One of the best things about using a journal, notebook, or planner is that it helps us get clear about our time and our priorities. Otherwise, it’s easy to drift mindlessly through the day. Between external pressures and constant distractions, many of us never pause to reconsider how we spend our time.
Even if living intentionally doesn’t come naturally to you, it’s worth the effort to make it a habit.
Why Be Intentional and Productive with a Journal?
Living intentionally simply means that you have a purpose and a plan for how you’ll use your time. You’re not trapped in a constant cycle of reacting to outside events, because that will leave you feeling frustrated, unfulfilled, and unproductive. On the other hand, living intentionally lets you take back control over your time and attention.
It’s not easy to stay productive when you’re feeling distracted, harried, or anxious. But when you practice living with intention, your focus stays intact, no matter how busy you are. Choosing what to do with each hour helps you feel less stressed while making the most of your time at work and at home.
Slow Down
Take time to slow down in life. Go for a walk with your family. Shorten the list of things that you have to do during the day. Try to let go of some of the negative feelings that you have in your mind. Take time for yourself instead of trying to do so many things for other people. Once you begin to focus on you, then your mind will begin to follow suit.
Take Time to Center Yourself Regularly
If you notice that you’re feeling scattered or frazzled, stop what you’re doing for a second. Take a few deep breaths and turn your attention to the present moment. Ask yourself, “What do I need to be focusing on right now?” Give that one thing all of your attention, keeping your mind in the present.
Breathe Deeply
While breathing deeply in and out of your mouth might seem like something that you would do at a doctor’s office, it’s a technique that can help to clear your mind. First, take some deep breaths so that you can clear your lungs.
Then, create a mental image of the air entering your nose and coming out of your mouth. This will allow you to focus on something else besides what’s on your mind.
Focus on Your Health
Your health makes a big impact on your overall well-being and productivity, so make a conscious decision to prioritize it. Eat well, get enough sleep, and get some exercise every day. Even small lifestyle changes can make a difference in your mood and energy levels.
Get Enough Sleep
When you’re going through your day after only a few hours of sleep each night, it can be hard to think clearly. Your mind is exhausted from a lack of sleep, which can decrease your focus on the tasks that you perform each day.
When you begin to slow down at work or at school, you may find yourself missing deadlines. Next, your mind will be cluttered with thoughts about the awful consequences that may ensue.
To avoid that situation, try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night to help rebuild your energy and clear your mind.
Rethink Your Habits
Do you spend a lot of time on Netflix, social media, or video games? Most of us have some mindless habits that can eat up a lot of time. In moderation, it’s okay to enjoy these activities. But if you aren’t happy with how much time you lose to these mindless habits, it might be time to cut back.
Decide how much time you’re willing to spend on these activities every day, and set a timer to remind yourself when it’s time to stop.
Allocate Your Time Wisely
We all get twenty-four hours every day, but if you use your time well, it can feel like much more. Take a few minutes every morning to decide what you want to accomplish and when. Making a to-do list can help keep you on track. This simple tip can increase your everyday productivity dramatically.
Journal Your Thoughts
One way to express what you’re thinking about without others knowing is to write in a journal. Update your journal each day or at least a few times a week, venting about some of your problems and jotting down some of the things that make you happy.
When you see your thoughts written down on paper, it makes it easier to see what you can change in life and what is really bothering you instead of what you have no control over.