How I did it: I didn't want to count this goal as "met" if I only kept a journal for a week or two and then stopped. So I waited until the habit was established (since January 1 of 2009) to mark this as done!

I was inspired by the book The Red Leather Diary, about a woman in the early 20th century who kept a 5-year diary, never missing a day. I purchased a 5-year diary on Amazon and I write a bit in it before I go to bed: mostly about things that happened that day or what I plan to do the next day. The sections are short, so you can't write a lot, but that actually works for me because I'm less likely to get burned out and feel pressured to write more! When I do want to write more, I have a pocket Moleskine notebook that I write my thoughts down in every once in a while. I don't kick myself if I don't write in it on a regular basis, but it's there when I want to.

Lessons & tips: Don't worry about what you are writing -- just do it!

There are lots of websites that can provide journaling prompts that you can use to get the ideas flowing.

Resources: http://www.amazon.com/5-Year-Diary-Red-Cover/dp/0977648184/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244134933&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-MB710-Moleskine-Notebook-Pocket/dp/8883701003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244134956&sr=1-1

http://www.geocities.com/papabear1701/prompt_library.html

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Jun 04, 10:05AM PDT | 2 comments