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Would you like to improve your problem solving and decision-making skills, increase your creativity and emotional intelligence, all without talking to anyone, taking a class, going online or reading a book? There is a secret ingredient that can do all that. It will give you an edge, a skill set that will expand your insight and help you to improve professionally and/or personally. You can utilize it in the privacy of your own home with only a pencil and paper. I am talking about journaling. A way to take unorganized information out of your head and put it in front of you, where your brain can finally focus and process the information.

Today, I welcome back Andrea Dale, my professional business coach, who joined me November 1, 2019 for Episode 43, “Hike Your Own Hike - in Health”. We discussed Andrea’s take on what I call “Keep your eyes on your own paper”.

The topic for today is journaling.

Andrea is a strong believer in the benefits of putting pencil (or pen) to paper.

“Over time, journaling has improved my ability to achieve my goals, adopt new habits, stay resilient, successfully navigate change and work from my strengths.”

https://www.tothepoint.coach/andrea-dale-blog/2019/5/9/14-ways-to-channel-yoda

Are you, like Andrea, wondering “Why should I journal?” Have you always viewed this more as fluff? Journals look pretty sitting around, but does it actually provide anything more than something fun to do while sipping a cup of coffee? Not satisfied with just her own success with journaling, Andrea looked into the science-based research behind it.

The answer is YES IT MATTERS!

“Writing by hand accesses the thinking side of your brain; so you can bring your analytical and creative sides to your work and life.

A type of journaling called “Expressive Writing” can speed up recovery from physical injury.

Choosing to write about your most challenging issues can increase your self-awareness and help you intentionally focus on what is most important to you.”

https://thebestbrainpossible.com/writing-improves-brain-heal-emotions-health-journaling/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/writing-can-help-injuries-heal-faster/

You can get a lot done by writing with your favorite electronic word processor, but it doesn’t have the same effect as actually writing your thoughts long-hand, with pen and paper.

When you put your thoughts on paper, by hand, it turns on the analytical side of your brain.

You can ask yourself “Is this worth my time? Is what I think true? How am I doing today”? You can be honest with yourself. You don’t have to solve anything, but just writing it down can be a source of comfort and security. You don’t have to remember things; you can be more objective, and you can question your thoughts in the privacy of your own journal.

“Catch and Release” is another benefit of journaling. When you are very emotional, angry, sad etc., writing down your thoughts (catching them), expels energy and releases some of the emotion so that you can evaluate the issue at a later time when you are t