Who journals these days? We blog, we use Twitter and Facebook, but does anyone journal? Is it a lost art? I say no, keeping a journal is key to planning for the future. When best to think about the future but early in the year? So here I am, journaling. I suggest that we should all journal at least once a year. Find a comfortable chair, sit back and think about what worked and what we would change. Write it down, ponder the year, and plan for the following year.
I know journaling doesn’t sound like the hip and trendy think to do. In the FedEx Executive Leadership Program, it’s required. Participants are given a leather bound book and asked to document the entire experience. I’m sure you can imagine the mocking that happens when you ask 20 future executives to keep a journal. Let me remind you these are usually people that have assistants to write e-mails for them. Somewhere along the line, this group is sent off to a leadership camp in Arkansas called Team Trek.
In the deep south, with 100% humidly, living in simple cabins, these candidates learn the value of the journal. Yes, I have seen a few scoff at the hour set aside for journaling each day. They find time to take a nap instead. But then, everyone is called together to share from their journal and talk about things they would do differently. Things that are not working in their leadership roles or even more importantly, what is working, and what needs to become absolute in how to lead. Soon, every attendee has filled one journal and is asking for another.
So I’m not exactly in Arkansas, but a family visit every year takes me to Kansas City and we stay at the White Haven Motor Lodge. It’s a simple place with a nice lobby with complimentary donuts and coffee. There I find a comfortable chair. No leather bound journal, I choose a laptop. This is the place a take time to reflect at the start of each year.
If your memory is not the best, I suggest looking back at your calendar or pictures you have taken in the past year to remember the events of the year. The goal is to write about these recollections and detail, what worked and what didn’t work. It will become very clear what you want. Here is a list of question that should help you think about the year:
1. What did I learn? (Skills, knowledge, awareness, etc.)
2. What did I accomplish? (List of my wins and achievements.)
3. What would I have done differently? Why?
4. What did I complete or release? What still feels incomplete to me?
5. What were the most significant events of the year past? List the top three.
6. What did I do right? What do I feel especially good about? What was my greatest contribution?
7. What were the fun things I did? What were the things that were not fun?
8. What were my biggest challenges, roadblocks or difficulties?
9. How am I different this year than last?
10. For what am I particularly grateful?
Find your comfortable spot, pick your medium (pen or keyboard), set aside the time, and journal. You will find the experience prepares you for the leadership journey ahead.
Ken, this post struck a cord with me. I consider myself to be a competitive person. And sometimes in trying to meet a goal in the quickest way possible, I loose the ability to absorb the experience of reaching that goal.
Journaling is somewhat a lost art, and your post reminds us to take some time out to relive the journey. We might appreciate it more while gearing up for future achievements.