From Marcus Aurelius to Bullet Journals
Journaling is a habit that’s been used by some of the most influential figures throughout history. Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor, wrote his famous Meditations not for publication but as a personal practice to reflect on his thoughts and actions. Similarly, Benjamin Franklin kept meticulous journals to plan his days and track his progress toward becoming the man he wanted to be. Today, journaling has taken on a modern twist with practices like bullet journaling, yet its core purpose remains the same: to capture thoughts, track progress, and ultimately become more intentional about life.
But what is it about journaling that makes it so powerful? And how can you build this habit into your daily routine for lasting success?
1. Building a Journaling Habit: Start Small, Stay Consistent
If you’ve never journaled before, the idea of writing regularly can feel overwhelming. However, like most habits, journaling doesn’t require grand beginnings. Start small. Commit to writing for just five minutes each day. You don’t need to craft perfect sentences or profound insights—just write. Whether you’re reflecting on the day, listing things you’re grateful for, or planning out tomorrow’s priorities, it all counts.
Action step: Keep your journal somewhere you’ll see it daily, like next to your bed or on your desk. By reducing friction and making the journal easy to access, you’re more likely to stick with it.
2. Memory and Reflection: Learning from the Past
Journaling helps solidify memories. Writing things down forces you to slow down and think through your experiences. Marcus Aurelius used journaling to record his thoughts on philosophy and leadership, reflecting on how he could act according to his values. This habit of reflection allowed him to learn from his experiences and grow as a leader.
Similarly, by documenting your challenges and successes, you’re creating a personal archive of your life. Reading through old entries can show you how far you’ve come, and remind you of lessons you’ve learned along the way.
Action step: At the end of each week, revisit your entries. Look for patterns in your thoughts and actions. What have you been focusing on? What can you learn from it?
3. Motivation and Clarity: Organizing Your Mind
Benjamin Franklin wasn’t just keeping a journal to record his life; he used it as a tool to organize his mind. He developed a “Virtue Chart” to track his progress in living by certain principles, and each day he would reflect on how he’d performed in those areas. Journaling can help you see your goals clearly and break them down into manageable steps. It’s like a roadmap that keeps you motivated and on track.
Today, bullet journaling has popularized this idea by combining organization and reflection into one powerful practice. With its simple structure—just bullet points—you can easily list your goals, track your habits, and jot down ideas in one place.
Action step: Try starting a “Habit Tracker” in your journal. Each day, check off the habits you want to build, like exercise, reading, or of course, journaling itself. This visual accountability can boost motivation.
4. It’s Okay to Miss a Day
One of the most important things to remember about journaling—or any habit—is that it’s okay to miss a day. Life happens. What matters is consistency over time, not perfection. The more often you journal, the more you reinforce its benefits, from clearer thinking to increased self-awareness. And when you do fall off the wagon, don’t let guilt or frustration stop you from starting again. Each entry is a fresh start.
Action step: If you’ve missed a few days, don’t sweat it. Start where you left off. Instead of dwelling on missed time, focus on what you can gain from today’s journaling session.
5. Journaling for Success: Reinforcing Growth
From the ancient wisdom of Marcus Aurelius to the meticulous habits of Benjamin Franklin, journaling has been a key tool for those seeking personal and professional growth. By writing things down, you give your thoughts structure, your goals clarity, and your challenges a place to be sorted out. Journaling helps you become an active participant in your own life, shaping your decisions and learning from your journey.
5 actions steps to get started in journaling:
Set an Alarm Reminder: Schedule a daily reminder on your phone at a time that works best for you—whether it’s first thing in the morning or right before bed. This helps make journaling part of your routine.
Use a Dedicated Notebook: Choose a journal that feels good to write in and use it only for your journaling practice. Having a dedicated space for your thoughts creates a sense of importance around the habit.
Start with a Journal Prompt: If you’re stuck on what to write, use a simple prompt like “What’s one thing I learned today?” or “What am I grateful for right now?” These can help kickstart your writing.
Keep Your Journal Visible: Place your journal somewhere you’ll see it regularly, like next to your bed or coffee maker. A visible reminder can nudge you to pick it up.
Reward Yourself for Consistency: After a week or month of consistent journaling, treat yourself to something you enjoy. Positive reinforcement helps you associate journaling with reward and satisfaction.
No matter where you are in life, the habit of journaling can help you move forward. It’s a practice that reinforces itself. The more you do it, the more you get out of it.