Journalling: A habit of highly effective people

Do you know how, in Dragons' Den, the hopeful entrepreneur goes to talk to the wall? To be alone, away from the expectant potential investor’s eyes, to think things through.

Well, that’s how journalling is. The quiet, solitary, reflective moment when - in that silence - an inner voice, unrehearsed, pops up with a way forward.

Journalling is the proven technique used by many successful businesspeople to harness the power of their unknown thoughts, to gain clarity, to reach an a-ha moment, to get a sense of control over a current concern and generate ideas as possible next steps towards solutions.

And the good news is journalling isn’t complicated. It’s quick, easy and beneficial to your wellbeing and impactful on the success of your business. And did I mention, it’s low cost, too - no courses to sign up to, just pick up a pen and a notebook and dive in with a curious mind.

Don't forget to connect with Nicky on Enterprise Nation today

What makes journalling work?

We often spend a lot of the time running the day-to-day of the business, crossing things off the to-do list with relish, reviewing progress and moving projects forward. So much so that we don’t often have the time to sit still and make sense of our experience.

Journalling works because we quieten the hectic, noisy outer world and go inwards. To find out what we’re thinking, to step away from expectant eyes to find and discover the best way forward now.

In my experience of running journalling workshops with solopreneurs, executives and creative practitioners, these preparations for journaling help:

• Find a comfy spot…away from ‘business’ mode self.

• A pen and notebook…goes to the core quicker than typing.

• Short and frequent…set a 10-min timer; more comes with more practice.

• Curious and open…trust that your pen will wander into helpful thoughts.

• Self-compassion…go as far as you want to now, mindful of your day ahead. Counter your chatty inner critic with a compassionate inner champion.

• Reflect on writing…a minute to skim what you’ve written at the end to find the diamond in the rough, the thing that you need right now.

How journalling can be helpful for your business

• It is the sounding board to bring to life your emerging ideas that won't get judged.

• It is like the boss you weirdly miss who breathed down your neck to hit your deadlines.

• It is the mentor who guides and encourages you to choose your next steps.

• It is the incubator for the seeds of your new ideas to grow and be tracked.

• It is your rock - keeping you grounded, stable and strong for continued success.

As a business owner, especially a solo one, these are truly precious benefits. I hit my journal every day to catch insight and ideas.

These often only come from one sentence flowing into the next and not always through rational discussion. Regular journalling chips away at the overwhelm by bringing order, building confidence, decisiveness and motivation.

VIDEO: How to use journalling to diminish impostor syndrome

In this webinar, I explain how journalling can help remind you of your strengths, your wins and assets, especially if you suffer from feelings of self-doubt.

Journalling doesn't need a lot of time

It can be done in as little as 15 minutes. For me, early-bird journalling, with the first sip of morning coffee and the energy of the day rising, is 'flow' time. Know when suits your mind and body best.
 
And don't wait until you feel you've got something to write. Believe me, there's always going to be something to write about - either your business directly, or your emotions generally.

Think back to a recent conversation you've had, a LinkedIn post you engaged with, something you've been avoiding, or even a title of a book that resonated. All of these things can be a springboard into your writing.

Journalling flows better when you sit down with the right mindset. Come with an open mind, a curious mind, a hopeful mind. Trust in the process that something you need will come out. Don't give up. Keep at it until it becomes a practice you can't do without.

For each journal entry I recommend these three steps:

1. Write

2. Reflect

3. Act

Write using freewriting; that is, letting your pen dance across the page. There is something about handwriting that connects us deeper to our brain - so try analogue.

Don't worry about spelling or grammar, and don't go back to re-read or cross out. Only when you've finished should you re-read your words.

Where to find inspiration for journalling

I hear you. What do I journal about? I think, as entrepreneurs, there’s always something on our mind, business-wise: from a meeting we’re preparing for, marketing we’ve been avoiding to ideas that are floating out of our reach.

Or, the more personal side, your confidence to deliver, your bright new shiny project distractions. Journaling about things that matter.

Here are a few ways in:

Lists

These are quick-fire and a way to get out everything that’s on your mind:

• Gratitude list

• Lists of what brings you joy in your business

• Reasons you got into this business

• Bright spots - things you’re looking forward to this month

• Pinch points - things you’re not looking forward to

And, with the list, choose one and go deeper

Images

We’ve all heard those off-the-wall questions asked at interviews. I feel myself squirm in the interview chair again as that interview replays in my mind now!

And yet, these seemingly out-there questions can offer great journaling prompts. Try these on for size:

• If my business was an animal right now, what animal would it be and why?

• If my business was a biscuit today, what biscuit would it be?

These questions jolt you out of your habitual thinking, rational mind, and force you to come up with something revelatory! See in your answers your perceptions of business/product/service positioning, see your limiting beliefs in your or your business’ potential, see in your answers those gaps between your projected imagination and reality. All useful stuff, business side.

Dialogue

I love dialogue, literally, it brings out another voice!

• Journal between your 2021 self and 2022 self.

• Dialogue between yourself at the start of your business journey and now.

• Dialogue with someone that you are avoiding a business conversation with, or indeed someone you're excited about talking to.

Letter

Writing letters is intimate, we have in mind the person we’re writing to, so it feels very real:

• Write to your 2023 self.

• Write a thank you letter to a business mentor who might not know they’d been a mentor to you!

Found forms

Using the constraint of an already existing form of writing, our current challenges and solutions come out:

• A manifesto for a world with…(insert your product/service)

• A recipe for my business success...(ingredients, instructions)

• A prescription for...(insert your product/service)

Poems or prose

Lines of poetry or prose with its imagery and ideas can really jolt you into writing, as something resonates and catches your attention. Keep a log of these lines and you can go back to them for later journaling. Find free poems online or dig out an old book and let the page choose itself!

Eavesdropping/external stimuli

I confess my ears are always catching words or phrases which land in some way onto the page. Again, the resonance is key…to what’s already going on for you at that moment.

Lines of dialogue from a film or, dare I say, even the odd Eastenders line can get me grabbing the pen! Even book titles and lines on social media. Attune to what grabs your attention unexpectedly. This makes journaling personal, real and meaningful.

See how talking to the page is just like talking to the wall? And like those entrepreneurs who come back to the Dragons, confident that they’ve considered options and know the answer - and excited that their business is now on a firmer footing – journaling, too, builds clarity and confidence.

Now, where’s my favourite pen gone?

Relevant resources

• Why small business founders must look after themselves and their wellbeing

• Mental health or physical health: What's more important?

• Lunch and Learn: Preserving your mental health as an entrepreneur