Are you too busy? Journaling Saves Time

Are you too busy?

Do you have at least an hour a day Monday-Friday, and at least two hours per day on the weekends, of free time?

If not, you are TOO busy.

Do you journal at least an hour a day--and have an hour to two of free time--through stealing time? Try it. It works. I've mentioned it before, but we each have lots of down time in our day--where we are waiting and can journal.

I guarantee if you journal at least an hour a day, you will have MORE free time and will be less busy. Do you want to know why? Your journaling puts your proprieties in order and you start to do what you do in a more productive way. It saves time. Think I'm crazy? Try it for 90 days and get back to me. You'll see what I mean.

Steal some journaling time: when you are on hold, while waiting in a line, while cooking, while waiting for appointments, on break, in the restroom, in the car driving, while exercising, etc. I'm talking journal with a pen or computer--or an audio tape, ion case you were wondering.

Journal more and save time. Trust me. It works. And, you'll be less stressed and anxious, less tired, and will feel more purposeful as well.

How can you beat that?

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

A Warning to Journalkeepers: Keep Journaling and Be Blessed

Note: Even if you are not going through a hard time in your life or in your journaling, read this blog post. You need to know what to do and expect when it happens. I guarantee. It will happen. 

There will be times when you go through challenges in your life. Things pop up and you can't journal or write--or do either like you would prefer. You're too busy trying to get through the challenge. 

Or, journaling might lose its appeal for a while.

Or, you might get too busy to journal. 

Tragedy also might happen.

Take all of these for what they are. Each of these things is meant to keep you from journaling or journaling as deeply as you should. 

What this usually means is you've struck a chord. You are on the precipice of something wonderful. you are on your way to a major breakthrough. Something amazing is about to happen. (I cannot stress this enough.) 

But, it will only happen, if you keep journaling. 

Granted, you might not want to journal. Or, you might be too busy putting out fires to be able to journal. Or, your journaling might be trash (in your opinion, but not in reality) and not what it could be. 

Whatever you, do not ever stop journaling. That's your biggest mistake if you do. You will lose your rhythm and your train of thought. The breakthrough will be hindered and halted. In fact, it might pass you by because you didn't seize the moment. 

So, whatever you do, KEEP JOURNALING. Do not stop. Ever. 

In fact, during these times, journal more. If you journal more trash than anything, it's okay. Even the trash will be useful to you later. Trust me. Persevere. 

Keep journaling.

And, add a comment to any blog post -or get on my Google+ community and say, "Help! I am struggling." Let the community rally behind you. We can encourage you and help you through whatever you are dealing with.

Give your journal a chance.

Give us a chance.

And, great things will happen. 

They really will. You will be greatly blessed. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper

The way

Journaling helps find your way.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writing

Journaling 101

I am part of a collaborative blog with Lynda and Raymonde. It's called  THE JOURNALING PATH.

Every Wednesday and Friday, I contribute and write for a collaborative blog called, THE JOURNALING PATH, with Lynda and Raymonde. I am writing a Journaling 101 series every Wednesday and giving a journaling exercise or prompt every Friday. But, read Lynda's or Raymonde's stuff, too! They are much more eloquent than I am and have a wonderful take of their own in the world of journaling. Also check out their blogs and their Google+ communities. (Take a look at the side of my blog and their blogs are listed there. Or, go to The Journaling Path and their information is there.) They are wonderful resources to add to your storehouse of journaling material.

My Journaling 101 series started three weeks ago and is for beginning journalkeepers and for those who want to get another take on journaling.  Here are the blog posts so far and in order:

~ http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com/2013/01/journaling-101-introduction.html

~ http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com/2013/01/journaling-101-reasons-to-journal.html

~ http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com/2013/01/journaling-101-i-now-have-journal-now.html

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Experiment

Experiment as you journal. Figure out what works for you today and what doesn't. Then, when it stops working, try something else. 

My goal is to provide you with endless options so you can journal any time, no matter what. 

So, experiment. And have fun doing it as you journal.

~ Stacy Duplease

Sanctuary

Your journal is a sanctuary.

~ Stacy Duplease

Ideas for journaling entries: The news

Did you make sure to write about the Algerian hostage situation and the Inauguration of the president?

It's important to put news in your journals--to help bring proper context of your journal entries, how the world is, how the nation is, and how it impacts your life. every news story impacts us. Every story does, after all. 

So, do not forget to write about those two things, and anything else in the news that captures your eye or heart.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Daily Word Count Goals: A Tip and a Tracking System

I want to share this new Daily Word Count Goal Tracking System with the writers who read this blog. But, it would also work for journalkeepers to track if your journal each day--and if you want to do a minimum word count goal daily. 

