Whether you keep a consistent daily journal, an occasional journal, or simply jot notes to yourself when ideas come to you, this technique can have powerful implications in helping you attain your goals.

Making Things Happen

Putting your goals, thoughts, hopes, and dreams on paper can help you actualize what matters to you most. Bring your goals and dreams to life by writing them down. Read them as often as you can to focus your mind on living the life you desire.

Try these journaling strategies to help bring all your self-improvement goals to fruition:

• Write quickly and passionately. Let the ideas flow onto the paper without dwelling on one thing for too long. Writing in this manner will allow your goals, dreams and wishes to flow out freely beyond what you thought possible!
  Try setting a time goal and writing freely without pause until the period ends. Once you’re finished, you may be surprised with what you’ve written and gain new insight and understanding from this activity.
• Write consistently. You may not be an everyday writer, but formulate a routine to keep your journal flowing. When you write on a daily or weekly basis, you’ll find a greater consistency to your thoughts and reflections.
• Set goals and reflect on them. Outline your most important self-improvement goals when you begin your journaling experience. Reflect on them often to determine whether or not you’re taking active steps toward achieving them.
• Be honest. You can be completely honest in your journal because no one else will read it but you. Share your secrets, dreams, and desires – even the ones you cannot share with anyone else. Use your journal as a sounding board, and never sacrifice honesty for any reason.
• Ask yourself tough questions. Self-reflection is an important aspect of self-improvement, and your journal can aid significantly in the reflection process. Ask yourself questions about where you’re at in life and where you want to be so you can brainstorm the necessary steps in the self-improvement process.
• Refer back to your past writing regularly. When you have a bad day, look at your positive writing to ease your thoughts. When you feel lost or unsure about yourself, look back over your goals and insights to find guidance.
  There’s a wealth of vital information in your journal if you use it consistently, and you can turn back to this information to show you where to go next.
• Choose a journal that’s right for you. Select a journal that resonates within you, something that you feel comfortable and confident writing in. You can purchase a journal from a bookstore, create your own, or simply collect loose pages in a binder. The right journal will inspire you to use it.

Simply putting your thoughts down on paper can help you realize your dreams and focus your attention on what truly matters in your life. Strive to write in your journal as often as you need, and refer back to what you write to help you keep those goals in mind. Journaling is a powerful tool, but is only effective when you’re willing to put your passion into it.

photo credit: iAreef

Every moment of my day offers me the opportunity for something wonderful. How I choose to look at these moments makes a difference in how I feel. I choose to look at my life as meaningful, peaceful, and joyful.

Whether I am alone or surrounded by others, my life is full of treasured moments. Everyone I meet has the opportunity to join me in the joyous celebration of life! I see the value in all people, no matter who they are.

I bring beauty to my own life and to the lives of others. By savoring my life, I give thanks to the life force that creates and sustains me. Each day I look for things that bring me joy. Every day I find moments I can savor and appreciate.

No matter what is happening in my life, I know I am valuable and my life has meaning and purpose. Because I see the beauty in my life, I am able to accept what comes to me and appreciate all of it. I am brave and courageous, and I live each moment.

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There is so much beauty in life, both in big events and small, quiet happenings. I see beauty everywhere I look and find joy, peace, and love. I attract it from others and radiate it back to the universe to come around again.

Today, I appreciate and make use of every moment I have been given.

Self-Reflection Questions:

photo credit: Alloyous

People are attracted to me because I am a strong and independent individual with a healthy self-esteem. When I am comfortable with the person I am, I allow others to feel at ease around me.

I have realistic expectations of my friends and myself. I accept others just the way they are, without judgment. In order to have meaningful friendships, I must first be a good friend myself. Then, in return, others respect me and accept me for who I am.

My positive attitude makes me a pleasure to be around. I guard my speech to ensure that it is free from judgment and negativity, and full of laughter. Time spent with me is refreshing and peaceful.

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My friends talk to me about things of substance because they know I am trustworthy. I treat my relationships like a flower, nurturing them and giving them time to blossom.

I cultivate my friendships by seeking out my friends through phone calls and invitations to connect. Spending quality time together draws us closer and reaffirms our bonds.

I deserve to have meaningful relationships and enjoy the company of others. My friends and I need each other to share gifts and talents that are unique to each one of us. Meaningful relationships are a balance of give and take.

