I love this adage I’ve heard Michael Hyatt use several times, “Thoughts untangle themselves through lips and pencil tips.” Untangling our thoughts is a crucial skill for all leaders. Essentially, it is our thoughts that shape our words and actions – our leadership. They are the roots from which we provide vision, encouragement, direction and influence. One of the best ways for leaders to untangle their thoughts is through journaling.
The truth of this adage is something I wish I’d realized sooner. For a while I dismissed journaling, viewed it as a waste of time, just a historical record of a day’s events. I took it for a few test drives but never really made it part of my life.
However, a couple of years ago, I was encouraged to give it another shot. I dove in and really stuck with it. Today, journaling is part of my morning routine. Most importantly, I continue to grow as a person and a leader as I reap the benefits of this daily practice.
Boiling it down from my experience, I’d say there are 8 advantages to journaling.
1. Self-awareness
As leaders, the most important influence we have is over ourselves. As I journal, I become more aware of my thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Patterns emerge. As a leader, it all begins with knowing thyself.
2. Clarity of thought (it really is true!)
I don’t know about you, but I have ideas, opinions and perspectives about all sorts of topics. Writing forces me to make at least a little sense and gain some ownership of my words. Doing so helps me to sort through my scattered ramblings and gain focus, control, perspective and clarity.
3. Remain grateful
When I journal about the joys, blessings and gifts in my life, I feel more grateful. It’s too easy today to feel entitled and proud. Journaling about the things I’m grateful for is my way of fighting back and cultivating much healthier emotions.
4. Self-critique
I am my toughest critic. Maybe you are yours too. However, critiques aren’t just for failures. Journaling provides me a place to hash through what worked and what didn’t, why I messed up, what I should’ve said. It is a place that I can be brutally honest and also gracious as I lead myself to be a better leader.
5. Capture the highlights
While similar to experiences I’m grateful for (#3), not all highlights bring gratitude. My journal is a place for me to reflect on the good things that happen each day. Sometimes they’re planned, like dinner with friends. Other times they are completely unexpected. Either way, it is good for all of us to acknowledge and remember that good things happen in our lives. It triggers a different mindset and promotes the optimism that all leaders need.
6. Ask hard questions
Do I have what it takes? How can I help our team perform better? Am I showing my family I love them every day? Am I truly living out my faith? Is that the right person for the job? Life is full of hard questions. As Einstein is credited for saying, “the quality of your answers is in direct proportion to the quality of your questions.” As a leader, make sure you are asking yourself the tough questions about yourself, your business and your team.
7. Distill learning experiences
I am a learner. Not only do I learn from my own performance, wins and losses, I also learn from others. I read, listen to podcasts, attend conferences and have great conversations. All of those are learning opportunities and often I want to remember and learn from them. Reflecting on the things I learn is definitely an advantage that helps me grow as a leader.
8. Reflect on experiences that move you
While out for a run recently, I ran past a house with lots of “Welcome Home” signs and decorations out front for a Soldier’s return from deployment. That moved me. I saw a beautiful sunset yesterday. It moved me. Lots of experiences impact our emotions, touch us in a personal way. Reflecting on them helps us connect with what we care about, appreciate and find meaningful. As leaders, we need to be familiar with these places in our hearts and minds.
As it turns out, I don’t use pencil tips exactly. I use a keyboard and some software (currently DayOne), but the adage seems to hold true. Each morning I spend time untangling my thoughts. As I do, I reap interest-earning rewards that pay huge dividends, not just for me, but those I lead and impact. The way I see it, each day I journal is another day invested in my growth – because there is plenty of room to grow. Dive in, get started and earn the advantages that will take your leadership to the next level.
Question: Do you journal? What’s been your experience with it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Link:
- App: Day One