I am always looking to streamline how I do things--regarding my writing and journaling. This includes how I keep track of my word count goals. Consequently, two weeks ago, I started a new system and it is one I like the most so far and, when I can write and am not trying to avoid getting really sick, I've found that I really like this new system and it inspires me. 

Now, you need to know that I started to write one version of my memoir and decided on a new angle, so I started to write the book over from the new angle. Therefore  I had to start all over with my word count goals. I still want to accomplish 1,000 words per day Monday-Friday of writing in 2013. Therefore  as of today, I have 14,000 words due that I need to write. I have 5,000. I am 9,000 words short, needless to day. And, it took me less than a minute to figure that all out because of my new word count goal tracking system. 

So, what is this new tracking system? 

I printed out on one page a 2013 calendar. At the top, I wrote, "Due: 1,000 words per day, Monday-Friday." Then, I wrote: "/ shows 1,000 words are due." Then, "X shows that 1,000 words were written. Meaning, I hand-write in a color ink one half of an "x" on the date that 1,000 words are due. I finish the X with another color of ink to designate that I got that word count goal done. 

Therefore, when I look at my calendar this morning, I can easily see that I have 9 days of writing I need to get done to get caught up. 

It's the easiest system I've found since I devoted myself to writing daily, Monday-Friday (at least) 11 years ago. I usually get about 1,000 words extra done on Saturday and Sunday as well, but I give myself two days a week to rest and if I get anything done, great. It's a bonus.  

I am sharing this with you because it is so easy and I cannot wait to watch as the days get more X's on it throughout the year. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Writer

How to get the most out of your journaling

Do you want to know the secret about how to get the most out of your journaling?

The answer is simple: Journal every single day.

Journal as often as you can throughout the day.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Wednesday Journaling Exercise

Note: Whenever I mentioned memories, I mention memories or memorable memories. That does not necessarily mean just the happy/good ones. It means literally, the most memorable ones. Also, this can include: questions, thoughts, experiences, aha moments, and even past memories recalled.

Grab your favorite beverage and your journal. Re-read the last couple of days in your journal and answer these following questions:

~ What jumped out to you most?

~ Write a summary fo the last couple of days. 

~ What are your top three memorable memories from this week so far?

~ What does the rest of your week hold?

~ Journal something from Monday or Tuesday that you wished you could write more about, but didn't. Do at least one if not three or more. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Journaling Exercises in General

I want to make something perfectly clear. Any journaling exercise or prompt I mention in this blog is a mere suggestion. It's something to help you if you get stuck or want to do something different.

However, with that being said, these exercises are proven to work well. If you want to get the most out of your journaling  I would try each. Figure out what works for you and how to tweak it to your preference. 

The point of this blog is to help you get your life on the page--the past, present, and future--so that you can leave your legacy and your story is remembered to the year 2121 and beyond.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

MINING YOUR MEMORIES WITH LISTS JOURNALING EXERCISE

LIST TO DETAILS

The best journaling helps you to put your life on the page and leave your legacy. It also helps you to dig deeper and live a fuller, deeper, and more intentional life. This is where you start to live on purpose.

However, how do you do that? What does that look like and why would you want to do that?

It's important to mine your memories. That way, you learn what is really important to you and what is less important. Every memory you have is important, it's a matter of what you find most important today and how it has shaped you to be who you are and what you have done. Get them all down on the page in lists. 

Then, you take items of each list and write more about each. You get to what is most important and what stands out most in your life--today. And you focus on that. You try to get every memory and every detail out of that (Whatever "that" is.)

For instance, take a simple coffee mug in my cabinet. It's one of two favorites. This seems simple enough and not very important. It's just a mug, after all. However, if I look further into it, the mugs are important to me. There is a reason why they are my favorites. So, I need to explore this. How do I do that? First, I do a SOC 

Both read, HISTORIC JAMESTOWN. 

MINING YOUR MEMORIES JOURNALING EXERCISE

Start with writing lists of your memories. Do all sorts of journaling prompts to make as many lists as possible (List suggestions: people, places, things/objects, memories, favorites, least favorites, 10 objects of each room of your house, songs, books, TV shows, games, specific years in your life, decades of your life, etc.).

~ Get it all down in the lists--your memories and anything else that comes to mind. Do a SOC (Stream of Consciousness) writing to get them all down. Write down everything that comes to mind in a list.

~ Then, take three of those items and write more details about each. Do a SOC on each of the three items. Do a word association, mind map, SOC, or anything else that comes to mind about each of the three items. 

