Journaling – Marc Scott Coaching

People often ask me about the different tools and resources I use to run my voice over business. In fact, I even published an eBook that offers some insights and answers to that very question (Tools in My Voice Over Toolbox).

One of the tools not included in the book is one I wasn’t using at the time. It’s my personal planner.

Until 2017, I was very much a digital guy. My goals and plans were tracked using a spreadsheet and Evernote. Since I basically always have my phone with me, or at the very least, some form of digital access – be it computer, phone, tablet or otherwise – keeping stuff in the cloud seemed like the best solution.

Until the fall. When I read a few different blogs and articles about journaling and using a planner.

I decided to give it a try. I’m open to any new suggestions. Especially if they can increase my productivity, focus or help me achieve my goals.

My Personal Planner Preference

After some research, I settled on the Ink+Volt Planner.

This year has been the first year I’ve kept a handwritten planner / journal. So far, I’m loving it.

I can’t quite explain what it is, but there’s just something totally different about taking time each week to thoughtfully and intentionally write goals and make plans. Then, keep yourself accountable to those goals and plans by spending some time journalling your progress each day.

It’s absolutely different from using a digital tool.

And, for me anyway, it’s made a big difference. After the first quarter of 2017, I’m already well ahead of where I was at the end of Q1 in 2016. Much of that credit unquestionably goes to my Ink+Volt Planner, and the way it’s made to rethink the way I do things.

“There’s something different about taking time each week to thoughtfully and intentionally write goals and make plans.”

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Start Writing Things Down

I’ve always said that goals need to be written down. It just never occurred to me how much of a difference there could be between writing them on a computer and writing them on paper. Trust me, there’s a difference!

Success doesn’t happen by accident. Goals don’t get checked off without a plan.

If you’ve never tried using a personal planner, I highly recommend you give it a shot!

New Year’s Resolutions aren’t really my thing. I’m more of a goals guy. I suppose some might think the two are interchangeable. Perhaps, to a degree, that may be true. I guess I just see goals as being much more involved. More thought out. Better planned. Resolutions often seem too general. A happy thought, tossed into the ether on a whim.

If I’m going to accomplish anything, I need a plan. Hence, goals.

My New Years Resolution

However, this year, for the fun of it, I decided to make a New Year’s Resolution. Something I wanted to pursue throughout the year that was good for me. Just not necessarily something involved enough to be a full-fledged goal.

For years I’ve read about the benefits of journaling. It’s a habit all the great entrepreneurs and most successful people practice daily. Being a great entrepreneur is a goal of mine. However, I’ve never been able to commit myself to journaling.

Until 2016.

That’s my resolution. To journal.

Here we are, two weeks into the new year. I’ve been journaling, (at the time of this blog) for exactly 14 days. I’m hooked. Entirely. In actuality, I’ve been questioning myself as to why I didn’t start doing this sooner! Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20.

Even in the short time since I began, I’ve already seen several incredible benefits which will now motivate me to keep this up throughout the year.

5 Reasons You Need To Start Journaling

1) Downloading My Thoughts: As someone who has insomniac tendencies, there’s nothing more frustrating than laying in bed at night, desperately wanting to be asleep, but instead, processing what seems to be an endless string of thoughts and ideas. Journaling seems to have solved this. Taking a few minutes to jot down what’s in my head before turning in for the night has resulted in some of the best sleep I’ve had in months!

2) Personal Accountability: One of the most vital pieces of the puzzle when it comes to accomplishing your goals is accountability. By writing down my daily activity, I’ve inadvertently created a new layer of accountability in my life. My journal tracks my progress.

3) Attitude Check: At the end of each day, one of the things I journal is my accomplishments. I document each blessing. Be it a booked voice over, a new client, a new opportunity or anything else worth celebrating. Ending my day this way, on a positive and reflective note, has also turned into a better start each morning. That was an unexpected side affect that’s kept me smiling for two weeks!

4) Creative Wellspring: Although the original intent of my journal was to simply document what I’ve been doing, it’s turned into something more. A launching pad for what’s to come! By reflecting on each days efforts and celebrating the successes, another surprise benefit has been how this act, has inspired me to new ideas. Writing down what’s working has sparked my mind to even more things to try.

5) Boosted Self Confidence: By the very practice of writing down what I’ve accomplished on a given day, I’m re-enforcing for myself my ability to do what I do for a living. Whether it’s a booked voice over, a successful coaching session or selling a course. My confidence is higher in the two weeks since I began journaling than it’s been in the two months prior to getting started.

January 1, I never would’ve guessed I’d see any of these benefits. Even if I had considered it as plausible, I certainly never would’ve believed it would happen so fast!

Now I understand why all the most successful people journal. If I’m enjoying these five unexpected benefits in just two weeks, I can’t wait to see how I feel after a couple months!