# The Journaling System CHANGED My Life Completely | 5-Part Journal (+ How to Journal) ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HmQ6lFfvywA/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=0s) - [[Diary | Journaling]] has been a life-changing habit for many people, and after 20 years of practicing it, this notion is confirmed to be true, not just a clickbait [(00:00:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=6s). - Journaling is a habit worth considering, especially for those who feel their life is moving forward in a specific direction as they aspire to achieve their goals [(00:00:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=15s). - The effectiveness of journaling depends on the method used, and a specific approach can lead to transformative experiences in personal, spiritual, and professional life [(00:00:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=28s). - The journaling system to be shared in the video consists of a five-part approach, using one notebook and one digital app, which includes a yearly goal tracker, monthly habit tracker, daily journal, monthly review, and time blocking [(00:00:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=40s). - The video will provide examples of how to implement each part of the journaling system, as well as share powerful journaling techniques and prompts that can be used throughout the process [(00:00:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=51s). - The journaling approach to be shared is the result of 20 years of trying various methods and is what has been found to work best [(00:01:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=62s). - The person sharing their [[Diary | journaling]] system is Liz, a graphic designer turned calligrapher [(00:00:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=31s). ## My Custom Journaling Notebook - A5 6 Ring Binder [(00:01:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=66s) - The current journaling notebook is an A5 6-[[Ring binder | ring binder]], purchased from [[Amazon (company) | Amazon]] for approximately $15 [(00:01:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=68s). - The inside journaling pages have been custom-designed and are printed out at the end of each month for the following month [(00:01:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=76s). - The custom-designed pages are placed in the binder, but any notebook can be used for journaling [(00:01:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=83s). - A notebook with dotted paper is recommended as it provides structure and flexibility for personalization [(00:01:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=94s). - The type of notebook should not hinder the start of the [[Diary | journaling]] journey, as the ideal tool will be found along the way [(00:01:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=106s). - It is essential to begin journaling and gradually find the most enjoyable notebook to write in [(00:01:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=109s). ## My Pen Recommendation - ZEBRA Sarasa Pens [(00:01:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=116s) - The preferred pen for journaling is the [[Zebra (pen manufacturer) | ZEBRA Sarasa]] pen, chosen for its ability to create very thin strokes, allowing for better writing control and tidier writing [(00:02:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=121s). - The pen's fine strokes help to motivate continued writing, as the sense of control over writing makes the process more enjoyable [(00:02:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=127s). - ZEBRA Sarasa pens are available in a wide range of colors, making them suitable for diverse [[Diary | journaling]] needs [(00:02:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=138s). - The Vintage color series of ZEBRA Sarasa pens is particularly enjoyed for journaling purposes [(00:02:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=145s). - Although a fountain pen enthusiast, ballpoint pens like the ZEBRA Sarasa are preferred for daily journaling due to the reduced risk of ink smudges [(00:02:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=151s). - Ballpoint pens are chosen for their simplicity, ease of use, and convenience, with minimal friction [(00:02:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=155s). - Fountain pens are occasionally used for highlighting important quotes or mantras to remember [(00:02:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=163s). ## Section #1 - Yearly Goal Tracker [(00:02:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=174s) - The yearly Gold Tracker is the [[Diary | journaling]] notebook used to write down the goals or resolutions to be achieved for the year [(00:02:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=176s). - The goals or resolutions are written on the very first page of the journal [(00:02:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=178s). - Placing the goals on the first page serves as a daily reminder to stay focused and on track [(00:03:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=183s). - This approach helps prevent a messy and unorganized mind by keeping goals in a visible and accessible location [(00:03:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=191s). ## Goal and Benefits of Journaling [(00:03:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=195s) - The primary goal of [[Diary | journaling]] is transformation, whether it's achieving financial goals, business objectives, personal growth, or building and strengthening relationships, by consistently filtering and organizing thoughts and feelings to make important decisions in life [(00:03:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=196s). - Journaling has the immense benefit of helping individuals find out where they are in their life and where they should be, making it essential to set yearly goals that are challenging enough to push one out of their comfort zone but also attainable to avoid giving up [(00:03:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=226s). - Yearly goals should be measurable, and it's crucial to come up with a way to track progress, such as writing down specific goals and prioritizing the top ones to focus on every day [(00:04:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=245s). - Having a constant visual reminder of the goals being pursued helps stay focused throughout the