(excerpted from the "How to Use a Journal" audio series by Jim Rohn)
If you're serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured and unique individual, keep a journal. Don't trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down.
I used to take notes on pieces of paper and torn-off corners and backs of old envelopes. I wrote ideas on restaurant placemats. On long sheets, narrow sheets and little sheets and pieces of paper thrown in a drawer. Then I found out that the best way to organize those ideas is to keep a journal. I've been keeping these journals since the age of twenty-five. The discipline makes up a valuable part of my learning, and the journals are a valuable part of my library.
I am a buyer of blank books. Kids find it interesting that I would buy a blank book. They say, "Twenty-six dollars for a blank book! Why would you pay that?" The reason I pay twenty-six dollars is to challenge myself to find something worth twenty-six dollars to put in there. All my journals are private, but if you ever got a hold of one of them, you wouldn't have to look very far to discover it is worth more than twenty-six dollars.
I must admit, if you got a glimpse of my journals, you'd have to say that I am a serious student. I'm not just committed to my craft, I'm committed to life, committed to learning new concepts and skills. I want to see what I can do with seed, soil, sunshine and rain to turn them into the building blocks of a productive life.
Keeping a journal is so important. I call it one of the three treasures to leave behind for the next generation. In fact, future generations will find these three treasures far more valuable than your furniture.
The first treasure is your pictures. Take a lot of pictures. Don't be lazy in capturing the event. How long does it take to capture the event? A fraction of a second. How long does it take to miss the event? A fraction of a second. So don't miss the pictures. When you're gone, they'll keep the memories alive.
The second treasure is your library. This is the library that taught you, that instructed you, that helped you defend your ideals. It helped you develop a philosophy. It helped you become wealthy, powerful, healthy, sophisticated, and unique. It may have helped you conquer some disease. It may have helped you conquer poverty. It may have caused you to walk away from the ghetto. Your library, the books that instructed you, fed your mind and fed your soul, is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind.
The third treasure is your journals: the ideas that you picked up, the information that you meticulously gathered. But of the three, journal writing is one of the greatest indications that you're a serious student. Taking pictures, that is pretty easy. Buying a book at a book store, that's pretty easy. It is a little more challenging to be a student of your own life, your own future, your own destiny. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal. You'll be so glad you did. What a treasure to leave behind when you go. What a treasure to enjoy today!
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://jim-rohn.inspiresyou.com
move out cleaning service Glencoe ..A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More
* Scanning and Skimming Practices *Whether you're writing e-mail messages... Read More
Communication is effective when we follow certain rules. These rules... Read More
Story Structure Templates are the fastest way to write screenplays.... Read More
If you find your sentences filled with commas, and they... Read More
Boost Brain Power Through WritingHave you ever noticed what happens... Read More
Here's something from my mailbag. "Dear Michael, do you need... Read More
Suspense novels are probably the easiest novels to write. Suspense... Read More
Someone once commented that there were no new ideas to... Read More
If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More
What am I supposed to give Anthony as a wedding... Read More
My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More
These 8 tips on using characters in your stories will... Read More
Many experts recommend reading as a way to get ideas,... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More
I???ve spoken to hundreds of editors, employers, and project managers... Read More
Self-examination sheds light on a writers motives, goals, and aspirations,... Read More
First drafts are for getting down the ideas. Anna Jacobs... Read More
Self-examination is brutally honest. Self-indulgence is brutally maudlin.Writing requires the... Read More
There are many ways you can generate ideas you can... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Our plotting stage is our testing area.Everything... Read More
Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
The purpose of this article is to consider Print-On-Demand publishing... Read More
We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More
house cleaning company Bannockburn ..WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO UK UNIVERSITYHOW DO... Read More
There's a little known secret we writers like to keep... Read More
Q. My writing sounds stiff and stilted. Help!A. Memories of... Read More
I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More
Do you love someone very deeply? A spouse, son, daughter,... Read More
Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block".... Read More
If you become a writer for any publication, private business,... Read More
I recently set up a website to promote a new... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips ?We all have different tastes in... Read More
One Saturday afternoon, I sat in a packed conference room... Read More
The creativity of Jaisini is not designed to be preaching... Read More
IntroductionSometimes it may be beyond a companies or individuals budget... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
While novels do not usually attempt to convey concepts about... Read More
Almost everyone could profit from enhancing their writing skills. From... Read More
Complaint letters aren't always fun, but sometimes they need to... Read More
During the years that I've been teaching writing and participating... Read More
For many years, I've been a tutor for students undertaking... Read More
Calling all publishers, editors, journalists and freelance writers. It's time... Read More
1. Become an EavesdropperListen carefully to the way people REALLY... Read More
Sometimes a freelance writing career can feel very much like... Read More
With the expansion and diversion of businesses, manufacturers, and even... Read More
Mixing and mingling with industry professionals is an opportunity that... Read More
People familiar with the Myers-Briggs Personality test know that the... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet?... Read More
Writing |