~ Take those three items and write a longer journal entry on each. 

~ Write about the six senses of: smell, sight, smell, touch, taste, and perception/intuition on each of the three items. 

~ Ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about each of the three items. 

~ Then, a week from the time you finish this, do it again for this list. Choose three items to write more about. 

Then, take two weeks off and do it again.

Then, take a month off and do it again. 

Then, do it in three months.

Then, do it in 6 months.

Then, do it in one year. 

Then, do it in 1.5 years.

Then, do it in two years.

Then, do it in 5 years.
Then, do it in 10 years.
Then do it in 20 years.
Then, do it in 25 years. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease 2012.)

MINING YOUR MEMORIES WITH LISTS JOURNALING EXERCISE

LIST TO DETAILS

The best journaling helps you to put your life on the page and leave your legacy. It also helps you to dig deeper and live a fuller, deeper, and more intentional life. This is where you start to live on purpose.

However, how do you do that? What does that look like and why would you want to do that?

It's important to mine your memories. That way, you learn what is really important to you and what is less important. Every memory you have is important, it's a matter of what you find most important today and how it has shaped you to be who you are and what you have done. Get them all down on the page in lists. 

Then, you take items of each list and write more about each. You get to what is most important and what stands out most in your life--today. And you focus on that. You try to get every memory and every detail out of that (Whatever "that" is.)

For instance, take a simple coffee mug in my cabinet. It's one of two favorites. This seems simple enough and not very important. It's just a mug, after all. However, if I look further into it, the mugs are important to me. There is a reason why they are my favorites. So, I need to explore this. How do I do that? First, I do a SOC 

Both read, HISTORIC JAMESTOWN. 

MINING YOUR MEMORIES JOURNALING EXERCISE

Start with writing lists of your memories. Do all sorts of journaling prompts to make as many lists as possible (List suggestions: people, places, things/objects, memories, favorites, least favorites, 10 objects of each room of your house, songs, books, TV shows, games, specific years in your life, decades of your life, etc.).

~ Get it all down in the lists--your memories and anything else that comes to mind. Do a SOC (Stream of Consciousness) writing to get them all down. Write down everything that comes to mind in a list.

~ Then, take three of those items and write more details about each. Do a SOC on each of the three items. Do a word association, mind map, SOC, or anything else that comes to mind about each of the three items. 

~ Take those three items and write a longer journal entry on each. 

~ Write about the six senses of: smell, sight, smell, touch, taste, and perception/intuition on each of the three items. 

~ Ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about each of the three items. 

~ Then, a week from the time you finish this, do it again for this list. Choose three items to write more about. 

Then, take two weeks off and do it again.

Then, take a month off and do it again. 

Then, do it in three months.

Then, do it in 6 months.

Then, do it in one year. 

Then, do it in 1.5 years.

Then, do it in two years.

Then, do it in 5 years.
Then, do it in 10 years.
Then do it in 20 years.
Then, do it in 25 years. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease 2012.)

Journaling Quote

Journaling Tip: When you don't feel like it

Do not journal whenever you feel like it. More often than not, you probably won't feel it.

Feelings are fickle. They come and go all the time.

Rather, journal every day at a specific time. Put it on your calendar and let nothing--other than death prevent you from journaling.

Journal something. Anything.

If you feel stuck and have no idea what to journal, start with a journaling prompt. Or, flip through your journal and find the sections you have underlined, starred, or highlighted as something important and to write more about.

And keep journaling that day--even if you think it's trash.

More often than not, the days I don't feel like it, really don't want to, and think my entries stink worse than sour milk, are the precise moments that something is stirring and happening. In the next couple of days, I realize something was simmering inside, but I didn't know what it was. Then, after a couple of days, I learn what was going on. This is usually a time of transition that leads to an AHA moment. It generally leads to something big.

Granted, sometimes, it can take a couple of days, weeks, or months. But, keep journaling. The AHA and moment of enlightenment will come. Just be faithful to journaling and to the process and it will come together--in huge, magnificent  awe-inspiring, life-changing ways.

Keep journaling--no matter what. It will all come together. Just persevere--even when you don't feel it.

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease. 2012. Zack Duplease Beagle.)

Journaling Tips

The journaling tips and suggestions I make on this blog are meant to be suggestions. Experiment with them. See what works for you. Do more. Do less. Just try what I suggest for a few times first--since there is a method to my madness. Then, adjust them to you and what works for you and to what inspires you and gets you to journal as much each day as possible. That's the whole goal. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease. Memorial at Historic Jamestown. 2012.)

