We hear so much about gratitude journaling, and it is a common recommendation and practice amongst a lot of self-help groups and leaders.
I have attempted numerous times to start a gratitude journal and I get about 4 days in and I just forget to do it. It's not that I don't have anything to be grateful for, its just for some reason, it falls away to the side.
I was listening to a podcast (yes, serial podcast listener here!) on my morning walk one day and the guest was discussing something in relation to the power of accomplishing things. For the rest of my walk, the idea of accomplishing things was at the forefront of my ever active mind. I got home and took off my rain covered shoes in the garage and placed them on the shoe rack. As I did, an idea came to mind... an accomplishment journal!
It feels really bloody good to accomplish things. There is nothing grander than standing tall feeling all proud and chuffed with a "go me!" sense of achievement. It gives us that much loved hit of dopamine reward and makes us feel good about ourselves. It brings us a sense of elevation and elation. So why not celebrate that and document it each time we do?
The human mind has a tendency toward focusing on a negative experience over a positive one... from an evolutionary survival perspective, it's a good thing because we certainly don't want to be carelessly wandering out in front of a pack of lions for them all to see. The lions see you and you run, and you certainly reevaluate your actions, so as not to make that mistake again otherwise you won't live to see another day. In modern times, it also serves us. Focusing on something in which we made a mistake helps us learn, self correct and gives us experience.
However, we NEED to celebrate our accomplishments. Without it, we'll just focus on all the mistakes (a.k.a. learning experiences) and life won't feel that amazing. Focusing on our accomplishments brings balance into our life experiences. It helps create more of that "heck yeah, I can do it!" attitude. And, what better way than to start documenting our accomplishments in a journal?
It can be done in several ways:
Writing them down in that moment when you accomplish something
Each evening before you go to bed
At the end of each week
It comes down to what works best for you and your lifestyle.
AND... an accomplishment can be ANYTHING which initiates a sense of accomplishment within you...
"I mowed the lawn and it looks so clean, fresh, neat and tidy!"
"Despite having no energy, I got myself out of bed and went for a 30min walk this morning"
"I made that phone call which I have been putting off for so long"
"I booked a new client!"
"I helped someone achieve something amazing in their life"
"I saved $10 when I bought something on sale"
The above are actually accomplishments from my accomplishment journal. It doesn't have to be record breaking stuff. It's about what brings about that sense of accomplishment within you.
Accomplishment by accomplishment, you will begin to notice a difference in your self perception. Your confidence will begin to grow and your outlook on life will begin to shift. An "I can do it" attitude will start to creep in and before you know it, you will be seeking out more accomplishments to write in your journal!
Big love, Hayley. x
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