6 Ways Keeping a Journal Can Help Your Career

6 Ways Keeping a Journal Can Help Your Career6 Ways Keeping a Journal Can Help Your CareerKeeping a journal is a great idea- and not just for aspiring novelists and 15-year-old girls. And Im not referring to the public online journals that many of us (myself included) keep- though theres value in those, too. Im talking about a private, intimate journal a daily record of your experiences and observations, particularly at work.This type of journal is an unexpectedly great way to help you work through issues, analyze where youre at in your job, and grow in your career. In fact, consider it the easiest (and cheapest) gestalt of professional development you can findSo, go pick out a new notebook or journal, and get started writing- for these six reasons and more.1. Log Good IdeasBrilliance doesnt always strike when its fruchtwein convenient. In fact, your next great workdistributionspolitik idea might occur before bed, as youre cooking dinner, or- as mine often do- when youre in the showe r (like I said, not convenient).But dont let those ideas fall by the wayside simply because you didnt think of them between 9 and 5. With a journal on hand, you can write thoughts down when they come to you and make a note to share them with your boss or team. You might also find that, when you jot down one idea, a few more come to you.2. Learn Your LessonsTheres little value in going through experiences, both good and bad, if you cant learn from them. So, whether you totally nailed a client meeting or totally stumbled through a presentation, dont forget to take note of the lesson. By writing down what youve been through, noting what worked and what didnt, and analyzing what might help you in the future, youll set yourself up for much greater professional success.3. List Good Advice From MentorsThere are undoubtedly people in your career, both inside and outside your office, who provide you with invaluable feedback and advice. And you know whats even more valuable than getting that advice? Remembering it when you need it most.So, when you get great guidance from a mentor, manager, or peer, write it down and use it as a resource when youre struggling or looking for a bit of inspiration. Its likely youll want to remember their words of wisdom for the rest of your career- and maybe even pass it on to your own mentee one day.4. Vent (in a Safe Space)Did you get a passive-aggressive, condescending, or downright hostile email today? Did a client yell at you for something that was out of your control? Theres no more perfect place to vent your workplace frustrations than in the privacy of your own journal. (In fact, sometimes thats the only place you should be venting your frustrations) I dont mean to say that you should keep all negative feelings and experiences bottled up inside, but getting some of the little, day-to-day stuff off your chest, privately, is often the most therapeutic and safe way to move past your dissatisfaction.In your journal, jot down the respon se you really wanted to send to that colleague or client. Read it a few more times if you want, then let it go.5. Collect ComplimentsIt may feel a little self-absorbed, but theres no better place to keep track of the compliments and praise youve received than in your personal journal. The value of this is twofold First, it allows you to quickly remember the great things people have said about you when you need to provide a testimonial of your work, and second, it also acts as a quick and easy morale boost on days that seem harder than others. If youre being praised at work, its likely because you did something right. Its okay to relish that6. Envision the FutureUse the work youre doing now to envision what you want to do (and can do) in the future. In The How of Happiness, researcher and professor of psychology Sonja Lyubomirsky says that spending 20 minutes each day writing a narrative description of your best possible future self can help cultivate optimism and an overall sense of happiness. This exercise, which involves considering your most important, deeply held goals and picturing that they will be achieved is a valuable workplace exercise as well.Instead of becoming stuck in your routine, think (and write) about opportunities you see for growth. Then use this narrative to help build a roadmap. Now that you know where you want to go, how can you get there?Weve all gotten good at sharing publicly- we post our thoughts on public forums, share them at lunch across from our favorite co-workers, and tweet them out to the world. But by sharing your career experiences and your thoughts in a private space, youre in a better position to analyze your profession, reflect upon your experiences and goals, and plan for next steps as you grow in your career. I hope youll start writing todayPhoto of writing courtesy of Shutterstock.