Today, I chose to strengthen my relationships by wrapping myself in positivity and practicing acceptance. I am confident in the person I am and I attract others by expressing my true heart.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I have realistic expectations of others and myself?
2. What can I do to seek out new friends or reconnect with old pals?
3. Who is one of my most meaningful friends?

My life is filled with everything good. Inside my heart there is an overabundance of positive emotions. When I think about my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all my blessings. True joy is the result of a grateful heart.

There are innumerable sources of joy in my life. My family and friends are the most precious gifts I have ever received. The unconditional love that I experience with them, especially in times of need, fill my heart with joy.

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My joy is contagious and constant. I choose to rejoice in every circumstance. I am filled with joy because I focus on the good things and give thanks for my life.

The quality of my life matters; therefore I strive to live the best life I can. My goal is not merely to survive, but to live out the plan that has been set before me.

I practice healthy habits in order to enjoy good health. Good health improves my stamina and my ability to enjoy life. When I feel good physically, I feel good emotionally.

Everywhere I look, I see a new source of happiness. I pay attention to the little details that make life great.

Each day, I aim to share a deep laugh with someone. I allow myself to release my inhibitions, throw my head back, and laugh like a child. I surround myself with happy people in order to keep the feeling alive.

Today, I choose to look at life through appreciative eyes that focus on the small things that bring me joy, health, and happiness.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What are my sources of joy?
2. How do I take care of my body?
3. What am I grateful for today?

I share my money with those who inspire me and those who need it more than I. I give generously with no thought of a “return on my investment.” I give simply for the joy of giving.

I share the fruits of my talents with others. When I learn how to build something, I build them for others as well as myself. It is the same way with any craft or skill I develop – I share what I can do with others and we all benefit.

I share my knowledge of the world around me with those it can help. I give advice and mentor others freely so that they, too, can prosper and live a fulfilled life.

I give unlimited love, support and encouragement to those whose lives cross with my own. My time is valuable not only to me, but also to those I share it with.

In many ways, each and every day, I strive to bring joy to others. Some of my actions may seem trivial, but they can brighten someone’s day. For instance, when I make eye contact with a stranger on the street and give them a warm smile, it may be the only warmth they receive that day.

I know that I can make a joyful difference in the lives of others.

Today, I plan to focus on others and do what I can to bring a ray of sunshine into their lives.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I share my money with those who need a helping hand?
2. When was the last time I went out of my way to help someone?
3. How can I spread joy in my conversations?

Here are some questions you might ask yourself:

* How important is financial wealth to me?
* Is having a happy or large family the most important thing in my life?
* Are there certain skills or gifts that I would like to master?
* When I die, what will be the most important goal I achieved?

How To Achieve Your Goals

It doesn’t really matter what you’ve set as your true calling, maybe it’s becoming a millionaire, living on the beach, or having a large family. The most important thing is that you have found your definition of greatness that personally applies to you.

Your next step is to form an action plan on how to achieve this goal. It may take a lifetime, but the only way you’re going to get there is with a plan!

Think Less Do More

It’s easy to get lost in your thoughts and plans, but you won’t achieve greatness by daydreaming alone. You need to take some powerful action to get there! Greatness won’t just fall into your lap – you need to work hard in order to get there.

Small Steps

Your definition of greatness is probably a lofty, multi-year goal, which can be a very intimidating and daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be so bad when you plan things out day by day in small, manageable steps.

It’s vital to take life day by day and, at the same time, keep the bigger picture in mind. When you set and achieve your small daily goals, you’ll build momentum without getting too overwhelmed.

Surrounded Yourself With Good People

It’s always great to be in the company of good, positive people. When you have someone you can look up to and model, you’re bringing yourself one step closer to greatness.

It’s also a good idea to be surrounded by people who can inspire, motivate, and encourage you. My biggest advice to you is to keep the negative, complaining type out of your life. Those people won’t bring you anywhere good!

Setbacks

It’s common to run into setbacks on your way to greatness. Things are not always going to turn out like you expect, but that is part of the journey to your success! When you hit a snag in the road, you need to pick yourself up, change course, and forge on.

Of course, you’ll want to maintain a high level of enthusiasm toward your goal. If a setback has got you down in the dumps, take a short break, then trudge along again! Don’t allow anything to get in the way of your goals.

You Are Already There

Every once in awhile it’s important to take a step back and reflect at your life. Are you enjoying your life and your journey? If so, then you’re actually already living your dream.

