Importance of Journaling
Two (2) additional recent articles I found from Jeffrey Ton and Aytekin Tank about the importance of journaling as a leader emphasize the benefits of reflection, greater self awareness, and personal / professional growth from the practice of journaling.
Jeffrey Ton of Ton Enterprises, LLC published an article on his website in August 2020 and the article by Aytekin Tank CEO of Jotform was published on Entrepreneur.com (https://www.entrepreneur.com/) in December 2019. Both credit journaling to their leadership success.
Aytekin’s article is titled, “How Journaling Can Make You a Better Entrepreneur and Leader”. Aytekin goes as far as saying, “The most important words you write are ones no one will ever read.”
In the article, Aytekin Tank highlights that reflection is important in leadership. And journaling provided an outlet for Aytekin Tank to do just that.
Aytekin’s article states, “Research shows that people who engage in reflection are happier people and higher performers than those who do not. It makes sense. High performers and happy people learn from their mistakes.” Journaling allows time to reflect on learnings and mistakes and to take actionable steps to grow and move forward.
Aytekin also suggests that journaling provides a creative outlet. Journaling using freewriting, "cultivates consistency and creativity."
Aytekin Tank is the founder and CEO of JotForm, the easiest online form builder. JotForm was ranked in the 2016 Entrepreneur 360™ List, an annual ranking of the most entrepreneurial private companies in the U.S.
Jeffrey Ton is an author, speaker and led teams in the technology field as small as 5 and as large as 50.
In the article posted on Jeffrey Ton’s website (https://jeffreyston.com/), the following is included, “Journaling has been a part of many successful leaders for centuries. The library is full of biographies and autobiographies of business leaders, government leaders, and thought leaders. The common thread, most kept some sort of record (uh, journal) of their thoughts, insights, and activities.”
A journal is a powerful tool. “Not only does it help you to keep track of details that would be lost to time, but it provides a way to learn from the past…your past. Part of the magic of keeping a journal is to re-read it, weeks, months, even years later. The magic? The lessons change! Why? The journal hasn’t changed…you have!”
As Aytekin Tank mentions in his article, Jeffrey Ton states with great passion, “Keeping a journal is a great way to understand who you are and what you want and need from your career. I know I have written of this in prior posts…I just can’t emphasize the importance enough.”
Here are direct links to the articles if you are interested in reading them:
- Aytekin Tank’s article: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/343680
- Jeffrey Ton’s article: https://jeffreyston.com/2020/08/04/leadership-thought-lets-do-coffee/
In summary, journaling is an important tool as a leader. It helps develop clarity, enhanced intention, self awareness, and provides time for reflection for personal and professional growth. Journaling also provides a creative outlet to enhance your thinking, breakthrough creative blocks, and to crystalize your purpose and vision.
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