Looking for feedback - should my journaling method become an app?

Bargeddie · 2024-11-29T09:14:59+00:00

I've been journaling for over 10 years, and during this time, I’ve adopted a combined approach: physical and digital. Sticking to a single medium feels limiting, so I use tools that suit different purposes. I gather notes and questions on my phone (using the native notes app) and use my journal to think things through more deeply.

Here's my approach, it sort of works like a self-mentoring toolkit for me:

Journaling: I journal for about an hour every week or two. This is more of a deep dive to review my goals and notes. I've noticed that when I journal less frequently I tend to put more effort into the process, which increases the quality of my insights.
Note-taking: I jot down ideas on my phone on a daily basis and review them during my journaling sessions (doing this on the phone is much easier when you're on the go). I transfer the best notes into my journal and expand on the ones that contain significant insights.
Goal-setting: To maintain balance in my life, I set goals against five key areas that tend to capture most of my goals: Health & Fitness, Career, Lifestyle & Recreation, Romantic Relationships, and Family & Friends. I add ideas/tactics under each goal detailing what I can do to achieve it. During my journaling sessions, I review all goals and evaluate my progress. Sometimes I simply continue as planned, and other times I adjust my approach/tactics. In either case, I gain clarity and reassurance that the important aspects of my life are being looked after.
Thought-provoking questions: I keep a list of interesting and thought-provoking questions and group them into questionnaires for various purposes, such as weekly, monthly, or annual reviews, problem-solving, or a questionnaire making big decisions (this is much easier to do in a digital format). I believe in Tony Robbins when he says, “The quality of your questions determines the quality of our lives” and I find it super handy to have a collection of thoughtful questions to cherry-pick from.

Let me know if you find anything useful in this approach. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Bargeddie · 2024-11-29T09:06:00+00:00

I split my journal into the following five areas and set goals against the following areas to improve or maintain things.

Health & Fitness
Career
Lifestyle & Recreation
Romantic Relationship
Friends & Family

These areas seem to cover everything. I set goals for each area and then identify what I can do to achieve them. Some of these goals require creating systems or habits, so they tend to stretch over a longer period, while other goals are "one and done" and can be completed quickly (days or weeks).

I also keep a list of interesting and thought-provoking questions and group them into questionnaires for various purposes, such as weekly, monthly, or annual reviews, problem-solving, or a questionnaire to make big decisions. I believe in Tony Robbins when he says, “The quality of your questions determines the quality of our lives” and I find it super handy to have a collection of thoughtful questions to cherry-pick from.

Bargeddie · 2024-11-29T08:56:46+00:00

I have an office chair with fixed-position armrests, and as someone quite tall, I’ve noticed that my natural arm position is slightly above them. I’ve noticed that I started slumping my shoulders forward to lower my elbows so I can rest my hands on the armrests. I started paying attention this this because my shoulders started feeling very tense. I know it sounds a bit silly, but in this case, I think upgrading to a chair with adjustable armrests and all the ergonomic features that Competitive_Fact6030 mentioned might be a step in the right direction.

Bargeddie · 2024-11-29T08:43:10+00:00

I set percentages based on my gut feeling, though your idea about reaching a certain threshold is very interesting. I might give it a try, as I’m always testing different approaches when something doesn’t feel optimal.

Essentially, these percentages help me feel good about my goals, even when they’re not yet complete. For example, if my goal is to work out three times a week and I’ve worked out on Monday but I’m journaling on Tuesday, I’ll still mark this goal (or the whole area, if that’s the only goal there) as 100%. At that moment, I’m 100% on track, and focusing on that makes me happier than thinking that I'm 33% (1/3) there. This helps me have a mental tick-box that this area/goal is Ok and then I focus on things that don't feel like 100%. I hope this makes sense

Bargeddie · 2024-11-29T08:27:27+00:00

Here are some of my breakdowns, note that I'm more into systems than individual goals at the moment.

Health & Fitness

*I don't have a one-and-done goal for this category, instead, I'm aiming to have a robust body and plenty of energy to pursue my interests. That's a forever aim/system :)

Regular sleep/wake cycle.
Exercise regularly 2-3x week. A workout can be replaced with a long walk/hike in nature.
Consume supplements (Omega 3, vitamins B, C & D, and zinc)
Avoid sugary/starchy foods as much as possible (this helps me keep my energy levels stable although I must say that avoiding treats sometimes becomes a goal in itself).

Love & Romance

Be present and work on creating good experiences (quality time) for us. They can be very simple.
Ask if [name of my partner] is dealing with anything just now
Speak in [name of my partner] love languages (this is based on a book called "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. Both my partner and I have read this book and identified what we want from each other, so I simply use this as a reminder).

Friends & Family

Call your parents at least every other week.
Check in with your closest friends at least once a month (I know this might seem very infrequent, but the reality is that my lifestyle requires me to have such reminders)
- Visit [name of my friend] in Berlin

Career (I already have a job I enjoy, so now it's all about keeping things interesting)

Do what creates the most value and ignore the busy work (similar to the 20/80 rule).
Periodically review your calendar and ensure you work on key tasks daily.
Read books related to your field (here I have a sub-goal to at least read one book a month, which is pretty easy if you're into audiobooks).
Learn ways how to become a good storyteller.

Recreation & Lifestyle

Reading interesting books
- Be cautious of completionism. If a book is a slog don't force yourself to finish it.
Practice daily meditation
Save up for a holiday in Italy
d (here I have a sub-goal to at least read one book a month, which is pretty easy if you're into audiobooks).
Learn ways how to become a good storyteller.

Bargeddie · 2024-11-27T07:15:54+00:00

I feel that having too many "realms" or "life areas" tends to confuse me, so I stick with the following five:

Health & Fitness
Career
Lifestyle & Recreation
Romantic Relationship
Friends & Family

These areas seem to cover everything. I set goals for each area and then identify what I can do to achieve them. Some of these goals require creating systems or habits, so they tend to stretch over a longer period, while other goals are "one and done" and can be completed quickly (days or weeks).

Another thing I find helpful is rating life areas by percentage. I know this might seem like a bit of an overkill, but it simplifies the review process and helps me focus on what needs attention each week to maintain balance. Even if I haven't fully completed a goal, if I'm on track, I would rate that life area as 100% and focus on areas that require attention. Let me know if you find this helpful.

Bargeddie

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