Your Daily Journal Entries

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR JOURNAL ENTRY EACH DAY (or every time you journal)

1. Put the day, month, year, and time on the page.

2. Rate your day on a scale of 1-10. Explain.

3. 1-sentence summary of your day

4. 4-sentence summary of your day

5. What have you done, are doing, and will do today?

6. A journaling prompt of some kind.

7. Etc. Etc. Etc. Whatever you want. (Another journaling prompt, maybe.)

8. 3 memories from today

9. 3 memories from the past

10. Write about something in the past you wanted to write more about. 

11. Conclusion

12. Etc. Etc. Etc. Whatever you want.  (Another journaling prompt, maybe.)

For anyone who hasn't journaled before, or does not journal every day, start off with doing #1-3 each day. Once you do that for a week, add #4 for a week. Then, add #5 for another week. Etc. Do this until you do all 12. 

If you have journaled before, I would do at least #1-6 each day for a week. Then, add #7 for a week, #8 the next week, etc. until you are doing all 12.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper Author & Sci-Fi Writer

The Story of John Arundell and Roanoke (A Sci-Fi Time Travel Novel)

& the Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease. The Outer Banks. 2012.)

Your Daily Journal Entries

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR JOURNAL ENTRY EACH DAY (or every time you journal)

1. Put the day, month, year, and time on the page.

2. Rate your day on a scale of 1-10. Explain.

3. 1-sentence summary of your day

4. 4-sentence summary of your day

5. What have you done, are doing, and will do today?

6. A journaling prompt of some kind.

7. Etc. Etc. Etc. Whatever you want. (Another journaling prompt, maybe.)

8. 3 memories from today

9. 3 memories from the past

10. Write about something in the past you wanted to write more about. 

11. Conclusion

12. Etc. Etc. Etc. Whatever you want.  (Another journaling prompt, maybe.)

For anyone who hasn't journaled before, or does not journal every day, start off with doing #1-3 each day. Once you do that for a week, add #4 for a week. Then, add #5 for another week. Etc. Do this until you do all 12. 

If you have journaled before, I would do at least #1-6 each day for a week. Then, add #7 for a week, #8 the next week, etc. until you are doing all 12.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper Author & Sci-Fi Writer

The Story of John Arundell and Roanoke (A Sci-Fi Time Travel Novel)

& the Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease. The Outer Banks. 2012.)

How do you start your brand new journal?

THE TITLE PAGE

The Title Page is the first page of your journal. 

Here is what you write on the title page:

~ First, come up with a title for your journal. It’s the first line on the Title Page. On a separate piece of paper, or in a different blank document, jot down several ideas. Try stuff on and see what fits. If you’re not sure what to name it at this point, “The Journal of Your Name” works well enough (i.e. The Journal of Stacy Duplease) until you can come up with a better one. Just make sure to leave room for a new name if needed.

~ Line 2 is: “By” and your name (i.e. By Stacy Duplease).

~ Line 3 is: If lost and found, please contact me at… (Put your contact information there.)

~ Line 4 is the Start Date. So, put: “Start Date: 10 February 2121” as an example.

~ Line 5 you’ll put: End Date and make sure to add it when you finish this journal.

~ Line 6 is an inspirational quote of your choice to motivate you.

That’s it. By the way, do this every time you start a new journal. This exercise makes your journal personal to you and makes you feel possessive of it. In other words, it bonds you with your journal.

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Hatteras Lighthouse by Stacy Duplease 2012.) 

How do you start your brand new journal?

THE TITLE PAGE

The Title Page is the first page of your journal. 

Here is what you write on the title page:

~ First, come up with a title for your journal. It’s the first line on the Title Page. On a separate piece of paper, or in a different blank document, jot down several ideas. Try stuff on and see what fits. If you’re not sure what to name it at this point, “The Journal of Your Name” works well enough (i.e. The Journal of Stacy Duplease) until you can come up with a better one. Just make sure to leave room for a new name if needed.

~ Line 2 is: “By” and your name (i.e. By Stacy Duplease).

~ Line 3 is: If lost and found, please contact me at… (Put your contact information there.)

~ Line 4 is the Start Date. So, put: “Start Date: 10 February 2121” as an example.

~ Line 5 you’ll put: End Date and make sure to add it when you finish this journal.

~ Line 6 is an inspirational quote of your choice to motivate you.

That’s it. By the way, do this every time you start a new journal. This exercise makes your journal personal to you and makes you feel possessive of it. In other words, it bonds you with your journal.

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Hatteras Lighthouse by Stacy Duplease 2012.)