations, it clears your mind of | | | | You can also write about, what motivates you |
| negative feelings. This can relieve your anxieties | | | | today? How are you feeling? What you are |
| and doubts, so you can maintain your focus. This | | | | looking forward to? What are you dreading? Make |
| is the perspective you need to progress with | | | | your journal a window into your life. A real look at |
| your business. In addition, it makes your thoughts | | | | you, your business, and what you are trying to |
| and ideas real and tangible, so you won't forget | | | | create. |
| them. | | | | Have you ever heard the phrase, "Those that fail |
| Do you ever have a great idea or solution to a | | | | to remember their past are doomed to repeat |
| problem? If you don't write it down, it's hard to | | | | it?" Well your business journal becomes the |
| act on it or worse you'll forget the details. | | | | history of your business. When you have it |
| The time you spend writing in your business | | | | written down, you can look back often to see |
| journal will actually save you time. This is | | | | what you did when you faced a challenge or how |
| something that you have to do and see for | | | | you felt when something happened. It is a written |
| yourself. | | | | snapshot of your successes and failures. |
| The daily entries will help you realize where you've | | | | So when you decide to start a business journal or |
| been. By having a record of your success and | | | | rather a success journal, here are some tips to |
| failures you'll have the ability to know what works | | | | make your journal writing time effective. |
| and what doesn't work. Having these entries help | | | | 1-Figure out what you are going to have on hand |
| you to keep doing what is working and drop what | | | | to write in your journal. Some examples are a |
| doesn't work. | | | | 3-ring binder, hardbound journal or on your |
| Start keeping a journal everyday. Write in it first | | | | computer. Whatever it is, make sure you can |
| thing in the morning, so you are very clear about | | | | relax and really be in a place where you can think |
| what you want to accomplish for the day. Write | | | | and write. |
| in it after you are done working, so you can | | | | 2-Create daily entries- At the end of each day |
| record your problems, challenges, frustrations as | | | | ponder your thoughts and feelings about how |
| well as your successes. | | | | your business is going and where you would like |
| This one practice will keep you very focused and | | | | to go. Write these in your business journal. Make |
| clear in your business. | | | | sure you do this everyday for at least 21 days |
| One key requirement to making this work is to | | | | without missing and you will form you're journal |
| be honest with yourself. You need to be | | | | writing habit. |
| completely honest about what you write. This is | | | | 3-Review regularly- Your business journal is there |
| for you and the success of your business. If you | | | | to help you work through your thoughts and see |
| just read emails and the latest weather report for | | | | your progress. So make sure that you review |
| your upcoming trip, write it down. If you had a list | | | | your entries regularly. |
| of things to do and you did something else, write | | | | One final thought. You might think that this is tons |
| it down. | | | | of work and it will take too much time from your |
| What I'm trying to get at here is write down | | | | business. I thought this way to. But as you do |
| exactly what went on that day. This will be your | | | | this, you'll find that daily journal writing will save |
| record of accountability. I'm sure you want to | | | | you time and money. It will keeps you focused, |
| have a successful business, right? This is your | | | | clear and motivated. I've found it to be one of |
| way of actually seeing what your doing or maybe | | | | the keys to my continued success and I know if |
| not doing. Then you can say, "Hey I need to get | | | | you will start, it will be for you too. |
| my act together and get back on track to realize | | | | |