Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Gentlefolk, start your journals

Step right up ladies and gents and see the marvels of keeping your own journal. You’ll be amazed and astounded at how this one small change in your lifestyle can impact your success. Experience the therapeutic value to mind, body, and soul today for the low admission price of just paper, pen, and a bit of time.


 I channel carnival hawkers and infomercial stars when I get excited about a topic. Journal keeping is one of those exciting topics. In the upcoming weeks I’ll have a series of articles published on journal keeping and may even have a few videos online too.


Journal keeping is the closest thing I’ve ever found to the “cure-all, end-all, be-all, most amazing, life changing practice on the planet.” There’s even a satisfaction guarantee! That’s right folks, if you’re not completely satisfied with the journal keeping process in 90 days, you can get a 100% refund of the price you paid to read this blog post.


Develop a regimen
At its core, journal keeping is an exercise. Like any new exercise program you will need to start from your experience level and work from there. Check my web site for detailed information about starting from your current level of fitness. http://www.nachattin.com/articlejournalstart.html


Here are a few basic tips to get you going:


There’s no time like the present, keeping a journal does not need to wait until you have the perfect moment—there are rarely any perfect moments. 
  • Find paper and pen or use your computer’s word processing program to begin. You don’t have to get the perfect book or font to begin, that can all develop as you go along.
  • Chose the best time to journal and add it to your schedule as you would a doctor appointment or an exercise routine. Try out a few different time slots to find the one or combination of times that’s best for you.
  • Begin with 15 minutes a day and work up to 30 minutes a day.
  • Date your entries at the top or the bottom of the entry.
  • Create a first line that can get your words moving every time you start to journal. Make it positive and short. Some examples:
 The best thing about this very moment is
Drifting thoughts from my precious mind
Hello superstar—or any other positive nickname

  • Commit to putting down words for your allotted time. Discard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and all the other limitations that prevent you from just going to the page. Lists, questions, key words, quotes, and even doodling shapes among your words are all great starting tools. 
  • End your entry with a point of gratitude—list three things you are grateful for in this moment or write a personal affirmation or just say good bye to your page in a positive way. 


Blessings journal by NAChattin 2007


A wonderful world awaits you as you practice the art of journal keeping. Impress your mind, body, and spirit with the clarity, success, and healing that you deserve.