Journey and Journal have the same root word – and for good reason. “Jour” means day and a journey is captured best one day at a time.

It’s amazing how much you can learn about yourself and increase your self-awareness when you journal. Seeing things on paper is a little different than just thinking about them. Reflection can be just as powerful as action.

Reviewing your day and your thoughts can be a powerful tool for self-awareness and personal growth.

You can learn something from each day, but only if you have the intention of doing so. Journaling provides the insight to make positive changes to yourself and your life.

Use these journaling techniques to learn more about yourself and enhance your rate and depth of personal development.

1. Make journaling a habit. Write in your journal daily to get the maximum effect. Journaling less frequently will inhibit your ability to see patterns of behavior that may hold the key to greater insight. When you journal each day, you’ll feel motivated to have something to write about. Set aside 15-30 minutes each morning and/or evening to make journaling a habit.

2. Review your day. Begin each journal entry by noting where you at emotionally, physically, and mentally. Being more present is one of the hidden benefits to a journaling practice. Cast aside worries and fears and regrets by noting them in your “check in” with yourself, then spend time planning or reviewing your day. What happened? What do you want to happen? Record anything you might want to remember in the future, whether it’s a day or 50 years from now. Hit the highlights and be willing to be honest with yourself.

3. Look for ways to improve. When you lay out your day in front of you, you’ll notice ways you can improve. It might be dealing with difficult people more effectively or deciding to look for a new job. Engage in your writing with a developmental mindset. Sketch out plans (literally draw them if you like) for future hope and dreams and note necessary resources and support ideas.

4. List your challenges and strengths. Write about the challenges you’re facing in your work and life. Make note of your successes. Put them down on paper and see them from a different perspective. Set up interviews and chats with network connections and keep a record of their suggestions and advice.

• What are your personal goals? What attributes would you like to improve? Are you impatient? Do you want to work on your social skills? Do you lack goals? What can you work on to enhance your qualities or skills?

5. Use writing prompts. There are books on journaling prompts. These are questions you can ask yourself and then write your responses to them. Here are several to get you started:

• My three greatest strengths are…

• My three greatest weaknesses are… (also list some ways to overcome them.)

• My version of success is…

• I would be happier if…

• If I could travel anywhere, it would be…

• My biggest mistake was…

• If I could start over, I would…

• The most important things I can do to improve my life are…

• How would you like to be remembered?

• What is something you want to learn? Why?

• Describe yourself in detail. Include the positive and the negative.

6. Review your experiences and look for turning points. Write about your home life and schooling as a young child. What were your teens like? What were the mistakes you made along the way? How have you ended up where you are?

• How have your perceptions and understanding of life changed over the years? What do you want to change going forward?

• If you could redo certain parts of your life, what would you do instead?

The basis for personal growth is gaining a greater understanding of yourself. Journaling is an effective way to accomplish this. Create a journaling habit and watch your personal growth take off.

Which of the prompts inspire you to get started? Share below and let us know.