Productivity Hacks: 5 Journaling Ideas that Will Help You Get More Done

These days, it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to manage all your work and family obligations, not to mention a to-do list that always seems to be a mile long. It can leave you feeling much like a hamster on a wheel – running fast but getting nowhere. This is where journaling can help bring a little calm to the chaos, restore a sense of order to your life AND make you more productive and focused in the process. You simply need to know what elements to include in you journal that will help to get you there on an accelerated path. Here are 5 journaling ideas that will boost your productivity and put you on the fast track to success.

• Goals: In order to be more productive, you need to have a good idea of what you’re working towards in the first place. This is why it’s important to write your goals down and have them front and center at all times to keep you focused. You can keep it simple with one daily goal at a time or look to the future with one year, 5 year or even 10-year goals that you want to accomplish. I’d suggest doing both, but don’t overwhelm yourself right at first. You can always add more to your goal list down the road. The important thing is to make this a daily habit so that you’re always aware of what you’re working towards. This will keep you focused and on track, no matter how crazy life gets.

• Daily Gratitude: Including the element of gratitude in your journal can kickstart your day with positivity and provide you with a happier, most optimistic outlook on life. Simply start each day by listing a couple things you’re grateful for. The more you do this, the more you start to notice even the smallest of blessings in your daily life. This new awareness leads to increased levels of happiness over time. The happier you are, the stronger your drive will be to get things done now and in the future. This is the perfect addition to your journal to keep you mindful in the present while working towards your ultimate goals down the road.

• Habit Tracker:  Using a habit tracker in your journal is a great way to stay focused on what you are trying to achieve by reminding yourself how far you’ve already come. No matter if you want to lose 10 pounds, write more, drink more water, read more books or simply cut down on social media use, a habit tracker is the perfect way to stay motivated and on top of your goals. Having a habit tracker on hand will help you prioritize what habits are most important to you, while weeding out all the rest. Not only that, it holds you accountable to the things you promised yourself you would do. Plus, there is nothing quite like checking off that box every day when you’re done with a certain task – so satisfying!

• Daily Log/To-Do List: While journaling is great for long term goals, it’s also the perfect place to stay on top of all your current tasks. It’s easy to allow yourself to get distracted by the chaos of life. Having a daily log or to-do list within your journal will help keep you organized and focused so that you complete the things you need to do instead of forgetting them by mistake. Instead of filling your hours with busy work that really doesn’t move you forward, a daily log will help you prioritize those important tasks and focus on the ones that are truly necessary.

• Empower Yourself: Include a section in your journal that inspires and empowers you to dream bigger, work harder and become the best version of yourself. From motivational quotes and phrases to personal development books to podcasts you want to listen to, fill this area with anything and everything that empowers you to keep moving forward. When you fill your world with positive, inspirational thoughts and material, it’s so much easier to stay motivated and productive when it comes to reaching your ultimate goals.

Including a few important elements into your journal can make all the difference when it comes to boosting your productivity and getting things done, no matter how crazy life may get.