Google Keep - A Viable Alternative to the "Five Minute Journal"

Right, due to working on the next FBA shipment to keep that ball rolling, not much time this eve to bang out the next post so going to keep this one short & to the point (in theory at least...)

The benefits of journaling are well documented so won't labour the point here.

But, from this writer's experience, it's a useful practice for:

• clarifying thoughts & feelings
• clearing the mind when "busy brain" has took hold (that over thinking loop that seems to frustratingly strike when trying to get to sleep...)
• recording positive affirmations to boost self-esteem etc
• showing gratitude
• setting goals for the day (week, month, year...)
• identifying "wins"
• etc etc etc

Now, most (busy) peeps don't have the time, nor inclination, to spend 5, 10, 30 or 60+ min jotting anything & everything down.

So, (presumably) the peeps over at Intelligent Change created the "Five Minute Journal" which, you've guessed it, looks to streamline the process into 5 min max.

Coming as a hardcover book (available a variety of fancy colours), it essentially limits each day to 1 page with prompts to record:

• 3 things that you are grateful for
• 3 things that would "make today great" (or, goals)
• 1-2 (positive) affirmations
• 3 "highlights" from the day
• 1-2 lessons from the day

This method has a lot of fans but for someone who likes to use their journal to go beyond a few bullet points (ranting about an inability to stop binge drinking when nursing another hangover etc), this structure is overly restrictive - anecdotally, it seems others are the same, including our man Tim Ferris who seemingly uses it as one of three(!) "notebooks".

Also, there are several benefits of using an electronic form so that you can journal anywhere & everywhere without lumbering a book around - rightly or wrongly, who ever goes out without their phone these days...?

There are specific journaling apps such as Daylio which are worth exploring but as it's a very personal experience, what may fit for one may not be suitable for another (note: it seems there is also an app for the "FMJ" now but most features are subject to a subscription etc... ).

Personally, have found that many of the apps out there have a lot of "bells & whistles" which may appeal to some but, fundamentally, it's getting the text down is all that matters, &, that the interface is slick so can be started with as few taps as possible.

From (probably) too much trial & error that may have involved downloading all apps from the app store & the likes of Evernote twice, have ended up using Google Keep as the primary source for the past 3+ years now.

Google's much derided app has been "chosen" as it has a v "clean" setup & you can:

• set a note to act as a "template"
• update this "template" as you establish a structure you're happy with
• search your entries for specific words etc
• use labels to group entries relating to specific topics
• hold images, links, lists & notes etc not just the journal entries 
• etc etc etc

So, fundamentally, it has a lot of flexibility with it's use & structure altered to fit personal wants.

The current "template" that's being used by this here writer is set into 3 sections:

• morning "headings" - where 3+ (positive) affirmations, 3+ things to be grateful for & 3+ goals for the day are set out (these are all minimums with goals in particular, often extending to 4 or 5+)
• the main "body" -  a space for free text describing the day & any thoughts / feelings about it or anything else (often, this will be edited at several points during the day as the mind wonders...)
• evening "headings" - where 1+ lesson, 3+ wins (good things), 1+ improvement(s) & 1+ new goal are listed (the intention is to always list more "wins" than "losses" (improvements) to ensure that the day ends net positive)

Whilst templated, the process is fluid so there are often days where there are no lessons "big enough" to warrant recording &/or there are no "meaningful" goals to be pursued in future etc - the only "rule" that's always followed is that there is more "good" than "bad" recorded (to help adopt a positive & thankful mindset).

This format may not appeal to some but it's served it's purpose for so long now (see benefits listed above), it's tough to imagine things being any different - at the end of the day, getting it done is the main thing.

If anyone's interested in getting the template, get in touch using the "Contact Form" & it'll get fired across quicker than Donald Trump gets another indictment...

To conclude, this avid "journaler" will always recommend this beneficial process to anyone but as it's so individualistic, it's suggested that those that are interested explore all the diff options available & then choose that one that will be stuck with (at least in the short term...).