I have written about the importance of daily reflection dozens of times. It is a skill that is critical for success and personal growth. However, most people lack the discipline to make it a habit.
There are occasions when I have struggled to maintain my dedication to journal. Here is the structure that has bolstered my consistency in my reflection process.
I currently use three different books to record my thoughts. Each with a separate purpose.
1. Daily Journal – I use a daily journal to record two or three sentences each day. My goal is to write the most important thing I learned that day. This daily practice is not overwhelming. It takes only a few minutes. At the end of the month, I read through my lessons for that month, and reflect on my journey.
2. Learning Journal – This book I use to record notes on activities that impact me. It includes notes from articles I read, interesting quotes, people I have met, classes I am taking, and classes I am teaching. I don’t necessarily write in this every day, but I do write in it frequently.
3. Thinking Journal – In this book, I record my thoughts about a particular situation or question. Writing your thoughts transform them. Sometimes taking an idea and knowing what to do with it can be puzzling. With this journal I challenge myself to think differently, and to think deeper on a perception. I keep a list of questions that I can use to interrogate myself about something. This is the book I write in the least.
These three books have endured, and have helped me. The short daily entry keeps me in a routine that is effective, but I would be better served if I scheduled myself with my thinking book at least weekly.
Your reflection process should be what works for you. However, without one, your success will be limited. It is the conversation we have in our head that most defines who we are.