year, and using small checkboxes to track progress provides a clear indication and direction on what tasks to focus on each day [(00:04:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=260s). - Breaking down larger goals into smaller, trackable tasks, such as using 10 checkboxes for each goal, allows for monitoring progress and adjusting focus accordingly, as seen in the example of having colored in four out of 10 checkboxes for a specific 2024 goal [(00:04:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=273s). ## Section #2 - Monthly Habit Tracker [(00:04:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=297s) - The monthly habit tracker is the first page of each month's [[Diary | journaling]] section, where daily habits necessary to achieve yearly goals are written down [(00:05:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=304s). - This tracker helps to monitor if daily habits are being consistently done to achieve set goals [(00:05:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=316s). - The things desired in life become goals, and to achieve these goals, actions are needed, which eventually become habits, leading to transformation [(00:05:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=323s). - For example, to lose weight, a specific goal is set, and actions such as running or working out are needed to achieve it, which are tracked in the habit tracker [(00:05:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=331s). - Every night, the habit tracker is revisited to evaluate how well daily tasks were completed [(00:05:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=350s). - A column of the habit tracker is filled out each night before writing in the journal to track progress [(00:06:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=360s). - Small circles in the habit tracker are used as check marks, filled in according to the level of task completion, with half circles used for partially completed tasks [(00:06:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=366s). - This simple tracking method allows for an objective view of daily productivity [(00:06:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=379s). - If daily habits are not met, it serves as a reminder to do better the next day [(00:06:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=386s). ## Bullet Journal [(00:06:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=391s) - The bullet journal technique was first discovered about 6 years ago, and it was a mind-blowing experience that opened up possibilities for designing [[Diary | journaling]] pages [(00:06:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=394s). - Before discovering bullet journaling, many brand new notebooks and planners were purchased but never fully used, leaving many blank pages, and pre-designed layouts and prompts did not work well [(00:06:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=418s). - The idea of bullet journaling provided the freedom to come up with layouts and systems that work for the individual, rather than being fixated on strict forms of pre-designed layouts [(00:07:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=441s). - The bullet journaling technique was used consistently for about a year and a half, with daily journaling sessions during lunch breaks while working as a graphic designer [(00:07:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=453s). - However, the problem with bullet journaling was that too much time was spent creating the same layouts and moving boxes and tables to the next weekly and monthly pages [(00:07:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=474s). - Additionally, the goal of making the journal aesthetic became a burden and made the purpose of journaling questionable [(00:08:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=488s). - An epiphany moment led to the realization that the goal of [[Diary | journaling]] is transformation, and the process needed to be as focused as possible to achieve that [(00:08:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=499s). - Gradually, a new journaling system was developed, which is currently being used [(00:08:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=509s). ## Section #3 - Daily Journaling + Journaling Prompts [(00:08:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=515s) - The main focus of daily journaling is to write down how the day went before going to bed each night, using a horizontal format with a flat layout and no obstacles [(00:08:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=520s). - A stamp is used to date each page, and the journaling prompts are used to reflect on and answer each night [(00:08:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=531s). - The five main [[Diary | journaling]] prompts used are: what bothered me today, what can be improved tomorrow, what's today's mantra, what's today's prayer, and what am I grateful for today [(00:09:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=547s). - The "what bothered me today" prompt is a fundamental question to reflect on the day from an objective point of view, and to understand why certain events or people had an impact [(00:09:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=564s). - The "what can be improved tomorrow" prompt is an opportunity to ponder an ideal way to respond to the answer from the first prompt, and to implement it the next day to help grow as an individual [(00:10:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=616s). - The "what's today's mantra" prompt is a truth that helps to stand firm and avoid being skewed by false beliefs, and to hold on to lessons learned or ideas [(00:10:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=632s). - The "what's today's prayer" prompt is a way to surrender control and lift up hopes in faith, acknowledging the limitations of one's own understanding and solutions [(00:10:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=644s). - The "what am I grateful for today" prompt is self-explanatory, and the answers can be repeated from yesterday, but it's essential to make them genuine each time [(00:10:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=659s). - Having powerful prompts dictates the quality of [[Diary | journaling]], and the five main prompts used have been found to work well so far [(00:11:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=674s). - The five main prompts are available to