As we’ve seen, journaling offers numerous benefits. In today’s post, I’d like to focus specifically on the benefit of offering accountability. It’s easy to make plans or set goals. Following through, however, can be much more difficult. That’s where your journal comes in. Let’s talk about the ways you can use your journal as an accountability partner to help you follow through on the objectives you set for your life.
Make Your Goals More Real
When you set goals in your head, it can be hard to see them as real and tangible. They may seem like just a wish or a far-off dream. Instead, writing your plans down in your journal begins the process of getting them out of your head and into the world. You can then continue the writing process to flesh out those goals and get down to the real work of planning.
Track Progress
It can be incredibly tempting to give up on a goal when the going gets tough or when you think you’ll never reach the finish line. Thankfully, a journal is a perfect tool for keeping track of your progress. You can create a page meant for tracking specific milestones of your goal. Then, check them off each time you complete one. It’s also quite helpful and validating to re-read pages of your journal. When you look back, you’re able to recall the feelings you had as you moved toward your goal and the triumphs you made along the way. This action gives tremendous perspective on just how much you’ve accomplished. It can be a real boost to your self-esteem to see your past successes.
Formulate Plans
The writing process gives you a great deal of perspective and clarity. You begin to see patterns and are able to better articulate future actions when the steps are written down. Use your accountability journal entries to look ahead to where you’re going so that you can get there more efficiently and stay on the right path.
Stay on Task
Finally, your journal forces you to stay on task. When everything is laid out, gaping holes become more obvious. You see where you need to take action, and you’re able to hold yourself accountable if you don’t tend to the necessary tasks. Your private journal can become one of your best accountability partners.
If there’s a goal you’ve been putting off, now’s the time to start writing about it. Make your goal clear and specific. Then be sure to articulate the steps you’ll need to take to make it happen. Journal each step along the way, and don’t forget to look back on your progress when things get tough. You’ve got this!
