Journaling to create prompts

When I first started journaling, I used to journal about my day.

I was either in my final year of high school or in college (time blurs when you are older). Life was exciting and I was meeting new people and learning new things.

However, as I settled into a routine, the novelty of each day reduced, and my journal entries became boring. Journaling became an unfulfilling experience.

That’s when I switched to prompt-based journaling.

I decided that if I had a more focused approach to journaling, by being more intentional, I could gain more from the exercise.

So, I spent a lot of time journaling just trying to come up with the right prompt (or prompts) to get the clarity I needed.

For example, at one point I was learning coding.

A bad prompt would have been “How can I avoid failing while learning coding?” because that pre-supposes that I am likely to fail, and it implies that failure is something to avoid, when in fact, it is part of growth.

A better prompt would have been “What specific aspect of my coding journey do I struggle with, and how can I practice it more effectively?”, which enables growth.

So, please adapt any prompt if you feel it doesn’t quite give you the answers you need. I will be creating some prompt resources in the coming months that will hopefully give better direction.

Today’s Prompts

1 - Reflection

What specific aspect of learning this skill do I struggle with, and how can I practice it more effectively? How can I improve my approach to the challenge?

2 - Reflection

Who inspires me, and what about their path resonates with me?

3 - Reflection

Why do I want to master this skill? Why is it important that I do it well?

3 - Quote of the day

"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." – Aldous Huxley

4 - The 'If you don’t have time’ Prompt

What are three resources (books, courses, mentors) that could help me improve?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!