download and print for personal use, with a link provided in the description below [(00:11:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=691s). ## Two Reasons People Give Up Journaling [(00:11:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=703s) - Two primary reasons people give up journaling are the desire to make it aesthetically pleasing and the feeling of losing consistency when skipping entries [(00:11:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=710s). - The desire for a visually pleasing journal can lead to stress and dissatisfaction, causing individuals to give up journaling, but the true purpose of journaling is personal transformation, not appearance [(00:11:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=712s). - To avoid excessive focus on aesthetics, it's essential to prioritize making the journal neat and easy to revisit, rather than spending too much time or money on decorations [(00:12:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=743s). - [[Diary | Journaling]] should be a tool for personal growth, and individuals should not feel obligated to maintain a perfect journal, but rather use it as a means to support their transformation [(00:12:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=756s). - Skipping journal entries is a common issue, but it's essential to remember that it's okay to skip and start again, as journaling should be a voluntary activity for personal benefit [(00:12:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=762s). - To address the problem of large empty pages in a predated journal, using interchangeable undated sheets in a binder format can be a practical solution [(00:13:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=796s). ## Section #4 - Monthly Review (Life Balance Wheel) [(00:13:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=805s) - The last page of each month's journaling section is dedicated to a monthly review, also known as The Wheel of Life, which is represented by a circular diagram with four main categories: relationship, health, wealth, and growth [(00:13:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=806s). - Under each main category, specific areas are reviewed and evaluated, such as relationships with [[God]], husband, and children, and a score is given based on how well each area was managed, with five being the highest [(00:13:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=829s). - Once the scoring is done, the dots are connected to see the overall score for the month, with the aim of making the score circle as wide as possible [(00:14:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=860s). - For areas with low scores, such as the friend subcategory, actions are written down to improve in the coming month, such as texting a friend to ask how they and their family are doing [(00:14:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=871s). ## Section #5 - To Do Time Block (Notion) [(00:14:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=883s) - The final part of the five-part [[Diary | journaling]] system is time blocking, which serves as a to-do list for specific times of the day [(00:14:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=884s). - This part of the system is managed using a digital app called Notion, rather than being written in a notebook [(00:14:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=895s). - Notion is used for time blocking because it saves time when moving unfinished tasks to the next day or rearranging them due to exceptional circumstances [(00:15:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=908s). - The four-part system in the notebook is more suitable for handwriting due to its purpose and characteristics, whereas typing is better for filling out the time blocking section [(00:15:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=927s). - The day typically starts by opening the computer to check the time block, and it usually ends by opening the notebook [(00:15:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=903s). ## Handwriting vs Typing [(00:15:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=931s) - Handwriting was chosen over typing for daily [[Diary | journaling]] due to its numerous benefits and impact in fulfilling its purpose [(00:15:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=932s). - Research studies show that handwriting promotes better memorization and brain development [(00:15:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=950s). - Typing quickly can prevent taking the time to review, evaluate, and organize thoughts effectively, whereas handwriting allows for a more thorough process [(00:15:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=958s). - Handwriting provides a sense of control, allowing for the use of stickers, drawings, and customization of the layout [(00:16:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=972s). - The classic feeling of writing on paper and the sound of writing can be calming and replenishing, making one feel more grounded [(00:16:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=985s). ## Journaling is like Having a Good Coach [(00:16:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=995s) - [[Diary | Journaling]] is comparable to having a good coach who provides accountability, helps see oneself more objectively, motivates, and encourages improvement every day [(00:16:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=995s). - A journaling coach helps identify one's current position and desired direction, ultimately leading to becoming the person one wants to be [(00:16:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=1011s). - Journaling is a beneficial and powerful tool, but it takes time to find the ideal method that works best for each individual [(00:17:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=1022s). - It is essential to enjoy the process of trying various techniques and prompts to find the perfect journaling system that suits one's needs and unique style [(00:17:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=1033s). - Consistency is key; sticking to a journaling system can lead to significant life changes [(00:17:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=1044s). - The provided journaling system is available for download, and incorporating the prompts into one's journaling system is encouraged [(00:17:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQ6lFfvywA&t=1064s).