# How to fully MAXIMIZE the benefits of journaling immediately ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/p6pDSERuHtU/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Does journaling really help? [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=0s) - Journaling can be an effective habit for those who want to be more productive and live a healthier, happier life, but merely writing down daily activities or surface-level feelings may not be enough to reap its full benefits [(00:00:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=13s). - Shallow journaling can leave one feeling bitter or frustrated, especially if the journal is used to consistently focus on negative incidents or emotions without finding a solution [(00:00:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=56s). - A more effective journaling practice can be achieved by incorporating four crucial aspects, which will be shared in the video, and can help individuals maximize the benefits of journaling [(00:01:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=70s). - By adding these aspects to a daily journaling routine, one can achieve their goals and experience internal growth as a person, as well as in their relationships, such as with their spouse and children [(00:01:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=79s). - The goal of the video is to help viewers discover the depth and power of journaling and learn how to take full advantage of it, so they no longer feel like they're missing out on its benefits [(00:01:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=92s). ## Revisiting [(00:01:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=102s) - Revisiting past journal entries is a crucial aspect of journaling that can help individuals grow and improve more effectively by remembering past insights and mistakes [(00:01:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=103s). - By revisiting past entries, individuals can realize that they tend to make similar mistakes in certain situations repeatedly and can come across powerful insights or potential solutions that they had previously recorded but forgotten [(00:01:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=118s). - Journaling is a great way to record life, thoughts, and emotions, and having a method for accessing those insights through revisiting the journal can provide a powerful tool for shaping the future [(00:02:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=144s). - Using categorical prompts or diagrams can make revisiting past entries easier and more seamless by allowing individuals to quickly grasp what they've written about at a glance [(00:02:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=159s). - Utilizing effective sticker usage can also make it easier to revisit and understand past entries by providing visual cues that are easier on the eyes [(00:02:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=173s). - Writing in more legible and neat handwriting can also help with revisiting past entries, as it can be difficult to decipher handwriting that is not clear [(00:03:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=193s). - Setting a schedule to revisit past journal entries, such as once a week or once a month, can help build the habit of revisiting and can be done in as little as 15-30 minutes [(00:03:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=212s). - Revisiting past entries can help individuals become the ideal self they aspire to be, both professionally and personally [(00:03:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=237s). ## Categorizing [(00:04:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=243s) - Categorizing is a powerful aspect of journaling that allows individuals to see their life and themselves at a glance, gaining a clear understanding of who they are and how they live [(00:04:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=247s). - Brain dumping, or writing down thoughts in point form, is a great start to journaling, but it's only half the work; the important task that follows is putting everything back into their respective categorized drawers in a logical and coherent way [(00:04:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=277s). - As individuals continue journaling, they'll begin to notice patterns, recurring life problems, or feelings that repeatedly appear on the pages, allowing them to categorize their thoughts and life patterns [(00:05:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=307s). - Categorizing helps individuals see things more clearly and understand themselves better by grouping repeated thoughts and behaviors into categories [(00:05:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=329s). - The life balance wheel is an example of a categorization system, where individuals review and score their performance in various areas of their life, including major categories and subcategories [(00:05:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=336s). - The subcategories in the life balance wheel are based on an individual's understanding of themselves and their life, allowing them to assess their performance in each part of their life and overall at a glance [(00:06:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=361s). - Another powerful way to practice categorization is through the "what's in your brain" exercise, where individuals draw a brain shape and write down what occupies each part of their brain throughout the day [(00:06:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=385s). - The "what's in your brain" exercise helps individuals see how they're spending their mental energy throughout the day, allowing them to feel like they can start solving the puzzle of their life [(00:07:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=433s). - By incorporating categorization into journaling, individuals gain a powerful tool to evaluate themselves effectively and grow closer to becoming their ideal self [(00:07:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=451s). ## Directing [(00:07:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=465s) - Directing is the third important aspect of journaling, which involves giving journaling a specific direction to maximize its benefits and achieve personal growth and transformation [(00:07:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=465s). - For a long time, journaling did not feel like it served much in achieving goals or moving towards a specific direction for progress, which led to the search for a journaling method that could help fulfill that specific purpose [(00:07:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=471s). - A personal journaling system, called the five-part journaling system, was designed to facilitate growth and help achieve goals, and it can be explored further through a separate video [(00:08:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=505s). - Incorporating the aspect of direction in life is a great way to maximize the benefits of journaling, as it helps individuals become healthier and happier, even if it's just 1% more than yesterday [(00:08:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=532s). - There are three important parts to consider when using journaling as a means to grow: where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there [(00:09:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=544s). - "Where you are" involves evaluating and understanding oneself and one's overall state of being through specific prompts to gain deeper insights into where you currently stand in life [(00:09:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=548s). - "Where you want to be" involves setting goals and envisioning how you aspire to grow, such as setting yearly goals and prioritizing them by importance [(00:09:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=567s). - "How to get there" involves writing down specific tasks or habits that will help achieve those goals, such as using a habit tracker section to note particular habits to incorporate into your daily routine [(00:09:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=594s). - Tracking progress and reinforcing the habit of enjoying the process can help keep you motivated as you journal [(00:10:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=614s). - Incorporating the directing aspect and aligned methods into daily journaling has immensely helped with personal and professional growth [(00:10:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=623s). ## Resting [(00:10:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=635s) - Journaling is similar to spending quality time with a close friend, allowing you to truly rest your soul and feel at ease with yourself [(00:10:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=657s). - Feeling comfortable and at ease is essential for maintaining a consistent journaling practice, as feeling obligated or rushed can lead to burnout [(00:11:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=670s). - Setting aside a designated time and space for journaling can help create a sense of permission and allow you to focus on the present moment [(00:11:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=688s). - Expressing gratitude while journaling can help train yourself to recognize gratitude in any circumstance, even in difficult situations [(00:12:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=723s). - Practicing gratitude can help you become a more grateful person and respond to hardships in a healthier way [(00:12:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=763s). - Incorporating aspects like resting, expressing gratitude, and finding a suitable journaling method can lead to healthier, happier, and more enjoyable outcomes from journaling [(00:13:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pDSERuHtU&t=807s).