Journaling Goals for 2011

It wouldn't do not to have some new goals for this year's journaling, so here it is: 

In 2011, my main goal is to Carry My Journal Everywhere. 

I have tried it in the past, but except for Travel Journals, never been consistent because I was always worried about ruining my journals, carrying them along with all the other crap that seems to accumulate in my handbags. But I found a solution. While on holiday in Tenerife, I found some pretty pouches, one of which is a perfect fit for my moleskine, so even in the oversized handbag with half my household inside, my journal will be protected. 

A part of me does wonder if there is any point in carrying it around, since most of my day is scheduled (i.e. at work), so I wouldn't actually get a chance to write, but then I think even if it happens only now and again, some odd moments of journaling, it's bound to add bit more depth and characters to my journals than simply doing it at home. 

What about  you? Do you carry your personal journal around with you? Do you have any particular Journal Keeping goals for 2011? 

Journal Writing Prompt 15 - Happy New Year

Happy New Year, my fellow Journal Scribes. I hope 2011 has a better beginning for you than it does for me (flu since 26th, and still going). 

Of course traditional thing to do on a New Year's Day is to make a New Year's Resolution. But I don't like resolutions, because they have this negative connotation that no one actually keeps them.  So I make goals. You can do whatever you want. Goals, plan, might-do, resolution...etc....but why don't you take some time today to journal about where you would like to go and what you would like to achieve in your life, or in your self in 2011. 

Without a goal post, it's impossible to aim for something. Even if the goal post changes later on, at least you have a direction to go in.

So think about what dreams you would like to pursue this year, and get journaling. 

Journal Writing Prompt 8

SEARCHING FOR GOALS

Do you find yourself drifting along the wave of routine, dissatisfied with your life? Or are you floundering because you have too many things to do, or too many interests and you can't progress with anything because you don't know what you want more?

This exercise should help you dig a little deeper for you goals. To actually get results, quality of the entry is a must. You would need to spend decent amount of time with your journal, perhaps more than once, over several days or several weeks or even several months depending on your personality, and depending on the general confusion in your life. But you will see the results.

Here are several exericses you can try. Use what is suitable for you.

• Write down everything you enjoy spending your time on. Imagine you have a free week, with absolutely no chores, what exactly would you like to do with that day? Now imagine you have a free month, what would you like to do then? A free year?
• Write down how you spend your day. Either make 7 columns, or use 7 pages. List each day, and write down in exact detail, how you utilize every hour of that day. Perhaps pay attention to your time for a week or two. Write it down. What do you do? What do you always make the time to do? What do you ignore?
• Talk to your ideal self. Have a dialogue. What is your ideal self like? What does he/she know that you don't know? What experiences he/she had that you haven't had?
• With your life as it is now, where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Where would you like to be?

Your goals could be anything. They could be career goals, family goals, goals for the rest of your life. Anything that is important enough for you that you want to have a clear focus of where you are going.

But always remember that goals are fluid. If you change as a person, or your life circumstances changes, your goals may change too. It is fine. The goals you make today are for the person you are today, because we all need to start somewhere.

Journal Writing Prompt 6

Goal Setting

April is almost over, so a new month, and a new beginning. Yes, I think of a new week, a new month, a new year - every new thing as a new beginning. :-) Gives one a lot of options for changing directions if necessary.

So our Journal Prompt this year to make goals for month of May. And they do not have to be just practical goals, or just routine goals - like do laundry or mow the lawn.

No, these should be goals that cover every aspect of your life that is important to you. Whether they are tasks that you need to do, a book you want to read, a movie you want to see, an activity you want to do with a loved one. Anything that you want to accomplish in May.

But be realistic in terms of time. If you know you are going to have 4 hours every week, do not make a list that will take 10 hours to complete. The more realistic you are in terms of the time you have, the better the sense of accomplishment when you cross those items off the list.