Reaching Your Potential: Know Yourself—Daily Journal Prompts

We don’t bat an eye at spending countless hours researching and
figuring out how to use our new cell phone and all the awesome
applications we’ve downloaded. We invest our time, money, and
resources in getting the best gadgets on the planet, forgetting
that we are our most valuable resource.


 


Imagine the difference you could make for yourself if you stopped
to notice what’s working (and not working) in your life by
consistently carving out time to reflect. Such information aids
greatly in overall energy, enthusiasm and excitement for work,
team members, and life. Your surroundings are consistently
providing feedback—the challenge is in stopping long enough to
benefit from the wisdom you receive.


 


The following are four topics you can use for daily journaling.
Pick one or two to get started, commit to writing every day, and
build from there.


 


Gratitude—what are you most grateful for and
why? (i.e. I get to swim at an awesome facility, I have wonderful
friends, and awesome cats. I’m grateful for Byron Katie, Michael
Singer, Rachel Naomi Remen, and many others for putting their
wisdom in books I get to read.)


 


Learning—what did you learn about yourself, the
world, or your surroundings in this day? (i.e. I laugh loudly
when I’m at a networking event where no one knows me, and coal
and charcoal are derived from different substances.)


 


My qualities—what positive qualities did you
demonstrate in this day? (i.e. I’m a good listener, joyful, and
patient.)


 


Contribution—whose life did you contribute to
today? (i.e. Karen got a listening ear, Mike got ice cream and a
meaningful conversation, complete strangers got to hear
authentically kind words about themselves.) The key here is to
focus on what others are getting, rather than what you’re giving.


 


Now, let’s take studying yourself to a whole new level. The
following are specific questions to answer if your having
problems getting going. Pick one or two and explore your answers
as you reflect quietly with yourself, pen to paper.


 
What most inspired (or frustrated) me in this day, or during
this time in my life, and why? When do I most feel joyful, happy,
and filled with positive energy (or irritable, anger, or
frustrated)? What’s happening, and what’s going through my mind
during these times? Who do I most enjoy sharing time with, and why?
If I could go back to school and push the restart button on my
career, what would I study, and why? If I could build a life I
never needed a vacation from, how would I structure my days? What
are some of the elements I know I’d want to include? What am I most
proud of and why? Who are the top three most inspirational people
I’ve experienced in my life, and why? Where do I most want to
forgive myself? In a year from now, I will be… Describe someone who
is a hero and describe why. Describe the culture of your work
environment. What kind of a day did you have and why? What is a
book, movie, song, or television program that has influenced you,
and how?

 


Your answers to these questions may change over time, so be sure
to come back to this list periodically, review your answers, and
make changes and updates where appropriate.


 


Ready to take this process to yet another valuable level? Once
you’ve written for a couple of weeks, conclude your writing time
by going back and reading one or two journal entries. Overtime
time you’ll begin to notice patterns, empowering you with the
information you need to make important adjustments.


 


“Don’t just get through the day, get from the day.” –Jim Rohn


 


Get from each day by reflecting, processing, and discovering your
greatness every day.


 


Here’s to Your Greatness,


 


Misti Burmeister


 


NEW! Grab your 40 minute Gearing for Greatness
session with Misti
today—http://mistiburmeister.com/GearingForGreatness


 


“Working with Misti Burmeister will be one of the best decisions
you have ever made as a leader. She helped me integrate new
behaviors and thought processes to bolster my overall leadership
presence.” –Kevin Frick, Professor and Dean, Johns Hopkins Carey
School of Business