Remember: All you’ll ever have is the present moment. If you like where you are and where you’re going, greatness is already yours!

Even when change is forced upon me and brings challenges, it opens new doors of opportunity. I now realize that a change that seems devastating can actually propel me into a better life!

Where would I be today if I had not lost that job, causing me to seek a better, more fulfilling path in life? How could I have the husband I enjoy now if I had not left my old boyfriend behind?

Change is one of the blessings that come with the power of choice. I can choose to leave things the way they are, or change them to something better.

I can choose to waste my life fighting inevitable changes or take advantage of them and enjoy life. When life hands me lemons, I choose to make lemonade!

Change allows me to learn and grow. As I strive to achieve my goals, I embrace the changes in my life that bring me ever closer to success. With each change, I become more knowledgeable, stronger, and more confident that I can handle whatever life may bring.

I know that today brings its share of changes. I choose to welcome them all and allow myself to enjoy all opportunities that come my way.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What changes am I resisting in my life right now?
2. How can I embrace these changes and use them to improve my life?
3. Is there something I can change to move me closer to my goals?

When I awake in the morning, I give thanks for the new day. The good feelings I generate start my day in a perfect way, and I find that one good thing leads to another. This positive boost helps me fly through my daily tasks with energy and momentum.

I thank my spouse for the things he does for me. This makes him feel loved and appreciated and he goes out of his way to do even more good things for me. It’s a never-ending cycle of love!

I find things to thank my children for every day. When they do a good job on anything, I thank them for their effort, motivating them to continue. My happiness is even greater when I see them, too, discovering the joys of gratitude and telling others, “Thank you.”

As my day goes on, I thank my co-workers for their efforts and my clients for their business. In return, I receive their loyalty and friendship.

I thank my friends for being there for me. They’re always there to lend a helping hand and cheer me on.

I realize that even the challenges of my day arise for good reason and I’m grateful for the lessons I learn from these obstacles. Invariably, my challenges bring me closer to my goals, in one way or another, as I seek solutions.

Today, I strive to feel gratitude, enjoy it, and let it show in how I treat others.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I let myself feel and enjoy gratitude and its benefits?
2. How has showing someone my gratitude brought me something good in return?
3. How can I show my gratitude more often?

Each morning, as the dawn brings me a new day, I look forward with excitement to living with purpose. Each day brings me new opportunities. It’s like I get a fresh start on life every morning, and I love this feeling!

I make no pre-suppositions about what the day will bring. If it brings challenges, I know I have the confidence to find solutions to overcome them. If it brings pleasant things, I can enjoy them and be grateful for their presence.

Living my life one day at a time also gets me through the hard times in my life. If it’s a particularly difficult day, I remind myself that, “This, too, shall pass,” and I know that it is only one step – one day – in my life’s journey.

I make the best of every day, for I know that I will not have this opportunity again. When I make a conscious effort to take advantage of everything each day brings, I find that there are more and more great days after that!

Making a habit of taking life one day at a time reduces my stress, makes my life more exciting, and brings me more joy than anything else I could do.

Today, I choose to let the past stay in the past, let the future bring what it may, and immerse myself in this present day.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I live my life one day at a time?
2. How much time do I waste each day worrying about the past or the future?
3. Do I wake up each morning with excitement about the new day?

Often what I send out comes back in unexpected ways. I don’t expect, for instance, to get rich because I bought coffee for the homeless man on the corner!

But I do believe that the kindness I send out into the world bounces back to me in some form. It may be sooner or later, but it always comes back.

I recognize that it is counterproductive to give only because of what I might receive in return. Doing so voids the point. I give simply because people are in need.

As part of a family, community and society, I know that I need to help meet the needs of others. And by being confident that my own needs will be met, I am free from the tendency to hang on too tightly to what is mine.

I believe that we are all fluid at our core. We are meant to overlap each other. When I am stingy with my resources and emotions, I build a wall around my little pool.

Sure, the gorgeous fish that I’ve stocked my pool with won’t get away, but my wall also closes off the source of freshness and life. In due time, my pool would become stagnant.

When I remain generous with my resources, I am free flowing and open to the influx of life from all around me.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I hoard my resources out of fear that my own needs won’t be met?
2. When was the last time I gave to someone in need?
3. Does my life reflect a kind and generous spirit?