What’s on your mind? The power of journaling

For a lot of people, the thought of journaling sounds like writing in a diary, but it can be much more than that. Journaling is a powerful outlet to jot down thoughts, questions or insights, and it can help settle the brain and create greater self-awareness; a key component in career self-management. Allow yourself five minutes to write down your thoughts. Journaling is a habit that can be done by anyone and can have lasting results.

Benefits of journaling

Generate greater self-awareness

Journaling can act as a self-reflective mirror. It can support you on your path of self-discovery, create a sense of purpose or even lead you to be appreciative of your own actions. This simple technique has been proven to have strong correlations with Emotional Intelligence and increases self-regulation and self-awareness.

Act as a catalyst for change

There are no right or wrong answers when journaling. Sometimes, our lives can be so busy that we deprive ourselves of thinking about what’s next or having 'blue sky' brainstorming sessions. Both are healthy to sustain growth and maintain a positive outlook in life. Stop thinking and start doing. Let it be a morning burst, review your goals and then start letting your inner thoughts become your reality.

Clear your emotions

Several studies have proven that journaling can reduce stress. Some benefits include:

Increased focus
Empowerment
Increased clarity
Releasing emotions and tension
Lessen anxiety
Letting go of the past

When your emotions have completely taken over your body, use journaling to understand how you’re feeling and why. You’ll be amazed by the power.

Want to get started? Here are a few prompts to try:

What are you grateful for today?
How could you have made today better?
What am I most proud of?
I couldn’t imagine my life without…
I feel most energized when…
Write down your long list of to-do's

For more prompts to a greater self-reflection and self-discovery visit this related blog post on psychcentral.com.

Journaling for just five minutes a day can have a lasting impact on your personal and professional life. Active journaling also helps you develop your emotional intelligence and has proven linkages to performance.

Here’s our challenge to you—journal for five minutes a day for one week and let us know by email what impact it has had on your life.

Want to hear more? Take our survey and your idea could become the topic of upcoming alumni UBC career programming.