This isn't a sponsored post: I have been using a Best Self Journal for the past 10 weeks, and I really believe it has improved my life.
I’ve kept journals for years and experimented with a variety of formats. I'm also prone to a touch of the lazy and really struggle with sticking to goals and staying accountable. When I saw the Best Self Journal via a Facebook ad, I immediately thought it could help me out.
The Best Self Journal can be started at any time. I started my journal in September. I took a little time before hand to understand and read about the principles behind it and think about the goals that I want to set.
The Best Self Journal approaches goals in some very helpful ways. At the start of the journal, there is an agreement that you make with yourself, not only setting your goals for the next 13 weeks but also identifying why you want to achieve this goal, naming the specific actions you need to take each day, and promising yourself a reward if you meet your goal. Each day, the journal asks you to name your goals again (or different ones, if you want) and schedule your day — your entire day, in 30 minute increments — around your commitments and goals. Each week, you reflect on your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
This structure has helped in a few different ways. By asking me why my goal is important, I was able to articulate how my goal fit into my vision for a better life. Breaking down specific action steps helped me see ways that I could work toward goal every day, even if I had only half an hour to spend on it. Reflecting on the goal on a regular basis — and having a reward to look forward to — kept the goal on mind. Many times, I’ve set a personal goal only to become distracted by more pressing needs after a couple of weeks. The Best Self Journal guards against this danger.
The downside? It takes a lot of work to update, but it's very much worth it.
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